Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur
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Sawai Man Singh II (August 21, 1911–June 24, 1970) was the last ruling Maharaja of Jaipur. He ruled that princely state between 1922 and 1949, when the state acceded unto the Dominion of India. Thereafter, he held office as Rajpramukh of Rajasthan between 1949 to 1956. In later life, he served as Ambassador of India to Spain. He was also a notable sportsman and polo player.
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[edit] Early life
Sawai Man Singh II (also known in Jaipur as SMS) was born Mor Mukut Singh, the second son of Thakur Sawai Singh of Isarda by his wife Sugan Kunwar. His father was a nobleman belonging to the Kachwaha clan of Rajputs. Mor Mukut grew up in the dusty, walled township of Isarda, a chief Thikana of the Rajawat sub-clan which lies between the towns of Sawai Madhopur and Jaipur in present-day Rajasthan. His family was connected to the ruling house of Jaipur. The then Maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Madho Singh II, had been born the son of a former Thakur of Isarda and had been adopted into the ruling family of Jaipur. After giving him up for adoption, Madho Singh's actual father had in turn lacked for an heir. He adopted the son of a distant kinsman and was succeeded by that lad as Thakur of Isarda. That lad was Sawai Singh, father of Mor Mukut Singh. In this manner, Mor Mukut could be reckoned near kin to Maharaja Madho Singh II of Jaipur.
After being adopted to become Maharaja of Jaipur, Madho Singh II had numerous (no less than 65) children by various concubines, but the highly superstitious Maharaja was warned by a sage against having legitimate heirs and thus took great care not to impregnate his five wives. On March 24, 1921, Madho Singh II adopted Mor Mukut to be his son and heir. The boy was given the name "Man Singh" upon his adoption. Madho Singh II died on September 7, 1922 and was succeeded by Man Singh as Maharaja of Jaipur and head of the Kachwaha clan of Rajputs. The new Maharaja was eleven years old.
[edit] Maharaja of Jaipur
inspecting Jaipur State forces deployed in the middle east during World War II.
Upon his ascension in 1922, Man Singh embarked on a program of modernization, creating infrastructure and founding numerous public institutions that would later result in Jaipur being selected the capital of Rajasthan. In 1958, Man Singh was also among the first princes to realize the potential of tourism in Rajasthan, turning Rambagh Palace into a luxury hotel. In 1965, the Indian Government appointed Man Singh, Indian Ambassador to Spain. Utilising his various contacts in Europe, he also spent his time there to ensue new military technology and arms-deal for the Indian army(Crewe). He was especially noted as an enthusiastic (10-Goal) polo player, winning among other trophies the World Cup in 1933.
[edit] Death
In 1970, Man Singh suffered an accident while playing polo in Cirencester, England. He died later the same day. He was survived by his third wife Gayatri Devi and by four sons. He was succeeded as titular Maharaja of Jaipur and head of the Kachwaha clan by his eldest son, Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh of Jaipur.
The statue of Sawai Man Singh has been installed at the Ram Niwas Park in Jaipur, the statue was unveiled at a grand function on 30th March 2005 [1].
[edit] Marriages
His initial marriages were to suitable brides chosen from the royal family of Jodhpur, whose Rajput heritage and social ranking were similar to his own. His first wife was Maharani Marudhar Kanwar, sister of Sumer Singh, Maharaja of Jodhpur. His second wife was Maharani Kishore Kanwar, niece of his first wife and daughter of Sumer Singh. His most famous relationship, however, was his courtship and subsequent espousal of the legendary beauty, Gayatri Devi of Cooch Behar, daughter of Jitendra of Cooch Behar and Indira of Baroda.
[edit] Children
Maharaja Man Singh had several children; his daughter married the Maharaol of Baria, while his younger sons married princesses from Jubbal, Tripura, and Lunawada. He was succeeded on the throne by his eldest son, Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh of Jaipur. His second son was created Raja of Jhalai, third son, Maharaj Prithviraj, while the youngest son, Prince Jagat Singh was created Raja of Isarda, named for the erstwhile fief of Man Singh's father.
Present members in the Jaipur Royal Family:-
Maharaja Bhawani Singh (Current Maharaja of Jaipur)Wife - Maharani Padmini; Daughter - Rajkumari Diya Kumari > Her Highness Rajmata Gayatri Devi> Grand-children; Rajkumari Lalitya Kumari, Maharaj Devraj Singh.
Maharaj Jai Singh. Wife - Rani Vidya Devi; Son - Rajkumar Ajay Singh > Maharaj Prithviraj-Rani Devika Devi(divorced); Son - Rajkumar Vijit Singh.
[edit] Titles from birth to death
- Mor Mukut Singh of Isarda
- His Highness the Yuvaraja of Jaipur
- His Highness the Maharaja of Jaipur
- His Highness the Rajpramukh of Rajasthan, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur
- Lt. General His Highness Saramad-i-Rajaha-j-Hindustan Raj Rajendra Shri Maharajadhiraj Sir Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur
[edit] References
Allen C, Dwivedi S (1984), Lives of the Indian Princes, Century Publishing, London
Atal A (1947), His Highness The Maharaa of Jaipur, a brief sketch (1922-1947), Silver Jubilee Publication, Jaipur
Crewe Q (1985) The Last Maharaja, A Biography of Sawai Man Singh II, Michael Joseph, London
Gayatri Devi (1995) A Princess Remembers, Rupa&Co, India
