1943 - 1950 Lieutenant-General H.H. Sri Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Narendra Maharaja Shiromani Sir Sadul Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, GCSI (1.1.1948), GCIE (1.1.1946), CVO (17.3.1922), Assoc. KStJ (22.11.1945). b. at Junagarh, Bikaner, 7th September 1902, eldest surviving son of General H.H. Sri Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Narendra Maharaja Shiromani Sir Ganga Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GBE, KCB, KIH, by his first wife, H.H. Maharani Ranawatiji Sri Vallabh Kunwarji Sahib, educ. Mayo Coll, Ajmer. Attended the Coronation of the King-Emperor George V and Queen-Empress Mary at Westminster Abbey in London 1911, Page-of-Honour to the King-Emperor at the Delhi Durbar 1911, Attended the Paris Peace Conference 1919, League of Nations at Geneva 1924, Chief Minister and Presdt State Council 9/9/1920-1925. Succeeded on the death of his father, 2nd February 1943. Ascended the gadi at the Karan Mahal, Junagarh, Bikaner, 13th February 1943. Signed the instrument of accession to the Dominion of India 7th August 1947. Merged his state into the United State of Greater Rajasthan on 30th March 1949. Founded the Vikram Badge (later the Order of the Vikram Star) 2nd February 1944, and the Order of the Sadul Star in November 1947. Cmsnd as Hon Lieut 7/8/1918, prom Hon Capt 1/1/1921, Hon ADC to the Prince of Wales during his Indian tour 1921-1922, Hon Lieut-Col 10/9/1943, served in WW2 in the Middle East and Persia 1943 and Burma 1944, prom Hon Maj-Gen 15/8/1945, and Hon Lieut-Gen IA 11/10/1946, Col 2nd Royal Lancers (Gardner's Horse), IA 14/12/1946-1950, Col-in-Chief Sadul Light Infantry, 13/2/1943 (Hon Capt 21/9/1917), and Col-in-Chief Ganga Risala (Bikaner Camel Corps), 13/2/1943. Vice-Patron Bombay Natural History Soc. Hon Life Mbr American Museum of Natural History (New York), and Soc for the Preservation of the Fauna of the Empire. Mbr Cricket Club of India, Willingdon Sports (Bombay), and Rajputana (Mount Abu) Clubs, etc. Rcvd: the Badge of Honour 1st class (30.10.1937), Delhi Durbar (1911), Prince of Wales's Visit Medal (1922), Silver Jubilee (1935), Coron (1937), 1939/45 and Burma stars, British War & India Service medals (1945), Sadul Singh Golden Jubilee (1937), Bikaner Accession (1943), and Indian Independence (1947) medals. m. at Rewa, 18th April 1922, as his only wife, H.H. Baghelji Maharani Sri Sudarshan Prasad Kumariji Sahiba (b. at Rewa, 5th September 1906; d. at Lallgarh Palace, Bikaner, 19th December 1971), rcvd: GC of the Order of the Star of Honour (30.10.1937), Sadul Singh Golden Jubilee (1937), and Accession (1943) medals, eldest daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel H.H. Samrajya Bandhvesh Sri Maharaja Sir Venkatesh Raman Ramnjau Prasad Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Rewa, GCSI, by his second wife, H.H. Samrajya Bandhvesh Sri Rathorin Maharani Sahiba, eldest daughter of H.H. Raja Shri Sir Ranjit Singh Sahib Bahadur, Raja of Ratlam, KCIE. He d. at London, 25th September 1950, having had issue, two sons and one daughter:
2) Lieutenant-Colonel Maharaj Sri Amar Singhji Bahadur [A.S. Rathore], of Chhatargarh. b. at Sadul Niwas, Lallgarh Palace, Bikaner, 11th December 1925, educ. Mayo Coll, Ajmer and St Stephen's Coll, Delhi Univ. Adopted into the family of his paternal uncle, Captain Maharaj Sri Bijey Singhji Bahadur, and succeeded to his estates, 31st August 1933. Cmsnd as 2nd-Lieut, Bikaner State Forces 1937, prom Hon Capt Dungar Lancers 3/12/1943, served in WW2 in the Middle East and Burma 1943-1945 (rcvd: 39/45 and Africa stars, Defence, War and IGS medals), prom Lieut-Col 1948. Rcvd: GC of the Order of the Star of Honour (30.10.1937), Silver Jubilee (1935), Coron (1937), Ganga Singhji Golden Jubilee (1937), and Sadul Singhji Accession (1943) medals. m. at Jamnagar, 11th March 1944, Rani Ba Sri Manhar Kunwarba Sahiba, daughter of Raj Rana Sri Bhupatsinhji Sajjansinhji Sahib, of Dhrangadhra, by his wife, the younger daughter of Maharaj Shri Jawansinhji Jivansinhji Sahib, of Nawanagar. He d. 16th June 2007, having had issue, two sons and two daughters:
a) a) Maharaj Sri Chandra Shekhar Singhji, of Chhatargarh. b. 1948. m. Rani Sri Anasuya Devi Sahiba, from Bansda. He had issue, one son and one daughter:
i) Bhanwar Sri Ravi Raj Singhji, who succeeded as H.H. Sri Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Narendra Maharaja Shiromani Ravi Raj Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner -
see below.
