Fateh Singh of Udaipur vs Thibaw Min

Fateh Singh became Maharana of Mewar at age 35 after the death of his brother Sajjan Singh. His reign was marked by efforts to preserve Mewar's autonomy while cooperating with the British, and he became a prominent figure in the early Indian independence movement.

Fateh Singh extended moral and financial support to the Indian National Congress in its early years. He allowed Congress sessions to be held in Udaipur and advocated for Indian representation in British governance, though he remained a loyal prince.

Fateh Singh commissioned the Fateh Prakash Palace in Udaipur, a blend of Rajput and European styles. The palace served as a royal residence and later became a heritage hotel, reflecting his patronage of architecture.

Fateh Singh publicly opposed the British partition of Bengal, aligning with the Swadeshi movement. He encouraged the use of Indian-made goods and supported the boycott of British products, though he did not engage in open rebellion.

Fateh Singh died in 1930 after a 46-year reign. He was succeeded by his son Bhupal Singh. His reign saw Mewar maintain its cultural identity while engaging with the nationalist movement.

Thibaw Min ascended the throne after the death of his father Mindon Min. His accession was marred by a palace massacre orchestrated by his queen Supayalat and her mother, in which dozens of royal princes were executed to eliminate rivals.

Thibaw Min and Queen Supayalat ordered the massacre of nearly 100 royal princes and princesses, including children, to secure the throne. This brutal act horrified the British and other foreign powers, further isolating the Burmese court.

The British East India Company declared war on Thibaw Min, citing Burmese threats to British interests and the mistreatment of a British company. The war lasted only two weeks, as British forces quickly advanced up the Irrawaddy River to Mandalay.

After the British capture of Mandalay, Thibaw Min was deposed and exiled to Ratnagiri, India, along with his family. This ended the Konbaung dynasty and the Burmese monarchy, leading to the complete annexation of Burma into British India.