History
The Barkagarh estate was founded by Thakur Ani Nath Shahdeo, the son of Nagvanshi King Ram Shah in 17th century. He built the capital at Satranji near Subarnarekha river.[1] The state consist of two pargana the Udaipur and Seiri with 113 villages.[4] He built Jagannath temple in 1691. He also established a market which is now known as Hatia.[5][6]
During 18th century Nagvanshi became vassal of East India Company. Vishwanath Shahdeo was king of Barkagarh estate during 19th century. He disliked authoritarian way of functioning of British official and forcible possession of his lands by Christian Kol tribals encouraged by the Christian missionaries. When he complaint about it to the British officials, they took no action about it.
During Rebellion of 1857, when rebels asked him to lead them and he accepted the offer. He organised a army with the assistance of nearby zamindars including Pandey Ganpat Rai, Tikait Umrao Singh, Sheikh Bhikhari, Jaimangal Singh, Nadir Ali Khan, Brij Bhusan Singh, Chama Singh, Shiva Singh, Ram Lal Singh and Bijai Ram Singh to overthrow Company rule. He fought against East India company force in Battle of Chatra in 1857 but got defeated. They escaped and continued their battle against British in Ranchi. The king of Pithoria, Jagatpal Singh assisted British against the rebels. Viswanath Shahdeo attack Jagatpal Singh in Pithuriya and battle continued for several days.[7] In the end Vishwanath Shahdeo and his allies got defeated. Later they were caught and hanged in Ranchi in 1858. The Barkagarh estate was confiscated for rebellion against company rule.[4][8] Then British destroyed the capital of Barkagarh, forts of Satranjigarh and Hatiagarh.[7]
The wife of Viswanath Shahdeo Baneswari Kunwar fled to forest of Rani Khorha in Gumla district with her one year son Kapil Nath Shahdeo and few trusted individuals due to danger to her life and her son as She know that British can kill her and her son. She lived 12 years in exile then she demanded return of property of Barkagarh estate. British refused but they agreed to pay Rani Baneswari Kunwar Rs.30 per month from tax collected by Barkagarh property.[7]
Post Independence
Thakur Naveen Nath Shahdeo, the descendant of Thakur Vishwanath Shahdeo was the vice president of Jagannath Mandir Nyas Sammiti and the first servant of Jagannath temple.[9]