Princely State of Chhuikhadan

The Princely State of Chhuikhadan was one of the prominent princely states of India that were administered by native rulers or Indian princes under the indirect control of the British Government of India. The region covered a total area of 153 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 32,715 in the year 1941. The princely state of Chhuikhadan is also known as Khondka and is an enclave in the northern part of the district of Drug (Central Provinces and Berar) in British India. The state contained 3 distinct blocks of territory and the solitary village of Simai, an enclave in Nandgaon. The northern blocks of Bidora to the east and Bortara to the west, limit the north on Khairagarh. The southern district incorporates the capital and borders to the south on Kharaigarh. Chhuikhadan state was a part of the Chhattisgarh States Agency in the Eastern States Agency. At present, Chhuikhadan is a nagar panchayat and a town in the district of Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh state, India.

History of Princely State of Chhuikhadan
The title of the native ruler of the princely state was Mahant and he exercised the authority and powers of a ruling chief and took charge of the administration of Chhuikhadan. The Sisodia Rajputs, bearing the name Dass, claimed to be the ruling family of the territory. Chhuikhadan was founded as a zamindari in 1750, which given to the first Mahant of the family, Rup Dass, by the Bhonsla rulers of Nagpur in payment of a debt. Later he went to the Bhonslas of Nagpur and became a cavalry officer. For his support in repressing the revolt of the local zamindar, Rup Dass was granted the zamindari of Khondka, which was the center of the state. After the lapse of Nagpur in the year 1853, the zamindari came under control of the British administration. Later in 1865, Mahant Lakshman Dass was bestowed with the status of feudatory chief. The final native ruler of the state was the 9th of his line.

After the country achieved independence, the princely state of Chhuikhadan was acceded to the newly formed Union of India.

Rulers of Princely State of Chhuikhadan
The chronology of the rulers of the princely state of Chhuikhadan is mentioned as follows-
Mahant Rup Dass (1750- 1780)
Mahant Tulsi Dass (1780- 1845)
Mahant Balmakund Dass (1845)
Mahant Lakshman Dass (1845- 1887)
Mahant Shyam Kishor Dass (1887- 1896)
Mahant Radha Ballabh Kishor Dass (1896- 1898)
Mahant Digvijay Yugal Kishor Dass (1898- 1903)
Mahant Ritu Purna Kishor Dass (1940)
Raja Ghanshyam Kishore Dass