Madho Singh of Sikar
| Madho Singh | |
|---|---|
| Rao Raja | |
| Rao Raja of Sikar | |
| Reign | 1886 – 1922 |
| Predecessor | Bhairon Singh |
| Successor | Kalyan Singh |
| Died | 1922 |
| House | Sikar |
| Dynasty | Shekhawat |
| Father |
|
Sir Madho Singh KCIE was the Rao Raja of Sikar from 1886 until his death in 1922.
Early life
[edit]He was born as the second son of Birad Singh of Deeppura.[1] Since Bhairon Singh, the Rao Raja of Sikar, had no male heir, he adopted him as his son.[1]
Succession
[edit]He became the Rao Raja of Sikar at the age of six in 1866.[2]
Minority
[edit]As he was a minor at the time of his succession, Mukand Singh was appointed regent to administer the affairs of the estate.[2] In 1870, when Richard Bourke, the then Viceroy of India, visited Jaipur and a durbar was held to commemorate his visit, Madho attended the durbar as well.[2] In the durbar, he was presented with a khillat.[2] In 1873, he paid a religious visit to Gaya.[2] Later, when Madho grew weary of Mukand Singh's activities, Mukand resigned, and Madho accepted his resignation.[2] He appointed Elahi Bux as his Chief Minister.[2] He attended the Durbar held in 1875 in Jaipur to commemorate the visit of the Earl of Northbrook, the then Viceroy of India.[2] When Edward VII visited Jaipur as Prince of Wales in February 1876, a durbar was held in Jaipur to commemorate the royal visit, and Madho attended it.[2] He accompanied Ram Singh II, his liege lord, to Delhi and attended the Delhi Durbar of 1877 with him.[2] In 1877, Ram Singh II conferred on him the Panchranga, a striped standard of five colors.[2][3] In the same year, Ram Singh II conferred upon him the Hath-ka-Siropav.[2]
Reign
[edit]While in Jaipur in 1879, he became aware of Elahi Bux's corruption and mismanagement of state affairs.[4] He consulted Ram Singh II in this regard, and upon his suggestion, sent Elahi Bux to jail.[4] He then appointed Rai Parmanand, his Chief Minister, and Chiman Singh as his assistant.[2] When Pane Singh, the son of his regent Mukund, defied the administration of Sikar, Madho confiscated his jagir.[2][4] However, he later returned it to him after several years when Pane Singh obliged.[2][4] While traveling in 1880, he received the news that Ram Singh II was ill.[4] Upon hearing this, he rushed to Jaipur but arrived too late, as the Maharaja had passed away by then.[4] He then attended the coronation of Madho Singh II.[2] When Madho Singh II abolished the transit duties, he, along with the Raja of Khetri and other Panchpana sardars, raised his voice against this.[2][4] The Government of India, upon hearing them, directed not to interfere with the long-established usage and rights of these estate holders of the Jaipur State.[2][4][5] He was granted the title of Bahadur by Madho Singh II as a personal distinction in 1886.[3][4] He opened a dispensary at Fatehpur and built Trevor Hospital at Sikar which was opened in 1894.[6] When Madho Singh II visited England in 1902 in connection with the coronation of Edward VII he accompanied him.[7]
World War I
[edit]During World War I, he contributed approximately 800,000 rupees to various funds and loans.[7] He provided the Indian Army with numerous recruits, as well as horses and camels.[7]
Death
[edit]He died in 1922 and was succeeded by Kalyan Singh.[6][7]
Honours
[edit]He was made a member of the St John Ambulance Association in 1915.[7] He received a sword of honor from the Government of India on 7 June 1921.[8] He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire by George V in the 1922 New Year Honours.[7][9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Meharda, B. L. (2006). Territory, Polity, and Status: A Study of Shekhawats. Rawat Publications. p. 74. ISBN 978-81-7033-887-1.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Dundlod, Harnath Singh (1970). The Sheikhawats & Their Lands. Raj Educational Printers. p. 76.
- ^ a b Bayley, C. S. (2004). Chiefs and leading families in Rajputana. Public Resource. New Delhi : Asian Educational Services. p. 76. ISBN 978-81-206-1066-8.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Sinh, Ranbir (2001). History of Shekhawats. Publication Scheme. pp. 168–169. ISBN 978-81-86782-74-3.
- ^ John Jackson (1940). The Report On The Land-tenures And Special Powers. pp. 1–286.
- ^ a b Agarwal, B. D. (1960). Rajasthan Distict Gazetteers Sikar. pp. 43, 353.
- ^ a b c d e f Jain, kesharlal Ajmera (1935). The Jaipur Album Or All About Jaipur. pp. 50–51.
- ^ Rajputana and Ajmer (1931). Government Of India. 1931. p. 80.
- ^ The Glasgow Herald. The Glasgow Herald. p. 8.