Maharaja Balwant Singh of Benares

Leading a much more martial life, he built a fort and established a capital at Gangapur, but later moved to Ramnagar.

[3] He expelled Nawab Fazl Ali Khan from present-day Ghazipur and Ballia districts, and added the area to his domains.

[3] In 1751, he expelled the representative of the Nawab of Awadh in an attempt to carve out a principality at Benares, he had defeated the forces of Nawab during a fierce direct fight with the help of large numbers of artillery guns, cavalry and traditional army of strong Bhumihar clan when the Nawab invaded his domain in March 1752; He continued his guerrilla fight and ultimately the Nawab stooped to accept his terms and acquire more area than earlier holding.

[4] Emperor Alamgir II granted him a jagir in Bihar two years later.

[5] Following the Battle of Buxar in 1764, Emperor Shah Alam back stabbed him and transferred Balwant Singh's controlled area to the company, but the Company refused it along with the treaty of benares signed by the Emperor the same year.