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THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908.
OXFORD, AT THE CLAR..."

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Created page with "{| class="wikitable" |- |colspan="0"|<div style="font-size:100%"> This article has been extracted from <br/> THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908.<br/> OXFORD, AT THE CLAR..."

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|colspan="0"|<div style="font-size:100%">
This article has been extracted from <br/>

THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908.<br/>

OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS.
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[[Category:India|A]]
[[Category:Places|A]]
''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. ''

=Ajaigarh State=

A sanad State in Central India, under the
Bundelkhand Political Agency, lying between 24 degree 5' and 25 degree 10' N.
and 79 degree 50' and 8o° 21' E., with an area of about 771 square miles,
distributed over two separate tracts, one surrounding the town of
Ajaigarh, the other near to Maihar. The whole State lies in the heart
of the Vindhyas, and is much cut up by hills and valleys. The
principal streams are the Ken and its affluent the Bairma. The rainfall
recorded at Ajaigarh during a period of eleven years averaged 47 inches.

The Ajaigarh chiefs are Bundela Rajputs, being descendants of
Chhatarsal, the founder ol Panna. In 1731 Chhatarsal divided his
State into several shares, of which one worth 31 lakhs, including
Ajaigarh, was given to his third son, Jagat Raj. On the death of Jagat
Raj, his son and successor, Pahar Singh, was continually engaged in
disputes with his nephews, Khuman Singh and Guman Singh. Finally,
a settlement was effected by which Guman Singh received Banda
District, including the fort of Ajaigarh. In 1792 Bakht Singh, a
nephew of Guman Singh, who had succeeded to the Banda State, was
driven out by Ali Bahadur and reduced to such straits that he was
obliged to throw himself on the charity of his conqueror, and accept

a subsistence allowance of 2 rupees a day. When in 1803 the British
succeeded the Marathas in the possession of Bundelkhand, they granted
to Bakht Singh a cash pension of Rs. 30,000 a year, until territory
could be assigned to him.

In 1807 he obtained a sanad for the Kotra and Pawai parganas, the pension being discontinued in 1808. The
Ajaigarh fort and the surrounding country were at this time in the
hands of one Lachhman Daowa, a noted freebooter, who at once
proposed terms to the British authorities; and as it was important to
pacify the country, he was allowed to continue in possession on the
conditions ofallegiance, the payment of a tribute of Rs. 4,000 a year,
and the surrender ol the fort after two years.

His entire disregard of these conditions and his persistent turbulence made it necessary to
resort to force, and the fort was taken by Colonel Martindell in 1809
after a seve're fight. A large share of Lachhman Daowa's possessions
was then added to Bakht Singh's territory, including the fort of Ajaigarh,
which became the capital of his State. In 1812, at the Raja's request,
a fresh sanad was granted defining his possessions more accurately.
Bakht Singh died in 1837, and his son and successor, Madho Singh, in
1849. Madho Singh's brother, Mahipat Singh, then succeeded, and on
his death in 1853 was followed by his son, Bejai Singh, who died two
years later.

There being no direct heirs, the State was held to have
escheated to the British Government. While the matter was under
reference to the Court of Directors, the Mutiny broke out. In
recognition of the fact that the late chief's mother remained faithful to
the British during the disturbances, the escheat was waived, and the
succession of the present Maharaja, Ranjor Singh, an illegitimate brother
ofBejai Singh, was recognized in 1859.

In 1862 Ranjor Singh received
a sanad of adoption, and in 1877 the hereditary title of Sawai. His
Highness is the author of several works, including treatises on the
Mutiny and the use of cheetahs in- hunting. Enhanced criminal
jurisdiction was conferred in 1887, subyect to certain limitations, which
include the submission ofall sentences of death for confirmation to
the Agent to the Governor-General. In 1897 Ranjor Singh was
created a K.C.I.E.

The chief bears the titles of His Highness and
Maharaja Sawai, and receives a salute of 11 guns. The eldest son
Raja Bahadur Bhopal Singh, was born in 1866.

Besides the old fort at Ajaigarh, two other places in the State
possess archaeological interest. At the village of Bachhon, 15 miles
north-east of Ajaigarh, are the remains of a large town, and two tanks —
one, the Bhitaria Tal, being a very fine example of Chandel work.
Tradition assigns the foundation of the town to Bachha Raja, minister
to Parmal Deo or Parmardl Deo (1165-1203), the last important
Chandel ruler. Not far from the tank an inscription was found dated
A. D. 1376, in which the town is called Vacchiun.

