Barwani (Princely State)

Information

Dynasty	Sisodia
State	Madhya Pradesh
Capital	Barwani
Gun Salutes	11
Agency	Central India Agency
Accession	15^th June 1948
Revenue	₹ 400,000
Area	3,051.02 km²
Population	176,666 (1941)
Privy Purse	₹145,000
Religion	Hinduism
Hindi Name	बरवानी
Also known as	30^th Mar, 2021

Present Head/Ruler

HH Maharana Sahib MANVENDRA SINGHJI Bahadur, 58^th Maharana of Barwani since 15^th September 2007. (Barwani House, 12 Old Palasia, Indore 452018, Madhya Pradesh, India). Born 21^st August 1952, educated at Daly College, Indore (H.Sc., 1970), Jim Russell’s International Racing Drivers School, Canada (Graduate in Formula Ford racing, 1971), Christian College, Indore (B.A., 1973), Northwood University, U.S.A. (Auto Marjeting Degree, 1976), McPherson College, U.S.A. (Inter-Term Auto Restoration, 1991), awarded Northwood University’s ‘Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award‘ in 1991; with a keen interest in automobiles from an early age, he has been able to successfully meld his passionate hobby with work and started India’s first vintage and classic car restoration workshop in 1978 Â ‘Classic Cars Indore’. Today he is well known in his field and respected as an authority on vintage and classic cars in India. For this he has featured on numerous television programs on Doordarshan, BBC, CNBC, Sahara, Star TV and even MTV. He has staged India’s first Custom Car Show in Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi in 1979 – this was sponsored by Asian Paints Ltd., India. He has restored more than 100 Vintage and Classic cars that include Rolls Royces, Bentleys, Hispano Suiza, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz etc. Works include entire re-construction of original bodies on major marques such as Rolls Royce, as well as re-bodying into tourers, sport tourers, boat-tail skiffs etc. and building complete replicas. Cars restored have consistently won prizes in club events and rallies. Built the first Indian limousines based on Hindusthan Motors Ltd’s Contessa Classic and the Ambassador car. Designed and built the Stainless Steel Mahindra Quadro Show Car for Auto Expo 2000. Designed and built the new generation of Ambassador for Hindustan Motors. Researched and contributed articles for automobile magazines such as Autocar India and Auto India. Was on the editorial board of Autocar India as Contributor – Classic and Vintage Features. Life member of the Auburn/ Cord/ Duesenberg Club of America and has researched these cars for the club. Member of ‘The Society of Automotive Historians‘. Researched the history of Chevrolet for General Motors India, which was published in Autocar Magazine. Researched the history of Ford Motor Company India, which was published for their centenary celebrations. Researched and contributed articles to International Club magazines such as the Hispano-Suiza Society Newsletter, Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club. Judged numerous major Vintage and Classic Cars events in India. Was scrutinizer for international Rallies passing through India. On the judging panel of the prestigious annual CNBC-Autocar ‘Car-of-the-Year Awards’. Released the first book on the automotive history of India titled ‘Automobiles of the Maharajas‘ in co-authorship with Ms. Sharada Dwivedi. The book covers the influence of the Maharajas in the adoption of motorized transportation in India. It details the vast collections of the Rulers, which includes some rare marques. The material, for the book comes from the vast personal library and decades of detailed research of HH the Maharana Sahib. He maintains a personal automotive library which includes Indian and International auto magazines from the early era to the present, brochures/catalogues, advertisements, books and original photographs; married 21^st January 1979 in New Delhi, HH Maharani Renuka Devi, daughter of Raja Dinesh Singhji of Kalakankar, and his wife, Rani Neelima Kumari, and has issue.

Maharajkumari Vidita Kumari, born 3^rd April 1980 in New Delhi, married Yashraj Singh, born 8^th November 1977, son of Dr. Shri Gautam Singh of Kursela and his wife, Sarala Rajya Laxmi Devi of Nepal.
- Rajkumar Prithviraj Singh, born 13^th September 2008.
Yuvaraj Siddhraj Singh, born 30^th September 1982 in New Delhi.

Short History

Maharana’s of Barwani belong to the famous class of Sisodia Rajputs of the Udaipur family who separated from the parent stock about the fourteenth century. Their country, originally of considerable extent, was devastated by the Mahrattas, and at length only a strip of the Satpura range, 80 miles in length with the low-lands on either side, remained to them. Though the family lost most of its possessions, it never became tributary to any of the Malwa Chiefs.

