Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur: Life and Legend

R.P. Singh, Kanwar Rajpal Singh

• Publisher: Roli Books
• Year: 2005
• Print ISBN: 9789351940586
• eBook ISBN: 9789351940586
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Historical Biographies
• Index: History

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 twenty-seven 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 legend. 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.

LIFE IN FREE INDIA

The British were called the ‘co-architects’ of India at the dawn of freedom. However, what happened to the princes is a poignant tale of total deceit in the name of democracy. The lofty ideals of people’s power, equality, and verbal tactics were employed to go back on every single promise made. In the temple of Galta, there used to be an idol of the deity Narsingh. According to legend, the state of Jaipur was to last as long as the idol was there. Soon after Jai signed the documents of merger, the idol vanished and with it disappeared the hope of an independent Jaipur.

Jai had the sterling quality of letting go of the past. Hence, on taking over as Rajpramukh he immersed himself in his new task with enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the title was merely ceremonial. The common people never realized that power had been lost. Wherever he went, people accosted him with their problems, big or small. Jai had to explain to all of them that he was no longer in power. But Jai’s popularity was still huge, and it was a constant source of irritation for politicians. During every function, whether formal, informal or political, every single person of any stature was neglected, and Jai invariably received all the attention and adulation. The Maharaja of Kota had been appointed Up-rajpramukh (contrary to the promise made) and the Maharana of Udaipur, the Maharaj pramukh. Udaipur was to have taken precedence over Jai in all formal functions. However, such formal functions were as fictitious as the appointments.

The parade held to disband the Rajputana State Forces (including the Jaipur State Forces) was one of the first functions Jai attended. It was an irony of sorts. Jai was very proud of the forces he had raised along the lines of the British forces. A magnificent parade was held in front of the building that Jai had had built as barracks for the troops (where the present Government of the State of Rajasthan sits). Jai took the salute on this historical occasion. Gayatri records:

All of us, the spectators, could feel the tears pricking behind our eyes, but Jai, looking proud and sombre, gazed out at the perfect performance of his men, saluted the colours, and accepted them as the various officers handed them to him. Only Jai’s favourite regiment, the Sawai Man Guards, which he had raised himself, retained their identity when they were incorporated into the Indian Army. They are still known as the 17th Rajputana Rifles (Sawai Man Guard). All the other Jaipur cavalry regiments and some of the other States Forces cavalry were amalgamated into the 61st Cavalry, now the only cavalry regiment left in India.

Jai’s 38th birthday was celebrated on 22 August 1949. A note scribbled by him, immediately after ceasing to be king, reveals the real Jai and his feelings. The note is quoted in full below:

I am writing an account of my birthday under the new changes as this was the first occasion after the formation of Greater Rajasthan. I feel happy and proud that I find no change in my people’s love, affection and loyalty towards me, and I had a rousing reception from all sects of my people wherever I went and met them at most functions.

I was greeted at sunrise with the booming of guns from Nahargarh, and a kiss from my beautiful wife which made a perfect beginning. I then had a swim after which all the personal servants came and did their nazars to me, which I touched and did not take. Then I changed into an achkan and safa to go to City Palace for the puja and other ceremonies.

The route most of the way was thronged by the people and as I passed them I was greeted with shouts of ‘Maharaja Man Singhji ki Jai’, to which I responded by waving to the people.

At 11 a.m., I did puja at the haveli and then went and did the walbati at Shri Govind Devji’s temple. The gardens were thronged with townspeople who gave greater welcome than ever till I came back to Chandra Mahal.

Then I went and did ‘Baras pujan’ in Shereth Niwas doing bhati to Guruji on the way.

Then I held a durbar in Sarbata of rather an unusual type from the ones we use to have on birthday occasions. I only invited ‘Tazimi and Khas Chofti sardars and their eldest sons. This was well attended and all the sardars turned out in red and gold and we had a collection of about 90 sardars and sons. After the nazars were over, I sat down and called the sardars close to me so that I could talk to them.

In few chosen words that came from my happy heart, I told them that I have never been happier than having so many of them in the durbar. And that with all the changes in Rajputana States, I was proud that Jaipur was like before and this was owing to their loyalty and affection for me. I wanted to adopt some changes, but not without their wishes. For this I proposed a Council, under Maharawal of Samode, to make suggestions (regarding) what customs we might keep and what we could do away with. I also told them that we are one family and that it rests on one another to hold our prestige and honour in the new changes. I assured them on my side that I shall always look after their interest and prayed to Mataji that she will always guide us all and save us from doing any deed or action which would put disgrace or shame on the Kachhwaha family or the Jaipur State.

