PRESENT RULER: HH Raja SHUBHENDRA CHAND, present Raja Saheb of Bilaspur since 8th October 2013. (The Palace, Bilaspur 495001, Himachal Pradesh, India)

born 1987.

PREDECESSORS AND SHORT HISTORY: The predecessor state was founded about 697AD. It was called Kahlur, after a fort of that name built by Raja Kahal Chand, and called after himself, Kot Kahlur. The capital of Bilaspur was founded by Raja Dip Chand and was originally at Jhandbari and then at Kot Kahlur, but was later transferred to Bilaspur. The Rajas were members of the Kahluria clan of the Chandravanshi Rajputs descended from the ancient Rajas of Chanderi in Bundelkhand. The Raja maintains a military force of 40 cavalry, 620 infantry, and 11 guns, and is entitled to a salute of 11 guns (as of 1892). The state ranks 1st in the order of precedence amongst the Simla Hill States and 8th amongst the Punjab States. Rulers were...

• Raja Hari Har Chand, 70th Raja of Chanderi in Gwalior, married and had issue. He died 697 or 880.

  • Raja Govind Chand, 71st Chanderi King in succession to his father.

  • Raja Bir Chand (qv)

  • Mian Sabir Chand, died 697 or 880.

  • Raja Kabir Chand, founder and first Raja of Kumaon.

  • Raja Gambhir Chand, founder and first Raja of Chenani.

• Raja BIR CHAND, 1st Raja of 'Kahlur' 697/730 or fl.880, founder, subjugated 15 neighbouring states but was ultimately checked by the Raja of Sirmur, with whom he made peace.

• .....

• Raja KAHAL CHAND, 6th Raja of Kahlur 894/902, he built Kot Kahlur, giving its name to the state.

• .....

• Raja KAHN CHAND, 11th Raja of Kahlur 1057/1099, conquered Hindur and gave it to his second son, Sujit Chand, from whom the ruling line of Nalagarh is descended, married and had issue.

  • Raja Ajit Chand (qv)

  • Raja Sujit Chand, founder of Hindur (later Nalagarh).

  • Mian Tegh Chand

• Raja AJIT CHAND, 12th Raja of Kahlur 1099/-

• .....

• Raja UDAI CHAND, ?13th Raja of Kahlur 1133/1143

• ......

• Raja SANGAR CHAND, 16th Raja of Kahlur 1197/1220, married and had issue, ten sons, seven of whom founded jagiri families, existing to the present day (1910).

  • Raja Megh Chand (qv)

  • Mian Kali Chand, ancestor of the rulers of Ramgarh in Haryana.

• Raja MEGH CHAND, 17th Raja of Kahlur 1220/1251, forced to flee a rebellion by his subjects which was eventually put down with the help of the Sultan of Delhi.

• ......

• Raja ABHAISAND CHAND, 21st Raja of Kahlur 1302/1317

• ......

• Raja RATAN CHAND, 24th Raja of Kahlur 1355/1406, grandson of Raja Abhaisand Chand.

• ......

• Raja GYAN CHAND, 28th Raja of Kahlur 1518/1555 or 1570/1600, forced to convert to Islam, after quarrelling with the Governor of Sirhind and being defeated in battle, married (amongst others), the daughter of the Muslim Governor of Sirhind, and had issue. He died 1555 and was buried at Kiratpur.

  • Raja Bikram Chand (qv)

  • Mian Ram Chand, converted to Islam.

  • Mian Bhim Chand, converted to Islam.

• Raja BIKRAM CHAND, 29th Raja of Kahlur 1555/1593 or 1600/1620 (abdicated), married (a), daughter of Raja Triloka Chand of Kangra, married (b), a daughter of Rana Pratap Chand of Baghal, and had issue. He died 1593.

  • Raja Sultan Chand (by 1st wife) (qv)

  • Mian Kesab Chand (by 2nd wife)

  • Rani Prakash Devi, married Raja Sahib Sen, Raja of Mandi.

• Raja SULTAN CHAND, 30th Raja of Kahlur 1593/1600 or 1620/1630, married and had issue. He died 1600.

