‘Maharaja Singh Deo will be remembered for his contribution to the establishment of modern India, especially for consolidating democracy and making the union of states a reality.’
—Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

Born in a royal family in the erstwhile Bihar and Orissa Province of British India, Maharaja Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo was adopted by the Maharaja of Patna State to become heir to a coveted throne that had witnessed betrayal and tragedy. Educated at the best institutions in India, he became the ruler of Patna State in the turbulent 1930s. Inspired by Gandhian principles of simple living, he remained detached from power and implemented in his state a uniquely democratic system of governance, development, infrastructure and welfare measures far ahead of its time. Until one day, it all ended.

Rajendra Narayan became the first ruler of a princely state to sign the merger agreement for accession into the Union of India in December 1947. Led by his example, other princely states followed suit. He discarded his princely duties and left Patna State, planning to live a simple life in a Himalayan cave. But fate had other plans.

His people beseeched him to return and take charge of state politics.

Throughout his political career, he was lovingly addressed as Maharaja by his people, subordinates and even other political figures of the time. His legacy of reforming the socio-economic and cultural ethos of Odisha and its governance both as Maharaja of Patna and later as a parliamentarian and chief minister of Odisha in the 1960s is an extraordinary tale of service, political acumen and intellectual brilliance.