DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49383#0219
CHAPTER XII,
THE UNITED PROVINCES OF AGRA AND OUDH.
Benares.
The present Ruling Family of Benares belongs to the Iwrwariya
(Sarjupari) branch of the Brahmin Family, being Misras of Madhubani.
They are also Trikarma and do not follow the priestly avocation.
The first member of the family who achieved some distinction was
Babu Manoranjan Singh who came into the possession of some
zamindari in village Tetaria, now named Gangapur, in early teens of
the 18th century. His son, Mansaram, enlarged his possessions and
obtained the title of Raja from Emperor Farrukh Siar and a grant of
the zamindari of Gangapur. Out of the confusion that followed the
death of Emperor Aurangzeb, Benares emerged as the recognized
fief of Sadaat Ali, the Nawab Wazir of Oudh, who in return for a
small rent leased it along with two neighbouring sircars to one of his
friends, Mir Rustam Ali. The latter being too weak to administer
his affairs gave up the practical management of the then called
province of Benares to Raja Mansa Ram who although professing
allegiance to the Nawab Wazir of Oudh had already begun to chalk
out measures of his own independence. On the fall of Rustam Ali
from the good grace of the Nawab Wazir, Mansa Ram took his place
as the de facto ruler of the Province of Benares. On his death, his
son Balwant Singh, a man of exceptional ability and political sagacity,
obtained from the then Emperor Alamgir II (who though only a
nominal ruler was nevertheless the source of honour) a confirmation
of the title of Raja and of the lease of the three sircars he held from
his immediate superior, Sadaat Ali. Balwant Singh gradually
consolidated his possessions at Gangapur, Ramnagar, Patihata
THE UNITED PROVINCES OF AGRA AND OUDH.
Benares.
The present Ruling Family of Benares belongs to the Iwrwariya
(Sarjupari) branch of the Brahmin Family, being Misras of Madhubani.
They are also Trikarma and do not follow the priestly avocation.
The first member of the family who achieved some distinction was
Babu Manoranjan Singh who came into the possession of some
zamindari in village Tetaria, now named Gangapur, in early teens of
the 18th century. His son, Mansaram, enlarged his possessions and
obtained the title of Raja from Emperor Farrukh Siar and a grant of
the zamindari of Gangapur. Out of the confusion that followed the
death of Emperor Aurangzeb, Benares emerged as the recognized
fief of Sadaat Ali, the Nawab Wazir of Oudh, who in return for a
small rent leased it along with two neighbouring sircars to one of his
friends, Mir Rustam Ali. The latter being too weak to administer
his affairs gave up the practical management of the then called
province of Benares to Raja Mansa Ram who although professing
allegiance to the Nawab Wazir of Oudh had already begun to chalk
out measures of his own independence. On the fall of Rustam Ali
from the good grace of the Nawab Wazir, Mansa Ram took his place
as the de facto ruler of the Province of Benares. On his death, his
son Balwant Singh, a man of exceptional ability and political sagacity,
obtained from the then Emperor Alamgir II (who though only a
nominal ruler was nevertheless the source of honour) a confirmation
of the title of Raja and of the lease of the three sircars he held from
his immediate superior, Sadaat Ali. Balwant Singh gradually
consolidated his possessions at Gangapur, Ramnagar, Patihata