We then dispersed from the durbar and they all came and had drinks with me in Chandra Mahal.

I then freely mixed with them and talked to them and was greatly touched with their expressions and sentiments of loyalty and devotion to me and my family. We then dispersed for lunch. I had a quiet lunch with the family, which was attended by both my wives and Isarda Bhabi.

I then had some rest till I went to the garden party to which all those who usually come to the durbar were invited.

Before going to the garden party, I had a request from the old officials of the Jaipur State that they would like to present nazars to me so I asked them to come before the garden party. I received them in Sarbata. They all came and presented their nazar in the usual manner, but in their case I only touched it and did not take it, which created quite a surprise to some of the officials. I then gave them a short talk and said: ‘Gentlemen, I am greatly touched by the display of loyalty and affection shown by you all on this occasion and assure you that whatever change may take place my love and care of you all in no way will be affected as Jaipur-ians.’ (All the officials were greatly moved by my words.)

I then went to the party held in City Palace garden, and it was well attended by all people, officials and politicians. I spent about half an hour going round the people and talking to them and then left the party after the band had played the Jaipur Anthem.

I then changed and bathed and then went to the Zenana Majils in ‘Bada Rawala’, which was as usual full of screaming women and children, but they all gave me a happy smile and after taking nazar of the ladies I came away.

The army officers had also requested that they all wanted to present nazar so I had arranged to see them all at a special party ‘cocktails’ after the Zenana Majils. So now, I went to see all the officers of the Rajasthan Army, who had collected in City Palace garden. They were all linked up and after I had taken my place on the Silver Chair they all came one by one and presented their nazars, which I took standing up and kept. Then all the retired officers also did the nazar, but my surprise had no limit when the Indian Army officers came forward and did nazar. I took their nazar and kept it, as I did not want to make a difference between the two by which their feeling might be affected.

I then asked all the officers to come round me and in few chosen words said:

‘Brother officers you have greatly touched my heart by the display of love and loyalty shown to me by this gesture of yours this evening and presenting nazars, and that happiness is still greater since today the feelings of State and Indian officers is equal for me. There is no reason for the two forces to feel different in any way for today we all stand for one cause and that is to serve our country to the best of our ability. I want to assure all those under my command that I consider my first and foremost duty to serve them and watch their and their family interest at all times. Words fail me to express my feeling adequately this evening but you will understand my feeling better than I can ever put them in words. I hope you will all join me in having a glass of champagne and asha [a local brew].’

We had a happy party, in fact, one of the best I have ever had with the Army boys. We were all in a happy mood. The party was so good that it lasted from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., and they [Army boys] all [so] carried me away by feelings difficult to express that I forgot my dinner engagement. I left the party at 11 p.m. with fond farewells. I am proud to have this fine lot of men under my command and am confident that the spirit that was displayed on this occasion makes me believe that no task is insurmountable for us [sic].

I came back to Ram Bagh for dinner where we were having a family party composed of relatives and members of staff and their families. After good drink and good food, in a hilarious mood, I said goodnight to all and went to bed.

This was my first birthday as Rajpramukh of Greater Rajasthan, and I can confidently say that it was just as happy and gay as the ones I had as Ruler of Jaipur and the display of love, loyalty and devotion shown by all the people greatly touched my heart.

I pray to Mataji that she will always guide me and bless me so that I will serve the people well and that the whole of Rajasthan will love me and trust me. I could not have wished for a happier birthday.

Even Gayatri was moved by the spontaneous response of the people. In A Princess Remembers, she says:

In fact, election aside, I do not think I have ever witnessed in Jaipur a more impressive and spontaneous demonstration of loyalty and warmth than on Jai’s first birthday after the merger of the state. The people behaved exactly as if Jai were still their ruler, cheering him repeatedly whenever he appeared in public, showering him with messages of goodwill. Very possibly it was indications such as these that led to an increase of caution and distrust in the government’s attitude towards the princes over the next few years.

Having taken over new responsibilities, Jai could not afford the luxury of going abroad. Jai and Gayatri escaped to Kashmir for a fortnight during the summers. Early in October, Gayatri went off to Bombay and joined Ma. Jagat was born here, two weeks premature.¹ A public holiday was declared in Jaipur city and gun salute was fired from the Nahargarh fort. The chief minister and all the dignitaries went to Ram Bagh to congratulate Jai. The ADC who barged into Jai’s room to give him the news of Jagat’s birth was presented with a new car. Five years later, Jai’s elder brother from Isarda, Bahadur Singh, who had no son of his own, adopted Jagat.

