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{{Short description|Independent State later consider as Zamindari estate, later princely state (1911–1948)}}
{{Cleanup rewrite|date=March 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Benares State
| native_name =
| common_name =
| image_flag =
| flag_border = no
| map_caption =
| capital = [[Benares]]
| official_languages =
| common_languages = [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]], [[Hindi]]-[[Urdu]], [[English language|English]]
| status_text =
| era =
| life_span = 1911–1948
| year_start =
| date_start = 1911
| event_start = Established
| year_end =
| date_end = 1948
| event_end = [[Independence of India|Accession to the Union of India]]
| event1 =
| date_event1 =
| p1 = Oudh State
| flag_p1 =
| border_p1 =
| p3 =
| s1 =
| flag_s1 =
| image_coat =
| image_map2 = Benares State-Imperial Gazetteer of India.jpg
| image_map = 
| map_caption2 = Benares State in yellow in the [[Imperial Gazetteer of India]]; [[Varanasi|Benares city]] and [[Sarnath]] are in [[British India]], which is shown in pink.
| title_leader = [[Raja]]
| year_leader1 = 1740 – 1770 (first)
| leader1 = [[Maharaja Balwant Singh of Benares|Balwant Singh]]
| year_leader2 = 1939 – 1947 (last)
| leader2 = [[Vibhuti Narayan Singh]]
| today = [[Varanasi]] and [[Chakia, Uttar Pradesh|Chakia]] in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]
| religion = [[Hinduism]] ([[State religion|official]]), [[Islam]], [[Jainism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Christianity]]
}}
[[File:Chait Singh of Benares.jpg|thumb|180px|Raja [[Chait Singh]] of Benares State]]
[[File:The Maharaja's Fort, Front view -Benares-.jpg|thumb|260px|The Maharaja's Fort and palace in Ramnagar]]
[[File:Majaraja of Benares and Suite, 1870s.jpg|thumb|260px|Maharaja of Benares with his courtiers in the 1870s]]
'''Banaras State''', earlier '''Benares Estate''', was an estate, or hereditary [[jagir]], comprising the family domains of the Maharaja of Benares under the [[Nawabs of Oudh]], [[Company rule in India|East India Company rule]], and the [[British Raj]] that from 1911 to 1948 was recognized as a [[princely state]].<ref name=benares-princely-state-1911>{{citation|editor-last=Cohen|editor-first=Saul B.|title=The Columbia Gazetteer of the World, Volume I, A–G|edition=2|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=2008|isbn=978-0-231-14554-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C6PLxz8EMk0C&pg=PA382|page=382| quote='''Benares''', former princely state, N INDIA, created in 1911; Ramnagar town added in 1918; joined Gwalior Residency in 1936. Merged in 1949 with Benares (now VARNASI district. Also spelled Banaras.}}</ref>

The estate was founded by the [[zamindar]], [[Balwant Singh of Benares|Balwant Singh]], who assumed the title of "Raja of Benares" in the mid 18th century, taking advantage of the [[Mughal Empire]]'s disintegration.<ref name="CABayly1988" /> His descendants had zamindari privileges in an area around [[Varanasi|Benares]] city, but not in the city, which the East India Company had annexed under the [[Treaty of Faizabad]] in the later 1760s. Benares became a [[princely state]] of [[British Raj]] in 1911. On October 15, 1949, the State of Benares was merged with Uttar Pradesh.<ref name=India-Pakistan-yearbook>{{citation|title=India-Pakistan Yearbook and Who's Who|volume=36|page=315|publisher=Bennet Coleman Company| year=1950|quote=March 1949 to April 1950: October 15, State of Benares is merged with Uttar Pradesh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VoFIYpm-edAC&q=%22state+of+benares+is+merged%22}}</ref>

==History==

===Princely State===
The earliest rulers of the later princely state of Benares were originally [[Zamindar]]s for the [[Oudh State|Awadh]] province of the [[Mughal Empire]] who later became an [[Oudh State|independent state]]. Most of the area currently known as Varanasi was acquired by Mansa Ram, a zamindar of [[Gangapur, Uttar Pradesh|Utaria]]. Balwant Singh, the ruler of Utaria in 1737, took over the [[Jagir]]s of [[Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh|Jaunpur]] (except Bayalasi which was ruled independently by Zamindar of [[Purenw Estate|Purenw]]), [[Varanasi]], and [[Chunar]], in 1737 from the [[Mughal Emperor]] [[Muhammad Shah]] of [[Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Rajani Ranjan |title=The Holy City (Benares) |publisher=M.R. Sen |year=1912}}</ref> The Kingdom of Benaras started in this way during the Mughal dynasty. Other places under the kingship of [[Kashi Naresh]] were [[Chandauli]], [[Gyanpur]], [[Chakia, Uttar Pradesh|Chakia]], Latifshah, [[Mirzapur]], Nandeshwar, Mint House and [[Vindhyachal]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pathak |first=Shreya |title=The Ruling Dynasty of Benares State-Rise and Development (1740–1950) |publisher=Anamika Publishers & Distributors |year=2014 |isbn=9788179754771}}</ref>