i) Rajkumari Hemangini Kumari Baisa [Hema Singh] [Hemangini S Rathore]. b. 1974. Textile designer and artist, consultant in fine handcrafted textiles. Styled Yuvrani Sahiba of Gondal until 2003. m. (first) (div. 2003) H.H. Maharaja Thakore Shri Himanshukumarsinhji Sahib, Maharaja Thakore Sahib of Gondal (b. 30th December 1966), only son of H.H. Maharaja Thakore Shri Jyotendrasinhji Sahib, Maharaja Thakore Sahib of Gondal, by his wife, H.H. Maharani Shri Kumudkumari Sahiba, daughter of Raol Shri Dharmendrakumarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib, of Bhavnagar. She had issue, an only son by her first husband - see India (Gondal). m. (second) 28th May 2003, Kumar Shri Ajayveersinh Ghanshyamsinhji [Ajayveer Sinh G Chapotkat] (b. 30th September 1958), settled in Nanuet, New York, USA, sometime Presdt India Cultural Soc of Rockland, and Arts From India, former husband of Bai Shri Mandakinikumariba Sahib [Mandakini K Chapotkat], of Cutch, and only son of Rajkumar Shri Ghanshyamsinhji Takhatsinhji, of Mansa - see India Non-Salute (Mansa).
b) Rajkumar Rajeshkumar Singh. b. 1959. He has issue, one daughter:
b) Rajkumari Shalina Kumari Sahib [Thakorani Sahiba of Muli]. m. Thakore Shri Jitendrasinhji Dharmendrasinhji Sahib, Thakore Sahib of Muli (b. 17th September 1945), son of Thakore Shri Dharmendrasinhji Harischandrasinhji Sahib, Thakore Sahib of Muliby his wife, Thakurani Shri Shri Rajendra Kanwarji Sahiba, eldest daughter of H.H. Rai-i-Rayan, Mahimahendra, Maharajadhiraj Maharawal Shri Sir Lakshman Singhji Sahib Bahadur, Maharawal of Dungarpur, GCIE, KCSl. She had issue, two sons - see India Non-Salute (Muli).
1) Maharajkumari Sri Sushil Kanwarji Sahib [H.H. the Rathorji Maharani of Udaipur]. b. at Sadul Niwas, Lallgarh Palace, Bikaner, April 1923. Rcvd: the Bikaner Badge of Honour 1st class (22.10.1939), Ganga Singhji Golden Jubilee (1937), and Sadul Singhji Accession (1943) medals. m. at the Har Mandir, Junagarh, Bikaner, 29th February 1940, as his first wife, Colonel H.H. 108 Sri Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar Ravi Kula Bushana-Mahi Mahindra Yavadarya Kula Kamaldhivakara Chattis Rajkul Singar Maharana Shri Bhagwant Singh Bahadur, Hindua Suraj, Hindupati, Maharana of Udaipur (b. at Shivrati, 20th June 1921; d. at Udaipur, 3rd November 1984), eldest son of Maharaj Shri Partab Singh, of Bhopalgarh, by his wife, Rani Shri Virad Kanwar Sahiba, and adopted son and successor of Major-General H.H. 108 Sri Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar Ravi Kula Bushana-Mahi Mahindra Yavadarya Kula Kamaldhivakara Chattis Rajkul Singar Maharana Shri Sir Bhupal Singh Bahadur, Hindua Suraj, Hindupati, Maharana of Udaipur, GCSI, KCIE. She d. at Udaipur, 5th November 1999, having had issue, two sons and one daughter - see India (Udaipur).