For the next two years, polo was resumed. Jai had a handicap of nine before the war; it was now five. He was underrated at this handicap. Huge crowds thronged to the Ram Bagh polo club whenever Jai played in any tournament. The Argentine team came to India in 1950 and visited Delhi, Bombay, and Jaipur. Jai’s team had won the Indian Championship Cup in Argentina for seven years in succession. Polo became popular again. The Indian Polo Association was formed, and Jai was made the president. Subsequently Jai visited England again, where Prince Philip gave special attention to the game after his return from Malta. Jai bought a flat in Grosvenor Square in London. Since all his three sons, Bubbles, Joey, and Pat, were going to Harrow, one after the other, England became, as Gayatri called it, ‘our second home’.

While politicians were desperately attempting to make inroads into Jai’s powers and popularity, the VVIPs, be they Indian or foreign, would deem their visit to Jaipur incomplete without being Jai’s guests. Lord and Lady Mountbatten were one of the first ones to visit Jai. Jai had first met Lady Mountbatten way back in 1921, when he was at Mayo College. (As a boy, he was standing in for his ailing adoptive father.) During their second visit, Lady Mountbatten also visited the girl’s school started by Gayatri in Jaipur. Miss Lutter, the first principal, who had taught in Burma before taking over the school, was worried about one of her exstudents in Burma and mentioned this to Lady Mountbatten. She received a response from her within a week. Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first president of India, Chakravarty Rajagopalachari, the first Indian governor general, Dr Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, and Jawaharlal Nehru accompanied by Indira Gandhi, all enjoyed Jai’s hospitality. In fact, Dr Ambedkar recollected with gratitude his indebtedness to Gayatri’s Baroda grandfather, who had financed a penniless Ambedkar’s education as a child. Among the foreign dignitaries were Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt (who visited on the festival of Holi), Bulganin and Khrushchev.

The duplicity of the politicians came to the fore during the first general elections in India in 1952. Pandit Heera Lal Shastri, Jai’s teacher at Mayo, an old acquaintance and a prominent Congress leader, came to consult Jai. Jai had to politely remind him that being the Rajpramukh, he could not opine on the internal matters of a political party. But there is no doubt that had Jai been unshackled and had he contested the elections, he would have routed the political parties as the young Maharaja of Jodhpur, Jaswant Singh, had done.

Jaswant Singh was, incidentally, the first cousin of Second Her Highness. He contested as an independent. His opponent, Jai Narain Vyas, a prominent leader who subsequently became the chief minister of Rajasthan, forfeited his deposit. The candidates Jaswant Singh had supported won by a handsome majority. Unfortunately, Jaswant Singh died in an air crash two days before the declaration of the results, unaware of what a magnificent performance he had given. Out of 35 of his candidates, 31 had won—an indication of the popularity of the maharajas at that time. Needless to add, had Jai been permitted to contest and participate similarly, along with Udaipur and Kota, the history of Rajputana would have been different. However, all the three were strapped in sinecures.

The politicians cunningly kept the maharajas on their toes. They hung a Damocles’ sword over their heads, threatening them with curtailment or suspension of their privy purses if they indulged in politics. This was euphemistically termed ‘activities against the interest of the state’. Practically, it applied only to the princes who were not candidates of the ruling party. This clause was not applicable to princes who were part of the ruling elite, like the Maharani of Gwalior. Some, like Jai, had the solace of a Rajpramukh-ship hobbling their independence. Kota and Udaipur were similarly controlled. Thus, the popular maharajas were effectively removed from the scene.

The political minions had been doing their job of making life difficult for the maharajas on every conceivable occasion. The higher echelons commenced their part in 1955 in a polished manner, chipping away at the covenant, which had been inscribed as sacrosanct in the Constitution. It started with a polite letter from Nehru that made fleeting observations regarding the ‘anachronism’ of the privy purses and the lifetime appointment of Rajpramukhs. These were allegedly ‘out of keeping with the directive principles of our Constitution (and as unjustifiable to our people)... the payment of large sums of money from public funds to the princes many of whom discharge no function at all.’ No one reminded the Centre that the amount of cash received by the Government of India from the Jaipur Treasury would have been sufficient to meet the requirement of the privy purse on an interest of 0.25 per cent. The directive principles were as clearly defined when Menon and Patel were bending backwards to get the maharajas to sign the document to join the dominion. But politics is the art of the possible. The princes were taught to stay above politics and not sully their hands by joining the fight. Politicians, on the other hand, would cease to exist unless they could be champions of the cesspool. The unwary princes were easily gobbled up in this unequal fight.

Nehru’s letters were polite, but their purport was conspi...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Book Name
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Content
• 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
• The History of the Kachhwahas
• Bibliography
• Backcover