Bhim Singh of Mewar

Bhim Singh (10 March 1768 – 30 March 1828) was the 26th Maharana (r. 1778–1828) of the Mewar region and the 1st Maharana of the Princely state of Udaipur. He was a son of Maharana Ari Singh II and younger brother of Maharana Hamir Singh II.

Bhim Singh of Mewar
Ruler of Udaipur State
Maharana Bhim Singh
1st Maharana of Udaipur
Reign1818–1828
SuccessorJawan Singh
26th Maharana of Mewar
Reign1778–1818
PredecessorHamir Singh II
Born(1768-03-10)10 March 1768
Died30 March 1828(1828-03-30) (aged 60)
SpouseArsajabde
IssueJawan Singh
FatherAri Singh II
ReligionHinduism
Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar II
(1326–1971)

At ten years of age, Bhim Singh succeeded his brother, Hamir Singh II, who had died at 16 years of age from a wound when a rifle burst in his hand. Hamir Singh II had ruled an unstable state with an empty treasury under a regency by Maharaj Baghsingh and Arjunsingh. Bhim Singh inherited this unstable state, after its unpaid Maratha soldiers had looted Chittor. The soldiers' depredations continued and more territory was lost during Bhim Singh's rule.[1] Bhim Singh had a daughter Krishna Kumari, who died by drinking poison, at the age of 16, to save his dynasty in 1810.[2]

Bhim Singh was a weak ruler in a succession of ineffectual leaders. Mewar had once been considered the strongest Rajput state because of its lengthy resistance to the foreign emperors, but by 13 January 1818, Bhim Singh had to sign a treaty with the British, accepting their protection.[3][4][5]

On the birth of his heir, Bhim Singh along with his nobles visited the Eklingji temple on foot and got an inscription engraved in the temple promulgating orders to abolish certain taxes from Charanas and Brahmins.[6]

On his death in 1828, his four wives and four concubines committed Sati in the traditional manner.[7]

References
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  1. Bhawan Singh Rana, Maharana Pratap, Udaipur, Diamond Pocket Books (2004), pp. 139–140. ISBN 81-288-0825-7
  2. Joshi, Varsha (1995). Polygamy and Purdah: Women and Society Among Rajputs. Rawat Publications. ISBN 978-81-7033-275-6. Krishna Kumari was the daughter of Maharana Bhim Singh of Mewar . She was betrothed to Maharaja Bhim Singh of Jodhpur but he died before the marriage could take place . Her father then wanted her to be married to Maharaja Jagat Singh of Jaipur : this was in 1806. Man Singh , who succeeded Bhim Singh at Jodhpur , expressed his desire to marry her . His argument was that Krishna Kumari was the mang of Jodhpur and therefore she should be betrothed to him . Daulat Rao Scindhia also opposed her marriage to the ruler of Jaipur. Man Singh collected about sixty thousand soldiers at Merta. He compelled the Maharana to call back his representatives going to Jaipur to perform the betrothal ceremony. Scindhia also attacked Udaipur and defeated the Mewar forces. On the other side Jagat Singh attacked Marwar. Krishna Kumari thus became the bone of contention between Jaipur, Jodhpur and Mewar. To avoid future calamities to Mewar and for the establishment of peace in Rajasthan, Krishna Kumari was given poison on 21 July 1810. She took this in order to save Mewar from further troubles .
  3. The Essential Guide, Art Institute of Chicago (2009), p. 14.
  4. Treaties, Engagements and Sanads of Indian States: A Contribution in Indian Jurisprudence, p. 59.
  5. The Law of the Indian Constitution: Being a Legal Interpretation of the Government of India Act, 1935 (26 Geo. V. C. 2) and a Study of the Structure of the Indian Constitution, Before and After the Federation, p. 66.
  6. Sources of Socio-economic History of Rajasthan and Malwa, 1700 C. to 1900 C. A.D. Maharaja Man Singh Pustak Bhandar. 1988.
  7. Gaur, Meena (1989). Sati and Social Reforms in India. Publication Scheme. p. 51. ISBN 978-81-85263-57-1.
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