| Chand Sultan | |
|---|---|
| 'Raja' | |
 Chand Sultan | |
| King of Nagpur | |
| Reign | 1706–1739 |
| Predecessor | Bakht Buland Shah |
| Successor | Wali Shah |
| Died | 1739 |
| Spouses | Chand Bibi[1] (not to be confused with the warrior queenChand Bibi) |
| Issue | Wali Shah,[2][3] Burhan Shah, Akbar Shah |
| House | Gonds of Deogarh |
| Dynasty | Rajgond |
| Father | Bakht Buland Shah |
Maharaja Chand Sultan Shah (reigned 1706–1739)[4] was aGondking of Nagpur. He was the eldest son and successor ofBakht Buland Shah ofDeogarh. He ascended the throne ofDeogarh in 1706 and shifted his capital fromDeogarh toNagpur.[4][5][6] He carried out further reforms in his kingdom and planned layout of the new city ofNagpur and under him, the kingdom prospered.[4] He was a kind ruler who loved his people and extended his territory considerably to the east of the riverWainganga.[7]
He constructed the famous Jumma Talao that had in-built steps & also provided water supply to the city ofNagpur. He also built a wall around the entire city,[7] stretching almost 3 miles and having five solid gates. He constructed his fortress at Mahal, the oldest part ofNagpur, surrounded by a wall 3km/5km[8] long.[6] The Jumma Gate still stands today, renamed as the Gandhi Gate.[9]
After his death in 1739,[4] there were quarrels over the succession, leading to the throne being usurped by Wali Shah,[7][10][1] an illegitimate son of Chand Sultan by a non-gond woman.[3][2][7][11] Chand Sultan's widow invoked the aid of the Maratha leaderRaghuji Bhonsle of Berar in the interest of her sons Akbar Shah and Burhan Shah. Wali Shah was put to death and the rightful heirs placed on the throne.Raghoji I Bhonsle was sent back to Berar with a plentiful bounty for his aid. The Maratha general judged that Nagpur must be a plentiful and rich country by the magnificence of his reward.[1][10][7]
However, dissensions continued between the brothers and once again, the elder brother Burhan Shah requested the aid ofRaghuji Bhonsle. Akbar Shah was driven into exile and finally poisoned atHyderabad. However this time, Ragoji Bhonsle did not have the heart to leave such a plentiful and rich country, with it being within his grasp.[10][7] He declared himself 'protector' of the Gond king. Thus in 1743, Burhan Shah was practically made a state pensionary, with real power being in the hands of the Maratha ruler. After this event the history of the Gond kingdom of Deogarh is not recorded.[4] A series ofMaratha rulers came to power following the fall of the Gonds from the throne ofNagpur, starting withRaghoji Bhonsle.[12][13] Raja Burhan Shah was succeeded by Rahman Shah. He was succeeded by Suleiman Shah, a minor, his nephew and adopted son, succeeded him, just two years before the death of thelast Bhonsle king. Suleiman Shah was staunchly loyal to the British government, he was a most humane and generous landlord and a just yet a merciful magistrate. He died on 15 April 1885.[7]