As the Mughal suzerainty weakened, the Benares zamindari became Banaras State, thus [[Balwant Singh of Benares|Balwant Singh]] of the [[Narayan dynasty]] gained control of the territories and declared himself Maharaja of Benares in 1740.<ref name="CABayly1988">{{cite book |first=C. A. |last=Bayly |author-link=Christopher Bayly |title=Rulers, Townsmen and Bazaars: North Indian Society in the Age of British Expansion, 1770–1870 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xfo3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA17 |date=19 May 1988 |publisher=CUP Archive |isbn=978-0-521-31054-3 |pages=17–}}</ref> The strong clan organization on which they rested, brought success to the lesser known Hindu princes.<ref name="Bayly 1983 489 at p 18">{{Cite book |last=Bayly |first=Christopher Alan |url=https://archive.org/details/rulerstownsmenba0000bayl |title=Rulers, Townsmen, and Bazaars: North Indian Society in the Age of British Expansion, 1770–1870 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |year=1983 |isbn=978-0-521-31054-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/rulerstownsmenba0000bayl/page/489 489] (at p 18) |author-link=Christopher Alan Bayly |url-access=registration}}</ref> There were as many as 100,000 Bhumihar clansmen<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xfo3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA18 | title=Rulers, Townsmen and Bazaars: North Indian Society in the Age of British Expansion, 1770-1870 | isbn=9780521310543 | last1=Bayly | first1=C. A. | date=19 May 1988 | publisher=CUP Archive }}</ref> backing the power of the [[Benares]] rajas in what later became the districts of Benares, [[Gorakhpur district|Gorakhpur]] and [[Azamgarh]].<ref name="Bayly 1983 489 at p 18" /> This proved a decisive advantage when the dynasty faced a rival and the nominal suzerain, the [[Nawab of Oudh]], in the 1750s and the 1760s.<ref name="Bayly 1983 489 at p 18" /> An exhausting [[guerrilla war]], waged by the Benares ruler against the [[Oudh]] camp, using his troops, forced the [[Nawab]] to withdraw his main force .This victory further strengthened the control over his domains.<ref name="Bayly 1983 489 at p 18" />

Benares became a princely state in 1911. It was given the privilege of the 13-gun salute.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

[[File:Throne national museum india.JPG|thumb|Throne of Raja of Benaras, at [[National Museum, New Delhi|National Museum, Delhi]].]]

==History of Ramnagar==
The residential palace of the Naresh is the [[Ramnagar Fort]] at [[Ramnagar, Varanasi|Ramnagar]] near Varanasi, which is next to the river [[Ganges River|Ganges]].<ref name="A review of Varanasi">{{Cite web |url=http://www.blonnet.com/life/2004/02/02/stories/2004020200050300.htm |title=A review of Varanasi |access-date=16 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924092518/http://www.blonnet.com/life/2004/02/02/stories/2004020200050300.htm |archive-date=24 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The fort was built on the instructions of Maharaja Balwant Singh with creamy ''chunar'' [[sandstone]] in the eighteenth century. It is a typically [[Mughal Architecture|Mughal]] style of architecture with carved balconies, open courtyards, and picturesque pavilions.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

Kashi Naresh donated over 1,300 acres (5.3 km2) of land on the outskirts of the city to build the campus of [[Banaras Hindu University]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Banaras Hindu University, [BHU], Varanasi-221005, U.P., India. – Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. |url=https://www.bhu.ac.in/Site/Page/1_2_32_73_Main-Site-Campuses |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=bhu.ac.in}}</ref>

On 28 January 1983, the [[Varanasi#Temples|Kashi Vishwanath Temple]] was taken over by the government of [[Uttar Pradesh]] and its management was transferred to a trust, with the late [[Vibhuti Narayan Singh]], then ''Kashi Naresh'', as president, and an executive committee with the Divisional Commissioner as chairman.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://varanasi.nic.in/temple/KASHI.html |title=Official website of Varanasi |access-date=16 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210110217/http://varanasi.nic.in/temple/kashi.html |archive-date=10 February 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Ram Leela at Ramnagar===
When the [[Vijayadashami|Dussehra]] festivities are inaugurated with a colourful pageant, the Kashi Naresh rides an elephant at the head of the procession. Then, resplendent in silk and brocade, he inaugurates the month-long [[Theatre|folk theatre]] of ''Ramlila'' at Ramnagar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=J. Nath |first=Parshathy |title=Slivers of action from the 200-year-old Ramnagar-ki-Ramlila in Varanasi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/slivers-of-action-from-the-200-year-old-ramnagar-ki-ramlila-in-varanasi/article68883017.ece}}</ref>

