Bashahr (Princely State)

Information

Dynasty	Bhati
State	Himachal Pradesh
Gun Salutes	9
Accession	15^th April 1948
Revenue	₹ 50,000 (1892)
Area	8,907 km²
Population	64,345 (1892)
Privy Purse	₹ 80,000
Religion	Hinduism
Hindi Name	बशाह्र
Also known as	Bushehr
Last Updated	13^th Jul, 2021

Present Head/Ruler

Raja VIKRAM ADITYA SINGH, Raja of Rampur-Bashahr since 2021, born 17^th October 1989 at Simla, educated at Bishop Cotton School, Simla; married to Rani Sudarshana Kumari, daughter of Thakur Dheer Singh of Amet (Rajasthan).

Short History

One of the oldest hill states after Kashmir, traditionally founded by Pradhuman, the son of Lord Krishna. According to C. F. Kennedy, it was founded by Rana Danbar Singh, an immigrant Rajput from the Deccan in 1412.

Predecessors

Rana CHATTAR SINGH, 110^th Rana of Bashahr, brought the whole of the state under his power during his reign.
Rana KALYAN SINGH, 112^th Rana of Bashahr
Rana KEHRI SINGH, 113^th Rana of Bashahr.
Rana VIJAY SINGH, 114^th Rana of Bashahr -/1708.
Rana UDAI SINGH, 115^th Rana of Bashahr 1708/1725, married and had issue.
- Rana Ram Singh (qv)
- Mian Pabar Singh [Shaminder Singh], married and had issue, the only legitimate collateral line of the royal family.
  - Mian Madho Singh, married and had issue.
    - Mian Asa Singh, married and had issue.
      - Mian Saran Singh, married and had issue.
        Mian Man Singh, married and had issue.
        Mian Hira Singh, married and had issue.
        Raja Narain Singh, present head (1910), jagirdar and lambardar of Kakrola in the Dassau pargana of Rampur tahsil; married and had issue.
        Rajkumar Bhawani Singh
        Mian Raghbir Singh
        Mian Tej Singh
        Mian Ishri Singh
        Ratan Singh
        Lal Singh
        Mian Karam Singh
        Dharam Singh
        Sheo Singh
      - Mian Badri Singh
        Bhup Singh
        Dev Singh
        Bai Singh
        Bhagtu Singh
        Laxmi Singh
      - Mian Diwan Singh
        Bishan Singh
      - Mian Narsingh Singh
        Kehri Singh
        Hari Singh
        Ishru Singh
        Gulab Singh
        Ram Singh
Rana RAM SINGH, 116^th Rana of Bashahr 1725/1761, made Rampur his capital, lost much conquered land in wars with the Raja of Kullu; married (amongst others) (a), a daughter of Rana Anup Singh, Rana of Kumharsain, and had issue. He died 1761.
- Rana Udar Singh (qv)
- Mian Bhim Chand, married and had issue.
  - Mian Prem Singh, married and had issue.
    - Mian Rai Singh
      - Devi Singh
      - Shyam Singh
        Ram Singh
    - Mian Jai Singh
      - Man Singh
      - Bahao Singh
        Hira Singh
      - Karam Singh
        Padam Singh
Rana UDAR SINGH, 117^th Rana of Bashahr 1761/1785, married 1^stly, a daughter of Raja Kirat Prakash of Sirmur, married 2^ndly, a daughter of the Thakur of Dhami, and had issue. He died 1785.
- Rana Ugar Singh (qv)
Rana UGAR SINGH, 118^th Rana of Bashahr 1785/1803, during his reign, Bashahr was conquered by the Gurkhas who maintained their hold until 1815, married 1^stly, a Rani from Sirmur, she died sp, married 2^ndly, a Rani of Dhami, and had issue (by second Rani). He died 1810.
- Raja Mahendra Singh (qv)
- Kumari (name unknown), married (as his second wife), Raja Ishwari Sen of Mandi.
Raja MAHENDRA SINGH, Raja of Bashahr 1815/1850 , born 1805 or 1809, confirmed in his possessions by the sanad of 6^th November 1815, married and had issue, as well as further issue. He died 1850.