  • Raja Kalyan Chand (qv)

• Raja KALYAN CHAND, 30th Raja of Kahlur 1600/1636 or 1630/1645, married (amongst others) a daughter of Raja Shyam Sen of Suket, she committed sati, 1645, and had issue, eight sons. He died 1645.

  • Raja Tara Chand (qv)

  • Mian Manak Chand

• Raja TARA CHAND, 31st Raja of Kahlur 1636/1653 or 1645/1653, married and had issue. He died 1653.

  • Raja Dip Chand (qv)

• Raja DIP CHAND, 32nd Raja of Kahlur 1653/1665, provided assistance to the Mughal Emperor, for which he received a khillat of 5 lakhs and a sanad authorising his suzerainty over 22 states; he transferred the capital to Bilaspur; married (a), Rani Kunkam Devi of Kullu, married (b), Rani Jalal Devi, daughter of Raja Shyam Sen of Mandi, married (c), Rani Champa Devi, and had issue. He died 27th April 1665 at Nadaon, poisoned to death by the Raja of Kangra.

  • Raja Bhim Chand (by 2nd wife) (qv)

  • Mian Dhan Chand (by 2nd wife)

• Raja BHIM CHAND, 33rd Raja of Bilaspur 1665/1692 (abdicated), born about 1651, spent the last few years of his life as a fakir after abdicating in favour of his son, married and had issue. He died about 1712.

  • Raja Ajmer Chand (qv)

• Raja AJMER CHAND, 34th Raja of Bilaspur 1692/1738 or 1712/1741, he was a formidible military ruler, and forced a number of neighbouring states to pay tribute; married (amongst others) (a), daughter of Raja Fateh Shah of Garhwal, married (b), a Princess of Sirmur, and had issue, seven sons. He died 1738 (1741).

  • Raja Devi Chand (by Rani Garhwali) (qv)

  • Mian Shakt Chand (by Rani Garhwali), married and had issue.

    • Mian Bishnu Chand, married and had issue.

      • Raja Jagat Chand [Mian Jangi Singh](qv)

  • Mian Chiman Singh, married and had issue.

    • Mian Ajudhia Das

    • Mian Ram Das

  • Mian Suchet Singh (by Rani Sirmuri), ancestor of Mian Changhnian Chand.

  • Mian Zorawar Singh (by Rani Sirmuri), Wazir of Bilaspur 1778/1793, married and had issue. He died 1793.

    • Mian Indar Singh

    • Mian Man Singh

    • Mian Dalel Singh

• Raja DEVI CHAND, Raja of Bilaspur 1738/1778, waged war against Kangra and Nalagarh, married (a), a Katoch Princess of Kangra, married (b), a daughter of Rana Mehar Chand of Baghal, married (c), a daughter of Rana Anup Singh of Kumharsain, and had issue. He died 1778.

  • Raja Mahan Chand (qv)

• Raja MAHAN CHAND, Raja of Bilaspur 1778/1824, born 1772, during his reign the state was overrun by the Gurkhas from 1803 to 1815, and after their expulsion, the state was confirmed to the Raja by a sanad from the British Government, dated 6th March 1815, he waged war with Nalagarh and Kangra, and lost Dhar Kot to the Sikhs, married and had issue. He died 1824.

  • Raja Kharak Chand (qv)

• Raja KHARAK CHAND, Raja of Bilaspur 1824/1839, born 1813, married (amongst others) (a), Rani Tripta Devi, daughter of Raja Karam Prakash II, Raja of Sirmur, married (b), a daughter of Rana Shiv Saran Singh, Rana of Baghal, and had issue. He died 29th March 1839 at Bilaspur leaving three widows, including the two daughters of Raja Karam Prakash II of Sirmur.

  • Raja Garbh Chand Sahib (by Rani Tripta Devi), born posthumously in 1839, lost his claim to the gaddi in the dispute decided by the British government in favour of his nearest relation Jagat Chand, married a daughter of Raja Narain Chand of Datarpur, and had issue, one son.

    • Raja Kishan Chand, married and had issue, three sons.

      • Raja Ganga Chand, married Rani Hemavati Devi of Theog, and had issue, two sons.

