Pratap Singh of Idar
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-General Maharaja Sri Pratap Singh Sahib Bahadur of Idar, GCB, GCSI, GCVO, KIH
(22 October 1845-4 September 1922) was a career British Indian Army
officer, Maharaja of the princely state
of Idar
(Gujarat) and heir to Ahmednagar (Now Himmatnagar) from 1902 to 1911, when he abdicated in favor of his adopted son.
was born on 22 October 1845. He was the third son of His Highness Maharaja Sir Takht Singh of Jodhpur
(1819-13 February 1873) the Maharaja of Jodhpur, and his first wife, Maharani Gulab Kunwarji Maji Sahiba. He was educated privately, and little is known of his early life.
to Edward VII from 1887 to 1910. He was especially close towards his son, the future George V of the United Kingdom
.
in 1898 under General William Lockhart
, during which he was wounded. Promoted to Colonel
the same year, he commanded the Jodhpur contingent during the Boxer Rebellion
and was promoted to Major-General in 1902. In 1903, he was made honorary commandant of the Imperial Cadet Corps under Lord Curzon. Even as an elderly man of 70, Sir Pratap commanded his regiments heroically during the First World War in France
and Flanders
from 1914-1915 and in the Palestine Mandate at Haifa
and Aleppo
. He was promoted to Lieutenant-General in 1916.
of Idar in favor of his adopted son, Daulat Singh
. Following his wartime service and a final stint as Regent of Jodhpur, Sir Pratap Singh died at Jodhpur on 4 September 1922, one month shy of 77.
Kaiser-i-Hind
The Kaisar-i-Hind was a medal awarded by the British monarch between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj....
(22 October 1845-4 September 1922) was a career British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
officer, Maharaja of the princely state
Princely state
A Princely State was a nominally sovereign entitity of British rule in India that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule such as suzerainty or paramountcy.-British relationship with the Princely States:India under the British Raj ...
of Idar
Idar (princely state)
Idar State or Edar, was a native state of India, which formed part of the Mahi Kantha agency, within the Gujarat Division of Bombay. It has an area of 1669 m²., and a population of 168,557, showing a decrease of 44% in the decade as the result of famine. Estimated gross revenue, £29,000; tribute...
(Gujarat) and heir to Ahmednagar (Now Himmatnagar) from 1902 to 1911, when he abdicated in favor of his adopted son.
Early Life 1845-1878
The prince who would become a great warrior of the British EmpireBritish Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
was born on 22 October 1845. He was the third son of His Highness Maharaja Sir Takht Singh of Jodhpur
Takht Singh of Jodhpur
Takht Singh's titular name was Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Shri Takhtsinhji Karansinhji Sahib Bahadur .He was first the regent and the final Maharaja of Ahmednagar 1841–1843 as a result of an agreement with the British.Once he ceded Ahmednagar to Idar, he was recognized as Maharaja of Jodhpur...
(1819-13 February 1873) the Maharaja of Jodhpur, and his first wife, Maharani Gulab Kunwarji Maji Sahiba. He was educated privately, and little is known of his early life.
Administrator and Regent 1878-1922
From 1878 to 1895, Pratap Singh served as Chief Minister for Jodhpur following his father's death in 1873 and his eldest brother's succession to the throne. After his brother's death in 1895, Pratap Singh (by now Sir Pratap Singh) served as regent for his fifteen-year-old nephew and heir to the Jodhpur gadi until 1898, then again for his grandnephew from 1911 to 1918 and finally for his second grandnephew from 1918 until his own death in 1922. In total, Pratap Singh had served four rulers of Jodhpur for over four decades. He travelled to Europe often and was close to Queen Victoria and her family, serving as aide-de-campAide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to Edward VII from 1887 to 1910. He was especially close towards his son, the future George V of the United Kingdom
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
.
Soldier of the Empire 1878-1918
Commissioned in the Jodhpur Risalda in 1878, Pratap Singh served during the Second Afghan War and was Mentioned in Despatches. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1887, served under General Ellis in 1897 and served in the Tirah CampaignTirah Campaign
The Tirah Campaign, often referred to in contemporary British accounts as the Tirah Expedition, was an Indian frontier war in 1897–98. Tirah is a mountainous tract of country.-Rebellion:...
in 1898 under General William Lockhart
William Lockhart
William Lockhart was an English Roman Catholic priest; the first of the Tractarian Movement to convert to Roman Catholicism.-Early life:...
, during which he was wounded. Promoted to Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
the same year, he commanded the Jodhpur contingent during the Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
and was promoted to Major-General in 1902. In 1903, he was made honorary commandant of the Imperial Cadet Corps under Lord Curzon. Even as an elderly man of 70, Sir Pratap commanded his regiments heroically during the First World War in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
from 1914-1915 and in the Palestine Mandate at Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
and Aleppo
Aleppo
Aleppo is the largest city in Syria and the capital of Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Syrian governorate. With an official population of 2,301,570 , expanding to over 2.5 million in the metropolitan area, it is also one of the largest cities in the Levant...
. He was promoted to Lieutenant-General in 1916.