- Raja Shamsher Singh (qv)
- Mian Fatteh Singh (natural son), died sp in 1876.
Raja SHAMSHER SINGH, Raja of Bashahr 1850/1887 and 1898/1914, born 1838, abdicated in favour of his legitimate son in 1887, married Ranis from Kangra, Koti and Kumharsain, and had issue, one son and two daughters, as well as further natural issue. He died 5^th August 1914.
- Kumari (name unknown), married Raja Shiv Raj Singh of Kashipur, and had issue.
  - Rajkumar Raghunath Singh, adopted to Bashahr, but was overlooked in the succession.
- Kumari (name unknown), married Raja Shiv Raj Singh of Kashipur, and had issue.
- Tikka Raghunath Singh (by the Kumharsain Rani), later Raja Raghunath Singh (qv)
- Raja Sir Padam Singh (by a secondary union) (qv)
Raja RAGHUNATH SINGH, Raja of Bashahr 1887/1898, C.I.E., born 1868, married 1^stly, and 2^ndly, two daughters of Rana Bishan Chand of Koti, married 3^rdly, in a double ceremony in 1884, twin daughters of Raja Bijai Sen of Mandi, and had issue, six daughters and one son. He died in February 1898.
- Tikka Marender Singh (by a Mandi Rani), born 1886, died in January 1899.
- Kumari (name unknown) (by the Koti Rani), married Raja Udai Raj Singh of Kashipur.
- Kumari (name unknown) (by the Koti Rani), married into Kashipur.
- Kumari (name unknown) (by the Koti Rani), married into Kashipur.
- Kumari (name unknown) (by the Koti Rani), married into Tehri-Garhwal.
- Kumari (name unknown) (by the Koti Rani), married into Tehri-Garhwal.
Raja Sir PADAM SINGH, Raja of Bashahr 1914/1947, born 1873, succeeded 5^th August 1914, installed 30^th November 1917, C.I.E. [June 1931], married 9 wives (4 from Kotkhai, one fom Mandi, one from Suket, married (a), a daughter of Rai Mian Hira Singh, Rai of Sangri, married 8^thly, Rani Jwale Dei, daughter of Col. Maharaja Sir Jai Chand of Lambagraon, died 22^nd July 1949, married 9^thly, Rani Shanta Devi [later Rajmata of Bashahr], daughter of Thakur Bir Singh of Dhadi, and had issue. He died April 1947.
- Shri Devinder Singh, died young in 1922.
- Shri Ranbir Singh, married and had issue. He died 1921.
  - Shri Hardev Singh, born 1920, died 1939.
- Shri Jagatjit Singh, born 4^th November 1904, married 1^stly, 1929, Jai Devi of Karangla, married 2^ndly, daughter of a Kanwar of Dada-Siba, and had issue, as well as further issue. He died 1961.
  - Kanwar Lokendra Singh
  - Rani Mina Kumari, born 1934, married 1949, Rao Raja Yogendra Singh Jamwal, and has issue.
    - Rajkunwar Randhir Singh
    - Rajkumari Seema Kumari, married Kanwar Bhanu Pratap Singh of Darkoti, and has issue.
  - Kanwar Raj Pal Singh, born 8^th March 1947, married 25^th November 1975, Kanwarani Romila Kumari, daughter of Kanwar Rajendra Singh of Kotkhai, and his wife, Kanwarani Rajpriya Kumari, and has issue.
    - Kumari Ravija Kumari, born 12^th October 1976 in Shimla, married 3^rd May 1997, Tikka Danvender Singh of Kullu, and has issue.
    - Kumari Vibha Kumari, born 5^th December 1977 in Kotkhai, married 3^rd August 2000, Kanwar Hiteshwar Singh of Kullu, and has issue.
    - Kumari Devika Kumari
    - Kumari Madhvi Kumari [Tikkarani Madhvi Kumari of Khaneti], married 2008, Tikka Gaurav Chand of Khaneti, and has issue, one daughter.
    - Kumari Tushanika Kumari
  - Kumari Krishna Kumari, married Kanwar Ishwari Singh of Bilaspur, and has issue.
  - Kumari Santosh Kumari
  - Kumari Nirmila Kumari, married Thakur Narender Singh of Dhadi, and had issue.