        • Raja Harish Chand, married Rani Sahiba Kailash Kanwar, daughter of Thakur Sobhagya Singhji of Parsoli, and had issue, five sons and three daughters. He died in March 2014 at Udaipur.

          • Kumari Vijaylaxmi Kanwar, married Late Thakur Virendra Singhji of Jaiwana in Mewar, and has issue, two sons and one daughter.

          • Raja Ranvir Chand, married Rani Sahiba Rekha Kanwar, daughter of Thakur Yogendra Kumar Singhji of Dehad in Bihar (former M.L.A.), and has issue, one son and two daughters. (Udaipur, Rajasthan, India)

            • Nirupama Kumari, married Thakur Harpal Singh of Kanghetigarh

            • Samragi Kumari, married Kunwar Aditya Singh Shaktawat of Phila

            • Tikka Chakradhar Chand, presently working in Uganda.

          • Kunwar Randhir Singh, married Kunwarani Manjula Kumari, daughter of Late Thakur Dilip Singhji of Piplaj, and has issue, three daughters. (Udaipur, Rajasthan, India)

            • Ashwarya Kumari, married Thakur Shailendra Singh Padampura

            • Devshri Kumari, married Kunwar Abhimanyu Singh of Nandli

            • Falguni Kumari, presently (2013) studying in 11th standard.

          • Kunwar Vikram Singh, married Kunwarani Laxmi Kumari, daughter of Late Thakur Amar Singhji of Bae or Baya in Bikaner, and has issue, one son. (Udaipur, Rajasthan, India)

            • Kunwar Bhawani Singh, married Kanwarani Shivani Kumari, daughter of Maharaj Shri Paduman Singhji of Jatwari in Indargarh, Kotah.

          • Kamlendumati Kumari, married Thakur Chandraveer Singhji of Shyampura in Mewar, and has issue, one daughter.

            • Devangini Kumari, married Kunwar Samarth Singh of Dungri in Jaipur.

          • Kunwar Kuldeep Singh (settled in jaipur), married Kanwarani Bindu Kumari, daughter of Thakur Shyamsundar Singhji of Bagsau (sic. Bagseu) in Bikaner, and has issue, two daughters. (Jaipur, Rajasthan, India)

            • Tejasvi Kumari, presently (2013), proprietor of her own patisserie in Jaipur (D'zurt)

            • Apurvi Kumari, presently (2013) Junior World rifle shooting champion and national champion.

          • Prafulit Kumari, married Darbar Shri Yuvraj Singhji of Jaitpura in Ajmer, and has issue, one son.

            • Kunwar Devrat Singh

          • Kunwar Jaideep Singh, married Kanwarani Nitika Kumari, daughter of Late Thakur Gulab Singhji of Bhindar (former Home Minister, Govt. of Rajasthan), and has issue, two daughters. (Udaipur, Rajasthan, India)

            • Baisa Tanya Kumari, presently (2013) studying in 11th standard.

            • Baisa Vishvavandita Kumari, presently (2013) studying in 5th standard

        • Kunwar Rajendra Singhji, married Late Kunwarani Khemawati Kumari, daughter of Kunwar Pratap Singhji Sen of Samshi, and has issue, one son and two daughters. (Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India)

          • Kusum kumari, married Shri Dr. Suresh Minhas from Chaidar in Kangra, and has issue, two sons.

            • Kr. Prateek Minhas

            • Kr. Pranav Minhas

          • Kalpana kumari, married Thakur D. R. Katoch, and has issue, two sons.

            • Kunwar Kartik Katoch

            • Kunwar Shantanu Katoch

          • Kunwar Harendra Singh, married Kunwarani Rakhi Kumari, daughter of Thakur Yogendra Pratap Singhji of Dahad, and has issue, one daughter.

            • Devika Kumari, presently (2013) studying in Chandigarh

      • Kunwar Ishwari Singh, held the post of Mewar Vakil, married and had issue. He died 1979.

        • Kunwar Surendra Singh Chandel, settled at Udaipur where he worked as purchasing officer with BIRLAS, married Kunwarani Narendra Kumari of Mendhsor (Shekhawat), and had issue.

