Created by Aithus
Last edited February 25, 2026
->Aithus
reign as Maharana ended in 1948
 
revised
 
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox royalty
{{Infobox royalty
| image     = Maharana Bhupal Singh.jpg
| image = Maharana Bhupal Singh.jpg
| caption   = Bhupal Singh
| caption = Bhupal Singh
| succession = [[Udaipur State|Maharana of Udaipur]]
| succession = [[Udaipur State|Maharana of Udaipur]]
| reign     = 24 May 1930– 1948
| reign = 24 May 1930– 1948
| predecessor = [[Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar|Fateh Singh]]
| predecessor = [[Raghubir Singh of Udaipur and Mewar|Raghubir Singh ]]
| successor = [[Bhagwat Singh Mewar]] (titular Maharana of Udaipur)
| successor = [[Bhagwat Singh Mewar]] (titular Maharana of Udaipur)
| birth_date = 1884
| birth_date = 1884
| death_date = {{death date and age|1955|07|04|1884|df=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1955|07|04|1884|df=y}}
| spouse     =  
| spouse =  
| issue     = [[Bhagwat Singh Mewar]]
| issue = [[Bhagwat Singh Mewar]], (Adoptive)
| house     = [[Sisodia]]
| house = [[Sisodia Dynasty|Sisodia]]
| father     = [[Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar|Fateh Singh]]
| father = [[Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar|Fateh Singh]]
| mother     =
| mother =  
| module     = {{infobox officeholder
| module = {{infobox officeholder
| embed = yes
| embed = yes
| office = [[Rajpramukh]] of [[Rajasthan]]
| office = [[Rajpramukh]] of [[Rajasthan]]
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}}
}}
{{Mewari Rana}}
{{Mewari Rana}}
[[Shri]] [[Maharana]] '''Bhupal Singh''' [[Maharaja Bahadur|Bahadur]] [[Order of the Indian Empire|KCIE]] (1884 – 4 July 1955), also spelt '''Bhopal Singh''', was the ruler of the Indian [[Udaipur State|princely state of Udaipur]] (or Mewar) from 1930 and also [[Rajpramukh]] of [[Rajasthan]] from 1948 until his death on 4 July 1955.
[[Shri]] [[Maharana]] Sir '''Bhupal Singh''' [[Maharaja Bahadur|Bahadur]] [[Order of the Indian Empire|KCIE]] (1884 – 4 July 1955), also spelt '''Bhopal Singh''', was the ruler of the Indian [[Udaipur State|princely state of Udaipur]] (or Mewar) from 1930 and also [[Rajpramukh]] of [[Rajasthan]] from 1948 until his death on 4 July 1955.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Singh was born in 1884, a year before the accession of his father [[Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar|Fateh Singh]] to the throne of Mewar and Udaipur as ''Maharana''.