Following the death of Dhokal Singh in 1798, he succeeded him on the throne of Panna.[1] However, his rule was nominal, as he was actually in exile.[2] It was not until the arrival of the British in Bundelkhand that they reinstated him and confirmed his possessions by granting him sanads in 1807 and 1811.[1][3] The sanad of 1807 was granted to him when, through his minister, Rajdhar Gaj Singh, he acknowledged British supremacy on 4 February 1807.[3] By this sanad, he was confirmed in possession of 802 villages and three parganas.[3] However, many of these villages were occupied by others who were unwilling to relinquish them.[3] With the aid of the British Government, he not only recovered those villages but also many others not listed in the sanad.[3] As a result, the British government issued a new sanad confirming his perpetual possession of a total of 1,363 villages.[3]
Throughout his reign, the British continued interfering in the affairs of his state on account of his oppressive government.[4] In 1823, he entrusted the management of his dominions to Kunwar Pratap Singh of Chhatarpur for four years.[4] However, before the four years had passed, and as his conduct remained the same, the British Government intervened, deposed him, and expelled him from Panna.[4][5] His son, Harbans Rai, was then appointed as regent to administer state affairs.[4][5]
He died in 1834 and was succeeded by Harbans Rai.[6] On the occasion of his death, two of his wives committed sati.[2]