Origins Bettiah was one of many chieftaincies that emerged after the collapse of the
Oiniwar dynasty of
Mithila in the 16th century. The chiefs of Bettiah traced their origins to the Oinwars. In 1576, Udai Karan again provided assistance to Turbati when a revolt was started by the Afghans of
Chota Nagpur. Udai Karan was able to provide assistance into the topography of the region. Udai Karan also engaged in a conflict with the neighbouring chiefs of
Raj Darbhanga. The Raja of Darbhanga, Mahesh Thakur, laid claim over territories falling within the Bettiah Raj and this was followed by multiple skirmishes between their respective retainers. It consisted of a portion of the territory of
Champaran. Bettiah Raj also came into being as a result of
mallikana chaudharai and
quanungoi, the connection with the revenue administration building on local dominance, and their ability to control and protect hundreds of villages. Internal disputes and family quarrels divided the Raj as time moved forward. Madhuban Raj was created as a consequence of such. It is one of the northern Indian subcontinent's oldest Christian communities. The mission was founded after Raja Dhurup Singh requested
Joseph Mary Bernini to heal his ill wife of a severe illness and was said to be successful in doing so. The Bettiah Christian Mission flourished under the blessing of
Pope Benedict XIV and the patronage of the royal court of the Rajas, growing in number.
British Raj era The last zamindar was
Maharaja Harendra Kishore Singh, who was born in 1854 and succeeded his father, Maharaja Rajendra Kishore Singh Bahadur, in 1883. In 1884, he received the title of Maharaja Bahadur as a personal distinction and a
Khilat and a
sanad from the
Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, Sir
Augustus Rivers Thompson. He was created a
Knight Commander of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire on 1 March 1889. He was appointed a member of the Legislative Council of Bengal in January 1891. He was also a member of
The Asiatic Society. He was the last ruler of Bettiah Raj. Maharaja Sir
Harendra Kishore Singh Bahadur died heirless on 26 March 1893 leaving behind two widows, Maharani Sheo Ratna Kunwar and Maharani Janki Kunwar. Maharani Sheo Ratna Kunwar who succeeded to the estate of Maharaja Harendra Kishore Singh on his death as his senior widow died on 24 March 1896 and on her death Maharani Janki Kunwar became entitled to the possession of the estate. Since it was found that Maharani Janki Kunwar was not able to administer the estate, its management was taken over by the
Court of Wards, Bihar in 1897. Maharani Janki Kunwar who was a limited holder of the estate died on 27 November 1954. The Bettiah Raj forests were managed for timber production. Bihar state government took over management of the Bettiah Raj forests in 1953 and 1954 under the Bihar Private Protected Forests Act (1947).
Valmiki National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary include a portion of the former Bettiah Raj estate. ==Rulers==