Princely State of Banka Pahari

The Princely State of Banka Pahari was amongst the major native states during the rule of the British Empire in India. During the early 19th century, the region was appointed as one of the princely states of India under the indirect rule of the British administration. The region covered a total area of 5 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 1,241 in the year 1941. The princely state of Banka Pahari included only one village, and was located in the Bundelkhand region. The erstwhile princely state was bounded by the British United Provinces of Agra and Oudh and was located in the north of Tori Fatehpur, Dhurwai and Bijna. Banka Pahari state was incorporated as a part of the Bundelkhand Agency, which was a sub division of Central India Agency.

History of Princely State of Banka Pahari
The ruling family of the princely state of Banka Pahari was the Bundela Rajputs. The state was one of the Hasht Bhaya jagirs which were initially part of the princely state of Orchha. Around 1690, Maharaja Udot Singh of Orchha state allocated the jagir of Baragaon to Diwan Rai Singh. Before the death of Rai Singh, he segregated the territory amongst his 8 sons. For of the states, namely Tori Fatehpur, Dhurwai, Bijna and Banka Pahari have survived; where as the other 4 states, Dudpur, Pasari, Chirgaon and Tehrauli eventually ceased to exist. The youngest son of Rai Singh, named Umed Singh was given the state of Banka Pahari, which originally comprised of 5 villages. But later in lieu of tribute, 4 villages were given to Jhansi. This was confirmed in the possession of the chief by the British sanad of 1823. From the year 1821, the Hasth Bhaya jagirs were directly reliant on the British administration.

The Princely State of Banka Pahari was a non- salute princely state. The Bundela Rajputs were the ruling family of Banka Pahari state. The native ruler, who held the title of Diwan, administered and supervised the internal affairs of the princely state; where as the associations of the state with other regions of the country was managed by the Resident of British India in the state. The Diwan of Banka Pahari accepted the suzerainty of the British Government of India in order to receive security and protection from the British against outside forces. The Diwan of the princely state of Banka Pahari exercised the powers of a ruling prince.

During the Sepoy Mutiny in the year 1857, the native ruler of the state supported the British Government of India. As a result of the loyal services provided by the Diwan of Banka Pahari, the British administration abolished the obligation of the native state to pay the annual relief, known as nazarana to its overlord on each succession, in the year 1862. The princely state of Banka Pahari was one of the original constituent members of the Chamber of Princes, a number of smaller states indirectly represented by 12 princes who were elected periodically.

The last native ruler of the princely state of Banka Pahari acceded to the Dominion of India, also known as Union of India, after the country gained independence from the British dominion in the year 1947.