DHARAMPUR

The Sisodia Dynasty

GENEALOGY

Note: the family genealogical tables show a continues and direct line of descent between Ramshah (r. 1262-1295) and Somdevji II (r. 1777-1784). However, it is well known that both Somdevji and his predecessor were adopted because of the failure of natural heirs. Consequently, we cannot be certain that any of their predecessors were not also adoptees. For this reason, the father-to-son relationship given in the family genealogy is omitted, except where the relationship is attested by other evidence.
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1262 - 1295 Rana Shri Ramshah, Rana of Prant Ramnagar. b. as Ramraja Singh, second son of Rana Shri Rahup, Rana of Sisoda, ancestor of the Sisodia Royal House of Udaipur (Mewar). He left Sisoda after quarrelling with his elder brother, hoping to seek his fortune at the court of Mahadeo Jadav at Deogiri. Durin his journey, he came across Nathorat, the Kholi Thorat chief who oppressed his subjects. Takin up their cause, he defeated and killed him in battle, seized the capital and was proclaimed Rana by the grateful populace. Assumed the title of Rana and granted the suffix of Shah by popular acclamation. Founder of the principality of Prant Ramnagar. He d. 1295, having had issue:
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1295 - 1335 Rana Shri Somshah, Rana of Prant Ramnagar, son of Rana Shri Ramshah, Rana of Prant Ramnagar. Succeeded on the death of his father, 1295. Greatly expanded his principality by defeating and annexing the territories of surrounding Kholi chiefs. During his reign, Emperor Alla ud-din Khilji sent his slave Kafoor to conquer Deogiri and extinguish that kingdom, but left Prant Ramnagar untouched.
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1335 - 1360 Rana Shri Purandarshah, Rana of Prant Ramnagar.
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1360 - 1391 Rana Shri Dharamshah I, Rana of Prant Ramnagar. Conquered Fatehpur and extended his territories southward toward Jawhar.
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1391 - 1432 Rana Shri Gopushah, Rana of Prant Ramnagar.
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1432 - 1470 Rana Shri Jagatshah I Sahib, Rana of Prant Ramnagar. Extended his territories northward, took the strong fortress at Parnera, and made it the northern limit of his principality. This drew the wrath of Sultan Muhammad Begeda who sent a strong force to wrest it from Jagatshah, then drove south and took Doura. He welcomed the Parsis to his state and extended his protection to them, after they had first left Persia then dispersed when their protector, Sanjan, fell to the Muslims.
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1470 - 1500 Rana Shri Naranshah Sahib, Rana of Prant Ramnagar.
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1500 - 1531 Rana Shri Dharamshah II Sahib, Rana of Prant Ramnagar.
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1531 - 1566 Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Jagatshah II [Jayadevji] Sahib, Maharana of Prant Ramnagar, educ. privately. Succeeded 1531. He conquered the coast of Gujerat from the Sultan and parts of the northern Konkan. The state reached its zenith during his reign, the borders extending to Bassein near Bombay in the south, Igatpuri in the east, Surgana in the north-east and Rumla in the north. Entered into treaty relations with the Portugese in 1558. A shrewd and skilled diplomat, who first fought then settled peace with the Portuguese and avoided any entanglements with his neighbours and their continuing wars with the foreigner. He eschewed the style of Shah in favour of Dev at the suggestion of Sultan Muzaffar Shah of Guherat, and assumed the hereditary title of Maharana. He d. at Asarseta 1566, having had issue, a son:
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1566 - 1600 Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Lakshmandevji Jayadevji Sahib, Maharana of Prant Ramnagar, son of Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Jagatshah II [Jayadevji] Sahib, Maharana of Prant Ramnagar, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of the father, 1566. Immediately faced with rebellions and desertion by his Kholi chiefs, most of whom were able to secure their independence from him. Accepted the sovereignty of Emperor Akbar and paid tribute to his deputy, Raja Todar Mal, at Broach in 1576. Entered the Imperial service and was appointed to a mansab of 1,500 horse. He d. at Asarseta, 1600, having had issue:
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1600 - 1635 Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Ramdevji I Sahib, Maharana of Prant Ramnagar, son of Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Lakshmandevji Jayadevji Sahib, Maharana of Prant Ramnagar, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his father, 1600. He sent a continent of 1,000 horse to assist the Mughal Governor of Gujerat against Malik Amber. He d. at Asarseta, 1635.
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1635 - 1670 Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Somdevji Sahib, Maharana of Prant Ramnagar. Removed his capital from Asarseta to Nagar Fatehpur. He lost his great frot of Gumbheergadh to Shivaji the Great in October 1670, and was forced to seak shelter with the Portuguese in Daman. He d. in exile, at Daman, 1680, having had issue, a son:
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1670 - 1680 Interregnum.
