Rulers of Jaipur
Mirza Raja Jai Singh I (1621-1667)
Jai Singh I was born on 15th July 1611 and at the age of 10, ascended the throne of Amber in 1621. His career was of undimmed brilliance and unaproached eminence. He fought and won many battled for three Mughal Emperors - Jehangir, Shahjahanan and Aurangzeb.
In his early career, he subdued Bijapur, Golconda and also could prevail upon Shivaji to appear in the Mughal Court. He was also posted in Balkh, Kandhar and Kabul to subdue the Afghan Chiefs during the years 1638, 1641, 1647-49, 1653. During 1659-67 he was posted in the Deccan and Emperor Aurangzeb elevated his Mausab to 7000 Sawar in June 1665 for his successes against Shivaji, against whom so many Generals of Mughal Empire proved an utter failure.
He was an ideal leader of all the contingents of the Mughal army comprising of Afghans, Mughals and the Rajputs.
In his early career, he subdued Bijapur, Golconda and also could prevail upon Shivaji to appear in the Mughal Court. He was also posted in Balkh, Kandhar and Kabul to subdue the Afghan Chiefs during the years 1638, 1641, 1647-49, 1653. During 1659-67 he was posted in the Deccan and Emperor Aurangzeb elevated his Mausab to 7000 Sawar in June 1665 for his successes against Shivaji, against whom so many Generals of Mughal Empire proved an utter failure.
He was an ideal leader of all the contingents of the Mughal army comprising of Afghans, Mughals and the Rajputs.
Sawai Jai Singh II (1700-1743)
At the age of 12 Sawai Jai Singh II was enthroned at Amber in the year 1700 and had to fight at Khelna, Panhala and other places in the Deccan at the behest of Emperor Aurangzeb. He was wise and witty; therefore, emperor conferred the title "Sawai" upon him. He was also entrusted to control the Jats in Bharatpur-Mathura region and the Marathas in Malwa. As Naib Subedar and Subedar, he helped the Mughals in running the adminstration and also revenue collection in the Subas of Malwa & Agra. He was the great statesman of his time. Besides a great builder, he to fulfill it, he built Observatories at Varanasi, Mathura, Ujjain, Delhi and Jaipur and performed several Vedic sacrifices including the Horse Sacrifice.
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh was not only a great statesman but a proficient general also. He started with a small troupe, which gradually developed into an army. He made full use of his political and military clout to extend the boundaries of Amber. In 1716 Malarna, in 1718 Amarsar and Naraina, in 1724 Bahn Garh and in 1725 Manoharpur came under the hagemony of Amber. He also conquered Jhilai, Unaira and Barwana. Mughals earlier ruled quite a few of these areas.
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh had 27 Queens. From his 27 wives, Sawai Jai Singh had 3 sons Shiv Singh, Madho Singh and Ishwari Singh. He also had 2 daughters Vivhitra Kumari who was married to Abhay Singh, the Maharaja of Jodhpur and Krishna Kumari, wedded to Rao Dalel Singh of Bundi.
For the smooth running of such a big Kingdom, he introduced and strictly implemented quite a few new systems and rules. He banned the sati, child marriage. ostentatious celebrations in the marriages etc. He adopted all the good features of Mughals and discarded whatever was not relevant. Sawai Jai Singh died on 3rd October 1743 at Jaipur. He was cremated at Gaitore where his memorial still reminds us of his glorious era.
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh was not only a great statesman but a proficient general also. He started with a small troupe, which gradually developed into an army. He made full use of his political and military clout to extend the boundaries of Amber. In 1716 Malarna, in 1718 Amarsar and Naraina, in 1724 Bahn Garh and in 1725 Manoharpur came under the hagemony of Amber. He also conquered Jhilai, Unaira and Barwana. Mughals earlier ruled quite a few of these areas.
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh had 27 Queens. From his 27 wives, Sawai Jai Singh had 3 sons Shiv Singh, Madho Singh and Ishwari Singh. He also had 2 daughters Vivhitra Kumari who was married to Abhay Singh, the Maharaja of Jodhpur and Krishna Kumari, wedded to Rao Dalel Singh of Bundi.
