Brigadier Maharao Raja Bhupesh Singh Hada of Bundi, SC, VSM (born June 1970) is an Indian Army officer and the 26th titular King of Bundi. A Special Forces officer, he has held senior operational appointments including Force Commander of the National Security Guards and Commander of the Siachen Brigade. He was installed as the ceremonial head of the erstwhile princely State of Bundi on 12 December 2021, continuing the lineage of the Hada Chauhan dynasty.
Key facts
| Full title | Brigadier Maharao Raja Bhupesh Singh Hada of Bundi, SC, VSM |
|---|---|
| Born | June 1970 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Service | Indian Army (Special Forces) |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Decorations | Shaurya Chakra (SC); Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) |
| Notable appointments | Force Commander, National Security Guards; Commander, Siachen Brigade |
| Title | 26th Gaadipati (titular King) of Bundi |
| Installed | 12 December 2021 |
| House | Hada Chauhan dynasty of Bundi |
Background
Bhupesh Singh belongs to the Hada Chauhan ruling family of Bundi, a former princely state in present-day Rajasthan. The Hada Chauhans trace a long lineage as rulers of the Bundi region, with the head of the family historically styled Maharao Raja. Following the integration of princely states into the Indian Union, the title has continued in a ceremonial and cultural capacity.
Military career
He is a serving officer of the Indian Army, commissioned into the Special Forces. Over the course of his career he has been appointed to high-responsibility commands, including:
- Commander, Siachen Brigade — leading operations on the Siachen Glacier sector, one of the highest-altitude military deployments in the world.
- Force Commander, National Security Guards (NSG) — a senior operational role in India's premier counter-terrorism force.
He has been awarded the Shaurya Chakra, a peacetime gallantry decoration, and the Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service.
Installation as titular King of Bundi
On 12 December 2021, Bhupesh Singh was formally installed as the 26th Gaadipati of Bundi, succeeding to the ceremonial headship of the Hada Chauhan house. The installation continued the unbroken titular lineage of the dynasty that has been associated with Bundi for several centuries.
Significance
Bhupesh Singh's career is unusual in combining a senior active-service military command with the ceremonial custodianship of a historic royal house. His operational appointments in the Special Forces, the Siachen Brigade and the NSG reflect roles central to India's high-altitude and counter-terrorism capabilities, while his position as Gaadipati links him to the cultural heritage of Bundi and Hadoti.
Related topics
- Bundi State
- Hada Chauhan
- Indian Army
- Special Forces (India)
- National Security Guards
- Siachen Brigade
- Shaurya Chakra
- Vishisht Seva Medal
References
- "Bhupesh Singh", English Wikipedia.