PRESENT RULER: Raja BRAJ KESHARI DEB, Raja Saheb of Aul since 24th March 1988 (Aul Palace, At/P.O.- Aul, District- Kendrapara, Orissa 754219, India)

born 28th October 1969, educated at Rajkumar College, Raipur, graduated from Ram Jas College, Delhi University, with Honours in Political Science and M.A. from the same University in Political Science; gold medalist in 1985 in shooting competition, junior Division NCC held at Ravalsar, Jamnagar, represented the school at the natonal level Inter Public School. Football Tournament held at Mayo College, Ajmer in 1987/1988, presently Hereditary Trustee for all the Temples and Endowments in Aul; married Rani Hemantika Devi, younger daughter of Maharaj Dileep Singh Rathore of Jobat, and his wife Rani Bhubaneshwari Devi, elder daughter of Rao Bahadur Raja Yadvendra Singh Judeo of Alipura, and has issue, three daughters.

• Rajkumari Padmakshi Devi (twin), born 12th August 2001.

• Rajkumari Ambujakshi Devi (twin), born 12th August 2001.

• Rajkumari Kamakshi Devi, born 12th October 2007.

PREDECESSORS AND SHORT HISTORY: The Rajas of Aul are descendants of Raja Tailanga Mukunda Dev, a Chalukya prince and the last independent King of Orissa, who ruled from 1551 to 1567. Raja Tailanga Mukunda Deb was attacked by the Afghan Ruler of Bengal Province and died in battle while defending his territories. On his untimely death, his throne was usurped by his Chief Minister Janrdhan Vidhaydhar and there followed a period of chaos for 21 years during which two petty Kings ruled, but were killed in the course of battle and the country was then a scene of anarchic disturbances. The Chief Minister of Raja Tailanga Mukunda Deva, Janrdhan Vidyadhar managed to place his son upon the throne with the title of Gajapati Ram Chandra Dev and thus, the Bhoi Dynasty of Khurda and Puri was founded. However, Raja Tailanga Mukunda Deb had two sons, Tailanga Ram Chandra Deb and Chakkari Bhrambara, they attacked Khurda but could not wrest back the throne. They approached the court of Emperor Akbar for a settlement of their dispute. Emperor Akbar deputed Raja Todar Mal and Raja Man Singh to march on to Orissa and settle the issue. The territories were settled as follows:- The State of Medieval Orissa was thus divided into two divisions. The House of Khurda was established and was given to Gajpati Ram Chandra Deb with power to rule over 129 Killas of Orissa and their seat of power being the estates of Khurda and Puri. Secondly, Tailanga Ram Chandra Deb was granted the House of Aul and right to control 23 Killas and 42 Zamindaris. Chhakri Bhramarbara,the second son of Tailanga Mukunda Dev received the fort of Sarangarh and the Zamindari of Patia. The Kingdom of Aul in 1582 was as follows - Aul at that time consisted of 23 Killas and 42 zamindaris, the Killas being Kanika, Ryonta, Kujang, Kokilodeep, Harishpur, Marichpur, Bishnupur, Jamukera, Cheedra, Darpani, Dholtang, Daljoda, Chatra, Amjera, Balrampur, Alamgiri, Lalitagiri, Kalupara, Bhunia-Bhadrak, Noudih, Barmatree, Alumpeda and Kaljang. The Aul Killa as reported in 1917 was situated in a North Easterly direction from the town of Cuttack and was divided into three Parganas, namely Utihar, Kutavsahi and Dera-Barimul, having an area of 134 square miles. The rivers Brahmani and Kharosota form the boundaries of the Killa and enormous embankments have been constructed to protect the land from periodical floods.

• Raja Tailanga RAM CHANDRA DEB 1590/-, after he received the Killa from Raja Man Singh, he defeated the petty local Zamindars and became Raja in the year 1590. He also conquered Basu Kalapataru, the Jogi Raja of Dera Bisi near Kendrapara and proceeded to occupy his country, securing the Mahantship of a small Math with power over the inhabitants of the Baishnava caste. The last two privileges were enjoyed by his successors to the present time. A lengthy period of peace and prosperity ensued during the reigns of his successors.

• Raja NILAKANTHA DEB I

• Raja BALABHADRA DEB

• Raja GOPINATH DEB I

• Raja TRILOCHAN DEB, he continued the interest of the preceding four Rajas in furthering trading relationships with other places in India as well as other countries. They equipped a fleet of around 200 sailing vessels which visited Bombay, Burma, Borneo, Java and Sumatra. These vessels continued to ply their trade till competition came from steamers belonging to a number of European Shipping Companies.