          • Kunwar Gajraj Singh Chandel, M.Com., born 4th April 1959 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, married 7th May 1987, Kunwarani Neera Singh Sisodia, daughter of Thakur Himmat Singh of Nandli, and has issue.

            • Kunwar Takshsheel Singh, born 1988.

        • Kunwar Gajender Singh, born 7th January 1934, married Kunwarani Harsidh Kanwar, and had issue. He died 3rd January 2005.

          • Kunwar Harshwardhan Singh, married and has issue.

            • Kunwar Yashwardhan Singh

            • Kumari Sonu Kumari

          • Kunwar Ashwani Chandela, born 17th October 1966 in Bikaner, married 2nd April 2002 in Bikaner, Kunwarani Suman Rathore, and has issue, one daughter.

            • Kumari Chhavi Singh Chandela

        • Kunwar Harender Singh, he settled in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

        • Kumari Chitra Kumari, married Maharaj Shri Udai Singhji of Ralayata, and had issue, one son and three daughters.

      • Kunwar Pradyuman Singh, he settled at Kunihar.

• Raja JAGAT CHAND, Raja of Bilaspur 1839/1850 (abdicated), installed on the gadi on April 1839, married and had issue. He died 1857.

  • Mian Narpat Chand, married and had issue. He died 1844 or 1850.

    • Raja Hira Chand (qv)

    • Kumari (name unknown), married in October 1848, HH Maharaja Ranbir Singhji of Jammu and Kashmir.

• Raja HIRA CHAND, Raja of Bilaspur 1850/1883, born 1835, he rendered good service during the Mutiny of 1857, and was rewarded with a salute of 11 guns, married a daughter of the Raja of Rajpur [Raipur] in Ambala, and had issue. He died January 1883.

  • HH Raja Amar Chand Sahib Bahadur (qv)

  • Kumari (name unknown), married Raja Jai Singh of Dada-Siba, and had issue.

• HH Raja AMAR CHAND Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Bilaspur 1883/1889, born 1854, married (a), the daughter of Kanwar Jai Singh of Baghal, married (b), Rani Panwariji from Tehri-Garhwal, married (c), another daughter of Kanwar Jai Singh of Baghal, married (d), a daughter of Rana Bhawani Singh, Rana of Kumharsain, married (e), another daughter of Rana Bhawani Singh, Rana of Kumharsain, and had issue. He died 3rd February 1889.

  • Maj. HH Raja Sir Bijai Chand (by Rani Panwariji) (qv)

  • Kumari (name unknown), married into Kashipur.

  • Kumari (name unknown), married Tikka Ugar Sen of Keonthal.

  • Kumari (name unknown), married Maharaja Jai Chand VI of Kangra-Lambagraon.

  • Kumari (name unknown), married Major Raja Baldev Singh of Poonch.

  • Kumari (name unknown), married Major Raja Baldev Singh of Poonch.

  • Mian Sohan Singh, born 1881, married and had issue.

    • Kanwar Isher Singh [?same as Kanwar Ishwari Singh (see below)]

    • Kanwar Mohinder Singh

• Maj. HH Raja Sir BIJAI CHAND K.C.S.I., Raja of Bilaspur [3.2.1889] - [18.2.1927] (abdicated), born 1873 ^(#2) (1872 ^#3), educated at Aitchison Chiefs College, Lahore, he succeeded to the gadi as a minor on 3rd February 1889 ^(#1), and was granted full ruling powers in 1893; sometime afterwards, his administration of the state declined until it reached a climax in 1902, after which he was deprived of ruling powers and removed from the administration of the state, he was allowed to return in May 1908 and given back his powers subject to certain restrictions; he was created a Companion of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India (C.S.I.) in December 1911 at the Coronation Durbar at Delhi, and a Knight Companion of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India (K.C.S.I.) on 4th June 1917, in recognition of his services in connection with WWI; he was appointed an Honorary Captain and attached to the 41st Dogras on 6th August 1918; appointed a Member of thec Executive Council of Bengal in 1919; he abdicated in favour of his son on 18th February 1927; married 1898, (amongst others), HH Rani Suraj Devi, born 1886, died 1939, daughter of Raja Balbir Singh of Mankot, and had issue, as well as further issue by secondary unions. He died in November 1931 at Benares ^(#2).