<ref>Brian Masters, ''Maharana: the story of the rulers of Udaipur'' (1990), p. 107</ref> He suffered paralysis at the age of 5. On 28 July 1921, following some social unrest in Mewar, his father was formally deposed, while being allowed to retain his titular title, and effective power in the state fell into the hands of Bhupal as his son and heir.<ref>William Warren, Jill Gocher, ''Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur'' (Tuttle Publishing, 2007, {{ISBN|0-7946-0174-X}})</ref> He became ruler of the state in name as well as in fact in 1930.<ref>[[Jawaharlal Nehru]], ''Selected works of Jawaharlal Nehru'', vol. 6 (1987), p. 140</ref> After the independence and [[partition of India|partition]] of [[British India]] in 1947, Singh was one of the first of the Indian princes to sign an [[Instrument of Accession]] to the new [[Dominion of India]], and on 18 April 1948 he became [[Rajpramukh]] of Rajasthan, succeeding [[Bhim Singh II|Sir Bhim Singh]], Maharaja of [[Kotah]]. With effect from 1 April 1949 his title was raised to ''Maha Rajpramukh''.  Also he was held titles of Honorary Major-General, Indian Army 15 October 1946 (earlier Honorary Lt.-Col. 4 August 1939), Honorary Colonel, Indian Grenadiers, 1 June 1954.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}
Singh was born in 1884, a year before the accession of his father [[Fateh Singh of Udaipur and Mewar|Fateh Singh]] to the throne of Mewar and Udaipur as ''Maharana''.<ref>Brian Masters, ''Maharana: the story of the rulers of Udaipur'' (1990), p. 107</ref> He became paralyzed at the age of 5. On 28 July 1921, following some social unrest in Mewar, his father was formally deposed, while being allowed to retain his titular title, and effective power in the state fell into the hands of Bhupal as his son and heir.<ref>William Warren, Jill Gocher, ''Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur'' (Tuttle Publishing, 2007, {{ISBN|0-7946-0174-X}})</ref> He became ruler of the state in name as well as in fact in 1930.<ref>[[Jawaharlal Nehru]], ''Selected works of Jawaharlal Nehru'', vol. 6 (1987), p. 140</ref> After the independence and [[partition of India|partition]] of [[British India]] in 1947, Singh was one of the first of the Indian princes to sign an [[Instrument of Accession]] to the new [[Dominion of India]], and on 18 April 1948 he became [[Rajpramukh]] of Rajasthan, succeeding [[Bhim Singh II|Sir Bhim Singh]], Maharaja of [[Kotah]]. With effect from 1 April 1949 his title was raised to ''Maha Rajpramukh''.  Also he was held titles of Honorary Major-General, Indian Army 15 October 1946 (earlier Honorary Lt.-Col. 4 August 1939), Honorary Colonel, Indian Grenadiers, 1 June 1954.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}