• Raja KISHORI DEB

• Raja NILAKANTHA DEB II, he constructed a beautiful Temple of Laxmi Baraha Jew and gave a Zilla of 8000Rs at that time for its maintenance and worship. He also established many smaller temples, including Dadhibaman Jew Temple at Dera Bisi. He introduced into his Kingdom many high caste Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Karanas and bestowed upon them lands for their sustenance, so that they in turn could serve the society.

• Raja GOPINATH DEB II, he ruled around 1747, during this period the Marathas invaded Orissa.

• Raja RAM KRISHNA DEB, he received authority via a sannad with the Maratha Government at Nagpur to be called the Maharaja of Aul, and was invested with the Royal Insignia and given the authority to keep 500 Cavalry. During his reign, in 1803, Orissa was conquered by the British and an agreement was concluded through the Treaty of Deogaon by which a peshkash was permanently fixed and all powers of the Killajat Raja were conferred upon the Ruler. One of the provisions of the agreement then entered into was that the Raja was required to pay an annual sum of equivalent to 28,359Rs; he was a great warrior, and rendered assistance to General Harcourt in December 1803, in a battle at Kendrapara, for which he received from the East India Company, a letter of acknowledgment of his services.

• Raja PRATAP RUDRA DEB, he was an opium addict and became insane and during that period Aul became weaker and lost territories through sunset laws and was henceforth managed by the Court of Wards till 1847, he married and had issue.

  • Raja PADMANABH DEB (qv)

• Raja PADMANABH DEB 1841/1888, born 1830, during his long reign and especially in 1866, Orissa was devastated by a terrible famine, during which many died and the surviving subjects were reduced to the most abject state of misery, he was extremely pious and introduced many measures to provide food and comfort to the subjects. He also introduced into his Kingdom many high caste Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Karanas and bestowed upon them lands for their sustenance, so that they in turn could serve the society; he married and had issue, two sons, the elder of whom died of cholera during the famine. He died 1888.

  • Raja JADUNATH DEB (qv)

• Raja JADUNATH DEB 1888/1900, during his reign the last settlement of the District of Cuttack was completed, he was a man of strong religious principles, and a considerable portion of his income was spent in constructing temples, tanks and wells, and for the establishment of a new deity, named Jadukulo Chandra Jew, for which he gifted property worth 2000Rs for its maintenance. He held a great festival annually lasting a whole week at a cost of several thousands of Rupees and provided ample food for the brahmins, baishnabs and the needy poor of his territories. He ruled his subjects with firmness tempered with justice and did all in his power to promote their happiness; he married Rani Binod Kumari Patta Mahadei, a princess of Panchkote, now in West Bengal, and had issue, three sons and one daughter. He died in 1900, whilst worshipping in the temple of Lakshmi Baraha Jew, reciting his own written couplets in honour of the Lord.

  • Raja PITAMBER DEB (qv)

  • Rajkumar Sunamoni Bansidhar Deb, adopted to neighbouring Kanika and succeded there as Raja Bahadur Sir RAJENDRA NARAYAN BHANJ DEO Bahadur of Kanika.

  • Raja BRAJA SUNDAR DEB (qv)

  • Rajkumari Jemamoni Labanya Kumari, married to the Raja of Chikiti in Ganjam District of Orissa.

• Raja PITAMBER DEB 1900/1905, succeeded his father on his death in 1900; married Rani Swarna Manjari Devi, daughter of Raja Nilambar Chandra Deo of Bonai, and had issue, one daughter. He died spm 1905, when a steam motor launch in which he was returning from a hunting expedition encountered a violent storm in the River Kharasota and sank beneath the waters, carrying along with it the Raja and his attendants.

  • Rani Sarat Kumari Devi, married 25th November 1925, Rana Birpal Singhji of Bhajji, and had issue. She died February 1986.

