Man Singh of Marwar

Maharaja Man Singh
Maharaja of Jodhpur
Man Singh
Ruler of Jodhpur
Tenure19 October 1803 – 4 September 1843
CoronationMehrangarh, Jodhpur, 17 January 1804
PredecessorBhim singh
SuccessorTakht Singh
Born(1783-02-03)3 February 1783
Died4 September 1843(1843-09-04) (aged 60)
Mandore
FatherGuman Singh
MotherChauhani Kanwar
ReligionHinduism

Man Singh (3 February 1783 – 4 September 1843) was the last independent Maharaja of Marwar Kingdom and Jodhpur State (r. 19 October 1803 – 4 September 1843). He was appointed as Heir Apparent by his grandfather Vijay Singh on 7 November 1791. However upon Vijay Singh's death, Bhim Singh seized Jodhpur and proclaimed himself as the ruler of Marwar.

Man Singh was sent to Jalore for his own safety, where he remained throughout the reign of his cousin, Bhim Singh of Marwar.

He succeeded on his cousin's death on 19 October 1803. In 1804 Man Singh broke the treaty with the British for cooperation and formed an alliance with Yashwantrao Holkar, however Jodhpur was invaded by Sindhia and was forced to break their alliance with Holkar and pay heavy tribute.

Opposed by many of his principal nobles throughout his reign, he depended on the support of successive factions. The last of these were the Nath family, the Maharaja's spiritual advisers, who came to control state affairs and turned him into a recluse. Many of the nobles fled to neighbouring principalities, state repression having become entirely vengeful and cold-blooded.

Man Singh, after finding it unbearable to see his kingdom get destroyed by the Sindhias and his own corrupt nobles and ministers, entered into treaty relations with the British on 6 January 1818.