In the 26th amendment<ref>{{Citation|url=http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/amend/amend26.htm|title=The Constitution (26 Amendment) Act, 1971|publisher=Government of India|work=indiacode.nic.in|year = 1971|accessdate=9 November 2011}}</ref> to the [[Constitution of India]] promulgated in 1971, the Government of India abolished all official symbols of [[princely state|princely India]], including titles, privileges, and remuneration ([[Privy Purse in India|privy purses]]).<ref>'''1.''' {{cite book|last=Ramusack|first=Barbara N.|authorlink=Barbara Ramusack|title=The Indian princes and their states|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kz1-mtazYqEC&pg=PA278|accessdate=6 November 2011|year=2004|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-26727-4|page=278}}, "Through a constitutional amendment passed in 1971, Indira Gandhi stripped the princes of the '''titles''', privy purses and regal privileges which her father's government had granted." (p 278). '''2.''' {{citation|last=Naipaul|first=V. S.|authorlink=V. S. Naipaul|title=India: A Wounded Civilization|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XYeWbmq7pkIC&pg=PT37|year=2003|publisher=Random House Digital, Inc.|isbn=978-1-4000-3075-0|page=37}} Quote: "The princes of India&nbsp;– their number and variety reflecting to a large extent the chaos that had come to the country with the break up of the Mughal empire&nbsp;– had lost real power in the British time.  Through generations of idle servitude they had grown to specialize only in style.  A bogus, extinguishable glamour: in 1947, with Independence, they had lost their state, and Mrs. Gandhi in 1971 had, without much public outcry, abolished their privy purses and '''titles'''." (pp 37–38). '''3.''' {{citation|last=Schmidt|first=Karl J.|title=An atlas and survey of South Asian history|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FzmkFXSgxqgC&pg=PA78|year=1995|publisher=M.E. Sharpe|isbn=978-1-56324-334-9|page=78}} Quote: "Although the Indian states were alternately requested or forced into union with either India or Pakistan, the real death of princely India came when the Twenty-sixth Amendment Act (1971) abolished the princes' '''titles''', privileges, and privy purses." (page 78). '''4.''' {{citation|last=Breckenridge|first=Carol Appadurai|authorlink=Carol Breckenridge|title=Consuming modernity: public culture in a South Asian world|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LN4MN35b-r4C&pg=PA84|accessdate=6 November 2011|year=1995|publisher=U of Minnesota Press|isbn=978-0-8166-2306-8|page=84}}  Quote: "The third stage in the political evolution of the princes from rulers to citizens occurred in 1971, when the constitution ceased to recognize them as princes and their privy purses, '''titles''', and special privileges were abolished." (page 84).  '''5.''' {{citation|last=Guha|first=Ramachandra|authorlink=Ramchandra Guha|title=India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2fvd-CaFdqYC&pg=PA441|year=2008|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-06-095858-9|page=441}} Quote: "Her success at the polls emboldened Mrs. Gandhi to act decisively against the princes. Through 1971, the two sides tried and failed to find a settlement. The princes were willing to forgo their privy purses, but hoped at least to save their titles. But with her overwhelming majority in Parliament, the prime minister had no need to compromise. On 2 December she introduced a bill to amend the constitution and abolish all princely privileges. It was passed in the Lok Sabha by 381 votes to six, and in the Rajya Sabha by 167 votes to seven. In her own speech, the prime minister invited 'the princes to join the elite of the modern age, the elite which earns respect by its talent, energy and contribution to human progress, all of which can only be done when we work together as equals without regarding anybody as of special status.' " (page 441).  '''6.''' {{cite book|last=Cheesman|first=David|title=Landlord power and rural indebtedness in colonial Sind, 1865–1901|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rtBi1MgVD0AC&pg=PA10|year=1997|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=978-0-7007-0470-5|page=10}} Quote: "The Indian princes survived the British Raj by only a few years.  The Indian republic stripped them of their powers and then their '''titles'''." (page 10). '''7.''' {{citation|author=Merriam-Webster, Inc|title=Merriam-Webster's geographical dictionary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Co_VIPIJerIC&pg=PA520|year=1997|publisher=Merriam-Webster|isbn=978-0-87779-546-9|page=520}} Quote: "'''Indian States''': "Various (formerly) semi-independent areas in India ruled by native princes .... Under British rule ... administered by residents assisted by political agents.  Titles and remaining privileges of princes abolished by Indian government 1971." (page 520).  '''8.''' {{citation|last=Ward|first=Philip|title=Northern India, Rajasthan, Agra, Delhi: a travel guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KubCD2jHjEsC&pg=PA91|date=September 1989|publisher=Pelican Publishing|isbn=978-0-88289-753-0|page=91}} Quote: "A monarchy is only as good as the reigning monarch: thus it is with the princely states.  Once they seemed immutable, invincible.  In 1971 they were "derecognized,"  their privileges, privy purses and '''titles''' all abolished at a stroke" (page 91)</ref> Bhagwat Singh succeeded him as the titular ruler of the state.
Bhagwat Singh succeeded him as the titular ruler of the state.


