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| '''Kingdom of Kashi''' was the erstwhile kingdom of the ] of ], who is also known as the '''Kashi Naresh'''. Following ]'s independence, the Kashi Naresh, like other rulers, was stripped of all executive powers and was reduced to no more than a figurehead. Nevertheless, the title still draws a lot of respect locally. The ] fort of the Kashi Naresh is situated to the east of ], across the ].<ref></ref> The other fort of the Kashi Naresh is the Chet Singh Palace, near Shivala Ghat, Varanasi, where King Chet Singh killed three British officers and more than 200 solders.<ref>Hindustan times, 10 May 2007</ref> | '''Kingdom of Kashi''' was the erstwhile ] kingdom of the ] of ], who is also known as the '''Kashi Naresh'''. Following ]'s independence, the Kashi Naresh, like other rulers, was stripped of all executive powers and was reduced to no more than a figurehead. Nevertheless, the title still draws a lot of respect locally. The ] fort of the Kashi Naresh is situated to the east of ], across the ].<ref></ref> The other fort of the Kashi Naresh is the Chet Singh Palace, near Shivala Ghat, Varanasi, where King Chet Singh killed three British officers and more than 200 solders.<ref>Hindustan times, 10 May 2007</ref> | ||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
Revision as of 07:57, 10 August 2008
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Kingdom of Kashi was the erstwhile Brahmin kingdom of the Maharaja of Kashi (Varanasi), who is also known as the Kashi Naresh. Following India's independence, the Kashi Naresh, like other rulers, was stripped of all executive powers and was reduced to no more than a figurehead. Nevertheless, the title still draws a lot of respect locally. The Ramnagar fort of the Kashi Naresh is situated to the east of Varanasi, across the River Ganges. The other fort of the Kashi Naresh is the Chet Singh Palace, near Shivala Ghat, Varanasi, where King Chet Singh killed three British officers and more than 200 solders.
History
The Kashi Naresh is supposed to be a descendent of Lord Shiva. During the religious occasion of Shivratri, the Kashi Naresh is the chief officiating priest and no other priest is allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum (garbh-griham). It is only after he performs his religious offerings that anyone else is allowed to enter.
The Kingdom of Kashi was founded by Khsetravridha, the son of Ayus, of the Somavansa dynasty of Pratishthana. It lost independence in 1194 and was eventually ceded by the Nawab of Oudh to the British in 1775 who recognized Benares as a family dominion. Benares acceded to the status of State in 1911. The ruling family claims descent from the god Shiva and benefited greatly from pilgrimage to Benares.
The governor of Benares gave most of the area currently known as Varanasi to Mansa Ram, a Gautam Bhumihar Brahmin zamindar of Utaria, in 1737 A.D. Balwant Singh, ruler of Utaria, later received territories of Jaunpur, Varanasi and Chunar in 1740 A.D. from Mughal Emperor of Delhi. Thus started the Kingdom of Benaras under the Mughal dynasty. Other places under the kingship of Kashi Naresh were Chandauli, Gyanpur, Chakia, Latifshah, Mirzapur, Nandeshwar, Mint House and Vindhyachal.
The kingdom was ceded by the Nawab of Oudh to the British raj in 1775, who recognized Benares as a family dominion. In 1911, it acceded to the status of State.
According to Orthodox Brahmin traditions, nobody has seen Kashi Naresh have his food, and none of the kings have travelled abroad in keeping with strict Brahmin rules. Kashi Naresh has played host to a list of dignitaries which includes Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, Indira Gandhi, Queen Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, President Kocheril Raman Narayanan and his Burmese wife.
Kashi Naresh
The residential place of Naresh is Ramangar Fort, which is next to river Ganga. Kashi Naresh holds the title of Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University. This title has as such no executive powers, and all decisions are taken by Vice-Chancellor instead.
On January 28, 1983 the Kashi Vishwanath Temple was taken over by the government of Uttar Pradesh and its management was transferred to a trust with Late Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh, then Kashi Naresh, as President and an executive committee with Divisional Commissioner as Chairman.
Following is the list of all rulers of Kashi:
| List of Kashi Naresh | Start of rule | End of rule |
|---|---|---|
| Mansa Ram | 1737 | 1740 |
| Balwant Singh | 1740 | 1770 |
| Chait Singh | 1770 | 1781 |
| Mahip Narayan Singh | 1781 | 1794 |
| Udit Narayan Singh | 1794 | 1835 |
| Maharaja Shri Ishwari Prasad Narayan Singh Bahadur | 1835 | 1889 |
| Lt.Col. HH Maharaja Shri Sir Prabhu Narayan Singh Bahadur | 1889 | 1931 |
| Capt. HH Maharaja Shri Sir Aditya Narayan Singh | 1931 | 1939 |
| Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh | 1939 | 1947 |
Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh was the last Naresh to see kingship after Benares was ceded to the Union of India on 15th of Oct 1948. After his death in 2000, his son Anant Narayan Singh is the Kashi Naresh responsible for upholding the traditional duties of a Kashi Naresh.
The family of maharaja chet singh is still there in gwalior.History of maharaja chet singh diverted towards gwalior where his own descendent are staying at renowned place called KASHI NARESH HOUSE.There is a long history from varanasi till gwalior which has not been exposed till now.This is his 8th generation which is running and still his chatri where he had been cremated and his famous palace is known by the name of kashi naresh house in gwalior.
References
- A review of Varanasi
- Hindustan times, 10 May 2007
- Benares (Princely State) - A Document about Maharajas of Varanasi
- Mark Manuel. "Nobody's Seen The Gourmet Maharaja Eating!". Upper Crust. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
- Mark Manuel. "Nobody's Seen The Gourmet Maharaja Eating!". Upper Crust. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
- A review of Varanasi
- Short biography of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. Look under the heading Important Dates.
- Official website of Varanasi