Lakshmeshwar Singh - Revision history

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	[[Maharaja]] [[Sir]] '''Lakshmeshwar Singh, Maharaja of Darbhanga''' {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|GCIE}} (25 September 1858 – 16 November 1898) was the Zamindar and principal landowner of [[Darbhanga]] in the [[Mithila (region)\|Mithila]] region, presently in the ~~State~~ of [[Bihar]], India. His philanthropic works, administrative abilities and management of his estate ([[Raj Darbhanga]]) were highly appreciated and ~~lead~~ to development of his estate.~~{{citation needed\|date=September 2021}}~~		[[Maharaja]] [[Sir]] '''Lakshmeshwar Singh, Maharaja of Darbhanga''' {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|GCIE}} (25 September 1858 – 16 November 1898) was the [[Maithil Brahmin\|Maithali Brahmin]] [[Zamindar]] and principal landowner of [[Raj Darbhanga\|Darbhanga]] in the [[Mithila (region)\|Mithila]] region, presently in the state of [[Bihar]], India. His philanthropic works, administrative abilities and management of his estate ([[Raj Darbhanga]]) were highly appreciated and led to development of his estate.

	==Biography==		==Biography==
	Lakshmeshwar Singh was the eldest son of Maharaja Maheshwar Singh of Darbhanga, who died when Lakshmeshwar was aged two. The [[British Raj]] placed the estate of Darbhanga under the control of the [[Court of Wards (India)\|Court of Wards]] because the heirs to the estate were minors. He was ~~placed under the tutorship of~~ Chester Macnaghten, ~~who later served as~~ the founding ~~Principal~~ of ~~the oldest Public school in India,~~ the [[Rajkumar College, Rajkot]] ~~from 1870 to 1896~~.		Lakshmeshwar Singh was the eldest son of Maharaja Maheshwar Singh of Darbhanga, who died when Lakshmeshwar was aged two. The [[British Raj]] placed the estate of Darbhanga under the control of the [[Court of Wards (India)\|Court of Wards]] because the heirs to the estate were minors.{{cn\|date=October 2023}} One of his tutors was a Scottish-Englishman, Chester Macnaghten until his majority, then became the founding principle of the [[Rajkumar College, Rajkot]].
	<!--- >>>> Impact of the following para on the ~~Daharbanga~~ Princely order especially the young prince Lakshmeshwar educated under western system of education as the norm of the ~~british~~ to impart Western aspects and the mother and family at large wanting to also Brahmin cultural education may also have educated the tutor with training of Princely Orders which was manifested in training some 170 tutors at the first public school in British India at the Rajkumar College Rajkot>>>>> of the and also the Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh Bahadur (ruled 1860 to 1898) (born 25 September 1858, died 17 December 1898). He was a philanthropist. His statue (by Edward Onslow Ford) was installed in Calcutta in 1904 at Dalhousie Square as a tribute to him. Lakshmeshwar Singh was only two years old his father's death so Raj Darbhanga was placed under Ward of Court. He was the first Maharaja of Darbhanga to receive a western education, from a British tutor, Chester Mcnaughton ( who was later the founding principal of the Rajkumar College, Rajkot ), and took over the reins of Raj Darbhanga on 25 September 1879 after attaining his majority. He devoted himself to public works and was ~~recognised~~ as one of the greatest nobles and philanthropists of India at that time. On 22 June 1897, he was advanced to the rank of Knight Grand Commander of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire.[10][11] -->		<!--- >>>> Impact of the following para on the Darbhanga Princely order especially the young prince Lakshmeshwar educated under western system of education as the norm of the British to impart Western aspects and the mother and family at large wanting to also Brahmin cultural education may also have educated the tutor with training of Princely Orders which was manifested in training some 170 tutors at the first public school in British India at the Rajkumar College Rajkot>>>>> of the and also the Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh Bahadur (ruled 1860 to 1898) (born 25 September 1858, died 17 December 1898). He was a philanthropist. His statue (by Edward Onslow Ford) was installed in Calcutta in 1904 at Dalhousie Square as a tribute to him. Lakshmeshwar Singh was only two years old his father's death, so Raj Darbhanga was placed under Ward of Court. He was the first Maharaja of Darbhanga to receive a western education, from a British tutor, Chester Mcnaughton (who was later the founding principal of the Rajkumar College, Rajkot), and took over the reins of Raj Darbhanga on 25 September 1879 after attaining his majority. He devoted himself to public works and was recognized as one of the greatest nobles and philanthropists of India at that time. On 22 June 1897, he was advanced to the rank of Knight Grand Commander of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire.[10][11] -->