For the smooth running of such a big Kingdom, he introduced and strictly implemented quite a few new systems and rules. He banned the sati, child marriage. ostentatious celebrations in the marriages etc. He adopted all the good features of Mughals and discarded whatever was not relevant. Sawai Jai Singh died on 3rd October 1743 at Jaipur. He was cremated at Gaitore where his memorial still reminds us of his glorious era.
Maharaja Sawai Ishwari Singh (1743-1750)
After the death of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, his 25 years old son Ishwari Singh ascended the throne. Madho Singh, stepbrother of Ishwari Singh laid siege around Jaipur in 1748 with the combined forces of the states of Jodhpur, Kota, Bundi, Shahpura, Mewar and Marathas. The two armies clashed near Bagru, about 20-25 kms from Jaipur. The combined forces of Madho Singh got a battering at the hands of Ishwari Singh. It was a major victory for Jaipur and to commemorate this occasion, Sawai Ishwari Singh built a second storied tower in 1749 which got the name Isar laat popularly known as Sarga Suli in the Tripolia Bazar. A person named Ganesh Khowal was entrusted with its construction. All the 7 stories of Isat laat are octagonal and after every two storeys is a round gallery.
Mahajara Ishwari Singh committed suicide as he was perturbed by treason of his step brother and his general. The memorial of this Maharaja, who ruled Japiur for 7 turbulent years, is situated near the lake Tal Katora near the City Palace complex. It has attractive wall paintings on it.
Mahajara Ishwari Singh committed suicide as he was perturbed by treason of his step brother and his general. The memorial of this Maharaja, who ruled Japiur for 7 turbulent years, is situated near the lake Tal Katora near the City Palace complex. It has attractive wall paintings on it.
Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh (1751-1768)
Madho Singh I was at Udaipur when his stepbrother Ishwari Singh committed suicide. In January 1751, about 4000 Marathas entered Jaipur and started ransacking the city causing a riot to break out. The citizens of Jaipur retaliated furiously killing about 1500 Marathas and leaving many more wounded. Ultimately Madho Singh patched up the whole thing with the Marathas.
Muhammad Shah's younger son Ahmad Shah was the Emperor of Delhi at that time. He was under great pressure because of the rebels outside and his own wazir inside. The wazir had become the de facto emperor. Ahmad Shah sought the help of Madho Singh who arrived at Delhi in October 1753 to meet the Emperor. Subsequently, he held long negotiations with Jat Raja Surajmal of Bharatpur and wazir Safdarjung returned to his own province of Awadh. As recognition for his services Ahmad Shah granted Madho Singh the fort and district of Ranthambhore. In January 1763, he founded the town of Sawai Modhpur near Ranthambhore.
In February 1768, Madho Singh defeated Raja Jawahar Singh of Bharatpur at Kama and it was the last battle that he fought. He died in 1768 after a rule of 17 years and was succeeded by his son Prithvi Singh.
Muhammad Shah's younger son Ahmad Shah was the Emperor of Delhi at that time. He was under great pressure because of the rebels outside and his own wazir inside. The wazir had become the de facto emperor. Ahmad Shah sought the help of Madho Singh who arrived at Delhi in October 1753 to meet the Emperor. Subsequently, he held long negotiations with Jat Raja Surajmal of Bharatpur and wazir Safdarjung returned to his own province of Awadh. As recognition for his services Ahmad Shah granted Madho Singh the fort and district of Ranthambhore. In January 1763, he founded the town of Sawai Modhpur near Ranthambhore.
In February 1768, Madho Singh defeated Raja Jawahar Singh of Bharatpur at Kama and it was the last battle that he fought. He died in 1768 after a rule of 17 years and was succeeded by his son Prithvi Singh.
Maharaja Sawai Prithvi Singh (1768-1778)
Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh had two sons. At the time of his death Prithvi Singh was 5 years old whereas Pratap Singh was 3. Being elder Prithvi Singh succeeded his father on the throne and his mother became the regent. One of his nobles, Pratap Singh Naruka separated himself from the State of Jaipur and established an independent kingdom at Machheri near Alwar. That is how Alwar became a separate state independent of Jaipur. Prithvi Singh ruled for 10 years and died in 1778 at the age of 15, leaving behind a widow of 11.
Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh (1778 1803)
Sawai Pratap Singh became the Maharaja at the age of 14 after the death of his brother Prithvi Singh. He ruled from 1778 to 1803. HIs 25-year rule witnessed many spectacular achievements and strategic failures. Being constantly goaded by the Marathas and the Mughuls, he haad to face repeated threats and a heave drainage of funds.
