Samthar State

Samthar State was a princely state in India during the British Raj. The state was administered as part of the Bundelkhand Agency of Central India. The state was ruled by the Khatana clan of the Gurjars and was entitled to a 13 gun salute. Its capital, known then as Samshergarh, is located in a level plain in the Bundelkhand region crossed by the Pahuj and the Betwa Rivers.

History
The Samthar state of the Khatana dynasty dates back to the 18th century. Established in 1735 by Ranjit Singh l also known as Indrajit in India during the British Raj, Samthar was one of the chiefdoms under the ruler of Datia State, Indrajit. Naune Shah Gurjar, a prominent figure in the region, was among the chiefs who pledged their allegiance to Indrajit, and his son, Madan Singh, was awarded the title Rajdhar and the governorship of Samthar fort by Indrajit.

Madan Singh's son, Devi Singh, was later given a Jagir of five villages, a testament to their loyalty and service to the Datia State. However, it was Devi Singh’s son, Ranjit Singh, who truly left a mark in the annals of Indian history. In 1760, during the troubled times of the Maratha invasion, Ranjit Singh proclaimed his state's independence and was acknowledged as a Raja by the Marathas. In 1817 Samthar was recognized as a state by the British . They received a sanad of adoption in 1862. In 1884 the state had to cede some territories for the construction of the Betwa Canal. This was a significant milestone in the history of Samthar state, as it marked the beginning of a new era of growth and development.

Over time, Samthar state continued to thrive, and it was recognized as a state by the British. This recognition not only solidified their status but also provided them with the necessary resources and support needed to further develop their state. The Samthar state stands as a proud testament to the resilience and perseverance of its people, who have fought tirelessly to preserve their rich cultural heritage. Their story is a reminder of the importance of unity and determination in the face of adversity, and their legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Rulers
The list of rulers of Samthar state is following as:


 * Raja Ranjit Singh GURJAR (1735–1745)
 * Raja Madan Singh GURJAR (1745–1780)
 * Raja Vishnu Singh GURJAR (1780–1805)
 * Raja Devi Singh GURJAR (1805–1815)
 * Maharaja Ranjit Singh ll GURJAR (1815–1827)
 * Maharaja Ranjit Singh lll GURJAR (1827–1850)
 * Maharaja Hinduput Singh GURJAR (1850–1865)
 * Maharaja Chhatar Singh Deo GURJAR (1865−1896)
 * Maharaja Bir Singh Judeo GURJAR (1896−1935)
 * Maharaja Radha Charan Singh   GURJAR (1935−1950)

Eldest son of the last Maharaja of Samthar State Maharaja Radha Charan Singh, Ranjeet Singh Judeo was elected to Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly for 7 times from Garautha Assembly constituency, He had also served as the Home Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He was also the Maternal Uncle of Raghuraj Pratap Singh aka Raja Bhaiyya of Bhadri (estate).