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Pratap Singh Nabha

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For other people named Pratap Singh, see Pratap Singh.

Sir Pratap Singh Nabha, KCSI
Maharaja of Nabha
Photograph of Pratap Singh of Nabha seated on a chair
Maharaja of Nabha
Reign1928–1995
PredecessorRipudaman Singh
SuccessorPosition and titles abolished
Born(1919-09-21)21 September 1919
Nabha State, Punjab Province, British India
Died22 July 1995(1995-07-22) (aged 75)
New Delhi, Delhi, India
SpouseUrmila Devi
IssueHanuwant Singh
Hemant Singh
Himmat Singh
Sneh Lata Kaur
DynastyPhulkian
FatherRipudaman Singh
MotherSarojini Devi

Sir Pratap Singh Nabha, KCSI (21 September 1919 – 22 July 1995) was the last ruling Maharaja of Nabha and a member of the Phulkian dynasty.[1] After India's independence in 1947, Singh acceded to India and the state of Nabha was merged into the Patiala and East Punjab States Union, a then newly formed state, in 1948.[2][3]

Early life and education

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Pratap Singh was born in Nabha State on 21 September 1919 and he was the eldest son and heir of Maharaja Ripudaman Singh.[3] He was also a member of the Phulkian dynasty.[1] His father, Ripudaman, was deposed by the British Raj in 1928 for sedition.[4] Singh became the Maharaja and Nabha State was placed under minority administration.[3][4] Singh began his schooling at the Anglo-Indian school, Woodstock, in Mussoorie.[3] He was educated at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and at Badingham College in Surrey.[citation needed]

Reign

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Singh assumed ruling powers in 1938.[3] He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KSCI).[5]

Later life

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Singh acceded to India after India's independence in 1947, and in 1948, Nabha was merged into the then newly formed state of Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU).[3] Singh had a career in the military and eventually reached the rank of Colonel.[5] After India's independence, he served as aide-de-camp to the President of India, as well as the Colonel of the Sikh Regiment.[5]

Singh was the President of the Wildlife Preservation Society of India and also assisted in the growth of the Vintage Automobile Association of India.[6][7] He and the other princely families were stripped of their ranks and titles by Indira Gandhi's government in 1971 through the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of India.[8] Singh died in New Delhi on 22 July 1995.[1]

Family

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On 25 April 1944, Singh married Urmila Devi (1924–1997), the daughter of Maharaj-Rana Udai Bhan Singh of Dholpur.[9] The couple had one daughter and three sons:

  • 1. Sneh Lata Kaur (1947-). Married the Maharaja of Orchha in 1971 and has one son and three daughters.
  • 2. Hanuwant Singh[10] (5 December 1948-).
  • 3. Hemant Singh (1951-). He was as adopted his maternal grandfather, Udai Bhan Singh, and succeeded him as Maharaj-Rana of Dholpur.[11]
  • 4. Himmat Singh (1952-). Married a Nepalese princess in 1976 and has a son and daughter. The son was named Kunwar Bhanu Pratap Singh, who married Rani Preeti Singh (daughter of Chandroday Singh Parihar) and has son named Kunwar Abhiudaypratap Singh.[citation needed]

Titles

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  • 1919-1928: Shri Tikka Sahib Pratap Singh
  • 1928-1941: His Highness Farzand-i-Arjumand, Aqidat-Paiwand-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Barar Bans Sarmur, Raja-i-Rajagan, Maharaja Shri Pratap Singh Malvendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Nabha
  • 1941-1944: Lieutenant His Highness Farzand-i-Arjumand, Aqidat-Paiwand-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Barar Bans Sarmur, Raja-i-Rajagan, Maharaja Shri Pratap Singh Malvendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Nabha
  • 1944-1945: Captain His Highness Farzand-i-Arjumand, Aqidat-Paiwand-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Barar Bans Sarmur, Raja-i-Rajagan, Maharaja Shri Pratap Singh Malvendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Nabha
  • 1945-1 January 1946: Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Farzand-i-Arjumand, Aqidat-Paiwand-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Barar Bans Sarmur, Raja-i-Rajagan, Maharaja Shri Pratap Singh Malvendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Nabha
  • 1 January-15 October 1946: Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Farzand-i-Arjumand, Aqidat-Paiwand-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Barar Bans Sarmur, Raja-i-Rajagan, Maharaja Shri Sir Pratap Singh Malvendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Nabha, KCSI
  • 15 October 1946 – 1995: Colonel His Highness Farzand-i-Arjumand, Aqidat-Paiwand-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Barar Bans Sarmur, Raja-i-Rajagan, Maharaja Shri Sir Pratap Singh Malvendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Nabha, KCSI

Honours

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(ribbon bar, as it would look today)

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Nabha royal family scion Hanuwant Singh dies at 65". Hindustan Times. 2 July 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Pratap Singh, Maharaja". The Sikh Encyclopaedia. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Singh, Ranjit (2008). Sikh Achievers. New Delhi: Hemkunt Press. pp. 108–109. ISBN 978-81-7010-365-3.
  4. ^ a b Singh, Surjit (11 January 2022). "Century on, SGPC republishes book on maharaja of Nabha". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  5. ^ a b c Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage, and Companionage. Surrey: Kelly's Directories. 1973. p. 2309.
  6. ^ "Tenth General Assembly: Volume II - Proceedings and Summary of Business" (PDF). IUCN. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural. 1970. p. 199.
  7. ^ Singh, Kuldip (3 August 1995). "Obituary: The Maharaja of Nabha". The Independent. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  8. ^ Moraesnew, Dom (14 February 1971). "The Indian Prime Minister prepares for an election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  9. ^ Saili, Ganesh (4 March 2023). "The namesakes of history". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  10. ^ Sharma, Amaninder Pal (31 October 2013). "Accused manipulated facts to grab Hira Mahal by showing 'mud house' in sale deed". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  11. ^ "Dholpur Palace row: Government continues to back Vasundhara Raje". India Today. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
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