Chapter Overview

In 1741 a Maratha army of the Bhonsles of Nagpur (नागपुर के भोंसले), led by Bhaskar Pant, took Ratanpur from the Kalachuris almost without a fight. For the next century Chhattisgarh was part of the Bhonsle state. It was ruled first through Kalachuri vassals, then directly by Bimbaji Bhonsle (बिम्बाजी भोंसले), then by subedars (सूबेदार) sent from Nagpur, and for twelve years by British superintendents, until it was annexed in 1854. This period turned the old garhs into parganas, moved the capital from Ratanpur to Raipur, and left behind the administrative frame the British took over.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this chapter, you’ll be able to:

Narrate the Bhonsle conquest (1741) and the indirect phase under the last Kalachuri ruler, Mohan Singh
Explain Bimbaji Bhonsle’s direct rule from Ratanpur (1758–1787) and his contributions
Describe the Suba system (सूबा शासन, 1787–1818) and name its subedars in order
Explain Maratha administration and revenue: khalsa and zamindari areas, the 27 parganas, kamavisdars, gaontias, and taxes such as takoli and sayer
Trace the decline: Deogaon (1803), Sitabuldi (1817), British superintendency (1818–1830) and annexation under the Doctrine of Lapse (1854)
Write balanced Mains answers evaluating Maratha rule in Chhattisgarh

Prerequisites

Kalachuris of Ratanpur and Raipur: the dynasty and the garh system the Marathas replaced
Mughal Empire: the Mughal decline that opened central India to Maratha expansion
Advent of Europeans and British Expansion: the Anglo-Maratha wars and the Doctrine of Lapse

Learning Path

Follow these topics in order:

graph TD
    A["1. Bhaskar Pant takes Ratanpur (1741)"] --> B["2. Vassal phase: Raghunath Singh, Mohan Singh"]
    B --> C["3. Bimbaji's direct rule (1758-1787)"]
    C --> D["4. Suba system and subedars (1787-1818)"]
    D --> E["5. Parganas, kamavisdars, gaontias and taxes"]
    E --> F["6. Sitabuldi and British superintendency (1818-1830)"]
    F --> G["7. Bhonsle rule restored, then annexation (1854)"]
    G --> H["Quick Revision"]

Topics in This Chapter

#	Topic	What it covers	Read time
1	Bhonsle Conquest and Bimbaji Bhonsle	Bhaskar Pant’s invasion, Raghunath Singh, Mohan Singh, end of the Raipur branch, Bimbaji’s rule and works	12 min
2	The Suba System (1787–1818)	Vyankoji, contract-based subedars from Mahipat Rao Dinkar to Yadav Rao, European travellers, evaluation	10 min
3	Administration and Revenue under the Marathas	Khalsa and zamindari, garhs to 27 parganas, kamavisdar and gaontia, takoli, sayer, pandhari, justice	12 min
4	Decline of Maratha Rule and British Supervision	Deogaon, Sitabuldi, superintendents Edmund to Crawford, 1830 restoration, Doctrine of Lapse, Charles Elliot	12 min
—	Quick Revision	Every date, name and term of this chapter on one page	4 min

Where It Is Asked

Exam Focus

Prelims P-I (Chhattisgarh part): one-liners and match-the-following on who did what: Bhaskar Pant, Mohan Singh (last Kalachuri), Bimbaji, the first and last subedar, Vitthal Rao Dinkar’s pargana system, the superintendents and their events, Charles Elliot. Chronology questions on 1741–1758–1787–1818–1830–1854 are common.
Mains P-III GS-I: the pargana system, the Suba system and its evaluation, Bimbaji’s contribution, and the causes of Maratha decline in Chhattisgarh.
Interview: a candidate from Ratanpur or Raipur may be asked why the capital moved from Ratanpur to Raipur.

Quick Reference

Fact	Detail
Span of Maratha rule	1741–1854 (British superintendency 1818–1830 inside it)
Conqueror	Bhaskar Pant, general of Raghuji I, 1741
Kalachuri king who surrendered	Raghunath Singh
Last Kalachuri ruler	Mohan Singh (1745–1758), a Maratha vassal
Direct Bhonsle rule	Bimbaji Bhonsle, 1758–1787, capital Ratanpur
Suba system	1787–1818, started by Vyankoji (ruled from Nagpur)
First / last subedar	Mahipat Rao Dinkar / Yadav Rao Diwakar
Pargana system	Vitthal Rao Dinkar: 27 parganas
Officials	Kamavisdar (pargana), gaontia (village)
Takoli	Tribute paid by zamindars
British superintendents	Edmund (first), Agnew (HQ to Raipur), Sandys, Crawford (last)
Annexation	1854, Doctrine of Lapse, after Raghuji III’s death (1853)
First Deputy Commissioner	Charles Elliot, 1 February 1855

Start Learning

Ready to begin? Start with the first topic:

→ Bhonsle Conquest and Bimbaji Bhonsle