Kingdom of Nagpur

Quick Facts: Who was Kingdom of Nagpur?

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Kingdom of Nagpur

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A powerful kingdom within the Maratha Confederacy, eventually annexed by the British Empire.

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Origins & Early Life

The Kingdom of Nagpur was a kingdom within the Maratha Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was ruled by the Maratha Bhonsle dynasty in the mid-18th century. The city of Nagpur was the capital of the state. After the Third Anglo-Maratha War, it became a princely state of the British Empire in 1818, and was annexed to British India in 1853 becoming Nagpur Province. The historical record of the Nagpur kingdom begins in the early 18th century, when it formed part of the Gond Kingdom of Deogarh.

Career & Major Achievements

Bakht Buland Shah, the ruler of Deogarh, visited Delhi during the reign of Aurangzeb and converted to Islam. Afterwards, determined to encourage the development of his own kingdom, he invited Hindu and Muslim artisans and cultivators to settle in the plains country, and founded the city of Nagpur. His successor, Chand Sultan, continued the development of the country, and moved his capital to Nagpur. After the death of Chand Sultan, the Bhonsles took over the control of the kingdom. After Chand Sultan's death in 1739, there was quarrel over the succession, leading to the throne being usurped by Wali Shah, an illegitimate son of Bakht Buland Shah.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Chand Sultan's widow invoked the aid of the Maratha leader Raghuji Bhonsle of Berar in the interest of her sons Akbar Shah and Burhan Shah. Wali Shah was put to death and the rightful heirs placed on the throne. Raghoji I Bhonsle was sent back to Berar with a plentiful bounty for his aid. The Maratha general judged that Nagpur must be a plentiful and rich country by the magnificence of his reward. However, dissensions continued between the brothers and once again, the elder brother Burhan Shah requested the aid of Raghuji Bhonsla.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1739: 1739 Milestone — After Chand Sultan's death in 1739, there was quarrel over the succession, leading to the throne being usurped by Wali Shah, an illegitimate son of Bakht Buland Shah.
2. 1818: 1818 Milestone — After the Third Anglo-Maratha War, it became a princely state of the British Empire in 1818, and was annexed to British India in 1853 becoming Nagpur Province.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kingdom of Nagpur

True or False: “Did the Kingdom of Nagpur maintain its autonomy and resist British annexation until 1947?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The kingdom was annexed by the British under the doctrine of lapse in 1853, although a relative managed parts of the land until India's independence.

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