Raja Dham Dev Rao

Rao Dham Dev Singh Misr(also known as Maharaja Dham Dev) or Dhram singh was born in 1453 CE at Vijaypur Sikri, now part of Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, India. He belonged to a prominent Brahmin or Rajput family. His father, Maharaja Jay Raj Dev Singh Misr, was the ruler of the Vijaypur Sikri estate. Dham Dev had two brothers: Kam Dev Singh (elder) and Vikram Pratap Dev Singh (younger, also known as Biram Dev Singh).

Raja Dham Dev Rao
Rav
Predecessor	Raja Jay Raj Dev Singh Misr
Born	Dharm Singh 1453 CE Vijaypur Sikri, India
Died	1540s Gahmar, Ghazipur, India
Issue	Roop Ram Rao Diwan Rao
Names Raja Dham Dev Rao urf Raja Dharm Singh
Father	Maharaja Jay Raj Dev Singh Misr
Religion	Hinduism

Biography

Early life

Rao Dham Dev Singh Misr (also known as Maharaja Dham Dev) was born in 1453 CE at Vijaypur Sikri, now part of Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, India. He belonged to a prominent Brahmin or Rajput family. His father, Maharaja Jay Raj Dev Singh Misr, was the ruler of the Vijaypur Sikri estate. Dham Dev had two brothers: Kam Dev Singh (elder) and Vikram Pratap Dev Singh (younger, also known as Biram Dev Singh).

Dham Dev grew up in a military and administrative environment, which shaped his leadership abilities. After his elder brother Kam Dev Singh was assigned parts of the Pahadgarh estate, Dham Dev remained at his father’s court and served as a key advisor and commander in the military.^[1][2][3]

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Rise to Power

In 1504 AD, after the death of their father, Maharaja Jay Raj Dev Singh, Dham Dev was crowned as the ruler of the Vijaypur Sikri estate. He shifted the capital from Vijaypur Sikri to Fatehabad, near Fatehpur Sikri, in the Agra region. His kingdom encompassed the cities of Fatehpur Sikri, Karauli, and Dholpur.

While Dham Dev ruled the estate, his elder brother Kam Dev governed Pahadgarh, and the youngest brother, Vikram Pratap Dev Singh, managed the administrative affairs of both territories. Dham Dev also maintained a strong alliance with Rajput confederacies and actively contributed to military campaigns in the region.^[4][3]

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The Battle of Khanwa (1527 AD)

In March 1527 AD, Rao Dham Dev played a significant role in the Battle of Khanwa, where he joined the Rajput Confederation led by Rana Sanga to resist Babur and the Mughal forces. Dham Dev and his brother Kam Dev contributed 4,000 troops to the alliance.

The Rajput army, comprising 1.8 lakh soldiers, initially appeared poised for victory. However, the sudden defection of Salyadity Tomar, a prominent Rajput ally, to Babur's side turned the tide of the battle. Despite their valiant efforts, the Rajputs were defeated.

After the loss, Dham Dev took command of the retreat, ensuring discipline among the surviving troops. This defeat marked a significant turning point, as the Mughal army sacked and renamed Vijaypur Sikri to Fatehpur Sikri.^[3][4]

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Post-Khanwa Period and Migration

Following the defeat at Khanwa, the fortunes of Dham Dev’s family declined. He relocated his court to Madarpur, where he, along with Kam Dev and Vikram Pratap, sought to rebuild their strength. However, the family faced further challenges during the Battle of Madarpur in 1528 AD, where Babur’s general Mir Baqi defeated them.

In 1530 AD, Dham Dev, Kam Dev, and their families migrated to the Ghazipur region, seeking refuge and rebuilding their influence. The brothers established control over Reotipur (then named Dalpatpur) and the surrounding areas.^[2][3]

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Establishment in Ghazipur

Dham Dev’s descendants played a pivotal role in shaping the Ghazipur district. His family founded 84 villages in areas like Gahmar, Bhabua, Kudra, and Chainpur

References

1. "Ghazipur: A Gazetteer being Vol. XXIX of the District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh". web.archive.org. 2022-12-01. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
2. Singh, Kunvar Pal (2012-01-04). "Rajputana Tours: Legends of Rajput Warrior Princes of Sikarwar: History of Fatehpur Sikri". Rajputana Tours. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
3. Ansari, Saiyad Hasan (1986). Evolution and Spatial Organization of Clan Settlements: A Case Study of Middle Ganga Valley. Concept Publishing Company.
4. "Ghazipur: A Gazetteer being Vol. XXIX of the District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh". web.archive.org. 2022-12-01. Retrieved 2024-12-28.