Brijendra Singh was the last reigning ruler or Maharaja of the princely state of Bharatpur, which is located in the Brij region in the state of Rajasthan at present. It was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in the year 1733. The princely state of Bharatpur belonged to the Rajputana Agency. Brijendra Singh succeeded his father Maharaja Kishan Singh after his death on 27th March 1929 and ascended the royal throne or gadi. He reigned over the territory from the year 1929 to 1947, when the country achieved independence. He was born on 1st February 1918 at Savar Mahal in Bharatpur. The Maharaja of Bharatpur was the eldest son of Kishan Singh, Maharaja of Bharatpur, and his wife Maharani Rajendra Kaur. The prominent ruler belonged to the Sinsiniwar Jat dynasty.
Early Life of Brijendra Singh
Maharaja Brijendra Singh of the princely state of Bharatpur successfully completed his education from Bryanston and Wellington. He ascended the throne of Bharatpur on 14th April 1929 after the demise of his father. He reigned over the princely state under Council of Regency as he was still a minor at the time of his ascension. On 22nd October 1939, Singh was invested with limited ruling powers and later when he reached the age of majority, the Maharaja was invested with full ruling powers.
Rule of Brijendra Singh
Brijendra Singh was an enlightened and competent ruler who took several efforts for the over all development of the princely state and his subjects. After India became independent in August 1947, he signed the Instrument of Accession to the Dominion of India. On 18th March 1948, the state of Bharatpur was acceded into the Matsya Union. Later on 15th May 1949, it was later merged with the state of Rajasthan.
Personal Life of Brijendra Singh
Brijendra Singh of Bharatpur was married to Maharani Chamunda Ammani Avaru on 18th June 1941 at the Amba Vilas Palace in Mysore. She was the 3rd daughter of Maharajkumar Kanthirava Narasimharaja Wadiyar. Later he was married for a second time to Maharani Videh Kaur on June 1961 at Bharatpur. The couple later got divorced in the year 1972. Maharaja Brijendra Singh had one son and five daughters.
During his later life, Singh became a Member of Parliament for Lok Sabha from the year 1962 to 1971. He was stripped of his royal titles rank and honours on 28 December 1971 as a mass de-recognition of former Indian princes by the Government of India. Brijendra Singh died on 8 July 1995.