The original state was founded in 1728 by Tukoji Rao, from the
Pawar clan of the
Marathas who together with his younger brother Jivaji Rao, had advanced into Malwa with
PeshwaBaji Rao I as part of the
Maratha Conquest of
Malwa.[1] The brothers divided the territory among themselves; their descendants ruled as the senior and
junior branches of the family. After 1841, each branch ruled his own portion as a separate state, though the lands belonging to each were intimately entangled; in
Dewas, the capital town, the two sides of the main street were under different administrations and had different arrangements for water supply and lighting.
The two
Rajas heading Dewas states both lived in separate residences in the town of
Dewas, and ruled over separate areas.[2]
The Senior branch had an area of 446 sq mi (1,160 km2) and a population of in 62,312 in 1901.[3] From 1907, both Dewas states were in the
Malwa Agency of the
Central India Agency. After India's independence in 1947, the
Maharajas of Dewas acceded to India, and their states were integrated into
Madhya Bharat, which became a state of India in 1950. In 1956, Madhya Bharat was merged into
Madhya Pradesh state.
28 Sep 1827 – 1835 Bhawanibai Raje Sahib (f) -Regent (d. 1835)
26 Jul 1860 – 12 Oct 1899 Krishnaji Rao II Pawar (b. 1849 – d. 1899) "Baba Sahib"
26 Oct 1860 – 23 Mar 1867 Maharani Yamunabai (f) -Regent (b. 1829 – d. 1909)
12 Oct 1899 – 1 Jan 1918 Tukoji Rao III Pawar "Kesho Rao" (b. 1888 – d. 1937) "Bapu Sahib" (from 12 Dec *1911, Sir Tukaji Rao III Pawar)
Maharajas
1 Jan 1918 – 21 Dec 1937 Sir
Tukoji Rao III Pawar "Kesho Rao (s.a.) Bapu Sahib" (fled to Pondicherry, French India 26 Jul 1934)
21 Dec 1937 – 23 Mar 1947
Vikramsinh Rao I Pawar "Nana Sahib" (b. 1910 – d. 1983) (from 12 Jun 1941, Sir Vikramsinh Rao Pawar) (administrator from 26 Jul 1934)
11 Aug 1941 – 15 May 1943 Maharani Pramilabai (f) -Regent (b. 1910 – d. 2008) (1st time)
23 Mar 1947 – 15 Aug 1947 Maharani Pramilabai (f) -Regent (s.a.) (2nd time)