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SONEPUR

GENEALOGY

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1841 - 1891 Raja Sriman Niladhar Singh Deo Bahadur, Raja of Sonepur. b. at Sonepur, on Ramanavami Day, 1837, as Niladrinath Singh Deo, younger son of Raja Sriman Prithvi Singh Deo, Raja of Sonepur, by his second wife, Rani Srimati Gundicha Devi Sahiba, educ. privately. Became Heir Apparent with the title of Yuvraj Sriman Sahib at birth. Succeeded on the death of his father, 27^th July 1841. Installed on the gadi under the official name of Raja Niladhar Singh Deo, at Sonepur Palace, 30^th August 1841. Reigned under the guardianship of his uncle Bapu Dalpat Rai 18 41-1847 and his mother Rani Gundicha Devi 1847-1856. He remained loyal to British Government and rendered all possible help in the Indian Mutiny of 1857, during the rebellion of Surendra Sai and the Khond rebellion of Chakra Bisi. Rewarded for his service s with the personal title of Raja Bahadur. Granted a sanad of adoption 20^th May 1865, and a further sanad recognising his status and powers as a feudatory chief 4^th September 1867. The administration of the state proving unsatisfactory, and the government ordered the appointment of a full-time Diwan to work under the supervision of the Political Agent, 1887. A great patron of the arts and literature, especially devotional poetry and humorous songs, he founded the first English school in 1874. m. (first) Rani Srimati Durga Kumari Devi Sahiba (d. at Sonepur, 1862), daughter of Kumar Padmanath Shah Deo, of Chhota Nagpur, in Bihar. m. (second) Rani Srimati ... Devi Sahiba (d. ca. 1915), a lady from a zamindari family of Kalahandi. He d. from an infected insect bite on his foot, at Sonepur Palace, 9^th September 1891, having had issue, six sons and a daughter:

1) Raja Sriman Pratap Rudra Singh Deo Bahadur, Raja of Sonepur (s/o Durga Kumari Devi) - see below.
2) Rajkumar Lal Sriman Bir Kalap Singh Deo. b. at Sonepur Palace, 1868 (s/o the Kalahandi lady), educ. Sonepur English Sch. and Rajkumar Sch., Sonepur. Hon. Assist. Dist. Supt. of Police at Sambalpur, and Supt. Sonepur State Police 1886-1922. He had issue, one son and two daughters, including:
- a) Babu Sri Ram Narayan Singh Deo. b. at Sonepur Palace, 1901, educ. Rajkumar Sch., Sonepur.
3) Rajkumar Lal Sriman Bir Bahadur Singh Deo.
4) Rajkumar Lal Sriman Biraj Mihir Singh Deo. b. at Sonepur Palace, 1887, educ. Rajkumar Sch., Sonepur.
5) Rajkumar Lal Sriman Bir Mihir Singh Deo. b. at Sonepur Palace, 1888, educ. Rajkumar Sch., Sonepur.
6) Rajkumar Lal Sriman Jang Bahadur Singh Deo.
1) Rajkumari Srimati … Devi Sahiba [Srimati Rani Sahiba of Baudh]. m. Swasti Sri Prabala Pratapaditya Paratapa Danasampanna Jharkhand Badshah Raja Jogendra Dev, Raja of Baudh (b. at Baudgarh, 21^st May 1857; d. there, 10^th March 1913), son of Swasti Sri Prabala Pratapaditya Paratapa Danasampanna Jharkhand Badshah Raja Pitambar Dev, Raja of Baudh. She had issue - see India Non-salute (Baudh).

1891 - 1902 Raja Sriman Pratap Rudra Singh Deo Bahadur, Raja of Sonepur. b. at Sonepur, 22^nd July 1853, eldest son of Raja Sriman Niladhar Singh Deo Bahadur, Raja of Sonepur, by his first wife, Rani Srimati Durga Kumari Devi Sahiba, educ. Sonepur English Sch. Became Heir Apparent with the title of Yuvraj Sriman Sahib at birth, 1853. Magistrate and Sessions Judge 1886-1891. Succeeded on the death of his father, 9^th September 1891. Ascended the gadi at Sonepur Palace, 11^th September 1891. Granted the personal title of Raja Bahadur 1898. He took a keen interest in administration and the welfare of his people, conducted the first land revenue settlement, instigated famine relief schemes, and built the first modern schools, courts and roads. He established the first girls' school, a Sanskrit school and dispensed scholarships for further education in British India. A Sanskrit scholar of high standing, who composed several devotional songs including "Stotratarangini" (1893), "Chaturdasapadi" (1918), etc. m. at Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi, 1869, Rani Srimati Amulyamani Devi Sahiba (d. after a protracted illness, at Sonepur Palace, 1909), eldest daughter of Raja Udit Pratap Deo Bahadur, Raja of Kalahandi, by his wife, Rani Srimathi Asha Kumari Devi Sahiba, only child of Maharaja Sriman Narayan Singh, Maharaja of Sambalpur. He d. at Sonepur Palace, 8^th August 1902, having had issue, five sons and seven daughters, including:

1) Maharaja Sriman Sir Bir Mitrodaya Singh Deo Bahadur, Dharmariddhi Jnanagunakar, Maharaja of Sonepur - see below.
2) Maharajkumar Lal Sriman Hrudaya Singh Deo. He d. before 1927, having had issue, a son:
- a) Lal Sri Ram Narayan Singh Deo.
3) Maharajkumar Lal Sriman Ranabir Singh Deo. b. at Sonepur, 30^th December 1880, educ. Rajkumar Sch., Sonepur. Hon. Magistrate and Judge 1902. m. a daughter of Swasti Sri Prabala Pratapaditya Paratapa Danasampanna Jharkhand Badshah Raja Jogendra Dev, Raja of Baudh, by his wife, a daughter of Raja Sriman Niladhar Singh Deo Bahadur, Raja of Sonepur. He d.s.p.m. after 1927, having had issue:
- a) A daughter. m. 1924, into the Bamra family.
Lal Ranabir Singh Deo also adopted a son:
- a) Babu Sri Jagannath Panda. Banished from the state by Maharaja Bir Mitrodaya.
4) Maharajkumar Lal Sriman Mahavir Singh Deo. b. at Sonepur, 1887.
5) Maharajkumar Lal Sriman Jashovant [Yashwant] Singh Deo. b. at Sonepur, 1889, educ. Rajkumar Sch., Sonepur. m. a lady from the Jharia family. He had issue, one son and one daughter:
- a) Lal Sri Sitanshu Shekhar Singh Deo. He d.unm.
- a) Rani Srimathi Rasmanjari Devi Sahiba. b. at Sonepur, 19^th November 1927, educ. privately. Chair. Tigiria Panchayat Samiti 1971-1974, MLA for Athgarh in the Orissa state assembly 1977-1980. m. Raja Brajraj Kshatriya Birbar Chamupati Singh Mahapatra, Raja of Tigiria (b. 15^th October 1921), second son of Raja Sudarshan Kshatriya Birbar Chamupati Singh Mahapatra, Raja of Tigiria, by his wife, Rani Bilasbati Devi Sahiba, a cousin of the Maharaja of Sonepur. She had issue, three sons and three daughters - see India Non-salute (Tigiria).
1) Rajkumari Srimati Prematarangini Devi Sahiba [Srimathi Jubarani Sahiba Krishnapriya Devi, of Seraikella]. m. Sri Jubraj Sahib Nriparaj Singh Deo, Jubraj Sahib of Seraikella (b. at Seraikella, 1870; d.v.p. from cholera, at Seraikella, 1898), eldest son of Raja Sri Udit Narayan Singh Deo Bahadur, Raja of Seraikella, by his wife, Rani Narendra Kumari Devi Sahiba, daughter of Raja Sri Fateh Narayan Deo Bahadur, Raja of Kalahandi. She had issue, three sons and three daughters - see India Non-Salute (Seraikella).
2) The second daughter. m. a son of Raja Sri Sri Jyoti Pratap Singha Deo, Raja of Panchakote, in Bengal.
3) The third daughter. m. a son of Raja Sri Sri Jyoti Pratap Singha Deo, Raja of Panchakote, in Bengal.
4) Rajkumari Srimati Vaigchi Devi Sahiba [Rani Srimati Girish Nandini Devi Sahiba, of Chhota Nagpur]. m. Sri Yubraj Neeldhari Nath Shah Deo (b. at Ratugarh, Ranchi, 23^rd March 1886; d.v.p. at Ratu Palace, Ranchi, 1904), eldest son of Sri Maharaja Pratap Narain Udai Nath Shah Deo, Maharaja of Chhota Nagpur, in Bihar, by his wife, Maharani Srimathi Mohan Kunwar Devi Sahiba, daughter of Maharaja Udit Narayan Singh Deo, Raja of Seraikella. She d. at Ratu Palace, Ranchi, 1970, had issue, two sons - see India Zamindars (Chhota Nagpur).
5) The fifth daughter. m. ...
6) The sixth daughter. m. the Raja of Tekkali.
7) Maharajkumari Srimati Annapurna Devi Sahiba [Rani Srimati Annapurna Devi, Rani of Rairakhol]. m. at Sonepur Palace, 1912, Raja Bir Chandra Jadumani Jenamani Deo, Raja of Rairakhol (b. at Bonaigarh, 20^th August 1891; d. 14^th November 1973), third son of Raja Nilambar Chandra Deo, Raja of Bonai, and adopted son of Raja Gaur Chandra Deo Jenamani, Raja of Rairakhol. She d. 1964, having had issue, four sons and four daughters - see India Non-Salute (Rairakhol).

