Tamkuhi Raj - in the pages of history......

The battle of Panipat, fought in 1556, proved decisive for Humayun. Thirteen years old Akbar, with his military and administrative capability, became the ruler. Behar and Bengal had been the source of trouble for almost all the Mughal Emperors. After defeating several kings by his military and political power Akbar started expansion of his empire but the atmosphere of the present Behar and Bengal became opposite according to the times. This was a serious challenge to Akbar's Administrative policy and, the expansion of his empire. Akbar was looking for such an able and brave leader who could put an end to the mal-administration of the eastern wing of his empire. Small States, every now and then were becoming independent and started a revolt. Akbar sent Kalyanmal with 5100 soldiers to check the growing revolt and declaration of independence. Kalyanmal was an able commander and a fearless man. His arms were long and body well built and strong. His courage was such that he declared war even with small number of soldiers. Kalyanmal put an end to the revolt in the eastern part with 5000 foot soldiers and 100 horse-soldiers. He finished the ambitions of the small and the big states. The headache of Akbar was over. Seeing the courage and bravery of Kalyanmal Akbar entrusted him with the entire responsibility of the administration of the aforesaid part and conferred on him the title of Maharaja near about 1565, Kalyanmal established Kalyanpur about 16 miles to the West of the modern Gopalganj (district Siwan) and there he built a beautiful and big fort on account of his military ability, Kalyanpur State continued to be influential. Maharaj Kalyanmal was a man of soldier-like temperament and he did not like to sit quiet on account of his taking part in battles constantly his ability in battles had become great. Even then he did a lot for the happiness and prosperity of the subjects of his state. His connection with the Mughal family always remained strong. After Akbar, the administration of Jahangir became weak. Taking advantage of this the ambitions of the eastern part were aroused once again and revolts started, which made Jahangir restless. Maharaj Kalyanmal had become quiet. His son Raja Chhem Karan was also brave like his father. He had taken part with his father in several battles. Jahangir asked Raja Chhem Karan to sub due the revolt in the eastern part. He bravely punished those who engineered revolt.
The military ability of Chhemkaran was needed in all those parts where there was the condition of restlessness. Being pleased with this Jahangir bestowed on him the title of 'Bahadur Shahi' and awarded him the emblem of 'Mahe Maratib'. This title is being used even today by the people of his family in Tamkuhi and Hathua estate. Raja Chhemkaran Bahadur Sahi built a fort in Hussepur at a distance of about 5 miles from Kalyanpur and made it his capital. The fort of Hussepur was very extensive and strong. Bhupati Sahi son of Raja Chhemkaran became king. Bhupati Sahi was a man of religious temperament. After him his son Sangram Sahi was able from the point of view of administration and military capability. Raja Rudra Sahi and his son Raja Nripat Sahi alias Tribhuwan Sahi Raja Haldhar Shahi, Raja Har Govind Shahi, Raja Yuvraj Shahi and Raja Chet Shahi were the rulers of this state. The most influential and brave ruler of Hussepur, state was Maharaj sardar Sahi. Like Maharaja Kalyanmal, Sardar Sahi was an able soldier and Commander. During his youth he took part in several battles and spread his influence. Aliwardi Khan got cooperation from such a patriot and dependable commander several times. This is the reason why he respected his farsightedness and bravery. Being tried of the expansionist policy of Majhauli State, he faught a battle and forced it not to use the Nagara and flag. His son Fateh Baharur Sahi inherited the bravery and actual courage of Maharaj Sardar Sahi. Maharaj Fateh Bahadur Sahi was a fearless and brave man and he was a man of independent nature and generous heart. He cooperated with Meer Qasim as against Aurangzeb. Meer Qasim continued to get his military assistance from Monghyr up to Buxar. In terms of the treaty of Allahabad of 1765, the Deewani powers which the English got in respect of Bengal, Behar and Orissa, was opposed by him. The States of Bettiah and Hussepur became the cooperators in over looking the certificate of Deewani which the English got from the Mughal Emperor. They jointly threw a challenge to the powers of the Company. Afterwards the ruler of Bettiah compromised with the Company authorities and Maharaja Fateh Bahadur Sahi did not admit defeat.
