Balrampur Estate
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts.Many units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Balrampur Estate
The largest talukdari estate in Oudh (United Provinces), situated in the Districts of Gonda, Bahraich, Partabgarh, and Lucknow, with an area of 1,268 square miles. The land revenue payable to Government is 6-8 lakhs, of which 2-4 lakhs is due on account of permanently settled estates, and cesses amount to Rs. 74,000. The rent-roll exceeds 22 lakhs. The estate is being con- stantly enlarged by purchase.
The family traces descent to Bariar Sah, a Janwar Rajput, who was deputed about 1374 by Firoz Shah Tughlak to suppress the marauding gangs in the east of what is now Bahraich District. Bariar Sah settled at Ikauna, and acquired a large estate. About 1566 Madho Singh, in the seventh generation from Bariar Sah, separated from his brother who held the ancestral property, and acquired an estate for himself between the Rapt! and Kuwana. His son, Balram Das, founded the town of Balrampur and added to his father's acquisitions. The estate grew rapidly, and when Saadat Khan was appointed Nawab of Oudh, the Balrampur chief was forward in resisting his authority. In 1777 Nawal Singh became Raja and was one of the greatest warriors of the Janwars. He was repeatedly engaged in hostilities with the Oudh officials, but, although often defeated by the Nawab's troops, he was never subdued, and succeeded in keeping the assessment on his pargana at so low a rate as to amount to little more than a tribute.
His grandson, Drigbijai Singh, came into possession in 1836 at the age of eighteen, and was frequently engaged in warfare with the neighbour- ing chiefs of Utraula and Tulsipur and also with the revenue officers of the king's court. On the outbreak of the Mutiny, Drigbijai Singh was conspicuous for his loyalty. He sheltered the English officers of the District within his fort, and finally sent them in safety to Gorakhpur. This loyal behaviour exposed him to the hostility of the rebel govern- ment, and a farmdn from Lucknow divided his territories among his old enemies. A rebel force was actually sent to carry out this order, but was recalled. In the trans-Gogra campaign, which concluded the Mutiny, Raja Drigbijai Singh joined the British force and remained with it till the remnants of the rebel army were finally driven into Nepal. As a reward for his distinguished loyalty large estates in Gonda and Bahraich were conferred on him ; 1 o per cent, of the Government revenue on his ancestral estates was remitted, and the settlement of these was confirmed in perpetuity. He subsequently received the title of Maharaja Bahadur and was made a K. C.S.I. During the controversy over rights in land in the Province of Oudh, Drigbijai Singh was one of the leaders who helped to bring about a satisfactory settlement.
On his death in 1882 he was succeeded by his widow; but the estate is now held by Maharaja BhagwatI Prasad, K.C.I. E., an adopted son, who ranks as the premier talukdar of Oudh after the Raja of Kapur- thala. Balrampur and Tulsipur are the chief places of commercial importance in the estate, while a large fair is held at Debi Patan.
