Lieut.-Col. H.H. Maharaja Saheb Shree Sir RAJENDRA PRAKASH Bahadur, was Ruler of Sirmur (Nahan) from 1933 until 1948. He was 48th direct male lineal descendant from the original founder of the Dynasty.
He was born on 11th January 1913 to Amar Prakash and his wife Mandalasa Kumari. He had succeeded to the gaddi of Sirmur after the death of his father in 1933. He was very carefully educated during his father’s life-time, and took a prominent part in the administration of the State under his direction and proved himself a worthy successor of his father. During his father’s absence in Europe, when the administration of the State was placed in the hands of a Council, he got practical training in, and gained immense knowledge of, the ins and outs of administration and thereby had efficiently equipped himself for the responsibilities of his high office.
Besides being hard-working, he was energetic, intelligent, and a keen sportsman. He possessed very refined tastes, a sympathetic heart, and was a lover of justice. He considered it his solemn obligation to dispense even-handed justice with scrupulous care.
He administered his state with conspicuous ability, without sparing any pains to promote the interests of his state and subjects. He was ever anxious to explore new avenues and examine fresh channels that would serve to raise the moral and material status of his people and country.
He had completely reorganized the administration of the State. A separate High Court, Rural Development Board, Co-operative Department and a Girls High School was started by him within the short space of six years.
He was accessible to all and was fond of undertaking extensive tours with a view to studying the conditions of his people and keeping himself informed of the march of events in the state. He took a keen personal interest in all that conduced to the general happiness and welfare of his people.
He was a Lieut.-Col. of Sirmur State Forces and fought in the Middle East and Italy during WW2. He died on 6th November 1964.
Marriages
His first wife was Durga Devi, daughter of Raja Yadvendra Singh Ju Deo of Nagod, whom he married in 1936. In 1941, he married for the second and last time. His second wife was Indira Devi, daughter of H.H. Maharaja Thakore Sir Bahadursinhji Mansinhji of Palitana.
Children
Rajendra Prakash was the father of two daughter, borne to him by his two wives. They were:
- Nalini Devi (d/o Durga Devi), married Vidur Singh, son of the Raja Sahib of Alipura, in 1952.
- Padmini Devi (d/o Indira Devi), married Brig. H.H. Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh of Jaipur, in 1967.