Nagvanshis of Chotanagpur

The Nagvanshis of Chotanagpur (also known as the Khokhra chieftaincy), was an Indian rajput dynasty which ruled the Chota Nagpur plateau region (modern-day Jharkhand). Phani Mukut Rai is considered the first king of dynasty claim to be Son of Pundrika Naga a mythical Naga. Chotanagpur Zamindari was one of many Zamindari estate in the era of the British Raj, in former Bihar Province from 1817 to 1947. Lal Chintamani Sharan Nath Shahdeo (1931–2014) was last ruling king of the dynasty, until the estate was merged to the Republic of India.
Origin.
The origins of the Nagvanshis are shrouded in mystery. 
Nagvanshi claim descent from Nagas.
According to Nagvanshavali, Nagvanshi dynasty originated with "Pundrika Naga". According to the story, to avoid killing by Raja Janamejaya the king of Hastinapur, "Pundarika Naga" assumed the persona of a Brahmin and studied shastras in the house of a Brahmin in Varanasi. Brahmin impressed by intelligence and grace of his pupil got married his daughter Parvati to him. Due to his forked tongue, he always slept with his back to his wife. Wife becomes curious to know about the secret. To avert the question, Naga proposes to do a pilgrimage to Puri. On the way in Jharkhand, wife gave birth to a child. According to custom, secret desire of wife or husband should be fulfilled. Naga compelled to disclosed his identity, assumed the form of Cobra and plunged into the water. Out of grief wife committed Sati. At that time a Brahmin named Janardan while holding sun idol came to see that the Pundarika Naga guarding his child. Pundarika Naga told his story. The Brahmin named the child Fani Mukut Rai. He took the child to the house of Madura Munda the chief of Sutiambe village. Madura adopted and brought the child up with his son of the same age. Madura convened the paraha chief and other Raja, where Fani Mukut Rai became Raja due to his qualities. Phani Mukut Rai was succeeded by his son Mukut Rai. His empire was named ‘Nagpur Des’. According to Nagvanshi tradition, the dynasty was established by Raja Phani Mukut Rai. However, the story of Phani Mukut Rai is mostly considered to be a myth.
According to different source, the dynasty was founded in the 5th century AD as a successor state to the Gupta Empire. Phani Mukut Rai was first king. According to many historians Nagvanshi dynasty was possibly established in 10th century AD.
History.
According to Nagpuri poem "Nagvanshavali" written by Beniram Mehta, Phani Mukut Rai was founder of Nagvanshi dynasty in 1st century AD who was son of Pundrika Naga a Naga and a Bramin girl from Varanasi. He was adopted son of Madra Munda. He was elevated to throne by Madra Munda and neighbouring rulers in Sutiambe which is located around 20 km north of Ranchi. His rule extended to Ramgarh, Gola, Tori and Gharwe. However the story mostly considered to be a myth by scholar. According to many historians the dynasty was possibly established in 10th century AD. According to "Nagvanshavali", third Nagvanshi king Pratap Rai shifted his capital from "Sutiambe" to present day "chutia". The remains of the idol of the Sun Temple have been found near Pithoria and they have been dated to the 12th Century AD.
In 12th century, Raja Bhim Karn defeated Rakshel of Surguja when they invaded the region. Then he conquered territory upto Surguja and Palamu. He shifted his capital from present day "Chutia" to Khukhragarh. There are ancient fort, temple, coins and pottery remains found in the region. Mirza Nathan refers to the region as "Khokhradesh". In 1585, There was mughal invasion during reign of Raja Madhu Singh. He became a vassal ruler under the Mughals. He participated in expedition against Afghan ruler in Odisha. After Madhu Singh his son Bairisal became king and he also participated in several expeditions with Akbar. When Akbar died, Bairisal withdraw tribute to Mughal. Mughal launched expedition against Nagvanshi king but failed to subjugate them. Raja Durjan Sal the son of Bairisal was taken to Prison in Agra for withdrawal of tribute to Mughals, later he was released for identifying real diamonds. He built palaces, temples and ponds in Navratangarh.
Ram Shah became king after Durjan Sal. According to Jean Baptiste Tavernier, a French traveler Mughal invaded Khukhra during reign of Ram Shah. But Ram Shah gave tribute to Mughal.
Raja Raghunath Shah(1665-1706) succeed after Ram Shah. During his reign, Raghunath Shah built several temples, including Madan Mohan temple in Boera and Jagannath temple. According to Lal Pradumn Singh, the writer of book Nagvansh, Mughal invaded Khukhra during reign of Raghunath Shah. Mughal officials were sent by Aurangzeb to attack Khukhra. The invasion was strongly resisted which resulted in defeat and death of Mughal official. He succeeded by his son Yadunath Shah (1706 - 1724).
In 1719, during the reign of Emperor Muhammad Shah, Sarbuland Khan was appointed as the Subedar of Bihar Province. He marched to Chotanagpur plateau. Raja Yadunath Shah, to whom the ghatwal of Palamu, Ramgarh and Badam were subjects, sent Bedman Das Thakur as his agent and agreed to pay Rs. One Lakh as Nazrana. After this Mughal invasion, Yadunath Shah shifted the capital from Navratangarh to Palkot upon realising the weakness of the capital from a defensibility point of view. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Shivnath Shah(1724-1733). Due to non-payment of tribute, Fakhr-ud-daula invaded Khokhra in 1731. He faced considerable resistance from the Raja of Khokhra but both parties reached a compromise. The Subedar received Rs 12,000 from Ghatwal of Ramgarh on the account of Nagvanshi raja and Rs 5000 from Ghatwal of Palamu. When Fakhr-ud-daula was removed from the post of Subedar of Bihar Suba in 1733, the Khokhra chief discontinued payment of tribute to Mughals.
After the Battle of Buxar, the East India Company got the right to collect revenue from Bihar, Bengal and Odisha. In 1772, Nagvanshi became a vassal of British rule. 
Between 1795 to 1800, Maratha invaded Chotanagpur and looted and collected revenue forcefully. The British stationed military forces at Chotanagpur to check the incursions of Marathas. Due to rebellion, refusal of payment of revenue by subordinate Jagirdar and Zamindar under Nagvanshi king, Chotanagpur was brought under direct control by British East India company in 1817 and they reduced Nagvanshi rulers to Zamindars. The Nagvanshi rulers shifted their capital from Palkot to Ratu in 1870.
The last ruler of Nagvanshi dynasty was Lal Chintamani Sharan Nath Shahdeo(1931 – 2014). Zamindari was abolished after independence of India in 1952.
Rulers.
Following is the list of Nagvanshi rulers according to "Nagvanshavali" written by Beniram Mehta, and "Baishakh badi" by Drupnath Shahdeo which was given to Governor general of India in 1844.