Udaybhan Singh I of Dholpur

Sir Udai Bhan Singh (; 12 February 1893 – 22 October 1954) was the Maharaj-Rana of Dholpur princely state, located in present-day Dholpur district of Rajasthan, from 1911 until his death in 1954.

Early life and education

Udai Bhan Singh was born on 12 February 1893 in Bamraulia Jat dynasty. He received his education at Mayo College, Ajmer, where he successfully passed the Diploma examination and earned numerous prizes. He took a short course of training at the Imperial Cadet Corps in Dehradun.

Reign He succeeded his elder brother, Ram Singh, as the Maharaj-Rana of Dholpur, following his death on 29 March 1911. The administration of the state was entrusted to G.H. Anderson, who acted as the Superintendent of the State and Guardian to the Maharaj-Rana. He was assisted by selected officials under the general direction of the Political Agent. From 1911 to 1913, Anderson presided over State Council meetings and directed the administration. However, on 1 January 1921, he was granted a salute of 17 guns as a personal distinction. He was a delegate to the Second Round Table Conference in London in 1931 and stayed at the May Fair Hotel. Singh challenged his cousin, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, in the elections for the Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes; however, despite having the support of the British Raj's political departments, including that of the British Residents in the Indian States, he lost to Bhupinder Singh.

On 14 August 1947, he signed the Instrument of Accession and Standstill Agreement, through which he acceded his state to India. Louis Mountbatten, in his capacity as Governor-General of India, accordingly accepted it on 16 August 1947.

Freemason Singh was a Freemason and was installed in 1916 as Master of Holland Lodge No. 3554, Bharatpur, Mumbai, which had been consecrated on 6 January 1912 and was closed in 1927.

Rajpramukh of Matsya Union

When the United States of Matsya (Matsya Union) was formed on 18 March 1948 following the merger of Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Karauli, he was appointed as its Rajpramukh, a position he held from 18 March 1948 until 15 May 1949 when it was merged with Greater Rajasthan to form the United State of Rajasthan.

Mayo College, Ajmer

In 1928, Udai Bhan was a member of the General Council of Mayo College, Ajmer. During the years 1931-1932 and 1942–43, he held the office of President of the General Council of the college. In 1940–41, he served as vice-president.

Chamber of Princes He served as the Pro-Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes.

Hunting On 20 November 1919, during a hunting event where 4,206 birds were killed by 50 guns, 401 of these fell to his gun. On 8 December 1921, during Edward VIII's tour of India, a duck shoot was organized at a reserve in Bharatpur. However, he developed such a profound love for wildlife that he renounced the use of firearms altogether. He had the area around Kaiserbagh Palace in Dholpur made into a sanctuary and implemented numerous improvements in the existing Ram Sagar and Satakarai Sanctuaries. He had a daughter named Urmila Devi, who, in 1943, married Pratap Singh, the Maharaja of Nabha State.

As he had no male heir, following his demise, his widow adopted their daughter's son, Hemant Singh, who succeeded him.

Dholpur House The Dholpur House was constructed in 1920 by Maharaj-Rana Udai bhan Singh. It was built for his transit residence whenever he was at Delhi. Dholpur House is located on Shahjahan Road, near India Gate. It was built in the Art Deco style.

Today, the building serves as the headquarters of the Union Public Service Commission. The UPSC conducts interviews at Dholpur House to recruit candidates for the All India Services and Group A services for the Government of India.

Death He died on 22 October 1954 and was succeeded by his adopted grandson Hemant Singh.

Honours 1911: Delhi Durbar Gold Medal 1 January 1918: Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India 17 March 1922: Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order