Ranchi: Despite their loss of royal titles and privileges, they enjoy support of their 'ryots'. These royal families of Jharkhand have a history of parliamentarians and legislators. Though some members of these families are contesting polls this year, it is yet to be seen if the political parties will bank on others who remain active in public life and popular among the masses.
Here's a quick look at the royal clans active in politics and their history:
Ranka family
The history of this Garhwa clan is interesting. The family moved to Bihar from Rajasthan in 1541. Raja Gopinath Singh became the first MLA from this family in 1962. Since then, members of this family had been representing this constituency in the Assembly until Girinath Singh was defeated by JVM's Satyendra Nath Tiwari. Presently he is the RJD President of Jharkhand. Girinath is one of the crorepati candidates of Jharkhand contesting from Garhwa again.
Ranka Garh Raja Raj Bahadur Gariwar Narayan Singh was known as Commander of the British Empire.
Kolhan family
Kolhans are the ancestors of Ramgarh clan. It gave Jharkhand its first woman MLA, Shashank Manjri. She contested in 1962 from Barkagaon and won. She became Irrigation Minister of Bihar in Karpuri Thakur government.
Her son who was famous as Raja Ramgarh was the first candidate in India to use a chopper in poll campaign. Once, candidates from all parties used to throng Kolhans' fort famous as Podahat Rajmahal to seek support.
Chhotanagpur Rajvanshi family
This is considered to be one of the oldest royal families in the region. Their abode is the famous Ratu Garh Fort. The 62nd king of Rajvanshi family, Chintamani Charan Das Shehdeo, entered Indian politics in 1957 and became MLA from Ranchi Sadar seat.
His son Yuvraj Gopal Sharan Nath became MLA twice from Hatia. After his sudden demise in 2010, Hatia seat became empty. Bypoll led to the victory of AJSU candidate from this seat in 2012. Currently, Gopal Sharan's wife Priyadarshini Shahdeo has denied entering politics.
Seraikela royal family
Former chief minister of Odisha and Bolangir MLA Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo was the son of Raja Aditya Pratap Singh. He was adopted by Maharaja Prithviraj Singh Deo of Patna. In 1951, Aditya Pratap Singh Deo became an Independent MLA from Seraikela. This family is the guardian of Maa Paudi temple that host the annual Chau Festival at the Seraikela Royal Palace.
Ramgarh royal family
Rajmata Lalita Raj Lakshmi became the first woman MP from Hazaribagh in 1957. Saurabh Narayan Singh is the current face of the royal family who is an MLA from Hazaribagh Sadar.
Raja Bahadur Kamakhya Narain Singh of Ramgarh entered politics in 1946 following the formal accession of the Ramgarh state into the Indian Republic.
The foundation of this royal family was laid in 1366 by brothers Baghdeo and Singhdeo. The family ventured into politics with Kunwar Basant Singh Narayan who represented Bagodar and Hazaribagh twice each. He became an MP from Hazaribagh in 1962, 1967, 1977 and 1980 till he breathed his last in 1984.
Nagar Utari Garh family
Shankar Pratap Deo, the brother of Raja Ramanuj Pratap Deo, became an MLA in 1958 and continued till 1972. After many ups and downs The family regained Bhawnathpur seat in 2009 with Anant Pratap Deo defeating Bhanu Pratap Shahi.
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