Udai Bhan Singh

Sir Udai Bhan Singh (उदयभान सिंह; 12 February 1893 – 22 October 1954) was the Maharaj-Rana of Dholpur from 1911 until his death in 1954.

Early life and education
Udai Bhan was born on 12 February 1893. He received his education at Mayo College, Ajmer, where he successfully passed the Diploma examination and earned numerous prizes. He secured a prize for an essay on irrigation and a certificate from the Ambulance Society for First Aid to the Wounded. He took a short course of training at the Imperial Cadet Corps at Dehradun.

Family
In June 1911, he married Malvender Kaur, the daughter of Sardar Shamsher Singh of Badrukhan in Jind State. He had a daughter named Urmila Devi, who, in 1943, married Pratap Singh, the Maharaja of Nabha State.

As he had no male heir, following his demise, his widow adopted their daughter's son, Hemant Singh, who succeeded him.

Reign
He succeeded his elder brother, Ram Singh, as the Maharaj-Rana of Dholpur, following his death on 29 March 1911. The administration of the state was entrusted to G.H. Anderson, who acted as the Superintendent of the State and Guardian to the Maharaj-Rana. He was assisted by selected officials under the general direction of the Political Agent. From 1911 to 1913, Anderson presided over State Council meetings and directed the administration. He paid a short visit to Europe, from where he returned in September 1912. He was invested with full ruling powers on the 9 October 1913. His state, Dholpur, enjoyed a permanent salute of 15 guns. However, on 1 January 1921, he was granted a salute of 17 guns as a personal distinction. He was a delegate to the Second Round Table Conference in London in 1931 and stayed at the May Fair Hotel.

On 14 August 1947, he signed the Instrument of Accession and Standstill Agreement, through which he acceded his state to India. Louis Mountbatten, in his capacity as Governor-General of India, accordingly accepted it on 16 August 1947.

Freemason
He was installed in 1916 as Master of the Holland Lodge No. 3554, Bharatpur, Mumbai, which was consecrated on 6 January 1912 and closed in 1927, of which he was elected Master before.

Rajpramukh of Matsya Union
When the United States of Matsya (Matsya Union) was formed on 18 March 1948 following the merger of Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Karauli, he was appointed as its Rajpramukh, a position he held from 18 March 1948 until 15 May 1949 when it was merged with Greater Rajasthan to form the United State of Rajasthan.

Mayo College, Ajmer
In 1928, Udai Bhan was a member of the General Council of Mayo College, Ajmer. During the years 1931-1932 and 1942–43, he held the office of President of the General Council of the college. In 1940–41, he served as vice-president.

Chamber of Princes
He served as the Pro-Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes.

Hunting
On 20 November 1919, during a hunting event where 4,206 birds were killed by 50 guns, 401 of these fell to his gun. On 8 December 1921, during Edward VIII's tour of India, a duck shoot was organized at a reserve in Bharatpur. During this event, the Maharaj-Rana managed to shoot down 210 ducks, the highest individual bag.

According to Conrad Corfield, he was the finest game shot in India. However, he developed such a profound love for wildlife that he renounced the use of firearms altogether. He had the area around Kaiserbagh Palace in Dholpur made into a sanctuary and implemented numerous improvements in the existing Ram Sagar and Satakarai Sanctuaries. These improvements included constructing walls, establishing good roads, and blocking nullahs, among other enhancements.

Military ranks
He was appointed as an Major in the Army on 1 January 1921. Later, on 24 October 1921, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

Death
He died on 22 October 1954 and was succeeded by his adopted grandson Hemant Singh.

Titles and styles
Colonel His Highness Rais-ud-Daula Sipahdar-ul-Mulk Saramad-i-Rajah-i-Hind Maharajadhiraj Sri Sawai Maharaj-Rana Sir Udai Bhan Singh Lokendra Bahadur Diler Jang Jai Deo, Maharaj-Rana of Dholpur, GCIE, KCSI, KCVO.

Honours

 * British Raj:
 * 1911: Delhi Durbar Gold Medal
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom:
 * 1 January 1918: Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India
 * 17 March 1922: Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
 * 1931: Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
 * 1935: King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
 * 1937: King George VI Coronation Medal
 * 🇮🇳 India:
 * 1947: Indian Independence Medal