The Princely State of Bhajji 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 territory covered a total area of 94 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 16,474 in the year 1941. The state of Bhajji was one of the 18 Simla Hill States. The land was a long and narrow strip along the left bank of the Sutlej and was bounded by the borders to the north on Suket and Simla in the north; by Sangri in the north east; by Kumharsain in the east; by Madhan in the south east; by Koti in the south; by Dharmi and Patiala in the south west; and by Baghal in the west. The state of Bhajji included 200 villages.
History of Princely State of Bhajji
The Kaundinga Rajputs, who claimed descent from the rulers of Kutlehr, were the ruling family of the state. After the death of Raja Jas Pal of Kutlehr, he was succeeded by his eldest son. Uday Pal, the younger son of Raja Jas Pal left the kingdom and established the state of Bhajji. Until the year 1815, the state was a tributary of Bilaspur. From the year 1803 to 1815, the region, along with the Simla Hill States, was occupied by Nepal; but after the Gurkha War, it was reassigned to the original ruling family. The princely state of Bhajji ranked 8th in order of precedence among the Simla Hill States, until the abolition of the separate agency in 1936 and its incorporation in the Punjab States Agency.
The Princely State of Bhajji was incorporated in the Punjab States Agency. The native ruler, who held the title of Rana, exercised the power of a first class magistrate and was supported by a wazir. The state was administered and managed properly. Bhajji comprised of four parganas. Bhajji State 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 by them.
According to the 1943 Attachment Scheme, the princely state of Bhajji was attached to Keonthal, as per the plan proposed by the Resident of British India for the Punjab States on 17th April 1944. After the independence of India in the year 1947, the state was acceded to the newly formed Union of India, also known as Dominion of India. The erstwhile princely state is currently a part of the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Rulers of Princely State of Bhajji
The chronology of the native rulers of the princely state of Bhajji is mentioned below-
* Rana Rudrapal (1815- 1842)
* Rana Bahadur Singh (1842- 1875)
* Rana Durga Singh (1875- 1913)
* Rana Birpal Indra Singh (1913- 1947)
