Maharaja Raghuraj Singh succeeded his father, Maharaja Vishwanath Singh as the ruler of the Rewa State on 12 October 1854. His coronation was attended by British Lieutenant General Hamilton. Raghuraj Singh was proficient in Sanskrit, Persian, and English, and was interested in various forms of recreation, including chess.
Like his father, he was religious and authored several works of devotional literature, including Ram Rasikavali[2] and Sri Ram Swayambar,[3] which continue to be recited by Hindu priests in Vrindavan during satsangs. He was also recognised by the Mithilacharyas of Ayodhya for his literary contributions. During a visit to Jagannath Puri, he composed Jagdeesh Shatak. Under his reign, Laxmanbagh was designated as the Rajguru Ashram, and a temple dedicated to Lakshmana was established under the guidance of Swami Mukundacharya. Anyone entering his court was required to wear the Vaishnava Urdhva Pundra tilak, as evident in contemporary photographs.
During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Raghuraj Singh assisted the British Raj in suppressing uprisings in the neighbouring regions of Mandla, Jabalpur, and Nagod (now part of Satna district). In recognition of this support, the British restored the parganas of Sohagpur (Shahdol) (present-day Shahdol district) and Amarkantak to Rewa, territories that had been seized by the [Maratha Empire] earlier in the century. Some historical accounts suggest that, while publicly cooperating with the British, he also privately supported elements of the independence movement. Figures such as Thakur Ranmat Singh and Lal Shyamshah, associated with this cause, are recorded to have resisted British authority.
During his rule, the settlement of Govindgarh was founded, and a large reservoir named Vishwanath Sagar was excavated. He commissioned the construction of the Govindgarh Palace, located on an island in the middle of Govindgarh Lake.[5] Govindgarh became noted for its diverse varieties of mangoes.
