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The Zamindaris and princely States of Chhattisgarh
When the authority of Kalchuris was weakened in Chhattisgarh, many smaller states were formed. Raipur was separated from Ratanpur in the 14th century, In the latter part of 14th century the Chauhan kings established a separate state of Samblapur in Odisha. After some time the Raj Gond King of Gadha Mandla established his kingdom in Chhattisgarh. Slowly many small states were created
Initially the Marathas tired to end the Zamindaris and convert them to Khalasa area but they soon realised that it was easier to recover taxes from the Zamindars. They not only let the old zamindaris continue but also created new zamindaris like Rajnandgaon, Chhukhadan and Khujji. The zamindars used to pay an annual tax to the Mrathas called takoli and were independent in the administration of their estates. When British rule came in 1818 the zamindaris were not only continued but were also regulairised in writing.
After the Maratha rule ended in 1854 the British renewed old sanads and continued them. In 1862 Sir Richard Campbell surveyed all the zamndaris and divided them into two groups in 1864. The bigger zamndaris were called states and their rulers were called feudatory chief and latter ruling chief. The smaller zamindairs continued to be called zamindaris.
14 states were recognized by the British in 1865. Out of these5 were Orria speaking - Kalahandi, Patna, raikhol, Bambra and Sonpur. Remaining 9 were Hindi speaking – Bastar, kanker, Rajnandgaon, Khairagarh, Chhuikhadan, Kawardha, Sakti, Raigarh and Sarangarh. In 1905 the five orria speaking states were transferred to Odisha area of Bengal presidency and 5 Hindi speaking states – Surguja, udaipur, Jashpur, Koria and Changbhakhar were transferred from Chhota Nagpur area of Bengal province to Central provinces. There was one more state Makdi in Central provinces in addition these 14. These states were under the British Government under the control of Collector. The rulers of these states were loyal to the British Government. In addition to these states there were zamindaris in large numbers.
There are many examples of patriotism in the population of these states. There was revolt against the Bhonslas of Nagpur under the leadership of Gendsingh of Bastar. The zamindar of Sonakhan, Ramdas had revolted against the Bhonslas and the British in 1823-24. Guru Balakdas had started a movement against the British. The British tried to lure him with the title of Raja in 1820. Guru Balakdas was a victim of conspiracy. the British provoked the higher castes against his luxurious life style and his riding an elephant. He was murdered in 1860 in Aurabandha (Mugeli). The zamindar of Sonakhan Veer Narain Singh helped his people during the famine of 1956 and looted the godowns to give food grains to the people. He was arrested by the British and jailed. After he was released he continued to collect soldiers and revolted against the British. He was hanged in Raipur on 10th December 1857. Other leaders were th eprince of Udaipur and Venkat Baburao of Bastar etc.
These states were merged in India after independence. According to the provisions of the Indian Independence Act 1947, the Indian states were free to join the Indian Union or remain free outside it. Many states did not want to join India. All the states joined India due to the efforts of the then home minister Sardar vallabh Bhai Patel.
A liaison officer was appointed for the states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha with an office in Cuttack. On the other hand the States met in Rajkumar College Raipur and made a Union called the Eastern States Union on 1st August 1947. This union was led by Bastar and Mayubhanj states. Government of India refused to recognize the Union. The Unjon made its own constitution. The ruler of Bastar Praveer Chandra Bhajdeo was caleed to Delhi for discussion by Sardar Patel.
Council of Action in Chhattisgarh States and role of Thakur Pyarelal Singh – A council was made for the purpose of merger of Indian states of Chhattisgarh in republic of India. Thakur Pyarelal Singhwas its President and Jainarain Pandey was its secretary. Differences appeared between the rulers of Chhattisgrah states due to the efforts of the council and in a conference of the ex-rulers Raja Virendra Bahadur Singh of Kahiragarh said that it was under the special circumstances all states should be merged in the republic of India. The council and Thakur Pyarelal Singh created public opinion in favour of merger of States in the Union of India and also passed a resolution. In the mean time the rulers of Koria, Patna and Kairagarh went to Delhi on 1st September 1947 to present their side but their demands were rejected by Sardar Patel. Sardar Patel met with the rulers of the States on 15th September 1947 along with the Chief Minister of Central Provinces Pt. Ravishankar Shukla and the Home Minister Dwarika Prasad Mishra and The Governor Mangaldas Pakwasa when the rulers of 10 states signed the agreemnt to joint the Indian Union. All these States were merged with the republic of India on 9th January 1948.