One of Bhopal Singh's palaces was [[Lake Palace|Jag Niwas]], on an island in [[Lake Pichola]], for which he undertook major repairs and restorations.  The palace is now operated as a [[Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces|luxury hotel]].
One of Bhupal Singh's palaces was [[Lake Palace|Jag Niwas]], on an island in [[Lake Pichola]], for which he undertook major repairs and restorations.  The palace is now operated as a [[Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces|luxury hotel]].


==Notes==
==Notes==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Bhupal}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Bhupal}}
[[Category:Mewar dynasty]]
[[Category:Monarchs of Mewar]]
[[Category:1884 births]]
[[Category:1884 births]]
[[Category:1973 deaths]]
[[Category:1955 deaths]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]]
[[Category:Indian knights]]
[[Category:Indian knights]]
[[Category:Rajpramukhs]]
[[Category:Rajpramukhs]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian royalty]]
[[Category:British Indian Army personnel]]

Latest revision as of 11:45, 25 February 2026

Bhupal Singh
Bhupal Singh
Maharana of Udaipur
Reign24 May 1930– 1948
PredecessorRaghubir Singh
SuccessorBhagwat Singh Mewar (titular Maharana of Udaipur)
Born1884
Died4 July 1955(1955-07-04) (aged 70–71)
IssueBhagwat Singh Mewar, (Adoptive)
HouseSisodia
FatherFateh Singh
Rajpramukh of Rajasthan
In office
18 April 1948 – 1 April 1949
Preceded byBhim Singh II
Succeeded byMan Singh II
Maha-Rajpramukh
In office
1 April 1949 – 4 July 1955
Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar II
(1326–1884)
Hammir Singh (1326–1364)
Kshetra Singh (1364–1382)
Lakha Singh (1382–1421)
Mokal Singh (1421–1433)
Rana Kumbha (1433–1468)
Udai Singh I (1468–1473)
Rana Raimal (1473–1508)
Rana Sanga (1508–1527)
Ratan Singh II (1528–1531)
Vikramaditya Singh (1531–1536)
Vanvir Singh (1536–1540)
Udai Singh II (1540–1572)
Pratap Singh I (1572–1597)
Amar Singh I (1597–1620)
Karan Singh II (1620–1628)
Jagat Singh I (1628–1652)
Raj Singh I (1652–1680)
Jai Singh (1680–1698)
Amar Singh II (1698–1710)
Sangram Singh II (1710–1734)
Jagat Singh II (1734–1751)
Pratap Singh II (1751–1754)
Raj Singh II (1754–1762)
Ari Singh II (1762–1772)
Hamir Singh II (1772–1778)
Bhim Singh (1778–1828)
Jawan Singh (1828–1838)
Sardar Singh (1828–1842)
Swarup Singh (1842–1861)
Shambhu Singh (1861–1874)
Sajjan Singh (1874–1884)
Fateh Singh (1884–1930)
Bhupal Singh (1930–1955)
Bhagwant Singh (1955–1971)

Shri Maharana Sir Bhupal Singh Bahadur KCIE (1884 – 4 July 1955), also spelt Bhopal Singh, was the ruler of the Indian princely state of Udaipur (or Mewar) from 1930 and also Rajpramukh of Rajasthan from 1948 until his death on 4 July 1955.

Biography[edit | edit source]

Singh was born in 1884, a year before the accession of his father Fateh Singh to the throne of Mewar and Udaipur as Maharana.[1] He became paralyzed at the age of 5. On 28 July 1921, following some social unrest in Mewar, his father was formally deposed, while being allowed to retain his titular title, and effective power in the state fell into the hands of Bhupal as his son and heir.[2] He became ruler of the state in name as well as in fact in 1930.[3] After the independence and partition of British India in 1947, Singh was one of the first of the Indian princes to sign an Instrument of Accession to the new Dominion of India, and on 18 April 1948 he became Rajpramukh of Rajasthan, succeeding Sir Bhim Singh, Maharaja of Kotah. With effect from 1 April 1949 his title was raised to Maha Rajpramukh. Also he was held titles of Honorary Major-General, Indian Army 15 October 1946 (earlier Honorary Lt.-Col. 4 August 1939), Honorary Colonel, Indian Grenadiers, 1 June 1954.[citation needed]

Bhagwat Singh succeeded him as the titular ruler of the state.

One of Bhupal Singh's palaces was Jag Niwas, on an island in Lake Pichola, for which he undertook major repairs and restorations. The palace is now operated as a luxury hotel.

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. Brian Masters, Maharana: the story of the rulers of Udaipur (1990), p. 107
  2. William Warren, Jill Gocher, Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur (Tuttle Publishing, 2007, ISBN 0-7946-0174-X)
  3. Jawaharlal Nehru, Selected works of Jawaharlal Nehru, vol. 6 (1987), p. 140