12th century–1948 → 1901 2,157 km (833 sq mi) Area 2,157 km² | Established 12th century 1901 26,888 | |
 | ||
Rairakhol State (Odia: ରେଢ଼ାଖୋଲ ରାଜ୍ୟ; Hindi: रायखोल रियासत), was a princely state during the British Raj in what is today India. It was one of the Chota Nagpur States and had its capital at Rairakhol (Redhakhol), located in the present-day Sambalpur district of Odisha. It had an area of 2,157 square kilometres (833 sq mi) and a population of 26,888 in 1901.
Contents
Most of the state was covered by forest where wild elephants used to roam. Rairakhol State's inhabitants spoke mostly the Odia language, although there were also large Kol people groups speaking Munda and Oraon language. The Chasa caste was the predominant caste in the state.
History
Rairakhol was a feudatory state to Bamra until the 18th century, when the Garhjat Rajas of Patna freed it from its dependence. According to local tradition the wars between Bamra and Rairakhol used to be constant and during one of these wars the whole of the Rairakhol ruling family was destroyed except for one boy who was hidden by a woman of the Butka Sudh caste —a local caste of agricultural workers. When the soldiers of the King of Bamra Raja came they could not find him and the child was saved. After he became an adult he won back his kingdom and in gratitude the Butka Sudhs are considered by the Rairakhol ruling house as relatives on the mother's side. The rulers of Rairakhol were Rathore Rajputs, related to the dynasties ruling in the states of Seraikela, Kharsawan and Bonai.
During the 19th century Raja Bishan Chandra Janamuni's reign lasted 75 years. The state was under the political control of the Commissioner of the Chhattisgarh Division of the Central Provinces until 1905, coming then under the Bengal Presidency. On 1 January 1948 Rairakhol's last ruler, Raja Girish Chandra Deo, signed the instrument of accession to the Indian Union.
Rulers
Rairakhol State's rulers bore the title of " Maharaja ".