	For the next 19 years, ~~till~~ he attained majority, he was caught in political one-upmanship between his mother, who was supported by family priests, and the Tutors appointed by the British Government, who wanted him to be free from ''Zenana'' influence. He along with his younger brother Rameshwar Singh (who became Maharaja of Darbhanga after Lakshmeshwar Singh's death) received a western education from Government appointed tutors as well as a traditional Indian education from a [[Sanskrit]] [[Pandit]], one of his uncles, a [[Maulvi]] and a Bengali gentleman. During the period when Lakshmeshwar Singh was under the guardianship of the Court of Wards, he received a monthly allowance of [[Rupee\|Rs.]]5 a month even though the annual income of his estate was equivalent to a six digit figure in pounds sterling.~~<ref>Biography of an Indian Patriot: Maharajah Lakshmishwar Singh of Darbhanga – Author Jata Shankar Jha</ref>~~		For the next 19 years, until he attained majority, he was caught in political one-upmanship between his mother, who was supported by family priests, and the Tutors appointed by the British Government, who wanted him to be free from ''Zenana'' influence. He along with his younger brother Rameshwar Singh (who became Maharaja of Darbhanga after Lakshmeshwar Singh's death) received a western education from Government appointed tutors as well as a traditional Indian education from a [[Sanskrit]] [[Pandit]], one of his uncles, a [[Maulvi]] and a Bengali gentleman. During the period when Lakshmeshwar Singh was under the guardianship of the Court of Wards, he received a monthly allowance of [[Rupee\|Rs.]] 5 a month even though the annual income of his estate was equivalent to a six-digit figure in pounds sterling. {{cn\|date=October 2023}}

	On attaining his majority, Lakshmeshwar Singh devoted himself entirely to public duties of his position. He was appointed and served as a Member of the Legislative Council of the Viceroy, and took a leading part in the debates of that body. During the lengthened discussions on the important Bengal Tenancy Bill, he acted (in conjunction at first with the lamented patriot, [[Kristodas Pal]], and subsequently with the Raja [[Piari Mohan Mukharji]], (C.S.I.) as the representative of the landowners of Bengal and [[Bihar\|Behar]] and received warm recognition of the ability and moderation he brought to bear on this and other questions from successive Viceroys.		On attaining his majority, Lakshmeshwar Singh devoted himself entirely to public duties of his position. He was appointed and served as a Member of the Legislative Council of the Viceroy.{{cn\|date=October 2023}} He was also one of nine members of the [[Royal Commission on Opium]] of 1895, formed by the British Government. [[Haridas Viharidas Desai]], the Diwan of [[Junagadh]], was the only other Indian member.<ref>Royal Opium Commission, First Report of the Royal Commission on Opium: with Minutes of Evidence and Appendices, Eyre & Spottiswolde for HM Stationery Office, 1895</ref>
	{{~~quote box~~\|~~width~~=300px\|quote=Maharajah Sir Lakhmishwar Singh, G.C.I.E., of Darbhanga, who was only in his forty-third year at the time of his death in 1898, was in every sense the best type of the Indian nobleman and landlord. He was the leading zemindar in Bihar, where he owned no less than {{convert\|2152\|sqmi\|km2}} with a net yearly rental of 3 million, and was the recognised head of the orthodox Hindu community. His philanthropy and his munificent contributions to all public movement won him the esteem of all classes and creeds. He ~~took an active part in public life and enjoyed a high reputation as a progressive and liberal minded statesman. With but slight interruptions he~~ was ~~a member~~ of ~~the Supreme Legislative Council from the year 1883 until his death, and latterly he sat in that body as the elected representative of the non-official~~ members of the Bengal Council. Few Asiatics have combined more successfully in themselves the apparently incompatible characteristics of East and West.<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., (1909/19800 ''Calcutta Old and New'', pp 335–336, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref> \|source= '''[[H. E. A. Cotton\|Cotton, H.E.A.]]'''}}
	~~He was also a member~~ of the [[Royal Commission on Opium]] of 1895, formed by British Government ~~along with~~ [[Haridas Viharidas Desai]] ~~who was~~ the Diwan of [[Junagadh]]~~. The Royal Opium Commission consisted of a 9-~~member ~~team of which 7 were British and 2 were Indians and its chairman was [[Earl Brassey]]~~.<ref>^ Royal Opium Commission, First Report of the Royal Commission on Opium: with Minutes of Evidence and Appendices, Eyre & Spottiswolde for HM Stationery Office, 1895</ref>