He is known as the great ruler for his devotion to Lord Krishna. The fountains behind the Govind Dev temple are credited to him, his poetic talent and patronage of Arts and Crafts. Sawai Pratap Singh was the only king after Sawai Jai Singh who had a literary taste. During his time, the art of paintings reached to its peak. Mughal Empire was almost in shambles and the artists were fleeting to Delhi. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh gave them patronage and they came and settled in Jaipur. It was these artists who made such good painting that Jaipur school of paintings became world famous.
The finest example of his connoisseurship is the unique monument of Hawa Mahal the palace of the Winds and few rooms of City Palace, which he got constructed. A large number of scholarly works were produced during his time. He himself was a good poet and wrote poems in Brijbhasha and Dhundhari under the pen name of Brijnidhi.
He is known as the great ruler for his devotion to Lord Krishna. The fountains behind the Govind Dev temple are credited to him, his poetic talent and patronage of Arts and Crafts. Sawai Pratap Singh was the only king after Sawai Jai Singh who had a literary taste. During his time, the art of paintings reached to its peak. Mughal Empire was almost in shambles and the artists were fleeting to Delhi. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh gave them patronage and they came and settled in Jaipur. It was these artists who made such good painting that Jaipur school of paintings became world famous.
The finest example of his connoisseurship is the unique monument of Hawa Mahal the palace of the Winds and few rooms of City Palace, which he got constructed. A large number of scholarly works were produced during his time. He himself was a good poet and wrote poems in Brijbhasha and Dhundhari under the pen name of Brijnidhi.
Maharaja Sawai Jagat Singh (1803-1818)
Sawai Jagat Singh son of Sawai Pratap Singh reigned for 15 years. The most hapless ruler in the proud line of the Kachhawahas, Jagat Singh, is remembered not so much as a king but as a lover and a reckless dandy. He did not hesitate to lead an army against Jodhpur king to win the hand of Princess Krishna Kumari of Mewar, a famed beauty. It ended in a sad fiasco when the princess committed suicide. Jagat Singh had 21 Queens and 24 Concubines.
He later became enamored of a dancing girl of exceptional beauty and mellifluous voice, Ras Kapur and was prepared to make her the queen of half of his Kingdom. Powerful nobles saved the downfall of the King by engineering her removal and imprisonment in the fort of Nahargarh, also called Veer Niwas at that time. Her room made of transparent glasses in Sankotha House in Johari bazaar near Sanganeri Gate still reminds us of that infamous chapter in the history of Kachhawas and Jagat Singh.
British started meddling with the affairs of Jaipur during the time of Jagat Singh. In 1818, after long negotiations he signed a treaty with East India Company for perpetual friendship, alliance and unity of interest. Hereafter, he and his successors had to act as subordinates to the BRitish Government. He died just a few months after signing the treaty.
He later became enamored of a dancing girl of exceptional beauty and mellifluous voice, Ras Kapur and was prepared to make her the queen of half of his Kingdom. Powerful nobles saved the downfall of the King by engineering her removal and imprisonment in the fort of Nahargarh, also called Veer Niwas at that time. Her room made of transparent glasses in Sankotha House in Johari bazaar near Sanganeri Gate still reminds us of that infamous chapter in the history of Kachhawas and Jagat Singh.
British started meddling with the affairs of Jaipur during the time of Jagat Singh. In 1818, after long negotiations he signed a treaty with East India Company for perpetual friendship, alliance and unity of interest. Hereafter, he and his successors had to act as subordinates to the BRitish Government. He died just a few months after signing the treaty.
Sawai Jai Singh III (1819-1835)
After the heirless state, Jaipur adopted Mohan Singh from the thikana of Narwar, the Bhatiyani queen of Jagat Singh gave birth to a son 4 months and 4 days after her husband's death and the line of Kachhawas thus remained unbroken. The boy was named Jai Singh III and declared king.