Final Years 1911-1922
In 1911, Sir Pratap had abdicated the gadiGadi
The House of Gadi was a dynasty of kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The dynasty is also called the House of Menahem, after its founder. The dynasty lasted for only twelve years and ruled from the then capital of Israel, Samaria. The dynasty is so named because Menahem was the son of Gadi...
of Idar in favor of his adopted son, Daulat Singh
Daulat Singh
Daulat Singh was the Maharaja of Idar, India, from 1911 to 1931.Daulat Singh was the son of Maharaj Bhupal Singh of Jodhpur and was adopted by his uncle, Maharaja Pratap Singh of Idar, who abdicated in his favour in 1911...
. Following his wartime service and a final stint as Regent of Jodhpur, Sir Pratap Singh died at Jodhpur on 4 September 1922, one month shy of 77.
Honors 1877-1922
- Kaisar-i-HindKaisar-i-HindThe Kaisar-i-Hind was a medal awarded by the British monarch between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj....
Gold Medal (2nd Class)-1877 - Mentioned in DispatchesMentioned in DispatchesA soldier Mentioned in Despatches is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which is described the soldier's gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.In a number of countries, a soldier's name must be mentioned in...
(MID)-1878 - Afghanistan MedalAfghanistan Medal (United Kingdom)The Afghanistan Medal was awarded for the military actions involving the British Army and local Indian units in Afghanistan between 1878–1880. This was the Second Anglo-Afghan War, the first being from 1839–1842....
-1878 - Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee Medal-1887
- Mentioned in DispatchesMentioned in DispatchesA soldier Mentioned in Despatches is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which is described the soldier's gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.In a number of countries, a soldier's name must be mentioned in...
(MID)-1897 - Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (GCSI)-1897 (KCSI-1886) (CSI-1878)
- India MedalIndia MedalThe India Medal was a campaign medal approved in 1896 for issue to officers and men of the British and Indian armies.The India Medal was awarded for various minor military campaigns in India, chiefly for service on the North-West Frontier during 1895 to 1902. This medal replaced the India General...
w/Clasp-1898 - Kaisar-i-HindKaisar-i-HindThe Kaisar-i-Hind was a medal awarded by the British monarch between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj....
1st Class (KIH)-1900 - China War MedalChina War Medal (1900)The China War Medal 1900 was a British campaign medal approved in 1901 for issue to British and Imperial land and sea troops who fought during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900...
-1901 - King Edward VII Coronation MedalKing Edward VII Coronation MedalThe King Edward VII Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal issued in 1902 to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII.-Issue:The medal was only awarded to people who attended the coronation, or participated in the coronation parade...
-1902, with Delhi DurbarDelhi DurbarThe Delhi Durbar , meaning "Court of Delhi", was a mass assembly at Coronation Park, Delhi, India, to mark the coronation of a King and Queen of the United Kingdom. Also known as the Imperial Durbar, it was held three times, in 1877, 1903, and 1911, at the height of the British Empire. The 1911...
Clasp-1903 - King George V Coronation MedalKing George V Coronation MedalThe King George V Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made in 1911 to celebrate the coronation of George V.-Issue:This coronation medal was the first to be issued to people who were not in attendance at the coronation...
-1911, with Delhi Durbar Clasp - Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)-1911
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB)-1918 (KCB-1901) (CB-1898)
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the NileOrder of the NileThe Order of the Nile is Egypt's highest state honor. The award was instituted in 1915 by Sultan Hussein Kamel to be awarded by Egypt for exceptional services to the nation...
of EgyptEgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
-1918 - Grand Officer of the Legion d'HonneurLégion d'honneurThe Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
-1918 - Jodhpur Great War Medal-1919
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of RomaniaOrder of the Star of RomaniaThe Order of the Star of Romania is Romania's highest civil order. It is awarded by the President of Romania...
-1921
Titles
- 1845-1873: Maharajkumar Shri Pratap Singh Sahib
- 1873-1877: Maharaj Shri Pratap Singh Sahib
- 1877-1878: Maharaj Shri Pratap Singh Sahib, KIHKaiser-i-HindThe Kaisar-i-Hind was a medal awarded by the British monarch between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj....
- 1878-1886: Second LieutenantSecond LieutenantSecond lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
Maharaj Shri Pratap Singh Sahib, CSIOrder of the Star of IndiaThe Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
, KIH - 1886-1887: Second Lieutenant Maharaj Shri SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Pratap Singh Sahib, KCSIOrder of the Star of IndiaThe Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
, KIH - 1887-1897: Lieutenant-Colonel Maharaj Shri Sir Pratap Singh Sahib, KCSI, KIH
- 1897-1898: Lieutenant-Colonel Maharaj Shri Sir Pratap Singh Sahib, GCSI, KIH
- 1898-1901: ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Maharaj Shri Sir Pratap Singh Sahib, GCSI, CBOrder of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, KIH - 1901-1902: Colonel Maharaj Shri Sir Pratap Singh Sahib, GCSI, KCB, KIH
- 1902-1911: Major-General His Highness Maharajadhiraja MaharajaMaharajaMahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...
Shri Sir Pratap Singh Sahib Bahadur, GCSI, KCB, KIH - 1911-1916: Major-General His Highness Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Shri Sir Pratap Singh Sahib Bahadur, GCSI, GCVO, KCB, KIH
- 1916-1918: Lieutenant-General His Highness Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Shri Sir Pratap Singh Sahib Bahadur, GCSI, GCVO, KCB, KIH
- 1918-1922: Lieutenant-General His Highness Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Shri Sir Pratap Singh Sahib Bahadur, GCB, GCSI, GCVO, KIH