	Lakshmeshwar Singh championed freedom of speech, personal and political rights. In 1898, he and W. C. Banerjee, were the only prominent Indians to publicly criticise and fight against the proposed widening of scope of section 124-A and 153-A of the Indian Penal Code that was meant to suppress freedom of press in reporting news that could be deemed seditious in nature or against Government policy and insertion of section 108 in Indian Penal Code that gave right to postal authorities to seize any material that was suspected of containing matter obnoxious to section 124-A and 153-A of [[Indian Penal Code]].<ref>All India Political Parties, (major groups, A-Z) at page 244. Author – O. P. Ralhan</ref>		In 1875, Tirhut Railway was one such privately-owned train service which was introduced by Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh of Darbhanga way back in 1874 to serve the drought-hit general public in North Bihar. It is also known as the first private train of the country. [[Railway Line]] opened in [[Darbhanga]] between [[Mokama]] and Darbhanga by Local King [[Lakshmeshwar Singh]] of [[Raj Darbhanga]] through [[Tirhut Railway]]. <ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.etvbharat.com/english/state/bihar/palace-on-wheel-darbhangas-glorious-railway-history-lies-in-ruins/na20191026121137569\|title=Darbhanga's once glorious railway history, now lies in ruins
			\|date=26 October 2019\|newspaper=[[ETV Baharat]]\|access-date=28 October 2019}}</ref>
			Lakshmeshwar Singh championed freedom of speech, personal and political rights. In 1898, he and W. C. Banerjee, were the only prominent Indians to publicly criticise and fight against the proposed widening of scope of section 124-A and 153-A of the Indian Penal Code that was meant to suppress freedom of press in reporting news that could be deemed seditious in nature or against Government policy and insertion of section 108 in Indian Penal Code that gave right to postal authorities to seize any material that was suspected of containing matter obnoxious to section 124-A and 153-A of [[Indian Penal Code]].<ref>All India Political Parties, (major groups, A-Z) at page 244. Author – O. P. Ralhan</ref>{{full\|date=October 2023}}

	Lakshmeshwar Singh died on 17 December 1898. He did not have any children and thus his younger brother, Rameshwar Singh, succeeded him as Maharaja		Lakshmeshwar Singh died on 17 December 1898. He did not have any children and thus his younger brother, Rameshwar Singh, succeeded him as Maharaja.{{cn\|date=October 2023}}

	==Public charity==		==Public charity==
	[[File:Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh, 1888.jpg\|thumb\|Lithograph Print of Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh published in ''Graphic Magazine'', December 1888]]		[[File:Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh, 1888.jpg\|thumb\|Lithograph Print of Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh published in ''Graphic Magazine'', December 1888.]]
	Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh spent approximately £300,000 on relief work during the [[Bihar famine of 1873–74]]. He constructed hundreds of miles of roads in various parts of the Raj, planting them with tens of thousands of trees for the comfort of travellers, as part of generating employment for people effected by famine. He constructed iron bridges over all the navigable rivers of the Raj Darbhanga, and completed an elaborate system of irrigation works, for prevention of famine. The lakes, ponds, dams, and other water bodies created during his rule still exist today and form important part in irrigation in northern Bihar. In addition to the £300,000 expended in charitable relief during the Bihar famine of 1873–74, in every time of scarcity the late Maharaja's arrangements for meeting it were on a splendid scale, and were in many cases the models for the Government measures. He built, and entirely supported, a first-class Dispensary at Darbhanga, which cost £3400; a similar one at Kharakpur, which cost £3500 ; and largely contributed to many others.<ref>Imperial gazetteer of India available at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V11_169.gif.</ref>

