Search the Collection

Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner

(1880-1943), Indian Ruler and General

20th Century Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 11 portraits
A descendant of the Rajput royal family, Singh was born in Bikaner (present day Rajasthan, India). In 1888 he succeeded his brother Dungar Singh, becoming the twenty-first Maharaja of Bikaner, assuming full ruling powers in 1898. He championed the need for water supplies, railways, hospitals and schools. Regarded as a progressive ruler he introduced a representative assembly in 1913. The first Indian prince to fight for the British Empire overseas, at the outbreak of World War I he voluntarily placed the resources of his state at Britain's disposal. An accomplished soldier, he served in China, France and Egypt. He was the only non-white member of the British Imperial War Cabinet during the First World War, the only Indian signatory of the Treaty of Versailles (1919), and the first Indian to be given the rank of General in the British Army. In 1921, he was elected first chancellor of the Indian Chamber of Princes, a post he held for five years.

9 Likes voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

List Thumbnail

Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner, by Sir William Orpen - NPG 4188

Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner

by Sir William Orpen
oil on canvas, 1919
On display in Room 19 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 4188

Statesmen of World War I, by Sir James Guthrie - NPG 2463

Statesmen of World War I

by Sir James Guthrie
oil on canvas, 1924-1930
On display in Room 25 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 2463

Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner, by Carl Vandyk, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x196054

Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner

by Carl Vandyk, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 1910s
NPG x196054

Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner, by Vandyk - NPG x74764

Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner

by Vandyk
12 x 10 inch glass plate negative, 9 January 1915
NPG x74764

Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner, by Vandyk - NPG x74765

Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner

by Vandyk
12 x 10 inch glass plate negative, 9 January 1915
NPG x74765

Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner, by Vandyk - NPG x74763

Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner

by Vandyk
12 x 10 inch glass plate negative, 9 January 1915
NPG x74763

'The Imperial War Conference', possibly by Lafayette, for  Topical Press - NPG x137204

'The Imperial War Conference'

possibly by Lafayette, for Topical Press
vintage print, March-April 1917
NPG x137204

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.