1950 - [1988] Colonel H.H. Sri Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Narendra Maharaja Shiromani Karni Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner. b. at Sadul Niwas, Lallgarh Palace, Bikaner, 21st April 1924, elder son of Lieutenant-General H.H. Sri Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Narendra Maharaja Shiromani Sir Sadul Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner, GCSI, GCIE, CVO, KStJ, by his wife, H.H. Baghelji Maharani Sri Sudarshan Prasad Kumariji Sahiba, educ. St Stephen's Coll, Delhi Univ (BA, MA), and St Xavier's Coll, Bombay Univ (PhD). Served in WW2. Succeeded on the death of his father, 25th September 1950. Ascended the gadi at the Karan Mahal, Junagarh, Bikaner, 7th October 1950 (recognised by the GOI 18th October 1950). Colonel-in-Chief Ganga Risala (Bikaner Camel Corps) and the Sadul Light Infantry 1950-1954. MP (Lok Sabha) for Bikaner 1952-1977. The GOI amended the Indian Constitution to remove his position as a "ruler" and his right to receive privy-purse payments, 28th December 1971. Author of "The Relations of the House of Bikaner with the Central Powers, 1465-1949" (1974), "From Rome to Moscow: The memoirs of an Olympic trap shooter" (1982), etc. Hon Life Vice-Presdt Clay Pigeon Shooting Assoc. Vice-Patron Delhi Flying Club, and National Rifle Assoc of India. Mbr Asiatic Soc of India, Bombay Natural History Soc, Western India AA Assoc (Bombay), Cricket Club of India, Willingdon Sports, Bombay Flying, Bombay Presidency Golf, Delhi Golf, National Sports Clubs of India, Royal Wimbledon Golf Club, National Rifle Assoc of America, etc. Rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Vikram Star (2.2.1948), and Star of Honour (as Badge of Honour class I 30.10.1937), 39/45 and Africa stars, British War, India Service (1945), Silver Jubilee (1935), Coron (1937), Ganga Singhji Golden Jubilee Medal in gold (1937), and Sadul Singhji Accession Medal I (1944), and Indian Independence Medal (1948), and the Arjuna Award (1962). m. at the Old Palace, Dungarpur, 25th February 1944, H.H. Sisodiji Maharani Sri Sushila Kanwarji Sahiba (b. at Udai Vilas, Dungarpur, 25th July 1929; d. at Lalgargh Palace, Bikaner, 11th March 2023), rcvd: GC of the Order of the Star of Honour (2.2.1948), and Sadul Singhji Accession Medal II (1948) of Bikaner, Dungarpur State Silver Jubilee Medal (1943), second daughter of H.H. Rai-i-Rayan, Mahimahendra, Maharajadhiraj Ravi Kula Bhushan Sri Sri 108 Maharawal Shri Sir Lakshman Singhji Sahib Bahadur, Maharawal of Dungarpur, GCIE, KCSl, by his first wife, H.H. Biswanji Maharani Shri Brijraj Kunwari Ba Sahiba, daughter of Kunwar Mahendra Bikram Singh Deo, of Bhinga, in the Bahraich district of UP. He d. at Bikaner House, New Delhi, 4th September 1988, having had issue, one son and two daughters:
1) H.H. Sri Raj Rajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Narendra Maharaja Shiromani Narendra Singh Bahadur, Maharaja of Bikaner (s/o Sushila Kanwarji) - see below.
1) Maharajkumari Sri Rajyashree Kumari Sahiba [Rajyashree Kumari Bikaner]. b. at Bombay, 4th June 1953 (d/o Sushila Kanwarji), educ. Jesus & Mary Convent, and Lady Sri Ram Coll, New Delhi. A sportswoman of considerable celebrity. Capt Bikaner Thunderbolts Rifle Club. Chair Maharaja Ganga Singhji Trust, the Maharaja Dr Karni Singh Memorial Fdn since 1999, and the Hotel Lallgarh Palace. Mbr Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH), etc. Rcvd: Arjuna Award (1969). m. 19th February 1973 (div. June 1996), Mayurdhwajasinh Jayvantsinh Gohel (b. 19th January 1949), media commentator and expert on terrorism, Sec the Next Asia Foundation (South Asia Section) 1998, Dir & CEO Asia-Pacific Foundation, Assoc Fellow RUSI, Mbr Univ of Paris II International Scientific Advisory Brd, UN Terrorism Branch Roster of Experts, etc, son of Sir Jayvantsinhji Kayaji Gohel, CBE, sometime Diwan of Morvi state, Dir the Meghraj Group, and Chair. Anglo-Asian Conservative Assoc. in the UK, by his wife, Sajjankunver. She had issue, one son and a daughter.
4) Maharajkumari Sri Madhulika Kumari Sahiba. b. at Karni Niwas, Lallgarh Palace, Bikaner, 9th August 1956 (d/o Sushila Kanwarji), educ. Jesus & Mary Convent, Delhi. m. at Lallgarh Palace, Bikaner, 10th December 1974, Yuvraj Sri Rajvirsinhji Sahib, son of Thakore Shri Bhupendrasinhji Harischandrasinhji Sahib, Thakore Sahib of Malia, by his wife, Thakurani Dilhar Kumari Sahib, eldest daughter of Raja Shrimant Mahendra Singh Ju Deo Bahadur, Raja of Nagod. She had issue, one son - see India Non-Salute (Malia).
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