	He built an Anglo-vernacular school at a cost of £1490, which he maintained, as well as nearly thirty vernacular schools of different grades; and subsidised a much larger number of educational institutions.<ref>Non—fictional Indian prose in English, 1960–1990 By Hetukar Jha, Sahitya Akademi</ref>		He built an Anglo-vernacular school at a cost of £1490, which he maintained, as well as nearly thirty vernacular schools of different grades; and subsidised a much larger number of educational institutions.<ref>Non—fictional Indian prose in English, 1960–1990 By Hetukar Jha, Sahitya Akademi</ref>

	Most of the late Maharaja's munificence was devoted to objects of charity pure and simple, such as famine relief, medical aid, and the like. But he also contributed very largely to objects of general public utility — as, for instance, in the gift of Rs.50,000 to the funds of the Imperial Institute. It was computed that during his possession of the Raj an aggregate sum of something like two millions sterling was expended on charities, works of public utility, and charitable remissions of rent.<ref>Biography of an Indian patriot, Maharaja Lakshmishwar Singh of Darbhanga</ref>		The Maharaja was also one of the founders of [[Indian National Congress]] as well as one of the main financial contributor thereto.<ref>A Centenary history of the Indian National Congress, 1885–1985, Volume 1 by B. N. Pande, Indian National Congress (I). All India Congress Committee</ref>
	The late Maharaja devoted special attention to all agricultural improvements, and especially to improvements in the breeds of horses and cattle in Bihar. He was a liberal patron of the turf, and was the owner of the largest and most valuable racing stud in India. He was also a keen sportsman.<ref>The Journal of the Bihar Research Society, Volume 48</ref>

	The Maharaja was also one of the founders of [[Indian National Congress]] as well as one of the main financial contributor thereto<ref>A Centenary history of the Indian National Congress, 1885–1985, Volume 1 by B. N. Pande, Indian National Congress (I). All India Congress Committee</ref> <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[File:ElephantofDraj.JPG\|thumb\|Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh riding Elephant drawn wagon along with few guests\|{{deletable image-caption\|1=Monday, 13 April 2009}}]] --> Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh is known for purchasing Lowhter Castle for the venue of the 1888 Allahabad Congress session when the british denied permission to use any public place.

	==Other information==		==Other information==
	He constructed [[Anand Bagh Palace]] (also called Lakshmivilas Palace, after him) at Darbhanga and became well known in England because of sketches that appeared in the city's illustrated papers. The palace was later donated by his nephew, Maharaja Kameshwar Singh, to the Government of India for use as a university to promote the Sanskrit language. It is now the head office of Maharaja Kameshwar Singh Sanskrit University. The botanical and zoological gardens that once surrounded it have vanished due to official apathy.{{citation needed\|date=December 2013}}

	On the occasion of the [[Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria\|Golden Jubilee of Great Queen Victoria]], Lakshmeshwar Singh was created a [[Order of the Indian Empire\|Knight Commander of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire]], being promoted to Knight Grand Commander in 1887.<ref>A Golden Book of India – A Genealogical and Biographical Dictionary of Ruling Princes, Chiefs, Nobles and Other Personages, Titled or Decorated, of the Indian Empire. Author – Sir Roper Lethbridge. First published 1893.</ref>		On the occasion of the [[Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria\|Golden Jubilee of Great Queen Victoria]], Lakshmeshwar Singh was created a [[Order of the Indian Empire\|Knight Commander of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire]], being promoted to Knight Grand Commander in 1887.<ref>A Golden Book of India – A Genealogical and Biographical Dictionary of Ruling Princes, Chiefs, Nobles and Other Personages, Titled or Decorated, of the Indian Empire. Author – Sir Roper Lethbridge. First published 1893.</ref>

