Sathasi Raj

Background

Rudhrapur is a town and a nagar panchayat in Deoria district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Previously known as Sathasi Raj in the era 1600-1900, was ruled by Rajput Dynasty of the east. The Sankrityan Royal Family was the ruling house of the Indian princely state of Awadh. They lost their ruling rights in 1935 when Awadh merged with the Indian Union and their privileges were abolished by the Indian Union in 1971 by a constitutional amendment. The family descends from the Rajput of Mewar and Ratlam, and holds the distinction of being Kshatriya and Rajputs. The Royalty are also descendants of the Pandya and Chola dynasties as well, due to consistent intermarriages between the Sankri, Pandya, Srinet and Kolathiri dynasties over the centuries.[1] At present, Sree Vishalankrityan is the only scion to the throne. The Royal family is alternatively known as the Pandya, Pandey, Sankri, Sankrityan, Swaroopam, Singh, Rajput, Shrinet etc. It has its seat today at Rudhrapur in UP, India. The last ruling Maharajah of Sathasi was Sree Jai Singh, died on 20 July 1931 after a stroke. Srimati Savitri Singh Sankri, the only surviving daughter of the last ruling monarch of the Kingdom of Sathasi, Maharajah Jai Singh, died at a private hospital in the early hours on 16 December 2008. She was succeeded by her grandson Vishal Singh Sakrityan Pandey, son of Maharani Sheela Lakshmi Bayi and R. Shyam Pandey Raja after the rejection of the throne by R. Shyam Raja.

Recorded history of the dynasty

According to one existing version, the founding members of the Sathasi royal family are said to have come to Awadh, from the banks of the Rapti river. Another belief is that Parashurama himself crowned the first official ruler in the dynasty. Officially, their lineage can be traced definitively to at least 820 C.E, which is based on the claim of descent from the Later Pandya dynasty of the three northern Indian Mandala Kingdoms namely Sankri Mandalam, Pandya Mandalam and Chola Mandalam. According to another legend, a branch of the Pandya family was sent to the extreme north of the region, where they settled and came to be known as the Sathasi Royal family, or the later Srineths, while another branch was deputed to go south to grapple with the Pandyan invasions. During the British invasion, the family lost five of its descendants and eventually surrendered with certain terms of agreement for survival of the dynasty.

Modern Era

The Maharajah (Emperor) system was abolished by Indian Constitution in 1971 with some acceptable privileges such as diplomatic immunity and Royal status to every direct descendants to the family. The privileges given to the Royal Family has been a major topic of controversy in recent years. Current Maharajah of the Kingdom has been living in the Delhi since the birth under his parent's Raja R. Shyam's and Rani Sheela's supervision. The family still owns the major part of the kingdom and it is a main source of revenue for the development of the area. His Highness Vishalankrityan also known as Vishal Sankrityan Pandey is currently pursuing higher studies abroad. His Majesty and the royal family is responsible for the education and infrastructure of the kingdom.

Titles and styles

Vishal is styled as "His Majesty Maharajah Vishal of Sathasi Raj".

Present Royal Family & Current Title

HM Vishal is the sole scion to the royal family as per latest information. HM is still unmarried and is pursuing higher studies in Camosun College, Canada. His Majesty attended prestigious Woodstock School for his primary, junior high, and high school education. While he was a student at University of Delhi, in 2010, he visited Goethe University in Germany under a school-sponsored exchange program. In April 2012, he enrolled in the Edinburgh New Town Cookery School, for a Professional Chef Accredition Course . In 2013 his majesty enrolled in Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, to pursue higher studies in Marketing. His Majesty tries to pursue a simple and anonymous life and limits his public appearances to only events and ceremonies.

He continues to attend ceremonies and functions at the kingdom when studies permit.

Controversy

Given that royalty was abolished by Indian Constitution in 1971, the family has been subject to many controversies in regards to their special privileges and political relationships. His Majesty's father Raja Sree R. Shyam has been subject to investigation for Black Money in Swiss Bank Accounts. Royal family's connection to the political parties and active involvement of his majesty's father in the government has given rise to various issues. In the past, the family faced a major public protest when Maharani Savitri married a Greek national named Agafaya Lampo in the year 1960 while pursuing her studies at Oxford University London, as she was the only daughter of the Maharajah and the dynasty was at risk of disappearing.