A "100 Years Ago" archival column from The Hindu reprinting a 1926 news item about a jewel theft in the Darbhanga Maharaja's palace[1].
Illustrates the wealth and prominence of the Darbhanga Raj, then India's largest zamindari estate, under British colonial administration [1][2].
Low direct Prelims/Mains weightage on its own, but useful as a peg to revise Darbhanga Raj / Mithila zamindari history, a recurring Bihar-region static-GK theme.
Demonstrates how The Hindu's archival ("100 Years Ago") feature functions as a primary-source snapshot of colonial-era Indian princely/zamindari society.
2. Why in the News
Reprinted in The Hindu's "100 Years Ago" column on 2 September 2026 (Chennai print edition, Page 11), reproducing a report originally filed from Calcutta, September 1 (1926) [1].
The original report describes a daring theft of three rings worth Rs. 68,000 from the palace of the Maharajadhiraja Bahadur of Darbhanga, one ring (valued ~Rs. 60,000) set with a colour-changing rose diamond; police investigation was underway [1].
3. Background & Evolution
Raj Darbhanga (Khandavala dynasty): a Maithil Brahmin dynasty that rose to prominence under Mughal emperor Akbar, ruling continuously from 1577 until Indian Independence (1947)[2].
Darbhanga became the dynasty's seat of power in 1762[2].
At its peak the estate covered over 4,000 sq. miles (~10,359 km²), described as the largest and richest zamindari of North Bihar and one of the greatest zamindaris in British India [2].
Succession followed primogeniture under "Kulachar," a custom recognised by the Privy Council and later the Supreme Court [2].
Key rulers: Maharaja Narendra Singh (r. 1740–1760, victor of the 1753 Battle of Kandarpi Ghat against Bengal Subah forces) → Lakshmeshwar Singh (r. 1860–1898) → Rameshwar Singh (r. 1898–1929, built the Navlakha Palace, 1884–1929) → Kameshwar Singh (r. 1929–1952, titles abolished post-Independence) [3].
The 1926 theft occurred during the reign of Maharaja Rameshwar Singh (the "Maharajadhiraja Bahadur of Darbhanga" referenced in the article, r. 1898–1929) [1][3].
Historical: Reflects the immense private wealth of zamindari estates under British indirect rule, and how such estates were reported on in the national press of the 1920s [1][2].
Administrative/Governance: Shows functioning of colonial-era policing ("vigorous police investigation") in princely/zamindari matters, distinct from Indian States' own administration [1].
Social: The scale of zamindari opulence (single ring worth Rs. 60,000 in 1926) contextualises debates on zamindari abolition post-Independence (Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950) [2].
Legal/Constitutional: The dynasty's succession-by-primogeniture custom being upheld by the Privy Council/Supreme Court is a rare example of customary law ("Kulachar") receiving judicial recognition [2].
6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)
2 September 2026: The Hindu republishes the 1926 theft report under its "100 Years Ago" archival series [1]. No other contemporary (2024–26) development is linked to this specific historical event; it is a static/archival topic being revived through a newspaper feature.
7. Prelims Hooks
The Darbhanga Raj belonged to the Khandavala dynasty, Maithil Brahmins, ruling 1577–1947[2].
Darbhanga became the dynasty's seat of power in 1762[2].
At its peak, Raj Darbhanga spanned ~4,000 sq. miles, the largest zamindari in North Bihar[2].
Succession in Raj Darbhanga followed primogeniture based on "Kulachar", upheld by the Privy Council and Supreme Court[2].
Maharaja Narendra Singh (r. 1740–1760) defeated Bengal Subah forces under Bhikhari Mahtha (an official of Alivardi Khan) at the Battle of Kandarpi Ghat, 1753[3].
Maharaja Rameshwar Singh (r. 1898–1929) built the Navlakha Palace (1884–1929), Darbhanga Raj's administrative capital [3].
Maharaja Kameshwar Singh (r. 1929–1952) was the last ruling Maharaja; titles were abolished after Independence [3].
The 1926 theft report: three rings stolen, worth Rs. 68,000 total; costliest single ring valued at Rs. 60,000, set with a rose diamond changing colour (rose/white/blue) through the day[1].
The theft report originated from Calcutta, not Darbhanga itself, indicating Calcutta's role as the era's major news-relay hub for eastern India [1].
Original event reported in 1926; republished by The Hindu on 2 September 2026 as part of its "100 Years Ago" series [1].
8. Mains Relevance
GS-I: Modern Indian History — "Indian Renaissance/Colonial society"; zamindari system and princely/landed estates under British rule.
GS-I: Post-independence consolidation — Zamindari abolition (link to Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950) as reform against concentrated landed wealth exemplified by estates like Darbhanga.
Do not confuse Raj Darbhanga (zamindari estate) with a princely state; Darbhanga was a zamindari under British India, not a princely state with its own ruler under paramountcy.
Do not confuse Maharaja Rameshwar Singh (r. 1898–1929, ruler at time of the 1926 theft) with his predecessor Lakshmeshwar Singh or successor Kameshwar Singh — dates are frequently mixed up in MCQs.
The dynasty is Khandavala, not "Khandelwal" (a different, unrelated community name) — spelling confusion is common.
Battle of Kandarpi Ghat (1753) involved Bengal Subah forces under Alivardi Khan's official, not Alivardi Khan personally leading the battle.
Avoid treating this as a current-affairs/policy topic; it is a static-history peg via an archival "100 years ago" reprint, with no contemporary government scheme or Act attached.
3WebSearch result summaries on Rameshwar Singh, Lakshmeshwar Singh, Kameshwar Singh, Maharaja Narendra Singh, Battle of Kandarpi Ghat (search-snippet grounded; original pages on en.wikipedia.org, not independently fetched)tier 4