While history often highlights Maratha patronage for Kashi’s iconic temples and ghats, these monumental projects were only possible because Kashi Naresh Maharaja Balwant Singh and his son Kashi Naresh Maharaja Chait Singh established an uncompromising Hindu kingdom in Varanasi.

Balwant Singh was far more than a local ruler; he was a master strategist who carved out the independent State of Benares, outmaneuvering both the Nawabs of Awadh and Mughal hegemony. His formidable hold on the region meant that sacred stone and labor could flow into the city not interrupting the holy work.

Crucially, when internal disputes between powerful merchant guilds and trade cartels threatened to derail supply lines and halt sacred construction, Maharaja Balwant Singh acted as the supreme arbiter. Leveraging his absolute authority, he crushed local profiteering, settled deep-seated trader feuds, and ensured that the sacred rebuilding of Kashi proceeded under his unyielding protection and monarchical command.

“Rai" a title associated with zamindari was used exclusively by the Bhumihars

“Rai Bahadur” was the honorific bestowed upon us because we were the feudal class, ruling over territories stretching from Banaras (UP) to Lalgola (Bengal)

"राय" सामंतों पर शोभा देता है, शोषितों पर नहीं

1st snippet is from Benares district district gazetter

2nd snippet is from Bettiah Raj genealogy tree