This thesis investigates the development of a machine which is termed as singly salient reluctance (SSR) motor and its drive system. The stator of SSR motor is identical to that of a conventional induction motor or any other ac machine. Its rotor has salient poles with internal flux barriers or flux guides. This research covers the detailed designs of the SSR motors and their magnetic circuit analysis using finite element method (FEM). The parameters which are important for designing the SSR motor are investigated. This investigation resulted in designs which have low manufacturing cost as well as high torque per ampere, efficiency and power factors. This thesis also researches the different drive system for the SSR motor. The SSR motor is tested as a variable speed drive with closed loop control and supplied with dc source. Therefore for this purpose a controller system is designed and built. In addition, the SSR motor supplied by ac source using open loop control is also tested for synchronous operation. Some of the proposed designs are built and their performance compared with their predicted analysis. The SSR motors showed a competitive performance compared with equivalent induction motor in both efficiency and power factor. However the validity of the theoretical designs is assessed by comparing them with experimental results. Quite good agreement between experimental and theoretical evaluations has been achieved. In addition, suggested further improvements for SSR motors and drive systems are discussed. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)