  - Kumari Lakshmi Kumari, married 1959, Kanwar Dalip Singh of Mandi, and has issue.
  - Kanwar Sagar Singh, born 9^th February 1932, married Kunwarani Savitri Devi (Manjit Sagar), daughter of Rana Goverdhan Sinh of Karangla (Jjagirdari) and has issues, 3 children, eldest son died after birth (9 months old).
    - Deepika Kumari, born 6^th October 1982, married.
    - Kanwar Ripudaman Singh, born 6^th October 1983.
  - Shri Gopal Singh, born 15^th March 1946, married Kanwarani Sheela Kumari (born 1^st January 1952) and has issues.
    - Tikkarani Gitanjali Kumari, married Tikka Yogendra Chand of Madhan, and has issue.
    - Pratibha Kumari, born 28^th November 1971, married Kanwar Mohender Singh of Madhan.
    - Bhawna Kumari, born 11^th April 1974.
    - Mamta Kumari, born 23^th September 1975, married Kanwar Yashpal Singh
    - Kanwar Ravinder Pratap Singh, born 30^th July 1983, married Kanwarani Ronika Kumari (born 8^th November 1986) and has issue.
      - Kumari Suhavi Singh, born 5^th October 2006.
- Tikka Virbhadra Singh (by Rani Shanta Devi) [later Raja Virbhadra Singh (see below)]
- Kumari (name unknown) (by Rani Jwale Dei), married Lt. Rana NARENDRA SINGH of Manaswal.
- Rajkumar Rajendra Singh (by Rani Jwale Dei), born 28^th July 1935 at Sarahan-Bashahr, married 20^th June 1957, Rajkumari Rajendra Kumari, daughter of HH Maharaja Sir Brijnath Singh Ju Deo Bahadur of Maihar in M.P., born 5^th November 1943 at Jabalpur in M.P., and had issue, three children. He died in November 1997, and was cremated at the Royal Cemetary in Rampur-Bashahr.
  - Kanwar Rajeshwar Singh, born 31^st May 1958 at Simla, Heir Apparent to the gaddi of Rampur Bushahr until 1989, married 1^stly, 1984 (div. 1996), Miss Parminder Singh Oberoi, married 2^ndly, 1^st December 1997 at Simla, Rajkumari Shrikriti Kumari, born 10^th May 1965 at New Delhi, daughter of Raja Rana Yogendra Chand of Jubbal, and his wife, Rani Sudha Kumari, and has issue. (Padam Castle, Jakhu Road, Simla, Himachal Pradesh, India)
    - Kanwar Prakram Singh (by 1^st marriage), born 28^th October 1984.
    - Kumari Rajnandini Kumari (by 2^nd marriage), born 30^th April 2001 at Simla.
  - Kumari Purnima Kumari, born 27^th June 1962 in Shimla. Educated in Tara Hall Convent School, Shimla. Married on 27^th April 1990 to Thakur Pranai Singh, son of Rawal Chakrapani Singh ji of Bissau and his wife Rani Saheb Sharda Kumari of Khairagarh and has issue. The wedding was a grand affair and took place in Holly Lodge and Padam Castle Shimla (residence of the Bashahr family and Chief Minister of Himachal Raja Virbhadra Singh ji). A massive number of attendees traveled from Jaipur to Shimla in the baraat including Late His Highness Maharaja Brigadier Sawai Bhawani Singh Bahadur of Jaipur.
  - Kumari Namrata Kumari, born 19^th December 1963.
- Kumari (name unknown) (by Rani Jwale Dei), married the Rana of Manswal.
