Chakwars

The Chakwars are a sub-clan or tribe of the Bhumihar caste concentrated in the Begusarai area of Bihar. In the 18th century, they became amassed military power and controlled large swathes of North Bihar.[1]

History

According to Muslim and British sources, the territory of the Chakwar kingdom extended from Rajmahal in the east and Darbhanga in the north. The Chakwars began to grow in strength following the disintegration of the Mughal Empire and they asserted independence by issuing land grants with their own signatures and seals. These were issued by various Chakwar kings including Raja Bakhtawar Singh who ruled between 1718 and 1727. The strength of the Chakwars stemmed from the fact that they controlled various important river-routes across the Ganges and was able to extort a large amount of money from European traders. They also carried out raids on neighbouring regions.[2] European sources from 1719-1721 note that skirmishes between Europeans and the Chakwars were common and many traders requested increased protection from Chakwar attacks.[3]

In 1720, Nasrat Khan was appointed the governor of Bihar however he was unable to subdue the Chakwars.

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References
  1. Radhakrishna Choudhary (1958). History of Bihar. Motilall Banarsidass. p. 203.
  2. Anwarul Haque (1995). "Saif Khan as a Faujdar of Purnia". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 56: 240–242. JSTOR 44158625.
  3. Radhakrishna Choudhary (1970). History of Muslim rule in Tirhut, 1206-1765, A.D. Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office. pp. 255–260.
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