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			[[Category:19th-century Indian royalty]]
			[[Category:19th-century philanthropists]]

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	\| title = Maharaja of Darbhanga		\| title = Maharaja of Darbhanga
	\| image = Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh statue - Kolkata.JPG		\| image = Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh statue - Kolkata.JPG
	\| reign = ~~1860 - 1898~~		\| reign = 1860–1898
	\| coronation =		\| coronation =
	\| religion = [[Hinduism]]		\| religion = [[Hinduism]]
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	[[Maharaja]] '''~~Sir~~ Lakshmeshwar Singh, Maharaja of Darbhanga''', {{postnominals\|country=GBR~~\|size=100%~~\|GCIE}} (25 September 1858 ~~–~~ 16 November 1898) was the ~~Zemindar~~ and principal landowner of [[Darbhanga]] in the [[Mithila (region)\|Mithila]] region, presently in the State of [[Bihar]], India. His philanthropic works, administrative abilities and management of his estate ([[Raj Darbhanga]]) were highly appreciated and lead to development of his estate.{{citation needed\|date=September 2021}}		[[Maharaja]] [[Sir]] '''Lakshmeshwar Singh, Maharaja of Darbhanga''' {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|GCIE}} (25 September 1858 – 16 November 1898) was the Zamindar and principal landowner of [[Darbhanga]] in the [[Mithila (region)\|Mithila]] region, presently in the State of [[Bihar]], India. His philanthropic works, administrative abilities and management of his estate ([[Raj Darbhanga]]) were highly appreciated and lead to development of his estate.{{citation needed\|date=September 2021}}

	==Biography==		==Biography==

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Adding custom short description: "Maharaja of Darbhanga from 1860–1898" (Shortdesc helper)

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			{{Short description\|Maharaja of Darbhanga from 1860–1898}}
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	[[Maharaja]] '''Sir Lakshmeshwar Singh, Maharaja of Darbhanga''', {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|GCIE}} (25 September 1858 – 16 November 1898) was the Zemindar and principal landowner of [[Darbhanga]] in the [[Mithila (region)\|Mithila]] region, presently in the State of [[Bihar]], India. His philanthropic works, administrative abilities and management of his estate ([[Raj Darbhanga]]) were highly appreciated and lead to development of his estate.		[[Maharaja]] '''Sir Lakshmeshwar Singh, Maharaja of Darbhanga''', {{postnominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|GCIE}} (25 September 1858 – 16 November 1898) was the Zemindar and principal landowner of [[Darbhanga]] in the [[Mithila (region)\|Mithila]] region, presently in the State of [[Bihar]], India. His philanthropic works, administrative abilities and management of his estate ([[Raj Darbhanga]]) were highly appreciated and lead to development of his estate.{{citation needed\|date=September 2021}}

	==Biography==		==Biography==

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{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox monarch
| name = Lakshmeshwar Singh
| title = Maharaja of Darbhanga
| image = Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh statue - Kolkata.JPG
| reign = 1860 - 1898
| coronation =
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| predecessor = [[Raj Darbhanga#Rulers |Maharaja Maheshwar Singh]]
| successor = Maharaja [[Rameshwar Singh]]
| spouse =
| issue =
| royal house = [[Raj Darbhanga]]
| father = [[Raj Darbhanga#Rulers |Maheshwar Singh Bahadur]]
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Darbhanga]]
| death_date = 1898
| death_place =
| place of last rites =
|}}

[[Maharaja]] '''Sir Lakshmeshwar Singh, Maharaja of Darbhanga''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|GCIE}} (25 September 1858 – 16 November 1898) was the Zemindar and principal landowner of [[Darbhanga]] in the [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]] region, presently in the State of [[Bihar]], India. His philanthropic works, administrative abilities and management of his estate ([[Raj Darbhanga]]) were highly appreciated and lead to development of his estate.

==Biography==
Lakshmeshwar Singh was the eldest son of Maharaja Maheshwar Singh of Darbhanga, who died when Lakshmeshwar was aged two. The [[British Raj]] placed the estate of Darbhanga under the control of the [[Court of Wards (India)|Court of Wards]] because the heirs to the estate were minors. He was placed under the tutorship of Chester Macnaghten, who later served as the founding Principal of the oldest Public school in India, the [[Rajkumar College, Rajkot]] from 1870 to 1896.


