MS
Wildlife Conservationist

Martand Singh

· Madhya Pradesh — Died 20 November 1995

Last ruling Maharaja of Rewa and Indian wildlife conservationist who influenced tiger preservation.

Martand Singh was an Indian wildlife conservationist, parliamentarian and the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Rewa. Born in 1923 to Gulab Singh at Fort of Govindgarh, then the Maharajah of Rewa, he did his college studies at Daly College, Indore and continued at Mayo College, Ajmer from where he graduated in 1941. After the imprisonment of his father in 1946, he became the Maharajah of Rewa and retained the title, but not the power, until the government abolished royalty in 1970.

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A detail that
surprised us

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The white Bengal tiger named Mohan, captured by Martand Singh in 1951, is the genetic ancestor of nearly all white tigers in captivity worldwide today.

The Story

1
In 1951, at the Fort of Govindgarh in Madhya Pradesh, Martand Singh captured and began rearing Mohan, a rare white Bengal tiger, marking the start of his efforts to protect this unique tiger variety.
2
🌿 By the mid-1950s, Singh spearheaded the initiative to create a poacher-free environment around Rewa, setting the foundations for what would become Bandhavgarh National Park in the Vindhya Mountains.
3In 1946, after the imprisonment of his father Gulab Singh, Martand Singh ascended as the Maharaja of Rewa but retained only the title as political power waned, continuing until the abolition of royal titles in 1970.
4🎖 In 1986, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan, recognizing his dedication to wildlife conservation and societal contributions during a time when conservation was rarely acknowledged politically.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Padma Shri

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1951, Martand Singh captured a rare white Bengal tiger named Mohan from the wild, which he later bred in captivity—an achievement that became the genetic root of all white tigers today.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth at Fort of Govindgarh
Martand Singh was born to Gulab Singh, Maharajah of Rewa, at the Fort of Govindgarh, Madhya Pradesh.
1923
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Education
Graduated from Mayo College
Martand Singh completed his college education at Mayo College, Ajmer, graduating in 1941.
1941
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Career
Became Maharaja of Rewa
After the imprisonment of his father, Gulab Singh, Martand Singh ascended as the Maharaja of Rewa, retaining the title but not ruling power.
1946
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Career
Captured white tiger Mohan
Martand Singh captured Mohan, a white Bengal tiger, initiating captive breeding efforts that saved the white tiger gene pool.
1951
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Other
Abolition of Royalty Titles
The Government of India abolished royal titles, ending Martand Singh's official status as Maharaja though he retained his legacy.
1970
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Career
Elected to 5th Lok Sabha
Martand Singh was elected as a Member of Parliament representing Rewa in the 5th Lok Sabha.
1971
🏅
Award
Received Padma Bhushan Award
The Government of India honored Martand Singh with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to wildlife conservation and society.
1986
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Death
Death of Martand Singh
Martand Singh passed away at the age of 72, leaving behind a unique legacy in wildlife conservation and public service.
1995
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Though he became Maharaja in 1946 after his father’s imprisonment, Martand Singh lost ruling power and held only the title until 1970, when royal titles were officially abolished in India.

02 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

The Bandhavgarh National Park’s foundation was initiated by Martand Singh, making it one of India’s early efforts at creating a protected habitat for big cats during the post-independence era.

03 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Martand Singh served three terms as a Lok Sabha member between 1971 and 1989, representing Rewa and participating in India’s democratic processes after the end of his royal reign.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Martand Singh’s efforts led directly to the establishment of Bandhavgarh National Park, which became a model for tiger conservation and anti-poaching measures in India. His successful captive breeding of the white tiger created a genetic legacy that continues to influence tiger conservation programs globally. The Maharaja Martand Singh Ju Deo White Tiger Safari in Satna stands as a living tribute to his conservation vision.

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