Nandgaon State

Nandgaon State (), also known as Raj Nandgaon, was one of the princely states of India during the period of the British Raj. Nandgaon State, in present-day Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh, was the only town of the state and the see of the ruler's residence. This state was founded by Mahant Prahlad Das Bairagi in 1765 A.D. Nanadgaon State is ruled by Vaishnav Brahmins.
The First Ruler, Mahant Ghasi Das, was recognized as a feudal chief by the British Government in 1865 and was granted a Sanad Of Adoption. Later the British conferred the title of Raja on the Ruling Mahant. 
Historical Background.
The Foundation of the Estate of Nandgaon hails back to Prahlad Das, a shawl merchant who in the 18th century had migrated from the Punjab region. When he settled in Ratanpur the area was ruled by the Bhonsle clan of Marathas.
Prahlad Das belonged to the Bairagi sect whose members practised strict celibacy. The word Bairagi is derived from the Sanskrit Vairagya, meaning freedom from passions. Succession was ensured by chosen disciples, Chela, who became "Mahants" and inherited all the possessions of their predecessor. Prahlad Das became wealthy and after his death, his disciple Hari Das was given power and influence by the local Maratha ruler who promoted him as his Rajguru (spiritual advisor).
After about a century, the Mahants had acquired the four Parganas of Nandgaon, Pandadah, Mohgaon and Dongargaon, former feudal estates of the Raja of Nagpur.
Nandgaon State proper was founded in 1865 when the Four Feudatory Parganas ruled by the Bairagi background merged and were recognized as a princely state. 
The Vow Of Celibacy of the Rulers lasted Until 1879, When the seventh Mahant Ghasi Das, who had married Jodh K. Devi and had a son named Balram Das was recognized by the British government as a hereditary ruler. Most of the inhabitants of the state were Gonds, Telis, Chamars and Ahirs distributed in 515 small villages in the area.
Nandgaon state's last ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union On 1 January 1948.
Princely State.
Nandgaon is a Feudatory Chiefship attached to Raipur District, Central Provinces. The chiefship consists of four Parganas, namely Nandgaon and Dongargaon to the south, Pandada, to the north, at the foot of the Saletekri Hills, and separated from Nandgaon by the Khairagarh Pargana and that part of Dongargarh which belongs to the Khairagarh Chief, Mohgaon about to the north, a very Fertile Pargana, lying between the Dhamdaa and Deorbijia Khalsa
Parganas and Khamaria, belonging to Khairagarh.
Area :- , with one town and 540 villages, and 48,351 occupied houses.
Population (1881) - 164,339, namely: males 81,717, and females 82,622
Density of Population - . 
Of the total area of the state, are cultivated and of the portion lying waste, are returned as cultivable.
Principal Products - Rice, Wheat, Gram, Kodo, Oil-seeds and Cotton.
Principal Manufacture - Coarse Cloth.
Mahant Ghasi Das, the late Chief, who died in November 1883,
is described as an Able, Energetic, and Enlightened Ruler. He was Succeeded by his Son, a Promising Young man, During whose
Minority the Administration of the State is carried on Conjointly
by his Mother and the Diwan.
Eight Schools were Attended by a Daily Average of 263 pupils in 1883,
and the Desire for English Education is Reported to be Increasing.
Rulers.
The rulers of the princely state of Nandgaon belonged to the Bairagi Sect and bore the title of Mahant.
Royal Ark.
State flag and probable banner was Adopted in an unknown Period and Abolished in 1948. In the center, the Sate Coat of Arms, Quartered. In the 1st a Zebu on a Blue Background, In the 2nd a Temple on a Silver Background, In the 3rd a Shell on a Red Background and in the 4th a Jug on a Green Background. All figures in Gold. As a Crest a Zebu Head and on the Blue Scroll the Motto Vox Populi, Vox Dei, in Gold.