Punjab GK ยท Princely states
Princely States of Punjab: Patiala, Nabha, Jind, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Malerkotla and PEPSU โ Exam Notes
Several of today's Punjab districts โ Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Bathinda, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Malerkotla and Fatehgarh Sahib โ were once ruled by princes. Their history explains PEPSU, a state that existed from 1948 to 1956 and is still asked about in PSSSB and Punjab Police papers. This guide covers each state, the people's movements against princely rule, and integration.
Where the states came from
The princely states of the Punjab plains emerged in the 18th century as Mughal and Afghan power collapsed. Most were founded by Sikh chiefs of the Malwa region; Malerkotla was ruled by an Afghan family. They lay mostly south of the Sutlej, and were therefore called the Cis-Sutlej states.
The Phulkian states: Patiala, Nabha and Jind
The ruling families of Patiala, Nabha and Jind all descended from Chaudhary Phul, a 17th-century Jat chief who founded the village of Phul (now in Bathinda district). They were therefore known as the Phulkian states.
Patiala
- Baba Ala Singh, a grandson of Phul, built a fort in 1763 around which the city of Patiala grew; the Qila Mubarak stands at its heart.
- He dealt pragmatically with Ahmad Shah Abdali, who recognised him as a ruler โ a decision that kept the state alive amid war.
- Patiala became the largest and most influential of the Sikh princely states.
- Maharaja Bhupinder Singh (ruled 1900โ1938) was a patron of cricket and polo and served as Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes. The palace at Chail (Himachal Pradesh) was Patiala's summer retreat.
- Maharaja Yadavindra Singh was the last ruler and became Rajpramukh of PEPSU.
Nabha
- Founded by Hamir Singh in the mid-18th century.
- Maharaja Ripudaman Singh, a nationalist-minded ruler, was forced to abdicate by the British in 1923. Protests against his removal led to the Jaito Morcha (1923โ25) of the Akali movement.
Jind
- Founded by Gajpat Singh; its capital was Sangrur.
Kapurthala
- Ruled by the Ahluwalia family, descended from Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, the leader of the Dal Khalsa who was given the title Sultan-ul-Qaum.
- It was the only major princely state in the Doaba (north of the Sutlej).
- Maharaja Jagatjit Singh built the Jagatjit Palace, inspired by French palace architecture; it now houses the Sainik School, Kapurthala.
Faridkot
- Ruled by a Brar family. Its rulers developed the town with planned buildings and a clock tower.
- Faridkot is today home to Baba Farid University of Health Sciences.
Malerkotla
- Founded by Sheikh Sadruddin, a Sufi of Afghan descent, in the 15th century; later ruled by Afghan nawabs.
- In 1704โ05, Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan protested against the execution of the younger Sahibzadas at Sirhind. This protest, remembered as the "haa da naara", earned Malerkotla lasting respect among Sikhs.
- Malerkotla became Punjab's 23rd district in 2021.
Smaller states
Kalsia (on the Haryana side) and Nalagarh (in the hills, now in Himachal Pradesh) also joined PEPSU.
British protection (1809)
As Maharaja Ranjit Singh expanded his kingdom, the Cis-Sutlej chiefs sought British protection. The Treaty of Amritsar (25 April 1809) between Ranjit Singh and the British fixed the Sutlej as the boundary, and the Cis-Sutlej states became British protected states. In 1857, Patiala, Nabha and Jind supported the British, for which they were rewarded with territory and titles.
People's movements in the states
- The Punjab Riyasti Praja Mandal, founded in 1928, campaigned for responsible government and against heavy taxes in the princely states.
- Sewa Singh Thikriwala, its leading figure, died in Patiala jail in 1935.
- The Praja Mandal joined forces with the wider national movement, and by 1947 demands for democratic government were strong.
Formation of PEPSU (1948)
After Independence, the eight states โ Patiala, Jind, Nabha, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Malerkotla, Nalagarh and Kalsia โ merged to form the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU).
| PEPSU fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 15 July 1948 |
| Capital | Patiala |
| Rajpramukh | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh of Patiala |
| First Chief Minister | Gian Singh Rarewala |
| President's Rule | 1953 |
| Merged into Punjab | 1 November 1956 |
PEPSU was a Part B state under the Constitution. Under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, it was merged with Punjab on 1 November 1956, and the princely capitals became district headquarters.
Key points to remember
- Phulkian states: Patiala, Nabha, Jind, descended from Chaudhary Phul.
- Patiala founded by Baba Ala Singh, fort of 1763.
- Kapurthala โ Ahluwalia family; Jagatjit Palace (Sainik School).
- Malerkotla โ "haa da naara"; 23rd district (2021).
- Treaty of Amritsar, 1809 โ Cis-Sutlej states under British protection.
- PEPSU: 8 states; 15 July 1948; capital Patiala; Rajpramukh Yadavindra Singh; merged 1 November 1956.
Practice questions
Q1. The Phulkian states were:
- (a) Patiala, Nabha and Jind
- (b) Patiala, Kapurthala and Faridkot
- (c) Nabha, Malerkotla and Kalsia
- (d) Jind, Faridkot and Nalagarh
Show answer
Answer: (a) Patiala, Nabha and Jind โ Patiala, Nabha and Jind descended from Chaudhary Phul.
Q2. Patiala city grew around a fort built in 1763 by:
- (a) Maharaja Bhupinder Singh
- (b) Baba Ala Singh
- (c) Hamir Singh
- (d) Gajpat Singh
Show answer
Answer: (b) Baba Ala Singh โ Baba Ala Singh built the fort that became Qila Mubarak.
Q3. Who was the Rajpramukh of PEPSU?
- (a) Maharaja Jagatjit Singh
- (b) Maharaja Yadavindra Singh
- (c) Maharaja Ripudaman Singh
- (d) Gian Singh Rarewala
Show answer
Answer: (b) Maharaja Yadavindra Singh โ Maharaja Yadavindra Singh of Patiala was Rajpramukh.
Q4. PEPSU was merged with Punjab on:
- (a) 15 August 1947
- (b) 26 January 1950
- (c) 1 November 1956
- (d) 1 November 1966
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1 November 1956 โ It merged under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
Q5. The 'haa da naara' is associated with the ruler of:
- (a) Patiala
- (b) Malerkotla
- (c) Kapurthala
- (d) Nabha
Show answer
Answer: (b) Malerkotla โ Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan of Malerkotla protested against the execution of the younger Sahibzadas.
Q6. The removal of which ruler in 1923 led to the Jaito Morcha?
- (a) Maharaja of Nabha
- (b) Maharaja of Patiala
- (c) Raja of Jind
- (d) Raja of Faridkot
Show answer
Answer: (a) Maharaja of Nabha โ Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha was forced to abdicate in 1923.
Frequently asked questions
How many states formed PEPSU?
Eight: Patiala, Jind, Nabha, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Malerkotla, Nalagarh and Kalsia.
What was the capital of PEPSU?
Patiala.
Why were they called the Cis-Sutlej states?
They lay on the southern (near) side of the Sutlej as seen from Delhi, as opposed to Ranjit Singh's kingdom beyond it.
Official sources
Rules, dates and figures can change. Always check the latest official notification or government release before relying on a detail.