1902 - 1937 Maharaja Sriman Sir Bir Mitrodaya Singh Deo Bahadur, Dharmariddhi Jnanagunakar, Maharaja of Sonepur, KCIE (1.1.1918). b. at Sonepur Palace, 8^th July 1874, eldest son of Raja Sriman Pratap Rudra Singh Deo Bahadur, Raja of Sonepur, educ. Rajkumar Sch., Sonepur. Invested as Heir Apparent with the title of Yuvraj Sriman Sahib at Sonepur, 11^th September 1891. Survey and Settlement Officer 1892. Succeeded on the death of his father and ascended the gadi at Sonepur, on the same day, 8^th August 1902. Granted a revised sanad recognising his status and powers, 23^rd December 1905. Invested with the personal title of Maharaja by the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, at Belvedere, 8^th November 1908 (made hereditary 1^st January 1921). He had consolidated the Tenancy and Land Revenue laws of the state and codified them in the "Bhumi-bidhi". For the financial support to different institutions and for the development of the state, the 'Sonepur state Trust Funds' was established in 1925. The Sonepur chair in English in the Ravenshaw College, Cuttack and the Sonepur chair in Oriya in the Calcutta University were established by his liberal donations. The Maharaja patronised a number of eminent scholars at his durbar and published a large number of rare books, his reign being something of a golden age for literature. An eminent Sanskrit and Oriya scholar, author of "Chandraprabha Kavya" (1902), "Bhagna Kankana (1920)", "Astapadi" (1926), "Nilakuntala" (1927), and "Anangarangini" (1935). Translator of "Ratnavali" (1894), "Abhijnana Sakuntala Nataka" (1898), "Vikramorvasi (1910), "Rutusamhara" (1915), "Naisadhiya Charita" (1921), "SisupalaVadha" (1928), "Dasa Kumara Charita" (1928), "Kalika Purana" (1929), and "Uttara Rama Charita Kavya" (1930), etc. Presdt. Utkal Sahitya Samaj. Vice-Patron Bihar & Orissa Soc. MRAS. Rcvd: Durbar medals (1903 and 1911), and Silver Jubilee medal (1935). m. 26^th February 1895, Maharani Srimati Lady Parvati Devi Sahiba, KIH Gold Medal (1.1.1925), benefactress of Ravenshaw College, authoress of "Syamantaka Mani" (1928) and "Purana Kathasara", and translator of "Bhaktikavyam", rcvd: Silver Jubilee (1935) and Coron. (1937) medals, daughter of the zamindar of Kashipur, in Kalahandi. He d. at Sonepur Palace, 29^th April 1937, having had issue, two sons:

1) Yuvraj Sriman Somabushan Singh Deo Sahib. b. at Sonepur Palace, 13^th October 1896, educ. Rajkumar Sch. and Maharaja High Sch., Sonepur, and Presidency Coll., Calcutta. A distingusihed writer and scholar, like his father and grandfather. Author of "Gajendra Mokshana" (1907), "Sridama Daridrya Bhanjana" (1920), etc. m. at Kimedi, April 1918, Yuvrani Sita Devi Sahiba, daughter of Raja Sri Sri Sri Kripamaya Deo, Raja of Bodakimedi, in Orissa. He d.v.p.s.p. during the influenza epidemic, at Sonepur, 29^th October (or 2^nd November) 1918.
2) Maharaja Sriman Sudhansu Sekhar Singh Deo Bahadur, Maharaja of Sonepur - see below.

