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PARSAD
Neg. No: (GP) LE 13191
Neg. Size: 10"x12"
Neg. Date: NONE

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Sitter: Major-General Maharajadhiraja Maharana Shri Sir Bhopal Singh Bahadur, Maharana of Udaipur (1884-1955).

Major-General Maharajadhiraja Maharana Shri Sir Bhopal Singh Bahadur, Maharana of Udaipur

Biog: Major-General H.H. Maharajadhiraja Maharana Shri Sir Bhopal Singh Bahadur, Maharana of Udaipur, GCSI (1.1.1931), KCIE (3.6.1919). b. at Udaipur, 24th February 1884, eldest son of H.H. Maharajadhiraja Maharana Shri Sir Fateh Singh Bahadur, Maharana of Udaipur, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO. Educ. privately. Succeeded in the death of his father, 24th May 1930. Signed the instrument of accession to the Dominion of India, 1947. Merged his state into the Rajasthan Union and was installed as Rajpramukh of Rajasthan 18th April 1948. Became Maharajpramukh of Rajasthan, 1st April 1949. Hon. Major-General, IA 15/10/1946 (Hon Lt-Col 4/8/1939), Hon Colonel Indian Grenadiers, 1/6/1954. Rcvd. Delhi Durbar (1911), Silver Jubilee (1935), Coronation (1937) and Indian Independence (1947) medals. 

Married
(firstly) March 1910, a sister of the Thakur of Auwa (d. at Udaipur, June 1910). 
(secondly) February 1911, a daughter of Thakur Shri Keshri Singhji, of Achrol (Jaipur State). 
(thirdly) 17th January 1928, a daughter of the Thakur of Khudala (Mewar). He d.s.p. at Udaipur, 4th July 1955 (succ. by his adopted son).

Brian Masters, Maharana; the Story of the Rulers of Udaipur, Ahmedabad, 1990, p 107 ff: 

"At the age of sixteen Bhopal Singh contracted tuberculosis... and a disease called Pott's curvature of the spine. A projection of bone appeared at the back of his neck between his shoulders and grew rapidly, the protusion becoming unsightly after ten months. Unwilling to consult European doctors, the palace medical dvisors allowed him to continue riding, with disastrous results. The tuberculosis spread to his lungs, and it was feared that he would not survive more than a month. His weight reduced to a scarcely credible three and a half stone (50 lbs) . Curzon sent a message of sympathy to his father. Fortunately, death was averted by timely intercession, but Bhopal never fully recovered. The disease left him paralysed from the waist down, confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, and denied him the satisfaction of his own progeny. His mind remained alert, and his spirit intact, which rendered the realisation of his disability all the harder to bear, especially as, of all the rulers of Mewar, he would have to live through the most momentous period since Pratap's heroic defence, and be called upon to make decisions of the utmost gravity during the revolutionary time when India came face to face with her destiny.

Bhopal Singh assumed ruling powers in 1921 and inherited the throne in 1930...

Bhopal Singh died in 1955, leaving two widows and seven Rolls-Royces."

Date: c March 1933.(1)

Occasion: -

Location: Possibly Udaipur.

Descr: FL seated.

Costume: Ceremonial robes of a Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India.

Orders, Decorations & Medals: Collar, badge and star of a Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India [GCSI, cr. 1931]; Star of a Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire [KCIE, cr. 1919].

Furniture & Props:

Photographer: -(2)

Evidence of photographer at work: -.

All images of sitters:

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Provenance: Pinewood Studios; acquired 1989.

References:

Biog: Who's Who, The Times, 5 July 1955, p 13c; Brian Masters, Maharana; the Story of the Rulers of Udaipur, Ahmedabad, 1990.

Occasion: -

Costume: -

Orders, Decorations & Medals: Burke's Peerage.

Reproduced:

Acknowledgements: Christopher Buyers

1. Dated from negative sequence.

2. This negative is possibly a copy of an original made in India.

All images are copyright V&A Museum, London