Princely State of Bashahr

The Princely State of Bashahr was one of the Indian princely states during the rule of the British Empire in India which was managed by native rulers or Indian princes under the indirect control of the British Government of India. Bashahr state was situated in the hilly western Himalaya peninsula in the northern region of colonial Punjab. At present the region is located in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh and is drained by the Sutlej River. The territory covered a total area of 8,907 sq km and the total population of the princely state in the year 1941 was 111,459. The region was controlled by Nepal from the year 1803 to 1815. The British Government took charge of the region in the year 1898. The native ruler of the state had autonomous power to administer the internal issues of the state. They maintained pleasant association with the British as they received protection and security in return. In the year 1906, the peasants of the princely state initiated a tax revolt. Bashahr ranked first in order of precedence among the Shimla Hill States.

The capital of the state was at Sarahan. The princely state of Bashahr was perhaps the largest of the 28 Shimla Hills States. The princely state of Bashahr was bordered by the British Province of Punjab (Kangra District) in the north; by the Tehri Garwhal in the southeast; Keonthal exclave and Jubbal in the southwest; by Tibet in the east; and Khaneti, Delath and the British enclave of Kotgarh (Shimla District) in the west. It also included the adjacent chiefship of Sairi. The Bashahr comprised of 209 villages and 1 town. After the territory was appointed as one of the princely states of India, it was incorporated under the Punjab States Agency.

History of Princely State of Bashahr
The princely state of Bashahr was segregated into 3 tehsils and 20 parganas; the territory also included several Jagirs and few of them seized by previous Hill ruling families. During the 19th century, the wazirs were appointed by 3 families, who efficiently governed the state. The raja implemented full civil and criminal jurisdiction and managed the administration of the state. Due to his efforts for the development of the state, the Raja of the princely state of Bashahr was granted a personal salute of 9 guns. Bashahr state was amongst the original constituent members of the Chamber of Princes, a number of smaller states indirectly represented by 12 Indian princes. In the year 1940, the ruler of the state was admitted to the Chamber of Princes in his own right.

Rulers of Princely State of Bashahr
The reigning native rulers of the princely state of Bashahr were titled and styled as Rana before the Nepal occupied the region. Later the rulers were titled as Raja. The ruler of the state enjoyed a personal 9 gun salute was the only Hills Raja among higher class of Indian princely salute states, although the ruler was not entitled to the style of His Highness.

Rana of Princely State of Bashahr
* Rana Ugar Singh (until 1803)
* Nepalese occupation (1803- 1815)

Raja of Princely State of Bashahr
* Raja Mahendra Singh (1816- 1850)
* Raja Shamsher Singh (1850- 1887)
* Raja Raghunath Singh (1887- 1898)
* Raja Shamsher Singh (1898- 1914)
* Raja Padam Singh (1914- 1947)