He continued fighting with the administrators and soldiers of the company Sarkar. When taxes could in no way be realized from the Hussepur State, it (the company) got on its side Basant Sahi the cousin of Fateh Bahadur Sahi and assured him of a State. Being displeased by the treachery of Basant Sahi, Fateh Bahadur Sahi killed Basant Sahi. Basant Sahi and Meerajmal were staying in Yadavpur for collecting taxes with about 25 horse-soldiers. Fateh Bahadur Sahi killed Basant Sahi and Meerajmal and thus reduced the courage of the Company Sarkar. Being sorry at this incident John Auckinsan (The Lieutenant of the 16th Battalion), wrote to the President of the Prantiya Parishad on May 4, 1775 from his camp at Barka village- "I received a letter from Meer Mughal at sunset time wherefrom I learnt that in the morning with 25 horse soldiers Fateh Shahi suddenly attacked and killed Basant Sahi and Meerjmal Fateh Bahadur Sahi did so on being fed up with the treachery of Basant Sahi. In fact under such circumstances any self respecting person could take such a decision. Fateh Bahadur Sahi sent the head of Basant Sahi to his wife at Hussepur, who became Sati keeping it (head) in her lap, along with 11 ladies. Before becoming Sati she had said that water should not be taken in the family of Fateh Bahadur Sahi.
Being tired of the revolting situation created by Fateh Bahadur Sahi, the Company Sarkar could not do the work of realization of taxes in Hussepur. Warren Hastings came to know of it. Warren Hastings tried much to suppress the military power and supremacy of Fateh Bahadur Sahi but failed. At a distance from Hussepur, Maharaja Fateh Bahadur Sahi established Tamkuhi State inside the territory of the Kingdom of Oudh. This Tamkuhi stands at a distance of 42 miles North-east of the present Deoria. When the influence of the power of the Company was felt over the kingdom of oudh the revolt of Maharaja Fateh Bahadur Sahi became limited. Seeing the influence of the English over the whole of India he changed his war tactics. Near about 1790 he gave up the activities of revolt and leaving the administration of the State in the hands of his sons, he left home and became Sanyasi. In the words of Broome, Fateh Shahi is probably the first Indian to raise the flag of revolt against the English. Till then the whole country was not aware of the insulting slavery of the foreign rule. This shows the bravery and spirit of freedom of Fateh Bahadur Sahi.
After Fateh Sahi the State of Tamkuhi came under the power of the British rule. During this long period the most influential king of Tamkuhi State was Raja Indrajeet Pratap Bahadur Sahi. Indrajeet Pratap Bahadur Sahi was an able and determined person. He was loved by the people and respected by the literary persons. Tamkuhi State has been the centre of cultural activities. He raised the status of wrestling by organizing the Ist wrestling competition of all India stature. Wrestlers of the position of Gama used to take part in annual wrestlings there. He patronised the devanagri society. Poets like Pt Dharikshan Mishra got paronage under him. His uncle Kr. Sarvajeet Pratap Bahadur Sahi was a well-known Music artist who used to gather musicians. Surrounded by hundreds of artists Kunwar Saheb used to practice music and gave encouragement to the musicians. Rasik Gopal and Tulsi Ram like saint- musicians, in whose voice and musical instruments there was unique power, were the artists of his company. The enjoyment in the competition of these artists was not less than the wrestling competition. It is said that every citizen of the Tamkuhi State who listened to it, was seen giving Tal. The unparalleled love for music and devotion to wrestling took birth from this very centre. In fact it has been the centre of encouragement to the pacts, literary men, musicians, artists, the lowers of art and the wrestlers.
After Raja Indrajeet Pratap Bahadur Sahi, the estate was under the court of wards for a some time. Then it was prtitioned between Kashi Rajkumar Bhagwati Prasad Singh of Kailgarh and Raja Khagendra Pratap Bahadur Sahi, Late Kr. Bisheshwar Pratap Bahadur Sahi and Kr. Novendra Pratap Bahadur Sahi.
Tamkuhi's glorius past is really history now.........