• Raja BRAJA SUNDAR DEB 1905/1946, he inherited the praise worthy qualities of his predecessors. He was wise in administration, devoted to music and religious pursuits, protecting uprightment and punishing evil doers. He contributed liberally to the maintenance of Temples and the cause of education. He funded from his private purse Sanskrit and Upper Primary Schools at Aul in 1908. He provided scholarships to needy students residing at a distance from his Killa. He is the founder donor for the construction of the Town Hall at Cuttack, called Sriram Chandra Bhawan. He increased his Estate by purchasing and retrieving some of his old territories which had been taken over by the British under the sunset laws, like the Killas of Harishpur, Marichpur, Bishnupur and Alamgiri. The Raja always encouraged sporting activities, was a keen marksman with rifle and gun, in which he had few equals. His hunting expeditions led him to take a deep interest in the habits of the wild beasts and his great courage which was one of the most noticeable features in his character - together with the knowledge of his power over those animals, doubtless, caused him to become a Shikari in earnest. There is probably no other occupant of a throne who has captured and trained wild animals, and the success of the Raja in that direction resulted in the formation of a travelling circus of which he was the controlling spirit. Lions, tigers, bears and other ferocious inhabitants of the jungle seemed to be as harmless as the domestic cat, when they were brought face to face with him, and the marvellous manner in which he compelled submission to his will was striking proof of the power of the man. The Raja had his own methods of training and was invariably successful in the end. His skill in subduing an animal was no less than the wonderful patience he exhibited. The Aul Raj Circus was known throughout India and Burma, numerous letters as to the high class character of the performances had been received at Ranchi, Purulia, Bankipore, Ramnagar, Vizagapatnam and other places, while in 1916 H.E. Lord Carmichael, Governor of Bengal presented a Testimonial to the Raja in recognition of his extraordinary courage. Medals were also received at the Delhi Durbar in 1911 and Cuttack Coronation Durbar in the same year and from many Rajas, Maharajas and prominent Europeans at Calcutta. He was one of the patrons for the Publication of the first ever Oriya Dictonary called Purna Chandra Bhasa Kos. He was a close confidante of Shri Janaki Nath Bose, the consulting attorney of the Aul Zamindari at that time and the father of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. In the latter part of his life he was supportive of Indian Revolutionaries like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He was a pioneer for the formation of a separate Province of Orissa and contributed liberally and supported the Utkal Sammilani; married Rani Maithali Devi Patta Mahadei of Bonai, a cousin of Rani Swarna Manjari Devi of Aul, and had issue. He died 1946.

  • Raja CHANDRA BHANU DEB (qv)

• Raja CHANDRA BHANU DEB 1946/1961, who stayed mostly at Benaras and at Puri. He was twice the President of Orissa Musical Society and had been trained by the famous musician Pt. Omkar Nath Thakur at Benaras and was very adept at playing the violin; married Rani Ramraj Kumari Pattamahadei of Lakhanpur, Surguja, who as Rani Saheba of Aul, was also a member of the Orissa Legislative Assembly from 1952 to 1957, and had issue, two sons and five daughters.

  • Rani Padma Devi (+), married Justice Raja Chandra Shekhar Prasad Singh, Raja Saheb of Daiya in U.P., Judge of the Allahabad High Court, U.P., died in office after being mistakenly killed by dacoits, and had issue, four daughters and two sons.

  • Rajkumari Savitiri Devi (+), married Kunwar Tribhuvan Shah Deo (+) of Kanker, fourth son of Lal Nand Kishore Nath Shah Deo of Ratu Zamindari; a sportsman of repute, and has issue, one son.

  • Raja BAN BIHARI DEB (qv)

  • Rani Shanti Devi [now Rajmata Shanti Devi of Dharakote], M.L.A. (Orissa) 1990/1995; Chairperson of Dharakote Panchayat Samiti; involved in various Womens' Organisations; married Raja Ananta Narayan Singh Deo (+) of Dharakote, a former Minister in Orissa and a former Member of Parliament, and had issue, one son and three daughters.

  • Rajkumari Shashikala Devi, married Lal Saheb Dhurandhar Singh Deo (+) of Khariar, and has issue, two sons and four daughters.

  • Rajkumari Usha Devi, married Kunwar Ravindra Nath Shah Deo (+) of Kanker, third son of Lal Nand Kishore Nath Shah Deo of Ratu Zamindari; a teacher of repute in Rajkumar College, Raipur; and had issue, two sons.

  • Raja SARAT KUMAR DEB (qv)

• Raja BAN BIHARI DEB 1961/1967, educated at Benaras and was a keen marksman; married Rani Jayshree Devi (+), daughter of Tikayat Nrupendra Narayan Singh Deo of Seraikella, and his wife, Tikayet Rani Kusum Manjari Devi, and had issue, two daughters. He died spm 1967.

  • Rani Sangita Devi, married Raja Akhilesh Pratap Mal of Majhauli, U.P., and has issue, two sons.

    • Yuvraj Ark Pratap Mal

    • Rajkumar Anirudh Pratap Mal

  • Rajkumari Pritilata Devi, married Kumar Tarani Prasad Singh Deo, son of Lal Saheb Dhurandhar Singh Deo of Khariar, and Rajkumari Shashikala Devi of Aul (see above), and has issue one son and one daughter.

