Swarup Singh

Swarup Singh was a Sikh ruler or Maharaja of the princely state of Jind. He reigned over the territory from the year 1834 to 1864. He was renowned and reputed for his valour and courage as a warrior. Singh was born on 30th May 1812 at Bazidpur and belonged to the Phulkian dynasty. He was the only son of Sardar Karam Singh, who was himself the son of Rajkumar Bhup Singh and the nephew of Raja Bagh Singh of Jind. Swarup Singh was a close relative of Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha through his father. Swarup Singh succeeded his father Karam Singh after his death in the year 1818 and ascended the royal throne or gadi as the Sardar of Bazidpur.

Rule of Swarup Singh
After the death of Raja Sangat Singh in the year 1834, the British East India Company (the then Government of India) selected Swarup Singh as the next Maharaja. Sangat Singh brought the state to financial disintegrate after an extended repressive and profligate reign that spanned over 12 years. Singh fought and supported the British during the Anglo Sikh War. He was much honoured by the British administration fro his efforts. During the Great Revolt of 1857, he sent his forces to battle against the rebels and himself participated and fought in several major battles. He implemented his troops to defend the British cantonment at Karnal; later served at Alipur and at the Battle of Badliki Serai.

Maharaja Swarup Singh fought along with the British Indian Army in the siege of Delhi. As a result of this, he received the Indian Mutiny Medal and was mentioned in despatches in the year 1858. In the same year, he was bestowed with various styles and titles of honour from the British East India Company. In the year 1860, Swarup Singh was granted a personal gun salute of 11 guns, an additional title, 14 villages and the properties of Shahzada Mirza Abu Baqar, the Mughal prince, at Delhi. Swarup Singh was a valiant warrior as well as a compassionate ruler, who issued numerous strict decrees that outlawed slavery, infanticide and the practice of Sati. In the year 1863, the Maharaja of Jind was appointed a Knight Companion of the Order of the Star of India.

Personal Life of Swarup Singh
Maharaja Swarup Singh of the princely state of Jind was married twice. First he was married to an unknown princess and second to Rani Sri Nand Kaur Sahiba. The royal couple had two sons, namely Tikka Sri Randhir Singh Sahib Bahadur and Sri Tikka Sahib Raghubir Singh. Swarup Singh died after a reign of 30 years, on 26th January 1864 at the age of 51. He was suffering from acute dysentery.

He was succeeded by Raghubir Singh, his only surviving son, who ascended the throne of Jind as the next ruler.

Titles of Swarup Singh
Maharaja Swarup Singh held many titles and styles during his reign over the princely state of Jind. These are mentioned below-
* Kunwar Sri Swarup Singh (1812- 1818)
* Sardar Sri Swarup Singh (1818- 1834)
* Raja Sri Swarup Singh, Raja of Jind (1834- 1858)
* His Highness Farzand-i-Dilband, Rasikh-ul-Itiqad, Raja Sri Swarup Singh Bahadur, Raja of Jind (1858- 1860)
* His Highness Farzand-i-Dilband, Rasikh-ul-Itiqad-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Raja Sri Swarup Singh Bahadur, Raja of Jind (1860- 1863)
* His Highness Farzand-i-Dilband, Rasikh-ul-Itiqad-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Raja Sri Sir Swarup Singh Bahadur, Raja of Jind, KSI (1863- 1864)

Honours of Swarup Singh
Swarup Singh was honoured many times, such as-
* Mentioned in Despatches (1858)
* Indian Mutiny Medal (1858)
* Knight Companion of the Order of the Star of India- KSI (1863)