Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Bharatpur was the successor of Nawal Singh, Maharaja of Bharatpur. He ruled over the princely state from the year 1776 to 1805. After the death of Maharaja Jawahar Singh, who ruled from 1763 to 1768, his brother Ratan Singh of Bharatpur succeeded him.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Bharatpur as the Ruler
Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Bharatpur was an extravagant and incapable ruler. After the death of Ratan Singh, maladministration and a civil war took place in the princely state of Bharatpur due to lack of a capable and authoritative ruler. After a conflict between Nawal Singh and Ranjit Singh, the remaining brothers of Jawahar Singh, Nawal Singh ascended the throne and ruled from the year 1771 to 1776. He died in the same year due to ill health and consequently Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Bharatpur succeeded him and ascended the throne of the princely state in 1776. As a result of the various internal dissent and conflicts, the economic condition of Bharatpur deteriorated.
Times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
During this period a conflict arose between the French and the British East India Company for colonising India. Mirza Najaf Khan attacked the princely state of Bharatpur and eventually Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Bharatpur at Hathras. The Maharaja of the state was exiled from Bharatpur and Maharani Kishori was provided with the region of Kumher (Kumbher). After the death of Mirza Najaf Khan, the Mughals attempted to seize the territory of Kumher in defiance of Mirza. During his period of exile, Ranjit Singh united his force and assembled against the Mughals. He attained victory by defeating the Mughals and returned to the princely state of Bharatpur. Other that regaining his own state, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Bharatpur annexed a number of Mughal territory as well.
Diplomacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Bharatpur received support from the Marathas and developed diplomatic relations with the British East India Company. Moreover he seized more territory in order to further strengthen his reign. After the Maharaja of the princely state of Bharatpur acquired adequate supremacy, he terminated his deal with the Marathas. This strained the relations between Jats and Marathas. Singh maintained diplomatic relations with the British administration through out his reign and properly followed the treaty with them.
Death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Bharatpur died in December 1805 and was succeeded by Randhir Singh, the eldest of four sons, who ascended the throne as the Maharaja of Bharatpur.
