Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar
Maharana Sir Fateh Singh GCSI GCIE GCVO (16 December 1849 – 24 May 1930), ruled Mewar for 46 years from 1884 to 1930, with Udaipur as capital, and resided in the City Palace, Udaipur.[1][2]
| Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar | |
|---|---|
| Ruler of Udaipur State | |
 | |
| Maharana of Udaipur | |
| Reign | 1884–24 May 1930 |
| Predecessor | Sajjan Singh |
| Successor | Bhupal Singh |
| Born | 16 December 1849 |
| Died | 24 May 1930 (aged 80) Udaipur, Udaipur State, British India |
| Issue | Bhupal Singh |
| House | Sisodia Rajput |
| Father | Dal Singh |
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| Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar II (1326–1971) |
|---|
|
Biography
He was born on 16 December 1849 at Shivrati, son of Maharaj Dal Singh of the Shivrati branch of Mewar dynasty – A descendant of the fourth son, Arjun Singh, of the Rana Sangram Singh II (AD 1710–1734). First he was adopted by his elder brother, Gaj Singh who had no heir, subsequently Maharana Sajjan Singh of Udaipur, who too had no heir, adopted him, he eventually became the Maharaja of Udaipur in 1884. In 1887, he received G.C.S.I.[3][4][5]
In 1889, he built the "Connaught Dam" on Lake Dewali to mark the visit of Duke of Connaught, son of Queen Victoria, this enlarged the lake, and it was later renamed, Fateh Sagar Lake.[2][6]
He also built Fateh Prakash Palace in Chittorgarh fort, which is an edifice with a tower on each of its four corners crowned by domed chhattris. This palace is a grand specimen of modern Indian architecture and at present houses a museum.[7]
The Shiv Niwas Palace at Udaipur was also built by him. The palace was reserved exclusively by the House of Mewar for visiting dignitaries and guests during British Raj. It now has been turned into a luxury hotel.[8]
He was the only Maharaja to not attend the Delhi Durbar, both of 1903 and 1911. Then in 1921, when Edward, Prince of Wales, son of King George V and Queen Mary, visited Udaipur, he refused to receive him, citing illness and instead sent his son. The independent attitude adopted by Fateh Singh observed in his refusal to appoint a Dewan and his direct or indirect association with people of known anti-British sentiments such as Kesari Singh Barhath and Shyamaji Krishna Verma made him a problematic figure for the British Government.[9] This left him at odds with the British, thereafter, under the garb of ignoring a social unrest in Mewar, on 28 July 1921, his powers were curtailed and he was formally deposed, he was however allowed to retain his title, the effective power was handed to his son and heir, Bhupal Singh.[2][10][11]
Personal life
He was first married in 1867, to Rani Phool Kumari, daughter of the Thakur of Khod in Marwar, who died in 1877. Subsequently, he was married in 1878, a daughter of Thakur Chanda Kol Singh of Varsoda, and had son, Bhupal Singh, and daughters, Ankaran Bai, married in 1904 to Madan Singh of Kishangarh, and Kishor Kunwar, married 1908 to Sardar Singh of Jodhpur.
He died on May 24, 1930, at Udaipur.
See also
Further reading
- Maharana: the story of the rulers of Udaipur, by Brian Masters. Mapin Pub., 1990. ISBN 0-944142-28-1.
References
- Complete title: HH 108 Sri Maharaj Adhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Ravi Kula Bushana-Mahi Mahindra Yavadarya Kula Kamaldhivakara Chattis Rajkul Singar Maharana Shri Sir Fateh Singh Hindua Suraj Hindupati.
- Gupta, p. 256
- "Shivrati Genealogy". Queensland University. Archived from the original on 16 May 2011.
- "Udaipur State: History". The Imperial Gazetteer of India. 1909. pp. v. 24, p. 93.
- Solomon, p. 128
- "Fateh Sagar Lake: Lakes". Archived from the original on 9 January 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- "Hill Forts of Rajasthan".
- "Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur The crescent-shaped palace was built in the early 20th century, in the reign of Maharana Fateh Singh (period of reign: 1884–1930)". Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- R.K. Gupta (1 January 2008). Studies In Indian History Rajasthan Through The Ages The Heritage Of Rajputs Set Of 5 Vols. unknown library. Sarup & Sons.
The bold and independent attitude adopted by Maharana Fateh Singh of Mewar encouraged the patriotic feelings of the people and exposed the latent Rajput love for freedom...Maharana Fateh Singh was proving a source of trouble in several ways for the British Government. While he had refused to appoint a Dewan, he had associated himself directly or indirectly with people of anti-British convictions as Shyamji Krishna Verma, Kesari Singh Barhat, etc.
- Warren, p. 50
- "Maharana Fateh Singh (1884–1930)". Archived from the original on 2 April 2010.
- Solomon, R. V.; J. W. Bond; Arnold Wright; Somerset Playne (2006). Indian states: a biographical, historical, and administrative survey. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 81-206-1965-X.
- Warren, William; Jill Gocher (2007). "Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur". Asia's Legendary Hotels: The Romance of Travel Authors. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7946-0174-4.
- Gupta, R.K.; S.R. Bakshi (2008). "9. Maharana Fateh Singh". Studies In Indian History: Rajasthan Through The Ages The Heritage Of Rajputs. Sarup & Sons. ISBN 978-81-7625-841-8.
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