Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur: Life and Legend

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Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur: Life and legend is the story of how fate catapulted Kanwar Mor Mukutt 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 1993 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 polo stick in my hand, and my boots on.'

On 24 June 1970 at Cirencester England, his dream was fulfilled, plunging world in grief.

From the Back of the Book:

'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 club. Jai would come home in the evening the recount the day's events to Gayatri. She, in turn, would give him 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 Chistmas.'

About the Author:

R.P. Singh is a Jodha Rathore from Arwar (Ajmer). After studying at Sanik School, Chittorgarh, he joined the NDA in 1973, passed out from IMA in 1976 and was commissioned into the Dogra Regiment.

As a Captain (1981-84), he served as an instructor in the Commando School at Belgaun (Karnataka) and as a Major (1987-90), in the IMA, Dehradun. He was awarded the Army Commander's Commendation Card for operations during action in Jammu & Kashmir.

He has written for Army Journals. Since 1992, he has been practicing Law at the High Court in Jaipur.

Kanwar Rajpal Singh was born at Banethi in Torawati, and Educated in Jaipur. As a Journalist, he has covered the history of Rajasthan and created awareness for the conservation of its cultural heritage. His articles have featured in many newspapers and magazines and abroad and in India. He also reports for various radio and TV programmes. He has a keen interest in natural history and photography.