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Formation of Jaipur state and modernity
Formation of Jaipur state and modernity
Through the disintegration of the Mughal Empire, as various forces
competed for power in India, a treaty was initially made between Maharaja Sawai Jagat Singh (1803-1818) and the British in 1803 but was abolished shortly afterwards. Another treaty of alliance was signed in the last year of Sawai Jagat Singh''s reign in 1818. In 1835, there was a serious disturbance in the city, after which the British government intervened; under the rule of Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II (1835-1881) the state gradually become well-governed and increasingly prosperous. Sawai Ram Singh''s devotion to Shaivism earned him the nickname of ''Rishi Raj'' or the Sage-King while his reign was known to his people as ''Ram rajye ek lahar'' - ''a wave of the rule of Rama''(Tillotson). Under his rule, Jaipur state underwent a significant period of modernization.Jaipur got electricity and modern water supply schemes at that time.The first theatre or cinema known as "Ram Prakash" came into existence. He was extraordinary careful towards cleanliness of Jaipur. Jaipur was called Paris of India at that time. He personally inspected and did his best for the well being and modernization of his state. He also built many famous structures in Jaipur including Ramgarh Bandh,Ramniwas Bagh,Rambagh Palace, many colleges were founded during his time.
Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh (1881-1922), G.C.S.I., G.C.V.O., was born in 1861, and succeeded in 1882 and was distinguished for his enlightened administration. He visited England at the time of King Edward VII''s coronation in 1902. It was he who started and endowed with a donation of 15 lakhs, afterwards increased to 20 lakhs, of rupees the Indian Peoples Famine Fund. The Jaipur imperial service transport corps saw service in the Chitral and Tirah campaigns.
The last ruling Maharaja of Jaipur was Sawai Man Singh II (SMS) (1922-1949), his reign spanned the period of utmost turbulence and radical transformation experienced throughout the world, as well as in India as it tumbled its way into modernity. Through his vision of a modernized Jaipur state, it was under his rule that numerous reforms were introduced in order to pave the way for a peaceful unification into the Indian Union for the benefit of his beloved subjects. In 1948, shortly after India''s independence, SMS acceded the state of Jaipur to the Government of India, he then became the first Rajpramukh of Rajasthan.
Sawai Man Singh II passed away in 1970 while playing Polo in England, he was succeeded by his eldest son, Sawai Bhawani Singh of Jaipur, whom in Democratic India reigns as current head of the Kachhawas.
Published: October 14, 2007
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