Ranjit Singh of Bharatpur

Maharaja Ranjit Singh () was the ruling Maharaja of princely state Bharatpur (1776–1805) and successor of Maharaja Nawal Singh.

Maharaja Jawahar Singh ruled from 1763 to 1768. As he left no son, he was succeeded by his incapable, licentious and extravagant brother Maharaja Ratan Singh. Ratan Singh was ultimately killed by a juggler at Mathura. His son Kehri Singh died of smallpox in childhood.In the absence of any capable and powerful ruler, the inevitable result was a civil war and maladministration within the state. Conflict arose between Jawahar Singh's remaining brothers, Nawal Singh and Ranjit Singh. Nawal Singh ruled from 1771 to 1176, but his health was indifferent, and he finally died thereby clearing the way for Ranjit Singh to ascend the throne of Bharatpur in 1776. These internal dissensions caused the economic condition of the state to deteriorate.

In this period the seven years War between France and England was taking place. France was flourishing under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte who was thinking of colonising India. The British were also trying to do the same through the East India Company.

The French Governor of Pondicherry approached Captain Samru and Captain Madek to resign their service with the Jats who were considered friends of the British. According to the instructions from their Government, both the reliable and trustworthy commanders of Jats Force had to leave them, and take up their new assignment at Delhi under the Mughal...
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