  • HH Raja Sir Anand Chand (by Rani Suraj Devi) (qv)

  • Mian Shiv Singh (by a secondary marriage), born 1893, married a daughter of Raja Raghunath Singh, Raja of Guler, and had issue. He died 1941.

    • Kanwarani Shanta Kumari, born in October 1923 in Bilaspur, married in 1943, Kanwar Kashmir Singh of Mandi, and had issue, one son.

• HH Raja Sir ANAND CHAND K.C.I.E., Raja of Bilaspur 1927/1983, born 26th January 1913, succeeded on 18th February 1927 on his father's abdication; installed 1928 and granted full ruling powers on 9th January 1933; educated at Mayo College, Ajmer; he abolished Begar (heavy labour) in 1936 and passed legislation abolishing child marriage; he introduced the Bilaspur Prohibition Act in 1942; he constructed new roads linking the capital with both Suket and Mandi, as well as new schools and health centres; he also built the Shri Gopalji Temple and the New Palace (now submerged); Member of the Constituent Assembly 1947/1948; Chief Commissioner of Bilaspur 1948/1950; Member, Lok Sabha 1952/1957 and the Rajya Sabha 1958/1964 and 1964/1970; Member of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Asembly 1977/1982; Author of "Bilaspur - Past, Present and Future"; married 1stly, 18th May 1931 HH Rani Umawati Kumari, born 1916, died 12th/13th March 1961 in Delhi, daughter of Raja Rana Sir Bhagat Chand Bahadur of Jubbal, and his first wife, Rani Tara Devi, married 2ndly, 1969, Rani Sudarshan Kumari, born 1940, daughter of Kanwar Mehar Chand of Bhojpur, and had issue. He died 12th October 1983 or 15th November 1983 in London.

  • Rajkumari Ambika Kumari, born 1933, died unmarried 1981 in Bilaspur.

  • Tikka Rajendra Chand, born 2nd September 1935, died unmarried 12th March 1970 in London.

  • Rajkumari Raj Rajeshwari, born 7th November 1938, died unmarried 11th November 2004.

  • HH Raja Kirti Chand (qv)

  • Rajkumar Dr. Gopal Chand, born 1969, educated at the City of London School for Boys 1979/1987 and at Trinity College, Cambridge (M.A. and Ph.D., 1995); married 1996, Rajkumarani Lakshmi Rana, daughter of Major Gandharb Singh Rana, and has issue, two children.

    • Kumar Shri Raj Chand, born in 1997.

    • Kumari Jaya Chand, born in 1999.

  • Rajkumari Dr. Sunanda Chand M.B.B.S. (1999), born 1973

• HH Raja KIRTI CHAND, Raja of Bilaspur 1983/2013, born 1941, educated at Chandigarh, married Kumari Karuna Kumari [HH Rani Karuna Kumari of Bilaspur], daughter of Kunwar Hemender Singh of Mohal in Suket, and his wife, Kanwarani Kushal Devi, and has issue, two children, one son and one daughter. He died 8th October 2013 at Chandigarh after a brief illness.

  • Rajkumari Shubhani Rajya Lakshmi

  • Tikka Shubhendra Chand, he succeeded as HH Raja Shubhendra Chand (qv)

• HH Raja SHUBHENDRA CHAND, Raja of Bilaspur (see above)

OTHER MEMBERS:

• Kumari Shakuntala, married Kanwar Akshay Singh of Sirmur, and has issue.

• Kumari (name unknown), married Raja Fateh Prakash, Raja of Sirmur, and had issue.

• Kanwar Ishwari Singh, married Kumari Krishna Kumari, daughter Kanwar Jagatjit Singh of Bashahr, and his second wife, and had issue.

• Kanwar Khushal Singh, married and had issue.

  • Rani Rama Kumari, married Rana Surinder Singh, Rana of Mangal, and has issue.

• Capt. Kanwar Shamsher Singh, married a daughter of Rana Raghunath Chand, Thakur of Mahilog.

• Kanwar Prem Singh, married Kumari Padmawati Devi, daughter of Kanwar Fateh Singh of Rawingarh, and has issue.