Maharaja Karni Singh was the last ruler to hold the title of Maharaja of Bikaner officially from 1950 to 1971. After that, the Privy Purse and all the royal titles were abolished by the Republic of India.

Karni Singh was born on 21st April 1924 in Bikaner, after schooling, he attends St Stephen’s Collge, Delhi and St Xavier’s College, Bombay. He saw active service in the Second World War, serving in the Middle East. Prince Karni succeeded his father, H.H. Lieutenant-General Maharaja Sir Sadul Singh, in 1950.

Depicted above is a silver Nazarana Rupee or Ceremonial Coronation Rupee of Karni Singh issued in 2007 VS. The obverse of a coin depicted the Devanagari legend ‘Shri Maharajadhiraja Rajarajeshvara Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Shri Singhji Bahadur’. On the other hand, the reverse has a legend ‘Rajshri Bikanir’ on top and symbols such as sword, rifle, parasol, the dome of the temple, Trishul depicted on middle and the bottom has date.

Image Source” Todywalla Auctions