1937 - 1963 H.H. Maharaja Sriman Sudhansu Sekhar Singh Deo Bahadur, Maharaja of Sonepur. b. at Sonepur, 23^rd August 1899, younger son of Maharaja Sriman Sir Bir Mitrodaya Singh Deo Bahadur, Dharmariddhi Jnanagunakar, Maharaja of Sonepur, KCIE, by his wife, Maharani Srimati Lady Parvati Devi Sahiba, KIH, educ. Rajkumar Sch. and Sonepur High Sch., Sonepur, and St Xavier's Coll., Calcutta. Became Heir Apparent with the title of Yuvraj Sahib, following the death of his elder brother. Succeeded on the death of his father 29^th April 1937. Ascended the gadi, 30^th April 1937. Formally installed by the Lieutenant-Governor in person, at the Durbar Hall, Sonepur Palace, 28^th October 1937. He responded to popular desire and placed the state administration on a democratic footing, establishing responsible government under a Council of Ministers headed by a Chief Minister in March 1943. Signed the instrument of accession to the Dominion of India, 15^th August 1947. The government of Orissa officially established its control over the administration of the state 14^th November 1947, and merged Sonepur as a Sub-Division of the Bolangir District 1^st January 1948. Granted the hereditary style of His Highness 1^st January 1948. Mbr. Cncl. of Eastern States Rulers, Brd. of Control of the Orissa & Chhatisgarh States Common High Court, Eastern States Education Brd., Rajkumar Coll. Raipur General Cncl. & Managing Cttee., MRAS (Bengal), etc. Rcvd: Silver Jubilee (1935), Coron. (1937), and Indian Independence (1947) medals. m. H.H. Maharani Srimati Khirode Kumari Devi Sahiba, daughter of Patraja Maheshwar Prasad Deo, zamindar of Lanjigarh, in Kalahandi. He d. 10^th August 1963, having had issue, one son and two daughters:

1) H.H. Maharaja Sriman Bir Pratap Singh Deo Bahadur, Maharaja of Sonepur - see below.
1) Maharajkumari Srimati Amulya Prabha Devi Sahiba [H.H. Maharani Dhirani Srimati Amulya Prabha Devi Sahiba, of Kanker]. b. at Sonepur, 1928. m. at Sonepur Palace, 22^nd November 1943, H.H. Maharajadhiraj Sriman Bhanu Pratap Deo, Raja of Kanker (b. 17^th September 1922; d. 14^th August 1969), adopted son and successor of Maharajadhiraj Sriman Lal Komal Deo, Raja of Kanker. She had issue, one son and one daughter - see India (Kanker).
2) Maharajkumari Srimati Indira Devi Sahiba [Rani Indira Debi Sahiba, of Jhargram]. m. The Hon Raja Shri Birendra Bijoy Malla Deb, of Jhargram (d. 2000), sometime MLA and Minister of State West Bengal, son of Raja Shri Narasingha Malla Ugal Sanda Deb, of Jhargram, in the Midnapore district of West Bengal, by his first wife, Rani Binod Manjuri Devi Sahiba, from Mayurbhanj. She had issue, two sons and two daughters - see India Zamindars (Jhargram).

1963 - [1973] H.H. Maharaja Sriman Bir Pratap Singh Deo Bahadur, Maharaja of Sonepur. b. at Calcutta, 31^st July 1923, only son of H.H. Maharaja Sriman Sudhansu Sekhar Singh Deo Bahadur, Maharaja of Sonepur, by his wife, H.H. Maharani Srimati Khirode Kumari Devi Sahiba, educ. privately and at the Presidency Coll., Calcutta Univ. (BA 1943). Styled Tikait Lal Sriman from birth 31^st July 1923. Appointed as Heir Apparent with the title of Sriman Yuvraj Sahib 29^th April 1937. Personal Assistant to his father 1945-1947. Succeeded on the death of his father, 10^th August 1963. Ascended the gadi, at Sonepur Palace, August 1963. The GOI amended the Indian Constitution to remove his position as a "ruler" and his right to receive privy-purse payments, 28^th December 1971. m. 20^th February 1944, H.H. Maharani Srimati Drupad Kumari Sahiba, née Maharajkumari Bai Shri Drupad Kumari Sahiba, second daughter of H.H. Maharaja Thakore Shri Sir Bahadursinhji Mansinhji Sahib, Maharaja of Palitana, KCSI, KCIE, by his wife, H.H. Maharani Shri Sitabai Sahiba, eldest daughter of H.H. Maharaja Shri Bhojarajsinhji Bhagwantsinhji, Maharaja of Gondal. He d. 24^th November 1973, having had issue, one son and one daughter:

