Sawai Pratap Singh

Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh (2 December 1764 – 1 August 1803) was a Kachwaha ruler of Jaipur from 1778 to 1803. He was born on 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.

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 Mughuls, he had to face repeated threats and a heave drainage of funds.

He is known as the great ruler for his devotion to Lord Krishna.The fountains behind the Govind Dev temple are credited to him, his poetic talent and patronage of Arts and Crafts.Sawai Pratap Singh was the only king after Sawai Jai Singh who had a literary taste.During his time, the art of paintings reached to its peak.Mughal Empire was almost in shambles and the artists were fleeting to Delhi.Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh gave them patronage and they came and settled in Jaipur.It was these artists who made such good painting that Jaipur school of paintings became world-famous.

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 Brijbhasha and Dhundhari under the pen name of Brijnidhi.