The [[Ramlila]] is a cycle of plays which recounts the epic story of [[Rama]], as told in ''[[Ramcharitmanas]]'', the version of the [[Ramayana]] written by [[Tulsidas]]. The plays, sponsored by the Maharaja, are performed in Ramnagar every evening for 31 days. On the last day the festivities reach a crescendo as Rama vanquishes the demon king [[Ravana]]. Maharaja [[Udit Narayan Singh]] started this tradition of staging the ''Ramleela'' at Ramnagar in the mid-nineteenth century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ramnagar Ramlila: All about the 200-yr-old cultural extravaganza |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ramnagar-ramlila-all-about-the-200-yr-old-cultural-extravaganza/story-7LcHTXd9FE7c1fS2eVsdhO.html}}</ref>

Over a million pilgrims arrive annually for the vast processions and performances organized by the Kashi Naresh. It has been recognized as an intangible world cultural heritage by UNESCO.<ref>{{Cite book
| first = Martin
| last = Banham
| title = The Cambridge Guide to Theatre
| publisher = [[Cambridge University Press]]
| year = 1995
| edition = second
| isbn = 978-0-521-43437-9
| pages = [https://archive.org/details/cambridgeguideto0000banh/page/n1255 1247]
| url-access = registration
| url = https://archive.org/details/cambridgeguideto0000banh
}}</ref>

==Geography==
From 1737, the state included most of present-day [[Bhadohi district|Bhadohi]], [[Chandauli district|Chandauli]], [[Jaunpur district|Jaunpur]], [[Mirzapur district|Mirzapur]], [[Sonbhadra district|Sonbhadra]], and [[Varanasi district|Varanasi]] districts, including the city of Varanasi. Balwant Singh expelled Fazl Ali from present-day [[Ghazipur district|Ghazipur]] and [[Ballia district|Ballia]], and added it to his domains.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

Between 1775 and 1795, the British gradually took over administration of most of the state, leaving the rajas to directly administer two separate areas – an eastern portion, corresponding to present-day Bhadohi district, and a southern portion, comprising present-day Chakia tehsil of Chandauli district. These two areas made up the princely state of Benares from 1911 to 1948. The rajas retained certain revenues from rents, and certain administrative rights, in the rest of the territory, which the British administered as [[Benares Division]], part of the [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh|United Provinces]]. The rajas made their main residence in Ramnagar.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

==All India Kashi Raj Trust==
Serious work on the [[Puranas]] began when the All India Kashiraj Trust was formed under the patronage and guidance of [[Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh]], the Maharaja of [[Varanasi|Kashi]], which, in addition to producing critical editions of the [[Puranas]], also published the journal ''Puranam''.<ref>{{Cite book
| first = Sushil
| last = Mittal
| title = The Hindu World
| url = https://archive.org/details/hinduworld00mitt
| url-access = limited
| publisher = [[Routledge]]
| year = 2004
| isbn = 978-0-415-21527-5
| pages = [https://archive.org/details/hinduworld00mitt/page/n669 657]
}}</ref>

==Rulers==
The rulers of the state carried the title "Maharaja Bahadur"

=== Maharaja Bahadurs ===
*1737–1740 [[Narayan dynasty|Maharaja Mansa Ram Singh]] (d.1740)
*1740 – 19 Aug 1770 [[Maharaja Balwant Singh of Benares|Maharaja Balwant Singh]] (b. 1711 – d. 1770)
*19 Aug 1770 – 14 Sep 1781 [[Maharaja Chait Singh]] (b. 17.. – d. 1810)
*14 Sep 1781 – 12 Sep 1795 [[Maharaja Mahip Narayan Singh]] (b. 1756 – d. 1795)
*12 Sep 1795 – 4 Apr 1835 [[Maharaja Udit Narayan Singh]] (b. 1778 – d. 1835)
*4 Apr 1835 – 13 Jun 1889 [[Maharaja Ishwari Prasad Narayan Singh]] (b. 1822 – d. 1889) (
*1 Apr 1911 – 4 Aug 1931 Sir [[Maharaja Prabhu Narayan Singh]] (b. 1855 – d. 1931)
*4 Aug 1931 – 5 Apr 1939 [[Maharaja Aditya Narayan Singh]] (b. 1874 – d. 1939)
*5 Apr 1939 – 15 Aug 1947 [[Vibhuti Narayan Singh|Maharaja Vibhuti Narayan Singh]] (b. 1927 – d. 2000)

===Titular Maharajas===
* 15 Aug 1947 – 25 Dec 2000: [[Vibhuti Narayan Singh]] (b. 1927 – d. 2000)
* 25 Dec 2000– present: Anant Narayan Singh

==See also==
* [[Political integration of India]]
* [[Maratha Empire]]
* [[Rajputana]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}

{{Princely states of India}}
{{Portal bar|India}}
{{coord|25.282|N|82.9563|E|region:IN_type:landmark_source:kolossus-svwiki|display=title}}

[[Category:1740 establishments in India]]
[[Category:1948 disestablishments in India]]
[[Category:Princely states of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:History of Varanasi]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1740]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1948]]

Benares State - Revision history

Developer.mubin at 13:14, 9 March 2026