    • Kumari Priyanka Devi, studying in USA

    • Kumar Adideb Singh Deo

• Raja SARAT KUMAR DEB B.A. 1967/1988, born 16th October 1942 ^(#1), educated at Rajkumar College, Raipur and was the Head Boy of the school in 1959/1960, where he was an all round sportsman and excelled in Football and qualified for the university and State selections at that time;he further studied at Christ College, Cuttack and BJB College Bhubaneswar for his graduation. He was an excellent Debater and Orator, and was chosen as the best N.C.C. Sr. Division Cadet in 1964, he entered politics in 1967, President of Krushak Samaj, Aul; President of various cultural and social institutions; President of Khendrapara District Janata; Member of the Technical Advisory Committee 1977/1978 and 1978/1979, he served the Orissa Government as Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Excise (21.1.1971) - (14.6.1972) and Minister for Irrigation from (25.10.1979) - (17.2.1980). He was elected as member of the Orissa Legislative Assembly for four terms (1971/1985). He was Leader of the Opposition in the Orissa Legislative Assembly (2.4.1984) - (10.3.1985). He was elected as a member of Parliament (8th Lok Sabha) in 1985 and continued as a member till his untimely death in 1988; he married 27th January 1969, Rani Sushree Devi, born 10th October 1950 in Raipur, Chattisgarh; daughter of Raja Anup Singh Deo of Khariar, and his wife, Shrimati Rani Saubhagya Manjari Devi, Agriculturist, Political and Social Worker, B.A. Educated at S.B. Women's College, Cuttack (Orissa), 1990-95 Member, Orissa Legislative Assembly April 2002 Elected to Rajya Sabha May 2002 onwards Member, Committee on Industry Aug. 2002 onwards Member, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Water Resources, she participated in the (i) peasant movement against the hike in agriculture water tax in 1971 at Aul and Kendrapara sub division and (ii) relief operation for the flood victims in the 1971 cyclone in the area; spearheaded the movement in Kendrapara district to set up Girls High School in 1977; and carried out extensive relief operation in Aul in the 1999 Super Cyclone; has keen interest in (i) conservation of ancient heritage and important archeological monuments and (ii) aquaculture activities; inclined towards experimenting various aquaculture production activities such as prawn and fisheries in Kendrapara district, Interests: Reading, touring new places, cooking, wildlife protection and conservation, folk theatre in rural areas and agriculture, Director, Lift Irrigation Corporation, Orissa, for three years; Member, (i) Board of Secondary Education, Orissa, for five years, (ii) TAC, Orissa, for four years, (iii) Consultative Irrigation Committee, Orissa for four years and (iv) Sri Vihar Sanskrit University, Puri (Orissa) for two years; previously associated with the Janata Dal, and had issue, two sons and one daughter. His passing on 24th March 1988 of stomach cancer created a void in Orissa politics.

  • Raja BRAJ KESHARI DEB (qv)

  • Thatraj Pratap Keshari Deb B.A., born 21st December 1971, educated at Rajkumar College, Raipur and graduated with Political Science Honours from Ram Jas College, Delhi University; Gold Medalist in shooting competition for Junior Division NCC Cadets held at Udaipur in 1986, represented his school in Football and Hockey at the natonal level in the Iner Public School Championships in 1986/87, and was ajudged the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament on both occasions, he entered politics in 1993, M.L.A. (Orissa) 2004/2009 (two terms); Member, Telephone Advisory Committee, Cuttack Circle; Member, Library Committee 2000/2003 and 2004/2005; Member, Public Undertakings Committee, 2000/2002, 2000/2004 and 2006/2007; Member, Subject Committee on Water Resources, 2000/2005; Member, House Committee on Cyclone/Flood, 2000/2001; Member, House Committee on Forest Protection, 2001/2003; Member, House Committe to review the functioning of the N.G.Os in the State, 2004/2007; Member, Committee on Estimates, 2005/2006 and 2007/-; Member, Committee on Petitions, 2005/2007; Member, Standing Committe on WR, Agriculture, F & ARD (No.2), 2005/-; married Rajkumari Avantika Singh, daughter of late Yuvraj Rajesh Pal Singh Judeo and Yuvrani (now Rajmata) Raj Devi of Gopalpura, Dist. Jalaun, and has issue, one son and one daughter.

    • Kumar Karmanya Pratap Deb

    • Kumari Himadrika Devi

  • Rajkumari Gitanjali Devi, married to Kunwar Amaresh Pratap Singh, son of Rajkumar Akhil Pratap Singh, fourth son of Raja Ajit Pratap Singh of Pratapgarh U.P., and has issue, one son.

    • Kumar Abhyuday Pratap Singh

• Raja BRAJ KESHARI DEB (see above)