Mallabhum

The Malla kings of Mallabhum, called the Bagdi Rajas, ruled the forests of Rarh from the seventh century. Their founder Adi Malla established a chiefdom around 694; Jagat Malla moved the capital to Bishnupur.

Bir Hambir ruled from 1565 to 1620, fought beside the Mughal general Man Singh against the Afghan rulers of Orissa, and acknowledged Mughal suzerainty by paying tribute. After hearing the Bhagavata from Srinivasa he converted to Vaishnavism, making Bishnupur a centre of Vishnu worship and adding Dev to the royal titles. His successors built terracotta temples; royal patronage produced the Bishnupur Gharana of Hindustani music and a local school of painting.

Maratha raids wasted the kingdom; in 1760 Bishnupur was ceded to the British East India Company and the rajas became zamindars. Madhav Singha Dev led the Chuar and Paik rebellion against the Company between 1788 and 1809.