Rewa State

Origins

The Baghel Rajputs, a branch of the Solanki clan of Gujarat, moved into the region in the 13th century; tradition credits Vyaghra Deva with the founding. Their early stronghold was the hill fort of Bandhogarh (Bandhavgarh).

Rule and society

Raja Ramchandra was patron of the musician Tansen, who left his court for Akbar's in the 1560s. Bandhogarh was taken by the Mughals in 1597, and the capital moved to Rewa. The state was large and rural, with forests rich in game. In 1812 Rewa entered treaty relations with the British, and its rulers later sent troops to help against the rebels of 1857.

Decline and legacy

In 1948 Rewa became the leading member and capital of Vindhya Pradesh, which merged into Madhya Pradesh in 1956. In 1951 Maharaja Martand Singh captured the white tiger Mohan, ancestor of many captive white tigers.