A tragic figure in the history of Jaipur, he spent the first 9 years of his life within the confines of the zenana, making his first public appearance in a procession to the Jamwa Mata Temple after the people of Jaipur insisted that they wanted to see their ruler. The task of administration was entrusted to Rawal Berisal of Samode. There were constant troubles created by Sanghi Jhutha Ram and Roopan Badaran, the former already suspected for the sudden death of Jagat Singh. In 1812 Jaipur's first Political Agent J. Stewart, moved into Maji ka Bagh, a garden that had been laid by Jai Singh II's queen. This came to be known as the Residency and is now the Raj Mahal Hotel.
Jai Singh died on 6th February 1835 amidst a cloud of suspicion. His body was found wrapped in a tent. It was universally suspected that he was poisoned and murdered.
A tragic figure in the history of Jaipur, he spent the first 9 years of his life within the confines of the zenana, making his first public appearance in a procession to the Jamwa Mata Temple after the people of Jaipur insisted that they wanted to see their ruler. The task of administration was entrusted to Rawal Berisal of Samode. There were constant troubles created by Sanghi Jhutha Ram and Roopan Badaran, the former already suspected for the sudden death of Jagat Singh. In 1812 Jaipur's first Political Agent J. Stewart, moved into Maji ka Bagh, a garden that had been laid by Jai Singh II's queen. This came to be known as the Residency and is now the Raj Mahal Hotel.
Jai Singh died on 6th February 1835 amidst a cloud of suspicion. His body was found wrapped in a tent. It was universally suspected that he was poisoned and murdered.
Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh (1835-1880)
When Maharaja Jai Singh III who succeeded Sawai Jagat Singh died, his son Ram Singh was only 1 1/2 years old. He reigned from 1835 till 1880, was known as the colourful Maharaja. During his rule, Jaipur was named Pink City, the reason for the autumnal colours on the tacades of all the old city buildings for the forthcoming trip by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) in 1876 for which the capital was being decorated. The colour was chosen after several experiments to cut down the intense glare from the reflection from the blaring rays of the sun. To this day, the buildings are uniformly rose pink. He was different from his ancestors in most respects.
He was a Shaivite, an ardent devotee of Shiva and he had some very modern stretches, he enjoyed photography and is the first great prime who martyred ballroom dancing.
Ram Singh II was a great connoisseur of music and was adept at playing the Veena ( multi string instrument). He was also a reformist and it was in his reign that slavery, child infanticide and the cruel custom of Sati were officially abolished in Jaipur in 1839.
The City of Jaipur benefited largely from his close rapport with the British, which constructively manifested itself in the water works, the gas lights, roads, Sanskrit colleges as well as the Maharaja School of Arts and Crafts and the Medical College. The Ram Niwas garden was laid out in his time with the Albert hall museum at its heart.
He was a Shaivite, an ardent devotee of Shiva and he had some very modern stretches, he enjoyed photography and is the first great prime who martyred ballroom dancing.
Ram Singh II was a great connoisseur of music and was adept at playing the Veena ( multi string instrument). He was also a reformist and it was in his reign that slavery, child infanticide and the cruel custom of Sati were officially abolished in Jaipur in 1839.
The City of Jaipur benefited largely from his close rapport with the British, which constructively manifested itself in the water works, the gas lights, roads, Sanskrit colleges as well as the Maharaja School of Arts and Crafts and the Medical College. The Ram Niwas garden was laid out in his time with the Albert hall museum at its heart.
Madho Singh II (1880-1922)
Madho Singh II was the next ruler after Ram Singh II. Ram Singh II died in 1880 and he died heirless. As per tradition if any King died heirless, the adoption of the first family would be from the Thakur of Thilai. But Ram Singh II forsook this tradition when he chose the second son of the Thakur of Isarda. At the time of his adoption, Kayam Singh (Later Madho Singh II) was employed in the Tonk cavalry as a Sepoy. He was about 18 years old.
Madho Singh II was devoutly religious. Despite his marriages and his 18 official mistress, he was heirless. Madho Singh II's clothes and other items are displayed at the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II museum. One remarkable exhibit is set of voluminous clothes of Madho Singh II who was over 2 meters tall. 1.3 meters wide and weighed 225 kgs.
He made a lot of progress in the State of Jaipur and was rewarded by the British for his loyalty; he was made Honorary Colonel of the 13th Rajputs. There was a lot of development in the state; he had built a meter gauge live from Sangama to Sawai Madhopur which helped Jaipur to get connected to various commercial centers. Hospitals, universities, the Secretariat, residential colonies and colleges were built as well.