The other place is
Nachna, 2 miles from Ganj (24 degree 25' N. and 8o° 28' E.), wrongly entered
as Narhua in our maps. It was formerly known as Kuthara, and is said
to have been raised into a place of importance by Sohan Pal Bundela in
the thirteenth century.

The number ofold pan gardens on the site
show that a large town once flourished here. Two partially ruined
temples arestill standing, one of which, dedicated to Parvati, is of
unusual interest. From its style and ornamentation it must belong to
the Gupta period of the fourth or fifth century. An elaborate attempt
has been made to preserve the old fashion of the rock-cut temples, the
walls being carved so as to imitate rock.

The figures sculptured upon it are all in Gupta style, and are far superior in execution to those met
with in most mediaeval temples ; the males, moreover, have their hair
dressed in curls, resembling the style used on coins of the Gupta Kings
The second temple, which possesses a fine spire, is dedicated to
Chaturmukhya Mahadeo, and is built in eighth-century style 1 .

The population of the State has been: (1881) 81,454, (1891) 93,048,
and (1901) 78,236, giving a density of 101 persons per square mile.
During the last decade there was a decrease of 15 per cent., owing
to famine. Hindus number 70,360, or 89 per cent.; Animists (chiefly
Gonds), 5,062, or 6 per cent.; and Musalmans, 2,314, or 3 per cent.
The State contains 488 villages and one town, Ajaigarh (population,
4,216), the capital.

The Gahora dialect of Bundelkhandi is most generally spoken. The most numerous castes are Brahmans, 11,100;
Chamars, 9,200; Kachhis, Bundela. Thakurs, Lodhas, Ahirs, and
Gonds, each numbering from 4,000 to 3,000. Agriculture supports
40 per cent, and general labour 27 per cent, of the population.

Of the total area, 407 square miles, or 53 per cent., are reported to be
cultivated, of which 10 square miles are irrigable ; 144 square miles, or
19 per cent., are under forest; 141 square miles, or 18 per cent., are
cultivable but not cultivated ; and 79 square miles, or 10 per cent., are
waste. Gram is reported to occupy 32 square miles, or 8 per cent, of the
cultivated area ; kodon, 31 square miles, or 8 per cent. ; wheat, 22 square
miles, or 5 per cent.; jowar, 16 square miles, or 4 per cent.; rice,
13 square miles, or 3 per cent.; barley, 8 square miles, or 2 per cent.;
and cotton, 3 square miles.

A canal, to be supplied by the Ken, is now under construction, and will benefit the State agriculturally. The
forests are being placed under systematic management, and should
yield a considerable income.

Iron was once extensively worked, but the industry has died out.
Diamonds are obtained in a few places. Guns, swords, and pistols of
country make are still produced in some quantity.

The State has practically no trade, its isolated position and want of
good communications making any development in this direction
1 A. Cunningham, Archaeological Survey Reports, vol. xxi,
difficult. The total length of roads is 72 miles, of which 24 are
metalled and 48 unmetalled. The metalled roads are portions of the
Satna-Nowgong, Banda-Nagod, and Ajaigarh-Panna roads, of which only
the last is maintained by the State. A British post olfice has been
opened at Ajaigarh town.

The total revenue amounts to 2.3 lakhs, of which 2 lakhs is derived
from land, and Rs. 19,000 from tribute. The expenditure is about
2 lakhs, of which one lakh is spent on general administration, including
the chiefs establishment.

The revenue is assessed on the crop-bearing
capabelity of the soil, a higher rate being levied from irrigated lands.
The incidence of the land revenue demand is Rs. 1-5—0 per acre ol
cultivated area, and R. 0-7-8 per acre ol the total area. About
203 square miles, or 26 per cent, of the total area, have been alienated
in land grants.

The army consists of 75 cavalry, 350 infantry, all irregulars, and
44 artillerymen with 9 serviceable guns. The number of regular police
is 68, and of village police 211.

Four schools are maintained, including one primary school, attended
by 67 pupils. There is a dispensary at Ajaigarh town.

Ajaigarh State - Revision history

Pdewan: Created page with "{| class="wikitable" |- |colspan="0"| This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLAR..."

Pdewan: Created page with "{| class="wikitable" |- |colspan="0"|
This article has been extracted from
THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908.
OXFORD, AT THE CLAR..."