Dhripnath Shah

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Dripnath Shah
Raja
Reignc.1762-1790 CE
PredecessorManinath Shah
SuccessorDeonath Shah
BornPalkot
Died1790
Palkot
DynastyNagvanshi
ReligionHinduism

Dripnath Shah was a Nagvanshi king in the 18th century. His capital was at Palkot. He succeeded Maninath Shah and ruled from 1762 to 1790 CE. He became a vassal of the East India Company in 1771.[1]

Attempt to Subjugate Kolhan[]

During the reign of Dripnath Shah, the Nagvanshi were independent. The Mughals became weak and incapable of asserting their authority over Chotanagpur. He twice attempted to subjugate Kolhan but failed. In May 1770, he and the King of Tamar attempted to subjugate Lakra Kol (Ho) of Kolhan but failed and hundreds of their men were killed. Lakra Kol pursued the Nagvanshi forces. They burned down several villages and several villages were depopulated. The southern part of the Nagvanshi kingdom was in constant trouble due to pillaging by Lakra Kols.[2]

Pillages by Ramgarh Raj[]

Makand Singh of Ramgarh carried out several pillages and looting in Nagvanshi territory as an excuse to collect revenue, as in the past the Nagvanshi were giving tribute to the Mughals through Ramgarh Raj.[2][3]

Vassal of East India Company[]

Due to constant trouble, Dripnath Shah Deo decided to became a vassal of the East India Company; he was impressed by Captain Camac's activity who was successful in subjugating the Chero ruler of Palamu. In 1771, after the fall of the Palamu Forts, Dripnath Shah Deo met Captain Camac and wished to become a vassal of the East India Company and agreed to pay twelve thousand rupees as tribute annually. He formalised it with exchanging his headgear with the cap of Captain Camac. Captain Camac expected the help of Dripnath Shah in an expedition against Jainath Singh of Palamu, Makand Singh the ruler of Ramgarh, and the Marathas.[2]

Maratha Invasion[]

Makand Singh joined with the Marathas and planted a claimant on the Nagvanshi throne, Nana Shah, who claimed himself the true heir of the Nagvanshi throne in an effort to dethrone Dripnath Shah. Captain Carter wrote a letter to Captain Camac about this matter. But Captain Camac supported Dripnath Shah understanding the conspiracy against Dripnath Shah. In February 1772, the Marathas invaded Dripnath Shah's territory with 1,200 horsemen and 4,000 plunderers and plundered the villages and also killed many people. The king of Tori, who was a vassal of Nagvanshi, sided with the Marathas and drove away Dripnath Shah's men. Dripnath Shah confined himself in Palkot. The Marathas demanded revenue from Dripnath Shah and setting of cantonment in his territory. The Patna council decided to assist Dripnath Shah against the Marathas on 20 July 1772. In September 1772, the Marathas camped near Palkot. They attacked the camp of Lt. Thomas Scott but they were defeated and driven away.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ Ansari, Tahir Hussain (20 June 2019). Mughal Administration and the Zamindars of Bihar. ISBN 9781000651522.
  2. ^ a b c d "The Nagbanshis And The Cheros". archive.org.
  3. ^ Krishna, Sanjay (19 January 2021). Jharkhand Ke Parva-Tayohar, Mele Aur Paryatan Sthal. ISBN 9789351866336.
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