Maharaja of Jaipur cremated

The mortal remains of the last titular Maharaja of Jaipur Brigadier Bhawani Singh was consigned to flames in Jaipur today with full state honours.

Padmanabh Singh, his grandson, lit the pyre amid the chanting of Vaidik mantras at 'Gaitore Ki Chatriya', the crematorium of royal family at Amber road.

The funeral procession began from the city palace and passed through different parts of the walled city before reaching at the cremation ground.

It was attended by large number of people and members of the erstwhile royal families including former Jodhpur Maharaja Gaj Singh.

Rajasthan Governor Shivraj Patil, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, PCC president and Union Minister Dr. CP Joshi, Union minister Namonarayan Meena, Rajasthan Medical and Health Minister Duru Miyan, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker DS Shekhawat were among other dignitaries who were present and paid floral tributes.

Singh died after a prolonged illness late on Saturday night at a private hospital in Gurgaon.

Born to Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and his first wife Marudhar Kanwar of Jodhpur, Sawai Bhawani Sing married Princess Padmini Devi in 1966.

Singh also served in the Indian Army and received numerous honours including a promotion to the Presidential Bodyguard.

He was awarded India's second-highest gallantry award, the Mahavir Chakra, for leading troops inside Pakistani territory in Sindh region and attacking and destroying many Pakistani posts during the Indo-Pak war of 1971.