Bijai Singh

Sir Bijai Singh KCIE (also spelled as Bijay Singh or Vijay Singh) was the Maharawal of Dungarpur from 1898 to 1918.

Early life Singh was born on 17 July 1887 to Khuman Singh. While he was five years old, he lost his father, Khuman Singh, and became the heir to the throne of his grandfather, Udai Singh. Shortly afterward, he also lost his mother. He was formally invested with full ruling powers by Colonel F. H. Pinhey, the Agent in Rajputana to the Governor-General of India, on 27 February 1909. He established regular courts of law and constituted the Legislative and Executive Councils in his state. During his reign, World War I broke out, and he contributed men and money to the British Government for the war effort.

He attended the Delhi Durbar in 1903 and 1911.

Personal life He married Devendra Kanwar, the daughter of the Raja of Sailana, on 19 January 1907. They had four sons: Laxman Singh, Virbhadra Singh, Nagendra Singh, and Pradyuman Singh, as well as one daughter, Rama Kumari.

Death He contracted influenza during the 1918–1920 flu pandemic, which later developed into double pneumonia, leading to his death. He died on 15 November 1918 and was succeeded by his son, Laxman Singh, as Maharawal of Dungarpur. He had written a will at the time of his death, stating that the administration of the Dungarpur would be carried out under the guidance of the political agent and a council. During Laxman Singh's minority, which lasted for a decade, Bijai's wife, Devendra Kanwar, played a key role in serving the state's interests, and the political agents frequently sought her advice.

Honours He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire by George V in the 1912 Birthday Honours list.