ABSTRACT
Bhojpur was a mahal in the sarkar of Rohtas of the Bihar suba during Akbar’s reign. Bhojpur has been divided into two Bhojpurs namely Bhojpur Qadim and Bhojpur Jadid. However, the whole northern part of the erstwhile district of Shahabad is commonly known as Bhojpur and its inhabitants are called Bhojpuris. Different versions exist about the establishment of the Ujjainias hegemony over Bhojpur, however, it is generally believed that the chiefs of Bhojpur belonged to Ujjain, and migrated to the region and established their rule in 1320. The Cheros nursed a serious grievance against the Ujjainia since they had deprived them of their suzerainty over the land of Kikat, which included Bhojpur and forced them to go towards Palamau. Bhojpur figured prominently in the war of succession between the four sons of Shah Jahan. The Bhojpur chief marched to the Betia region with a strong Bhojpuri contingent and defeated Kunwar Dhir.