The Maharana of Barwani maintains a military force of 17 cavalry , 225 infantry , and 9 guns. He is entitled to a salute of 11 guns.

Predecessors

Rana Mal Singh, Rana of Avasgadh, 29th in descent from Rana Dhansuk, married and had issue.
- Rana Viram Singh, Rana of Avasgadh, married and had issue.
  - Rana Kanak Singh, Rana of Avasgadh, he abdicated in favour of his uncle, and established himself at Ratanmal, afterwards a Guaranteed Estate; married and had issue.
- Rana Bhim Singh I, Rana of Avasgadh, he abdicated in favour of his younger brother.
- Rana Arjun Singh, Rana of Avasgadh, married and had issue.
  - Rana Vagji Singh, Rana of Avasgadh, married and had issue.
    - Rana Parsan Singh I, Rana of Avasgadh, married and had issue.
      - Rana Bhim Singh II, Rana of Avasgadh, married and had issue.
        Rana Vachhraj Singh, Rana of Avasgadh, married and had issue.
        Rana Parsan Singh II, Rana of Avasgadh, married and had issue.
        Kumar Shri Rayabhan Singh
        Rana Limji (continued below)
Rana LIMJI SINGH, 45^th Rana of Barwani 1617/1640, originally Rana of Avasgadh, married and had issue. He was poisoned to death in 1640.
- Rani Devimati, married Raja Raya Singhji of Alirajpur.
- Rana Chandra Singh (qv)
- Rajkumar Lakshman Singh
- Rajkumar Hamir Singh
- Rajkumar Bhau Singh
- Rajkumar Madan Singh
Rana CHANDRA SINGH II, 46^th Rana of Barwani 1640/1670, Rana of Avasgadh, moved the capital to Sidhanagar of the Narbada river, the capital was later renamed Barwani, married 1^stly, a daughter of a Solanki chief of Prukhedi, married 2^ndly, a daughter of the Raja of Jhabua, married 3^rdly, a daughter of Man Singh, Chief of Kadi-Baroda, married 4^thly, a daughter of the Chief of Borkhedi and had issue. He was assasinated in 1670 (1675).
- Rajkumar Vaje Singh [Ram Singh](by the 1^st wife)
- Raja Jodh Singh (by the 1^st wife)
- Rajkumar Shyam Singh (by the 1^st wife)
- Rajkumar Raya Singh (by the 1^st wife)
- Raja Sur Singh (by the 2^nd wife) (qv)
- Raja Mohan Singh I (by the 4^th wife) (qv)
Raja SUR SINGH, 47^th Rana of Barwani 1670/1675 or 1675/1680, he was assassinated in 1675 (1680).
Raja JODH SINGH, 48^th Rana of Barwani 1675/1700, married and had issue. He was assassinated in 1700.
- Raja Parbat Singh (qv)
Raja PARBAT SINGH, 49^th Rana of Barwani 1700/1708 (deposed?), died 1708.
Raja MOHAN SINGH I, 50^th Rana of Barwani 1708/1730 (abdicated), attempted to seize the gaddi in 1700, but was defeated, eventually succeeding in 1708, abdicated in 1730, married and had issue. He died 1731.
- Rajkumar Madhu Singh, attempted to seize the gaddi in 1730, but was defeated.
- Rana Anup Singh (qv)
- Rajkumar Pahar Singh fl.1730
Rana ANUP SINGH, 51^st Rana of Barwani 1730/1760, married and had issue. He died in 1760.
- Rana Umed Singh (qv)
Rana UMED SINGH, 52^nd Rana of Barwani 1760/1794, married and had issue. He died in 1794.
- Rana Mohan Singh II (qv)
Rana MOHAN SINGH II, 53^rd Rana of Barwani 1794/1839, married and had issue. He died 1839.
- Rana Jashwant Singh (qv)
- Rana Indrajit Singh (qv)

Rajmata of Barwani, Regent of Barwani 1839/1854.

HH Rana JASHWANT SINGH, 54^th Rana of Barwani 1839/1880, in 1861, owing to his incapacity the State was taken under British management, and so remained till 1873, when it was restored to the Rana on the understanding that his continuance in power would depend on his ability to administer his State rightly. He was presented by the Empress of India with a flag recognizing him as “Ghat-wat-dateshwar“ i.e., “Lord of the landing places (on the Narbada,) of roads, and of thick forests”. He died in 1880.

