The Princely State of Jaso was one of the well known princely states of India that was administered by a native prince under the guidance of the British authorities. The princely state was under the indirect control of the British Empire in India. The region covered a total area of 72 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 8,727 in the year 1941. The princely state of Jaso was located in Baghelkhand. The territory included around fifty two villages and was a relatively small native state. It was bounded by the princely state of Nagod in the east and the north; and by the southern district of the princely state of Ajaigarh the west and the south. Jaso state was incorporated as a part of the Central India Agency, which was a political office of the British Empire in India and spanned over the northern half of current Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
History of Princely State of Jaso
The Bundela Rajputs were the ruling family of Jaso. In 1731, after the Chhatarsal of Panna died, the jagirs of Bandhora and Jaso and were transferred to Bharti Chand, his fourth son, who held them from Jagat Raj of Jaitpur, his brother. Bharti Chand assigned the territory of Bandhora to Durjan Singh, his eldest son; and Jaso to Hari Singh, his second son. Later the region of Bandhora was incorporated into the state of Jaso. During the 19th century, Jaso came under the rule of Ali Bahadur of Banda. Later Gopal Singh came in possession of the state in behalf of Murat Singh, the infant grandson of Hari Singh. After the British East India Company gained supremacy, the princely state of Jaso was held to be subordinate to Ajaigarh. In the year 1816, a separate sanad was granted to Murat Singh, which confirmed him in autonomous possession of Jaso state.
The Princely State of Jaso was one of the non- salute princely states and the native ruler of the princely state, who held the title of Diwan, exercised the powers of a ruling chief. The ruler took charge of the administration of the state and supervised the internal issues, where the association of the state with the British administration and other territories was managed by a British Political Agent, also known as the Resident of British India. The Diwan of Jaso 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.
In the year 1947, the last ruler Diwan Anand Pratap Singh, Diwan Sahib of Jaso, who was the 13th of his line, acceded his state to the newly formed Union of India, also known as Dominion of India.
Rulers of Princely State of Jaso
The chronology of the rulers or Diwan of the princely state of Jaso is mentioned below-
* Diwan Bharti Chand (1732- 1750)
* Diwan Hari Singh (1750- 1775)
* Diwan Chet Singh (1775- 1786)
* Diwan Murat Singh (1786- 1830)
* Diwan Ishwari Singh (1830- 1860)
* Diwan Ram Singh (1860- 1865)
* Diwan Shatrujit Singh (1865- 1869)
* Diwan Gopal Singh (1869- 1888)
* Diwan Gajraj Singh (1888- 1905)
* Diwan Girwar Singh (1905- 1915)
* Diwan Ram Pratap Singh (1915- 1942)
* Diwan Anand Pratap Singh (1942- 1947)