For the next 19 years, till he attained majority, he was caught in political one-upmanship between his mother, who was supported by family priests, and the Tutors appointed by the British Government, who wanted him to be free from ''Zenana'' influence. He along with his younger brother Rameshwar Singh (who became Maharaja of Darbhanga after Lakshmeshwar Singh's death) received a western education from Government appointed tutors as well as a traditional Indian education from a [[Sanskrit]] [[Pandit]], one of his uncles, a [[Maulvi]] and a Bengali gentleman. During the period when Lakshmeshwar Singh was under the guardianship of the Court of Wards, he received a monthly allowance of [[Rupee|Rs.]]5 a month even though the annual income of his estate was equivalent to a six digit figure in pounds sterling.<ref>Biography of an Indian Patriot: Maharajah Lakshmishwar Singh of Darbhanga – Author Jata Shankar Jha</ref>

On attaining his majority, Lakshmeshwar Singh devoted himself entirely to public duties of his position. He was appointed and served as a Member of the Legislative Council of the Viceroy, and took a leading part in the debates of that body. During the lengthened discussions on the important Bengal Tenancy Bill, he acted (in conjunction at first with the lamented patriot, [[Kristodas Pal]], and subsequently with the Raja [[Piari Mohan Mukharji]], (C.S.I.) as the representative of the landowners of Bengal and [[Bihar|Behar]] and received warm recognition of the ability and moderation he brought to bear on this and other questions from successive Viceroys.
{{quote box|width=300px|quote=Maharajah Sir Lakhmishwar Singh, G.C.I.E., of Darbhanga, who was only in his forty-third year at the time of his death in 1898, was in every sense the best type of the Indian nobleman and landlord. He was the leading zemindar in Bihar, where he owned no less than {{convert|2152|sqmi|km2}} with a net yearly rental of 3 million, and was the recognised head of the orthodox Hindu community. His philanthropy and his munificent contributions to all public movement won him the esteem of all classes and creeds. He took an active part in public life and enjoyed a high reputation as a progressive and liberal minded statesman. With but slight interruptions he was a member of the Supreme Legislative Council from the year 1883 until his death, and latterly he sat in that body as the elected representative of the non-official members of the Bengal Council. Few Asiatics have combined more successfully in themselves the apparently incompatible characteristics of East and West.<ref>Cotton, H.E.A., (1909/19800 ''Calcutta Old and New'', pp 335–336, General Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref> |source= '''[[H. E. A. Cotton|Cotton, H.E.A.]]'''}}
He was also a member of the [[Royal Commission on Opium]] of 1895, formed by British Government along with [[Haridas Viharidas Desai]] who was the Diwan of [[Junagadh]]. The Royal Opium Commission consisted of a 9-member team of which 7 were British and 2 were Indians and its chairman was [[Earl Brassey]].<ref>^ Royal Opium Commission, First Report of the Royal Commission on Opium: with Minutes of Evidence and Appendices, Eyre & Spottiswolde for HM Stationery Office, 1895</ref>

Lakshmeshwar Singh championed freedom of speech, personal and political rights. In 1898, he and W. C. Banerjee, were the only prominent Indians to publicly criticise and fight against the proposed widening of scope of section 124-A and 153-A of the Indian Penal Code that was meant to suppress freedom of press in reporting news that could be deemed seditious in nature or against Government policy and insertion of section 108 in Indian Penal Code that gave right to postal authorities to seize any material that was suspected of containing matter obnoxious to section 124-A and 153-A of [[Indian Penal Code]].<ref>All India Political Parties, (major groups, A-Z) at page 244. Author – O. P. Ralhan</ref>

Lakshmeshwar Singh died on 17 December 1898. He did not have any children and thus his younger brother, Rameshwar Singh, succeeded him as Maharaja

