Dewas Junior

Dewas Junior was established by Jivaji Rao I Puar in 1728 during the Maratha conquest of Central India.

[1] The original state was founded in 1728 by Jivaji Rao, from the Puar clan of Marathas who together with his older brother (Tukoji) had advanced into Malwa with Peshwa Baji Rao, as part of the Maratha conquest.

[2] The brothers divided the territory among themselves; their descendants ruled as the junior and senior 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.

Dewas Junior Darbar (Court) was composed of Sardars, Mankaris, Istamuradars, Thakurs and Jagirdars.

HH Raja Narayan Rao Puar (first from left) in front of the Rajwada of Dewas Junior.
A rare photograph of the 3 successive Maharajas of Dewas Junior State. (L to R - HH Maharaja Sadashiv Rao Puar, HH Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Puar and HH Maharaja Malhar Rao Puar)
HH Raja Narayan Rao Puar with Dewas Junior Nobility
HH Maharaja Malhar Rao Puar, Royal family, Sardars , Mankaris , Jagirdars and Thakurs in front of the Dewas Junior Rajwada.