Rajmata of Barwani, Regent of Barwani 1880/1886.

HH Rana INDRAJIT SINGH, 55^th Rana of Barwani 1880/1894, born 1840, succeeded his brother on 15^th August 1880 though the administration of the State remained in the hands of the Diwan, Muhammad Najaf Khan; in January 1886, full administrative authority in his State was conceded to him on the distinct understanding that the measure was tentative, dependent on his ability to administer the affairs of the state; married and had issue. He died 1894.
- Capt. HH Maharana Sir Ranjit Singhji II Bahadur (qv)
- Maharaj Dasrath Singh, born 19^th October 1893 in Rajpur, married 1^stly 1914, Rani Manhar Kunwarba Sahiba, married 2^ndly, 1918, Rani Gyan Kunwarba Sahiba of Mandwa, born 5^th January 1903, died 6^th December 1986, and had issue. He died 10^th October 1946 in Indore.
  - Maharaj Narendrasinh Dasrathsinh (by 1^st wife), born 3^rd May 1915 in Rajpipla, married 1^stly, a Rani of Miyagam in Gujarat, married 2^ndly, 17^th June 1934, Rani Dilhar Kunwarba of Saniyad in Gujarat, and had issue, two sons and three daughters. He died 31^st December 1988.
    - Kunwar Shri Pradhumansinh Narendrasinh Sisodia, born 7^th July 1937 in Barwani, died 27^th April 1978, married 12^th May 1965, Kunwarani Hansaba Pradhumansinh of Bharthana in Gujarat, and had issue, two sons.
      - Rajkumar Kirtirajsinh Pradhumansinh Sisodia, born 1^st June 1974, died 8^th February 2007, married 27^th May 1997, Rani Hetalba Kirtirajsinh of Prakad in Gujarat, and had issue, two sons.
        Rajkumar Harshvardhansinh Kirtirajsinh Sisodia, born 27^th March 1999 at Rajpaidi in Gujarat.
        Rajkumar Rajendrasinh Kirtirajsinh Sisodia, born 14^th June 2000 at Rajpaidi in Gujarat.
      - Rajkumar Nimmirajsinh/Yajurvendrasinh Pradhumansinh Sisodia, born 10^th March 1977 at Bharthana in Gujarat, married 15^th May 2011, Rani Parulba of Gutal in Gujarat, and has issue, one daughters.
        Rajkumari Hiteshwarikuwarba Nimmirajsinh/Yajuvendrasinh Sisodia, born 16^th August 2012.
    - Maharaj Shri Surendrasinh Narendrasinh Sisodia, married Rani Rasikba Surendrasinh Sisodia, and had issue.
      - Rajkumar Vishvajitsinh Surendrasinh Sisodia, born 23^rd December 1969 in Mogar, married 2^nd May 1998 in Matar, Rajkumarani Rajeshwariba Vishvajitsinh Sisodia, and has issue, one son.
        Kumar Mrugendrasinh Vishvajitsinh Sisodia
      - Rajkumar Abhijit Surendrasinh Sisodia
    - Rajkumari Ansuyaba
    - Rajkumari Takshashilaba
    - Rajkumari Hemlataba
  - Maharaj Jaivijendra Singh (by 2^nd wife), born 1^st April 1921 in Mandwa, married 1^stly, 28^th April 1947, daughter of Thakur Lakhdir Singh of Dared-Valbhipur-Valla, married 2^ndly, 23^rd May 1947, a daughter of Thakur Shiv Singh of Godmka in Gujarat and has issue. He died 29^th January 2003.
    - Maharaj Jagvirbhuti Singh
    - Maharaj Veer Shamsher Singh
    - Maharaj Shiv Shamsher Singh
    - Maharaj Durgeshpratap Singh, educated at Barwani P.G. College, Barwani (M.Com. 1988) Vikram University, Ujjain; married 21^st Frebuary 2000 in Nauganwa (Maharajsa’s), Baisa Nandini (Devprabha), 3^rd daughter of Maharajsa Chandrabhan Singhji Rathore of Thikana Nauganwa (Maharajsa wala) M.P., and his wife, Lakshmi Kunwer Devda Thikana Khokharia Kanla, Rajasthan, and has issue.
      - Kunwer Shourya Singh (Adityapratap Singh), born 2002 in Indore.
    - Maharaj Chandika Pratap Singh
    - Rajkumari Vasodatta Kumari
    - Rajkumari Divyaraj Laxmi Kumari
    - Rajkumari Raj Laxmi Kumari
    - Rajkumari Youshodhara Kumari
  - Maharaj Yagyanarayan Singh (by 2^nd wife), born in Rajpur, married a daughter of Thakur Narendra Singh of Miyagam and has issue.
    - Kunwar Abhimanyusinh Yagyanarayan Singh, born 21^st November 1969, educated at M.S University, Vadodara, Gujarat, married on 5^th Feb to Minakshiba, 6^th daughter of Thakur Girirajsinghji Kishorsinghji Zala of Lakhtar and his wife Dilhar Kuvarba of Metral state near Santrampur, Godhra and has issues.
      - Rajkumari Vaishnavi Kumari Ranavat, born 12^th December 2008.
      - Kanwar Vijayrajsinh Ranavat, born 20^th December 2010.
    - Rajkumari Gayatri Kumari
    - Rajkumari Rajeshwari Kumari
    - Rajkumari Meenal Kumari
- Rani Chandra Kunwar Baiji Sahiba, married HH Raja Jaswant Singhji of Sailana.

