Pratap Singh of Jaipur

For other people named Pratap Singh, see Pratap Singh.

Pratap Singh of Jaipur
Maharaja Sawai
Reign	1778 – 1803
Predecessor	Prithvi Singh II
Successor	Jagat Singh II
Born	2 December 1764 Jaipur
Died	1 August 1803(1803-08-01) (aged 38)
Spouse	Rathorji Maharani
Issue	Jagat Singh II Rani Anand Kunwar Suraj Kunwar
Father	Madho Singh I
Mother	Maharani Maji

Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh (2 December 1764 – 1 August 1803) was a Kachwaha ruler of Jaipur from 1778 to 1803. He was born in December 1764 and succeeded his father Madho Singh I. He was a grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur. He is known for constructing the Hawa Mahal.

Biography

He was the younger son of Madho Singh I. Sawai Pratap Singh became the Maharaja at the age of 14 after the death of his brother Prithvi Singh. He ruled from 1778 to 1803. HIs 25-year rule witnessed many spectacular achievements and strategic failures. Being constantly goaded by the Marathas and the Mughals, he had to face repeated threats and a heavy drainage of funds.

The fountains behind the Govind Dev temple are credited to him, his poetic talent and patronage of arts and crafts. During his time, the art of paintings reached its peak. By the time of his ascension to the throne, the Mughal Empire was almost in shambles and the artists were fleeing Delhi. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh gave them patronage and they came and settled in Jaipur. It was these artists who brought recognition to the Jaipuri school of painting.

The Hawa Mahal was constructed by Pratap Singh.

The finest example of his connoisseurship is the unique monument of Hawa Mahal (the palace of the Winds) and few rooms of City Palace, which he got constructed. A large number of scholarly works were produced during his time. He himself was a good poet and wrote poems in Braj Bhasha and Dhundari language under the pen name of Brijnidhi.

See also

• House of Kachwaha
• Hawa Mahal