Deo Raj

Deo Raj, was a zamindari (estate) situated in what is now Aurangabad district of Bihar.^[1] The Deo Raj family were notable for being the protectors of Deo Sun shrine (Deo Surya Mandir).^[2] The dynasty came to an end in 1934, as Jagannath Prasad Singh Kinkar, its last ruler, died without leaving a descendant.^[3]

Origins

During either 14th or 15th century, there was a migration of Sisodia Rajputs from Mewar to South Bihar. These migrant Rajputs, along with local Hindu rulers, played a significant role in renovating and maintaining numerous Hindu shrines and temples. The region contains a 15th-century inscription that records the dedication of a temple by King Bhairavendra. The inscription names twelve of his ancestors and suggests that the area was once under the rule of his dynasty. The migrant Deo Rajas eventually became the overlords of Umga through a matrimonial alliance with this lineage. ^[3]

The Deo Sun temple which was patronised by the Deo Raj family

The Deo Rajas were among a number of Rajput migrant groups to arrive in Southern Bihar and they replaced the previous Umga chiefs.^[4][5]

Relations with the British

The zamindars of the Deo estate generally maintained cordial relations with the British.^[6] They refused to join other rebellious zamindars in the 1781 rebellion and the 1857 rebellion. They also refused to join the nearby tribal uprisings including the Santhal rebellion.^[6] It is notable that the Rajas of Deo did not provide help to Kunwar Singh despite Raja Fateh Narayan Singh, the then ruler of Deo, marrying his daughter of to Kunwar Singh.^[7]

See also

• Zamindars of Bihar