Brief History
The Royal Family of Baghal is historically associated with the Parmar (also known as Panwar) Rajput dynasty and the former princely state of Baghal, situated in the present-day Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. Arki became the capital of Baghal under Rana Sabha Chand in the 17th century, and the royal palace at Arki remains an important reminder of the region's political and cultural heritage.
The history of Baghal is not only a succession of rulers. It is also the story of a Himalayan hill state, its relationship with neighbouring kingdoms, its experience of conflict and restoration, and the preservation of a distinctive regional heritage.
The palace at Arki connects these generations. Its architecture, courtyards, historical objects and family traditions provide a tangible link between the former princely state and the present day.
For a heritage website or visitor brochure, the family's story can be presented as a living heritage: a way of understanding the history of Arki through its royal residence, local culture and the people who continue to preserve its legacy.
The following succession is drawn from published royal genealogies and historical accounts.
Ruler
Rana Sabha Chand
1643–1670
Established Arki as the capital around 1650
Rana Prithvi Chand
1670–1727
Continued the early Baghal dynasty
Rana Mehar Chand
1727–1743
Successor in the royal lineage
Rana Bhoop Singh
1743–1778
Ruled during the 18th century
Rana Jagat Singh
1778–1828
Faced Gurkha occupation and later regained his state
Rana Shiv Saran Singh
1828–1840
Succeeded Jagat Singh
Raja Kishan Singh
1840–1877
Received the title of Raja during his reign
Raja Moti Singh
1877
Briefly succeeded Kishan Singh
Raja Dhian Singh
1877–1904
Ruled during a period of administrative development
Raja Bikram Singh
1904–1922
Continued the ruling lineage
Raja Surinder Singh
1922–1945
Ruled Baghal during the late princely period
Raja Rajendra Singh
1945–2010
Last ruler listed in the published succession
Raja Harshvardhan Singh
Contemporary family lineage
Associated with the preservation and presentation of Baghal's royal heritage
Rana Sabha Chand, who ruled from approximately 1643 to 1670, moved the capital to Arki around 1650. Under his successors, Arki developed into the administrative and cultural centre of Baghal, with the palace and fort serving as the seat of the ruling family.
The royal residence became associated with courtly life, regional administration, traditional architecture and the artistic heritage of the western Himalayas