Bhagwant Singh

Bhagwant Singh (also spelled Bhagwat Singh) (1823 – 7 February 1873) was the Maharaj-Rana of Dholpur from 1836 until his death in 1873.

Biography
He succeeded his father Kirat Singh as the Maharaj-Rana of Dholpur in 1836. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, he demonstrated loyal attachment to the East India Company. He rendered assistance to the fugitives from Gwalior in 1857. For his valuable service, he received the insignia of KCSI and was later made GCSI in 1869.

In 1860, Scindia consented to the construction of a bridge over the Chambal, facilitated by the British Government, as part of the trunk road development on the river's right bank. Maharaj-Rana also agreed to this arrangement, with the understanding that the construction costs would be shared equally between the two states, they would equally benefit from the net profits, and in case of the bridge's failure, the ferry at Raj ghat would return to Dholpur, while Scindia would retain the ferry at Khantri.

In 1862, he was guaranteed the right of adoption.

He married Rajauria Maharani Sahiba, the daughter of the Rao of Rajaunia, a scion of the Karauli family and a leading figure in Dholpur. They had a son, Kulendra Singh, who passed away in 1873. He further married a Muslim dancer named Gajra at his Durbar, and with her, he had an issue: a son named Nawab Khwaja Muhammad Khan.

Gajra ka Maqbara
The significant project of his era was Gajra ka Maqbara, a mausoleum in Dholpur designed for his beloved Gajra a Muslim lady whom he married. It was modeled after the famous Taj Mahal of Agra. However, he did not live to see its completion.

Death
He died on 9 February 1873 and was succeeded by his grandson Nihal Singh as the Maharaj-Rana.

Titles and Styles
His Highness Rais-ud-Daula Sipahdar-ul-Mulk Saramad-i-Rajah-i-Hind Maharajadhiraj Sri Sawai Maharaj-Rana Sir Bhagwant Singh Lokendra Bahadur Diler Jang Jai Deo, Maharaj-Rana of Dholpur, GCSI.

Honours

 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 2 June 1869: Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India