13 Facts About Jagaddipendra Narayan

Jagaddipendra Narayan served in British forces during World War II and ceded full ruling powers to the Government of India in 1949.

Jagaddipendra Narayan was born at Cooch Behar Palace as the eldest son of Maharaja Jitendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, the Maharaja of Cooch Behar, by his wife, Maharani Indira Devi Sahiba.

Jagaddipendra Narayan was informally known as 'Bhaiya' and was the brother of Gayatri Devi.

Jagaddipendra Narayan was educated at St Cyprian's School, Eastbourne, Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, and at the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College, Dehradun.

Jagaddipendra Narayan became the Maharaja of Cooch Behar at the age of seven on the death of his father on 20 December 1922 and ascended the gadi, on 24 December 1922.

Jagaddipendra Narayan reigned under the Regency of his mother until he came of age and was invested with full ruling powers on 6 April 1936.

Jagaddipendra Narayan's first marriage took place privately at Cooch Behar, 1949 to Nancy Valentine of New York, who was a former screen actress.

Jagaddipendra Narayan served with the British Army in World War II in North Africa, Assam, Burma, and South East Asia.

Jagaddipendra Narayan was present at the time of the Japanese surrender at Singapore in 1945.

Jagaddipendra Narayan was Chief Commandant Cooch Behar Military forces from 1943 to 1949, and Colonel-in-Chief 1st Cooch Behar Infantry and Rajendra Hazari Guards, Jaipur State Forces.

Jagaddipendra Narayan was a Member of the Standing Committee of the Chamber of Princes.

Jagaddipendra Narayan signed the instrument of accession to the Dominion of India in August 1947 and ceded full ruling powers to the Government of India on 12 September 1949, overseeing the merger of his state with West Bengal on 1 January 1950.

Jagaddipendra Narayan died in Calcutta and was succeeded by his nephew, Virajendra Narayan, whom he adopted as a son.