| Madho Singh | |
|---|---|
| Rao Raja | |
| Rao Raja of Sikar | |
| Reign | 1886 – 1922 |
| Predecessor | Bhairon Singh |
| Successor | Kalyan Singh |
| Died | 1922 |
| House | Sikar |
| Dynasty | Shekhawat |
| Father |
|
Sir Madho Singh KCIE was the Rao Raja of Sikar from 1886 until his death in 1922.
He was born as the second son of Birad Singh of Deeppura. [1] Since Bhairon Singh, the Rao Raja of Sikar, had no male heir, he adopted him as his son. [1]
He became the Rao Raja of Sikar at the age of six in 1866. [2]
As he was a minor at the time of his succession, Mukand Singh was appointed regent to administer the affairs of the estate. [2] In 1870, when Richard Bourke, the then Viceroy of India, visited Jaipur and a durbar was held to commemorate his visit, Madho attended the durbar as well. [2] In the durbar, he was presented with a khillat. [2] In 1873, he paid a religious visit to Gaya. [2] Later, when Madho grew weary of Mukand Singh's activities, Mukand resigned, and Madho accepted his resignation. [2] He appointed Elahi Bux as his Chief Minister. [2] He attended the Durbar held in 1875 in Jaipur to commemorate the visit of the Earl of Northbrook, the then Viceroy of India. [2] When Edward VII visited Jaipur as Prince of Wales in February 1876, a durbar was held in Jaipur to commemorate the royal visit, and Madho attended it. [2] He accompanied Ram Singh II, his liege lord, to Delhi and attended the Delhi Durbar of 1877 with him. [2] In 1877, Ram Singh II conferred on him the Panchranga, a striped standard of five colors. [2] [3] In the same year, Ram Singh II conferred upon him the Hath-ka-Siropav. [2]
While in Jaipur in 1879, he became aware of Elahi Bux's corruption and mismanagement of state affairs. [4] He consulted Ram Singh II in this regard, and upon his suggestion, sent Elahi Bux to jail. [4] He then appointed Rai Parmanand, his Chief Minister, and Chiman Singh as his assistant. [2] When Pane Singh, the son of his regent Mukund, defied the administration of Sikar, Madho confiscated his jagir. [2] [4] However, he later returned it to him after several years when Pane Singh obliged. [2] [4] While traveling in 1880, he received the news that Ram Singh II was ill. [4] Upon hearing this, he rushed to Jaipur but arrived too late, as the Maharaja had died by then. [4] He then attended the coronation of Madho Singh II. [2] When Madho Singh II abolished the transit duties, he, along with the Raja of Khetri and other Panchpana sardars, raised his voice against this. [2] [4] The Government of India, upon hearing them, directed not to interfere with the long-established usage and rights of these estate holders of the Jaipur State. [2] [4] [5] He was granted the title of Bahadur by Madho Singh II as a personal distinction in 1886. [3] [4] He opened a dispensary at Fatehpur and built Trevor Hospital at Sikar which was opened in 1894. [6] When Madho Singh II visited England in 1902 in connection with the coronation of Edward VII he accompanied him. [7]
During World War I, he contributed approximately 800,000 rupees to various funds and loans. [7] He provided the Indian Army with numerous recruits, as well as horses and camels. [7]
He died in 1922 and was succeeded by Kalyan Singh. [6] [7]
He was made a member of the St John Ambulance Association in 1915. [7] He received a sword of honor from the Government of India on 7 June 1921. [8] He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire by George V in the 1922 New Year Honours. [7] [9]
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