1) H.H. Maharaja Sriman Prithvi Bir Singh Deo Bahadur, Maharaja of Sonepur - see below.
1) Maharajkumari Srimati Rita Devi Sahiba [Kumarani Rita Devi, of Dharampur], educ. Pratt Memorial Sch., Calcutta. m. Kumar Shri Mrugendradevji Jayadevji Sisodia, son of Kumar Shri Jayadevji Prabhatdevji Sahib, of Dharampur, by his wife, Kanwarani Jairaj Sunverba Sahib, a lady from Kirasra - see India (Dharampur).

[1973] H.H. Maharaja Sriman Prithvi Bir Singh Deo Bahadur, Maharaja of Sonepur, only son of H.H. Maharaja Sriman Bir Pratap Singh Deo Bahadur, Maharaja of Sonepur, by his wife, H.H. Maharani Srimati Drupad Kumari Sahiba, educ. Rajkumar Coll., Raipur, and St Xavier's Coll., Calcutta (B.Com.). Succeeded on the death of his father as Head of the Royal House of Sonepur, 24^th November 1973. m. H.H. Maharani Srimati Kavita Kumari Sahiba, Mbr. Brd. of Governors of The Palace Sch. (Jaipur), daughter of Shrimant Maharaj Lakshman Singhji Sahib, of Sailana, by his wife, Rani Hemant Kumari Sahiba, daughter of Kunwar Ranzor Singh, of Sirmur. He had issue, one son and two daughters:

1) Yuvraj Sriman Arjun Singh Deo, educ. Mayo Coll, Ajmer, Sydenham Coll of Commerce & Economics, Bombay Univ (B.Com.). Mngr with J. Thomas & Co Pvt Ltd Tea Auctioneers & Brokers, Calcutta. m. Yuvrani Srimati Aditi Kumari Sahiba, educ. Rani Laxmibai Public Sch, Jhansi, and the Prestige Inst of Management & Research, Indore (BBA), daughter of H.H. Maharaja Lokendra Shri Rajendra Singh Deo Bahadur, Maharaja of Datia, by his wife, H.H. Maharani Manohar Kunverba Sahiba, daughter of Maharaj Shri Ram Singhji Sahib, of Nandia, in Sirohi.
1) Maharajkumari Srimati Aarti Kumari Sahiba [Thakurani Aarti Kumari Sahiba, of Tera], educ. La Matiniere Girls Sch, J.D. Birla Coll (BA), and The Birla Inst of Liberal Arts & Management Sciences (BILAMS), Calcutta. m. Thakore Shri Mayurdhwaj Singh Rudrasinhji Jadeja, of Tera, son of Thakore Shri Dr Rudrasinhji Jethisinhji Jadeja, of Tera, in Cutch state - see India (Cutch).
2) Maharajkumari Srimati Shalini Kumari Sahiba [Kanwarani Shalini Kumari Sahiba, of Koti]. b. at Calcutta, 19^th November 1973, educ. La Matiniere Girls Sch, Calcutta, Sophia Coll, Ajmer (BA), and Maharaja Sayajirao Univ, Baroda (MA). m. at Jaipur, 2^nd March 2006, as his second wife, Kanwar Purujit Singh Tanwar (b. at Jaipur, 10^th July 1970), only son of Kanwar Tara Singh Tanwar, of Koti, under Keonthal, by his wife, Kanwarani Janaknandani Kumari Sahiba, née Maharajkumari Shrimati Baiji Lal Shri Jhinkajija Pratap Kanwarji Sahiba, daughter of H.H. Rai Rayan Mahimahendra Maharajadhiraj Maharawalji Sahib Shri Chandraveer Singhji Sahib Bahadur, Naresh Rajya, Maharawal of Banswara. She has issue, one son – see India Non-salute (Keonthal-Koti).

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