Madho Singh, like his adoptive father, had repeated history by adopting his nephew from Isarda, Kanwar Mormukat Singh, and the younger of the two sons of Thakur Sowai Singh of Isarda. Kanwar Mormukat Singh was later known as Sawai Man Singh II.
Madho Singh II was devoutly religious. Despite his marriages and his 18 official mistress, he was heirless. Madho Singh II's clothes and other items are displayed at the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II museum. One remarkable exhibit is set of voluminous clothes of Madho Singh II who was over 2 meters tall. 1.3 meters wide and weighed 225 kgs.
He made a lot of progress in the State of Jaipur and was rewarded by the British for his loyalty; he was made Honorary Colonel of the 13th Rajputs. There was a lot of development in the state; he had built a meter gauge live from Sangama to Sawai Madhopur which helped Jaipur to get connected to various commercial centers. Hospitals, universities, the Secretariat, residential colonies and colleges were built as well.
Madho Singh, like his adoptive father, had repeated history by adopting his nephew from Isarda, Kanwar Mormukat Singh, and the younger of the two sons of Thakur Sowai Singh of Isarda. Kanwar Mormukat Singh was later known as Sawai Man Singh II.
Sawai Man Singh II (1922-1949)
He reigned from 1922 till 1949 when India gained Independence. He was born on 21st August 1911 as Mor Mukut Singh son of Sawai Singh the Thakur of Isarda and was chosen by Maharaja Madho Singh II to be the adopted heir to the throne of Jaipur on 24th March 1921. The Viceroy of India later accepted the adoption and he was named Sawai Man Singh II.
Man Singh II was educated at home in Jaipur, at the Mayo College for Indian chiefs, at Ajmer and in England where he gained an up-to-date knowledge of Modern military science at the Royal Militiary Academy, Woodwich. He improved the water supply by building Ram Garh that supplied water to Jaipur and lightening, opened the State Janana Hospital the Lady Wellingdon at Sanganer, which was outside the capital. During his reign, civic buildings such as schools, hospitals and secretariats were built outside the original walls.
Man Singh had 3 wives. The successor of Jaipur Bhawani Singh was born from the first wife from Jodhpur. Maharaja Man Singh married Gayatri Devi, the princess of Kuehh Behair in 1940. Later on he was sent to Spain as the Indian Ambassador. He died in Spain in 1969 while playing polo. After the death of Maharaja Man Singh, Rajmata Gaytri Devi spent her time in social Services.
Man Singh II was educated at home in Jaipur, at the Mayo College for Indian chiefs, at Ajmer and in England where he gained an up-to-date knowledge of Modern military science at the Royal Militiary Academy, Woodwich. He improved the water supply by building Ram Garh that supplied water to Jaipur and lightening, opened the State Janana Hospital the Lady Wellingdon at Sanganer, which was outside the capital. During his reign, civic buildings such as schools, hospitals and secretariats were built outside the original walls.
Man Singh had 3 wives. The successor of Jaipur Bhawani Singh was born from the first wife from Jodhpur. Maharaja Man Singh married Gayatri Devi, the princess of Kuehh Behair in 1940. Later on he was sent to Spain as the Indian Ambassador. He died in Spain in 1969 while playing polo. After the death of Maharaja Man Singh, Rajmata Gaytri Devi spent her time in social Services.
Maharaja Brig. Bhawani Singh
The present head of the erstwhile Jaipur State and presently India's ambassador to Brunei, Brig. (Retd.) Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh lives in the huge palace of Chandra Mahal inside the City Palace complex with his wife Maharani Padmini and his only daughter Princess Divya. He is the eldest son of late Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur. Born on 22nd October 1931, he received education in Kashmir, Dehradun and then in United Kingdom.
After completing his education in 1952, Bhawani Singh joined the Army. From 1955 to 1963 he was the President's bodyguard and then adjutant in Indian Military Academy at Dehradum. He has been a very popular officer in the army. Until today he reminisces about his days in the army with a lot of interest and emotion filled with nostalgia.
After completing his education in 1952, Bhawani Singh joined the Army. From 1955 to 1963 he was the President's bodyguard and then adjutant in Indian Military Academy at Dehradum. He has been a very popular officer in the army. Until today he reminisces about his days in the army with a lot of interest and emotion filled with nostalgia.