==Public charity==
[[File:Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh, 1888.jpg|thumb|Lithograph Print of Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh published in ''Graphic Magazine'', December 1888]]
Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh spent approximately £300,000 on relief work during the [[Bihar famine of 1873–74]]. He constructed hundreds of miles of roads in various parts of the Raj, planting them with tens of thousands of trees for the comfort of travellers, as part of generating employment for people effected by famine. He constructed iron bridges over all the navigable rivers of the Raj Darbhanga, and completed an elaborate system of irrigation works, for prevention of famine. The lakes, ponds, dams, and other water bodies created during his rule still exist today and form important part in irrigation in northern Bihar. In addition to the £300,000 expended in charitable relief during the Bihar famine of 1873–74, in every time of scarcity the late Maharaja's arrangements for meeting it were on a splendid scale, and were in many cases the models for the Government measures. He built, and entirely supported, a first-class Dispensary at Darbhanga, which cost £3400; a similar one at Kharakpur, which cost £3500 ; and largely contributed to many others.<ref>Imperial gazetteer of India available at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V11_169.gif.</ref>

He built an Anglo-vernacular school at a cost of £1490, which he maintained, as well as nearly thirty vernacular schools of different grades; and subsidised a much larger number of educational institutions.<ref>Non—fictional Indian prose in English, 1960–1990 By Hetukar Jha, Sahitya Akademi</ref>

Most of the late Maharaja's munificence was devoted to objects of charity pure and simple, such as famine relief, medical aid, and the like. But he also contributed very largely to objects of general public utility — as, for instance, in the gift of Rs.50,000 to the funds of the Imperial Institute. It was computed that during his possession of the Raj an aggregate sum of something like two millions sterling was expended on charities, works of public utility, and charitable remissions of rent.<ref>Biography of an Indian patriot, Maharaja Lakshmishwar Singh of Darbhanga</ref>
The late Maharaja devoted special attention to all agricultural improvements, and especially to improvements in the breeds of horses and cattle in Bihar. He was a liberal patron of the turf, and was the owner of the largest and most valuable racing stud in India. He was also a keen sportsman.<ref>The Journal of the Bihar Research Society, Volume 48</ref>

The Maharaja was also one of the founders of [[Indian National Congress]] as well as one of the main financial contributor thereto<ref>A Centenary history of the Indian National Congress, 1885–1985, Volume 1 by B. N. Pande, Indian National Congress (I). All India Congress Committee</ref>  Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh is known for purchasing Lowhter Castle for the venue of the 1888 Allahabad Congress session when the british denied permission to use any public place.

==Other information==
He constructed [[Anand Bagh Palace]] (also called Lakshmivilas Palace, after him) at Darbhanga and became well known in England because of sketches that appeared in the city's illustrated papers. The palace was later donated by his nephew, Maharaja Kameshwar Singh, to the Government of India for use as a university to promote the Sanskrit language. It is now the head office of Maharaja Kameshwar Singh Sanskrit University. The botanical and zoological gardens that once surrounded it have vanished due to official apathy.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}}

On the occasion of the [[Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria|Golden Jubilee of Great Queen Victoria]], Lakshmeshwar Singh was created a [[Order of the Indian Empire|Knight Commander of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire]], being promoted to Knight Grand Commander in 1887.<ref>A Golden Book of India – A Genealogical and Biographical Dictionary of Ruling Princes, Chiefs, Nobles and Other Personages, Titled or Decorated, of the Indian Empire. Author – Sir Roper Lethbridge. First published 1893.</ref>

The British Governor{{who|date=December 2013}} commissioned [[Edward Onslow Ford]] to make a statue of Lakshmeshwar Singh. This is installed at [[Dalhousie Square]] in [[Kolkata]].<ref>''A Handbook for Travellers in India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon'' at Page 121. Author – [[Laurence Frederic Rushbrook Williams]]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Maharaja Lakshmeshwar}}
[[Category:Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]]
[[Category:1858 births]]
[[Category:1898 deaths]]
[[Category:Maharajas of Darbhanga]]
[[Category:Indian knights]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians]]
[[Category:Founders of Indian schools and colleges]]
[[Category:Indian philanthropists]]
[[Category:Indian Hindus]]
[[Category:Indian royalty]]