Maharaja of Jaipur Bhawani Singh is dead

17/04/2011
Jaipur: Brig Sawai Bhawani Singh, the last titular maharaja of Jaipur, passed away at a private hospital in Gurgaon, his family said Sunday. He was 79.
In 1951, Bhawani Singh was commissioned into the Indian Army in the 3rd Cavalry Regiment as a second lieutenant. In 1954, he was selected for the Presidents' Bodyguard. In 1963, he was posted to the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade.
From 1964-1967, he was adjutant at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. In 1967, he volunteered for the new special forces unit and was posted to 10 Para Commando as second-in-command. The following year he became the elite unit's commanding Officer.
In 1970, he helped in training the "Mukti Bahini", the rebel army in Bangladesh against then Pakistani rule.
In 1970, after the death of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, the president of India recognized him as the successor and ruler of Jaipur and a notification was issued for this.
During 1971 India-Pakistan war, he was awarded the second highest wartime gallantry award -- the Mahavir Chakra.
His unit, the 10 Para Commando, also received 10 gallantry awards for their action in the war. He took voluntary retirement in 1974.
When the Indian Army was in action in Sri Lanka in the 1980s, Bhawani Singh went to Sri Lanka at the request of then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi to boost the morale of the soldiers.
For this the president of India bestowed upon him the rank of brigadier for life.
Bhawani Singh was also the first resident high commissioner to Brunei from 1993 to 1997. Source: IANS
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Rajpootana and some great names in Military Leadership

Lt Gen Nathu Singh: Blog Post

RAJPOOTANA AND SOME GREAT NAMES IN MILITARY LEADERSHIP
Thanks very much for this informative mail. I really enjoyed it. Time to my mind, has arrived for us to start researching such legends, and possibly have their life and times included in the DSSC entrance exams, one, and second, into school syllabus, to build a depleting element 'character'.
This recent interest in some personalities so far in the 'shadow zone' is good and in line with the revivalist objectives of IESM. Am sure the days of glory shall return. As in inventions, so in national transition of thought (character ??) I am sure the Defence services will (have to) take the lead.
With Warm Regards,
Col RP Chaturvedi, IESM

Gen Nathu Singh and others
Dear Brigadier Kamboj,
I was pleasantly surprised to see the interest generated in the uniformed community about General Nathu Singh. He was the first 'freedom fighter' in uniform, who dared take on the British. Sadly, he remains almost unknown, in spite of his sterling qualities.

I agree with Yati Panwar. His ACRs (I have copies of some of them, from which extracts have been published in my book) are eye openers. Those days, it was the custom to give a copy of the ACR to the officer. I also have those of Gen RN Batra. Gen Nathu Singh's papers also have a copy of the 'Displeasure' of the Government conveyed to him by the C-in-C, Gen Cariappa. Nathu Singh was then an Army Commander. Kipper and Nathu were both from the Rajput Regiment.

I think MG Kapoor has made a good suggestion. We should make the present generation aware of our leaders about whom almost nothing is known. If you wish, I can circulate what I have written about Prem Bhagat, Gen Sagat Singh, Zoru Bakshi etc. They are all part of my book on leadership.
Regards,
Maj Gen VK Singh (Retd)

Travel and Adventure: Jaipur- Land of Palaces

Dear All,
Views of Capt Deepak Sikand who stayed at Devi Niketan Villa Jaipur are placed below. You may like to stay there whilst at Jaipur.
Regards
Cdr Sharan Ahuja (retd)
Member Core Group IESM

My dear Sharan,
We have just returned from a short holiday at Jaipur. We stayed at Devi Niketan B&B run by Admiral Madhvendra Singh. The arrangements were superb. The Admiral personally interacts with each guest and attends to each detail. What you get is a 5 star comfort at affordable price. True value for money and a great experience. Recommend it to anyone visiting Jaipur.
Capt Deepak Sikand (Retd)

View of Devi Niketan
Devi Niketan
Devi Niketan is a family owned and operated Heritage Hotel which was inaugurated on 22 Feb 08. It stands on a big plot with large, lush green lawns in front and rear of the building. A double storied heritage house, it is part of the 140 acre estate of the former ruling family of Chomu. It was built in the 1930s by Thakur Devi Singhji, the ruler of Chomu, for his sixth son, Lieutenant K Bhagwati Singh. A grateful son named the building after his father. Thus was born “Devi Niketan” which continues to be a prominent landmark in Jaipur.

Adjacent to Devi Niketan is “Govind Niwas”, the residence of Admiral Madhvendra Singh and his wife Kumu, who own and run “Devi Niketan”. Govind Niwas too stands on a big plot with plenty of greenery. Taken together the two properties stand on a two acre estate which gives a feeling of space and tranquility - even though it is surrounded by a bustling city. With twenty five varieties of indigenous trees on campus, it is no wonder that you can still hear the calls of Peacocks, Partridges and Lapwings, as also the cooing of doves on most days – something rare for most Indian cities. In addition you may see or hear many other bird species that frequent the garden.
Devi Niketan