HH Rajmata Dhan Kunwar Basaheba, Regent of Barwani 1894/1910.

Capt. HH Maharana Sir RANJIT SINGHJI II Bahadur, 56^th Maharana of Barwani 1894/1930, born in Barwani 26^th December 1888, succeeded to the gadi as minor 14^th December 1894; educated at Mayo College, Ajmer; received his administrative training under the guidance of Maj. H. K. Barr, son of the Hon’ble Col. Sir David Barr; (Class-Captain 1906/07); K.C.I.E. [cr.1918], invested with ruling powers by Col. Daly 12^th January 1910, granted a salute of 11 guns, which was made hereditary in 1921; married 1^stly, 1912, HH Rani Hari Kunwarba Sahiba, daughter of Thakur Sahib Shri Sir Mansinhji Sursinhji of Palitana, married 2^ndly, 1918 in Himmatnagar, HH Rani Tej Kunwar Ba Sahiba, daughter of Lt.Col. HH Maharaja Sir Daulat Singhji of Idar, and had issue. He died 21^st April 1930.
- Rani Mukund Kunwar, born 1920, married 20^th November 1939 in Jobat, Rana Bhim Singhji of Jobat, and has issue (see Jobat)
- HH Maharana Sahib Devi Singhji Bahadur (qv)
- Maharaj Udai Singh, born 24^th November 1923 in Barwani, educated at Daly College, Indore and IMA, Dehra Dun, died July 1940.

The Rajmata of Barwani, Regent of Barwani 1930/1942.

HH Maharana Sahib DEVI SINGHJI Bahadur, 57^th Maharana of Barwani 1930/2007, born 19^th August 1922, educated at Daly College, Indore; ascended the gadi on 21^st April 1930, married 19^th May 1943, HH Maharani Dilhar Kumari, died 18^th August 2007, daughter of Maharaj Godji Khengarji Saheb [Manubha] of Kutch, and his wife, Rani Roop Kunwarba Saheba, and had issue. He died 15^th September 2007.
- Yuvraj Anirudh Singh, born 21^st May 1944 in Barwani, graduate in Law, Managing Director of MP Beer Products Ltd., Indore; married 9^th May 1974 in Delhi, Yuvrani Rajitha Devi, daughter of Raja Dinesh Singhji of Kalakankar, and his wife, Rani Neelima Kumari. He died sp 26^th January 1995.
- Rani Nirmala Kumari, born 2^nd November 1948, graduate of Degree College, Indore; married March 1978 in Indore, Maharaj Umeshwar Saran Singh Ju Deo of Surguja, and has issue, two children.
  - Rajkumari Ambika Kumari
  - Rajkumar Vindeshwar Saran Singh Deo
- HH Maharana Sahib Manvendra Singhji Bahadur (qv)
- Maharaj Divyaraj Singh, born 30^th January 1955 in Indore, M.P., educated at Daly College, Indore, at Christian College, Indore (B.A.), and at Northwood Institute, Midland, U.S.A. 1979/1980.
HH Maharana Sahib MANVENDRA SINGHJI Bahadur, 58^th Maharana of Barwani (see above)