The Indian Biographical Dictionary (1915)/Benares, Maharajah of; His Highness Maharaja Sir Prabhu Narain Singh Bahadur
Benares, Maharajah of; His Highness Maharaja Sir Prabhu Narain Singh Bahadur, G.C.I.E. 1898; Born, 1855; Succeeded his uncle, 1899; belongs to Bhuinhar family of brahmins. Mansaram, the founder of the State, rose in favor of Rustam Ali, Governer of Benares, under the Nawab Wajir of Oudh. In the days of the East India Company, Chet Singh, one of the ancestors, obtained a Sanad (1775). During the Mutiny of 1857, Ishwari Prasad, the then head of the family, rendered valuable help to the British, for which he received the personal title of Maharaja; was created a G.C.S.I., and permitted to adopt according to Hindu Law. Area of the Raj, 887 square miles; population 500,000; revenue over 10 lakhs. The Maharaja also owns estates in the districts of Benares, Ghazipur, Ballia, etc. which yield him an annual revenue of 2 lakhs; Is a well known Sanskrit scholar and an orthodox brahmin; has contributed Rs. 50,000 to the Lucknow Medical College; the Bhirinhar College, Muzaffarpur, has founded and endowed a female Hospital at Banares; has built a house at Kasauli for the accommodation of indigent Indians for treatment at Pasteur Institute; has made a spelendid contribution to the Central Hindu College, Benares and his presented Rs. 30,000 to the Benares Sanskrit Bhawan Saraswati Library besides a large number of books and M.S.S. G.C.I.E. 1898; elevated to the position of Ruling Chief. 9th November 1910; Installed with full powers 1st April 1911 with the personal title, of “His Highness” and “Maharaja Bahadur”; Heir: Kunwar Aditya Narayan Singh (born 1874). Address: Ramnagar, Benares; and Chakia, Mirzapur.