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1680 - 1727 Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Sahadevji Sahib, Maharana of Prant Ramnagar, son and heir of Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Somdevji Sahib, Maharana of Prant Ramnagar, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his father as head of the family, in exile, 1680. He journeyed to Ramnagar following the death of the Maratha Viceroy, Trimbak Pingle, in October 1680 and had himself proclaimed as ruler. He then extended his territories further by seizing several neighbouring parganas from the Marathas, while they were busy fighting each other in the Deccan. He d. at at Nagar Fatehpur, 1727.
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1727 - 1758 Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Ramdevji II Sahib, Maharana of Prant Ramnagar, educ. privately. Succeeded 1727. Twice faced with invasions by the Marathas, who wrought havoc on the state, reducing the capital to ashes and annexing more than half his provinces. Forced to flee into the jungle and hide from the invaders until a settlement was negotiated, by which he yielded up Nagar Fatehpur, 69 villages and his rights to half the revenues from transit duties and port fees. He d. at the Fort of Nagar Fatehpur, 1758, having had issue, a son:
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1758 - 1774 Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Dharamdevji Dharma Dev Rana Raja, Maharana of Prant Ramnagar, son of Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Ramdevji II Sahib, Maharana of Prant Ramnagar, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his father, 1758. Ascended the gadi at Pindwal. He attempted to annul the agreement with the Peshwa and to recover the territories lost by his father. Attacked Nagarhaveli and expelled the Maratha garrison, but faced a massive retaliatory raid in which he lost not only his recent gains but also the district of Purandare. Removed his capital from Pindwal to Mandvegan in 1766, where he established a new capital and named it Dharampur, from whence the state took its name. He maintained good relations with the Portuguese, who frequently consulted by them on matters affecting the culture and religion of their Hindu subjects. His last years were largely spent as a religious devotee. m. (first) Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Baiji Kushal Kunverba Sahiba (d. at the Durbargadh, Dharampur, 1784), Regent for her adopted son 1774-1784, daughter of the chief of Mahida. m. (second) Akhand Soubhagyavati Ganga Swarup Maharani Matoshri Baiji Raj Kunverba Sahiba. He d.s.p.m. at Chhatrashrini Hill, 1774.
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1774 - 1777 Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Narandevji I Dharma Dev Rana Raja, Maharana of Dharampur. b. as Guman Singh, a nephew of the ruler of Udaipur, educ. privately. Adopted by Maharani Kushal Kunverba, the senior widow of Maharana Shri Dharamdevji under the name of Narandevji and ascended the gadi, at the Durbargadh, Dharampur, 1774. He reigned under the regency of his adoptive mother, but tired of her interference and fled to Balda with Maharani Raj Kunverba. He returned to the capital after a reconciliation by the Seths Bheramji and Bhikaji. He d.s.p. at the Durbargadh, Dharampur, 1777 (succ. by his brother).
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1777 - 1784 Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Somdevji II Dharma Dev Rana Raja, Maharana of Dharampur. b. as Abhay Singh, a nephew of the ruler of Udaipur, educ. privately. Adopted by his natural brother and succeeded on his death, 1777. Ascended the gadi at the Durbargadh, Dharampur. Reigned under the regency of his adoptive mother, until her death in 1784. Soon after his formal accession to power, the tribes of the south united with the Pindharis, attacked and destroyed the capital. The Kholis of Peint then also rose in rebellion against him, but were successfully crushed. He then returned to the capital and rebuilt the palace and the other public buildings. m. several wives, including ca. 1782, Akhand Soubhagyavati Namdar Shrimant Maharani Baiji Kushal Kunverba Sahib (d. after 1808), a Mahida princess who acted as Rani Regent for her minor son and grandson. He d. at the Durbargadh, Dharampur, 1784, having had issue, a son:
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1784 - 1807 Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Rupdevji Dharma Dev Rana Raja, Raja of Dharampur. b. at the Durbargadh, Dharampur, 1783, only surviving son of Namdar Shrimant Maha Mandaleshwar Maharajadhiraj Maharana Shri Somdevji II Dharma Dev Rana Raja, Rana of Dharampur, by his wife, Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Baiji Kushal Kunverba Sahib, sometime Rani Regent of Dharampur, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his father, 1784. Ascended the gadi at the Durbargadh, Dharampur. His mother took him to Mandvi when the Karbhari attempted to poison him. Returned when the Peshwa sent his officers to restore order. He came of age and assumed full ruling powers, 1800. His state came under British protection under the terms of the Treaty of Bassein, 31st December 1802. Reconised in the territorial title of Raja od Dharampur only. Assisted in the punitive expeditions against the warlike Kholi tribes in 1805. m. at Nanod, Akhand Soubhagyavati Namdar Shrimant Maharani Ba Shri Guman Bai Kunverbapa Sahib, younger daughter of H.H. Maharana Shri Ajabsinhji Raisinhji Sahib, Maharaja of Rajpipla, by his third wife, H.H. Rani Ba Shri Rattan Bai Kunverba Sahib. He d. at the Durbargadh, Dharampur, 1807, having had issue, an only son:
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continued on the next page.
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DHARAMPUR 1 DHARAMPUR 3 DHARAMPUR 4 MAIN
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