Raja VIRBHADRA SINGH, Raja of Rampur-Bashahr since 1947. (Holly Lodge, Jakhu Road, Simla, Himachal Pradesh, India and The Palace, Rampur-Bushahr, District Simla, Himachal Pradesh, India). Born 23^rd June 1934 in Sarahan District,Shimla. B.A.(Hons), M.A.; educated at Bishop Cotton School, Shimla and St. Stephen’s College, Delhi; Honorary Captain in the Indian Army; elected Member of the Lok Sabha in 1962, 1967, 1972 and in 1980; Member of Indian Delegation to the General Assembly of the United Nations, 1976; Deputy Minister, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Govt. of India, 1976/1977; Minister of State for Industries, Government of India, 1982/1983. Associated with various Cultural and Social Organisations, remained President, Sanskrit Sahitya Sammelan and Friends of Soviet Union Society (H.P.State Branch); Elected twice to the Legislative Assembly from Jubbal-Kotkhai Constituency (first in 1983, in a by-election; and again in 1985 general elections), Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh, 1983/1990 and again in 1993/1998, five times in total. Elected from nearby Rohru Constituency in 1990 and 1993; Elected President State Congress Committee, 1992/1994; re-elected to State Assembly in 1998; Leader of the Congress Legislative Group in the Assembly, he became Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh in March 2003, and served till December 2007. He contested the Vidhan Sabha election from Rohru in December 2007 and won as an M.L.A. He remained an M.L.A.till June 2009, and then contested the Mandi Parliamentary seat on a Congress ticket. He won the election and was appointed Union Minister of Steel, Government of India, in June 2009; married 1^stly, 28^th May 1954, Rajkumari Rattan Kumari, born 16^th August 1934 in Jubbal, died 27^th September 1983 in Simla, daughter of HH Raja Rana Digvijay Chand of Jubbal, and his wife, Rani Hemant Kanwar, married 2^ndly, 28^th November 1985 at Junga, Rani Pratibha Kumari, born 16^th June 1956, Member of the Lok Sabha, daughter of Raja Hitendra Sen of Keonthal, and his first wife, Rani Shanta Devi, and has issue, four daughters by the first wife, and one son and one daughter by the second wife. He died on 8^th July 2021 after a prolonged illness.
- Rajkumari Abhilasha Kumari, born 23^rd February 1956, appointed a High Court Judge of the Gujarat High Court by the Government of India in May 2006; married 7^th November 1979 in Simla, Kunwar Prithvindra Sinh Gohil of Dared in Gujarat, born 11^th July 1950, and had issue.
  - Kunwar Raghavendra Sinh Gohil, born 11^th July 1981 in New Delhi; married 7^th December 2008 at Lucknow, U.P., Raj Kumari Shruti Devi, daughter of Raja Anand Singh of Khapradih, U.P.
- Rajkumari Jyotsna Kumari, born 27^th February 1958, married Rajkumar Rajiv Singh of Kashipur, and has issue.
- Rajkumari Anuradha Kumari, born 14^th December 1960, died unmarried 4^th May 1999.
- Rajkumari Meenakshi Kumari, born 27^th June 1966 at Simla, married November 1988 at Simla (div.), Yuvraj Jaideep Sinh Jhala of Limbdi, and has issue.
- Rajkumari Aprajita Kumari, born 6^th December 1986 at Simla, educated at The Lawrence School, Sanawar, District Solan and at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, studying for her B.A. in Mathematics, from 2005. Married on 7^th March 2015 to Angad Singh, son of Sardar Gurpal Singh Sandhu of Delhi, and his wife, Sardarni Jai Inder Kaur, daughter of Capt. HH Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia Mansur-i-Zaman Amir-ul-Umra Maharaja Dhiraj Rajeshwar Sir Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan Maharajadhiraj Shri Amarinder Singh Mahendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Patiala.
- Tikka Vikram Aditya Singh (qv)
Raja VIKRAM ADITYA SINGH (see above)

Other Members

Kanwar Durga Singh of Bashahr, married and had issue.
- Kanwarani Meera Kumari, married Kanwar Anup Singh of Sirmur, and has issue.