Giriraj Kaur

Giriraj Kaur was a Maharani of Bharatpur as the wife of Ram Singh. After her husband's deposition in 1900, she was the regent of Bharatpur during the minority of her son Kishan Singh.

Background She was the daughter of the Zamindar of Deoli in Bharatpur and married Ram Singh, the Maharaja of Bharatpur, as his second wife. She had a son with her husband, Kishan Singh, who was born on 4 October 1899 at Moti Mahal, Bharatpur.

Regent of Bharatpur Her husband, Ram Singh, visited Mount Abu in 1900, where he killed one of his private servants. As a consequence, he was deposed by the Government of India on 27 August 1900, and his infant son, Kishan Singh, was installed on the same date on the throne of Bharatpur.

She was granted the Imperial Order of the Crown of India in the 1918 New Year Honours list. She took great interest in the art of her country, particularly in architecture and gardening, and was compared to Nawab Shahjahan, Begum of Bhopal.

Visits to England During her son Kishan Singh's minority, she, along with him, extended visits to England in 1908 and 1910 for the benefit of his health and were presented to George V and Mary of Teck.

After regency On 28 November 1918, Kishan Singh was invested with full ruling powers by Viscount Chelmsford, thereby becoming the de facto ruler of Bharatpur. Kishan Singh wasted so much money that he nearly bankrupted Bharatpur. In 1924 alone, he spent 7.8 million rupees, which was more than twice the State's income.

Delhi Durbars She attended the Delhi Durbars of 1903 and 1911.

Durbar of 1903 She, along with her son, Kishan Singh, then only three years, attended the Delhi Durbar of 1903.

Durbar of 1911 She, along with her son, Kishan Singh, attended the Delhi Durbar of 1911, and at a reception held on 13 December 1911 by Winifred Hardinge, she was presented to Mary of Teck.

World War I During World War I, she placed all the resources of her State at the disposal of the Government of India, including two motor cars and a chauffeur, with all expenses covered, and contributed Rs. 2,000 to the Indian Relief Fund.

Moti Mahal Palace In 1916, she built the Moti Mahal Palace in white sandstone.

Death She died at Lohagarh Fort, Bharatpur on 24 August 1922.

Honours