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Brigadier Sawai Bhawani Singh MVC - An erstwhile Maharaja and a forgotten Soldier



Most Indians do NOT as a matter of habit, remember our National heroes especially those, that put their lives at peril to guard the frontiers of our Country, and made sure that we live - independent and free, each day.

One such soldier of the soil - Brigadier Sawai Bhawani Singh MVC - also the Maharaja of Jaipur, fought bravely for the Nation, during the 1971 Indo - Pak war. So bravely, that the Nation decorated him with India's second highest gallantry award - the Maha Vir Chakra. Yet, when he died on April 17, 2011, his death went virtually un-noticed in the backdrop of  the cricket, the scams and the other problems that took precedence in this Country.

Sawai Bhawani Singh Bahadur was born on October 22 1931 to Sawai Man "Jai" Singh II (Maharaja of Jaipur from 1911) and Marudhar Kanwar of Jodhpur, the first of his father's three wives (who would die when her son was 13). Given the nickname "Bubbles" by his British nanny because of the gallons of champagne consumed at his birth, Bhawani Singh became 39th head of Kachwaha clan of Rajputs and Maharaja of Jaipur following the death of his father, Sawai Man "Jai" Singh II, at a polo match in Cirencester in 1970.

The Crown Prince was educated at the Doon School, Dehradun, and later at Harrow in UK. As a young man he chose to join the the Indian Army. 

'Bubbles' was commissioned into the 3rd Cavalry regiment as a Second Lieutenant in 1951 and was selected for the President's Bodyguard in 1954 and was with the country's first President Rajendra Prasad till 1963.Later he was posted as Adjutant in the Indian Millitary Academy (1964 to 1967).

He joined the Parachute Regiment and became the commanding officer of the 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment in 1968.

The Indo - Pakistan war broke out in December 1971. Bubble's account of courage and bravery, typical of true Rajput blood can best be described in the citation that he received along with his Maha Vir Chakra:


"His Highness Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh Bahadur of Jaipur commanded 10 Parachute (Special Forces) during the 1971 Indo-Pak War as a Lt. Col. On the night of 05 December 1971, he led his men deep into the enemy territory and for four days and nights, with complete disregard for his personal comfort and safety, made skillful and relentless raids on the strongly held enemy posts at Chachro and Virawah. His inspired leadership and personal courage led to the capture of large areas of the enemy territory and created panic and confusion among the enemy, forcing them to retreat, leaving behind large number of prisoners and equipment.

In this operation, His Highness Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh Bahadur set an example of personal courage, exceptional qualities of leadership and devotion to duty in the highest traditions of the Indian Army and was thus honoured with the Maha Vir Chakra."

Due to his leadership and the inspiration he provided to his fighting unit, the unit earned two Veer Chakras, three Sena Medals and one Mention-in- Dispatch. The unit was also awarded Battle Honour Chachro and Theatre Honour Sind.

'Bubbles' took voluntary retirement from the Army in 1972 following the demise of his Father two years prior, to look after his ancestral property. (He would later serve as India's first Resident Commissioner to Brunei from 1993 to 1997). 

His Battalion, (10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment), saw action in Operation Pawan, in Sri Lanka in 1987. Due to a combination of factors the unit suffered heavy casualties, and failed in its mission. Morale in the Battalion naturally was very low. The then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, requested 'Bubbles' to visit the Unit and meet the Officers and men. Bubbles was a hero to the Regiment as a whole - and an inspiration. His visit to his old Unit went a long way in restoring its morale.

He was bestowed with the rank of Honorary Brigadier - a rank that he held till his death in April 2011.

His passing away went virtually unnoticed in this Country. A true Rajput, a brave and fierce and above all - a loyal Indian soldier, sadly faded away in the sands of time.

Comments

  1. You need to do something about your font size - it's too tiny.

    Glad you dedicated a post to an unsung hero.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such in-depth blogs, full of inspirational real-life instances. I look forward to learn from you.

    ReplyDelete

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