Author: R P Singh
Kanwar Rajpal Singh/
Publisher: Roli Books
Year: 2005
Language: English
Pages: 214
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8174364005
Description
Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur: Life and Legend is the story of how fate catapulted Kanwar Mor Mukut Singh of Isarda to the throne of Jaipur, a state that he ruled as Sawai Man Singh II for 27 years before its merger with independent India. From being a ruler to serving as India’s ambassador in Spain, he lived through a period of Indian history marked with glory and upheavals.
Flamboyant, debonair and elegant, he had two overriding passions-polo and his third wife, Maharani Gayatri Devi. His polo team ravaged England in 1933 winning all major tournaments- a feat yet unparalleled. His romance with Gayatri Devi, the stunningly beautiful princess from Cooch Behar, is the stuff of legends.
Sawai Man Singh’s dream was to die, in a polo field, in the midst of a chukka, with my friends around me, my pony under me, my polo stick in my hand, and my boots on. On 24 June 1970 at Cirencester, England, his dream was fulfilled, plunging the world in grief.
Jai’s assiduous efforts to join the war were rewarded when in September 1940, he was attached to the 13 Lancers at Risalpur. Gayatri accompanied him and they lived the life of a young army couple for sometime. Jai was a captain. The Maharaja Captain, however, had a retinue of six servants in addition to sayeeses for his ponies. There was riding, squash and entertainment at the club. Jai would come home in the evening and recount the day’s events to Gayatri. She, in turn, would give him the radio news, recorded in shorthand, putting to use her secretarial training in college. The bliss, however, was short-lived and ended when the regiment had to move to the border. The wives were asked to stay behind. On Jai’s insistence, Gayatri had to return to Jaipur to a lonely Christmas.
Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FOREWORD
PROLOGUE
Palace Intrigues and Adoptions
Training to be King
Life in Jaipur
As Maharaja
The Most Beautiful Woman
The Sikar Rebellion
The Third Marriage
Wartime
Independence and the Aftermath
Life in Free India
Ambassador to Spain
The Last Phase
Postscript
Appendix-The History of the Kachhwahas
BIBLIOGRAPHY