Bhupinder Singh of Patiala: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by 171.50.173.99
Last edited March 22, 2026
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
m Yadu bhatti title was never used by maharajas of Patiala
Ghaiinfra (talk | contribs)
19 edits
m updated layout as per guidelines
 
Line 3: Line 3:
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox royalty
{{Infobox royalty
| name               = Bhupinder Singh
| name         = Sir Bhupinder Singh<br><small>{{nobold|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|GCSI|GCIE|GCVO|GBE|size=90%}}}}</small>
| full name           =  
| full name   =  
| title               = [[Maharaja]] of [[Patiala State|Patiala]]
| title       = [[Maharaja]] of [[Patiala State|Patiala]]
| titletext           = ([[#Titles|more]])
| titletext   = ([[#Titles|more]])
| image               = Bhupinder Singh Patiala Maharaja.jpg
| image       = Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.jpg
| caption             = Bhupinder Singh, c. 1911
| caption     = Bhupinder Singh, c. 1911
| succession         = [[Maharaja of Patiala]]
| succession   = [[Maharaja of Patiala]]
| reign               = 8 November 1900 – 23 March 1938
| reign       = 8 November 1900 – 23 March 1938
| coronation         =  
| coronation   =  
| cor-type           =  
| cor-type     =  
| predecessor         = [[Rajinder Singh of Patiala|Maharaja Rajinder Singh I]]
| predecessor = [[Rajinder Singh of Patiala|Rajinder Singh]]
| successor           = [[Yadavindra Singh|Maharaja Yadavindra Singh I]]
| successor   = [[Yadavindra Singh]]
| reg-type           = {{nowrap|[[Patiala State|Minister of State]]}}
| reg-type     = {{nowrap|[[Patiala State|Minister of State]]}}
| regent             = {{List collapsed|title=''See list''|1=[[Liaqat Hayat Khan]]}}
| regent       = {{Collapsible list|title=''See list''|1=[[Liaqat Hayat Khan]]}}
| spouse             = 5
| spouse       = 10
| issue-link         = #Personal life
| issue-link   = #Personal life
| dynasty             = [[Phulkian]]
| dynasty     = [[Phulkian]]
| father             = [[Rajinder Singh of Patiala|Maharaja Rajinder Singh I of Patiala]]
| father       = [[Rajinder Singh of Patiala|Rajinder Singh]]
| mother             = Jasmer Kaur Mansahia
| mother       = Jasmer Kaur Manshahia
| issue               = Estimated at 88
| issue       = Estimated at 52, including [[Maharaja Yadavindra Singh|Yadavindra Singh]] and [[Bhalindra Singh]]
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|df=yes|1891|10|12}}
| birth_date   = {{Birth date|df=yes|1891|10|12}}
| birth_place  = [[Moti Palace Museum|Moti Bagh Palace]], [[Patiala]], [[Patiala State]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province]], [[British Raj|British India]]
| birth_place  = [[Moti Palace Museum|Moti Bagh Palace]], [[Patiala]], [[Patiala State]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province]], [[British Raj|British India]]
| death_date         = {{death date and age|df=yes|1938|3|23|1891|10|12}}
| death_date   = {{death date and age|df=yes|1938|3|23|1891|10|12}}
| death_place         = Patiala, Patiala State, Punjab Province, British India
| death_place = Patiala, Patiala State, Punjab Province, British India
| signature           =  
| signature   =  
| religion           = [[Sikhism]]
| religion     = [[Sikhism]]
| module             = {{Infobox cricketer
| module       = {{Infobox cricketer
|embed                = yes
|embed                = yes
| club1              = [[Hindus cricket team|Hindus]]
| club1              = [[Hindus cricket team|Hindus]]
Line 37: Line 37:
| columns            = 1
| columns            = 1
| column1            = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| column1            = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches1            = 27
| matches1            = 27
| runs1              = 643
| runs1              = 643
| bat avg1            = 17.37
| bat avg1            = 17.37
| 100s/50s1          = 0/1
| 100s/50s1          = 0/1
| top score1          = 83
| top score1          = 83
| deliveries1        = 72
| deliveries1        = 72
| wickets1            = 2
| wickets1            = 2
| bowl avg1          =  
| bowl avg1          =  
| fivefor1            = 0
| fivefor1            = 0
Line 53: Line 53:
| year                =  
| year                =  
}}
}}
}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| office              = 2nd [[Indian Olympic Association|President of Indian Olympic Association]]
| term                = 1928 - 1938
| predecessor        = [[Dorabji Tata]]
| successor          = [[Yadavindra Singh]]
}}
}}


'''Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh''', {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|GCSI|GCIE|GCVO|GBE}} (12 October 1891 – 23 March 1938) was an Indian royal and cricket player. He was the ruling [[Maharaja of Patiala|Maharaja]] of the [[princely state]] of [[Patiala State|Patiala]] in [[British India]] from 1900 to 1938.<ref name=Patiala>{{Cite web |url=http://patiala.nic.in/html/history.htm |title=''History of Patiala'' from Patiala web site |access-date=25 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907045829/http://patiala.nic.in/html/history.htm |archive-date=7 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was born in a [[Sidhu]] royal [[Jats|Jat]] [[Sikhs|Sikh]] family.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramusack |first=Barbara N. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eIiSaDAGU34C |title=The Princes of India in the Twilight of Empire: Dissolution of a Patron-client System, 1914-1939 |date=1978 |publisher=University of Cincinnati |isbn=978-0-8142-0272-2 |language=en}}</ref>  
'''Sir Bhupinder Singh''' (12 October 1891 – 23 March 1938) was the [[Maharaja of Patiala]] and a [[cricket]] player. Singh's reign as [[Maharaja]] of the [[princely state]] of [[Patiala State|Patiala]], in [[British India]], lasted from 1900 to 1938.<ref name=Patiala>{{Cite web |url=http://patiala.nic.in/html/history.htm |title=''History of Patiala'' from Patiala web site |access-date=25 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907045829/http://patiala.nic.in/html/history.htm |archive-date=7 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was a member of the [[Phulkian dynasty]]. During his reign, Singh was most noted for his extravagance, contributions to [[sport]]s, and for being an ally to the [[British Raj]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=FE Lifestyle |date=2023-10-13 |title=Who was Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala: The royal who built Chail cricket ground & the genius behind Patiala peg; know about his lavish lifestyle & downfall |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/who-was-maharaja-bhupinder-singh-of-patiala-the-royal-who-built-chail-cricket-ground-the-genius-behind-patiala-peg-know-about-his-lavish-lifestyle-downfall/3183173/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=The Financial Express |language=en |archive-date=27 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527123138/https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/who-was-maharaja-bhupinder-singh-of-patiala-the-royal-who-built-chail-cricket-ground-the-genius-behind-patiala-peg-know-about-his-lavish-lifestyle-downfall/3183173/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Many of Singh's children married notable individuals and through his children, Singh has many notable descendants.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last1=Allen |first1=Charles |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BSNtEAAAQBAJ |title=Lives of the Indian Princes |last2=Dwivedi |first2=Sharada |date=1984 |publisher=BPI Publishing |isbn=978-81-86982-05-1 |location=New Delhi |pages=248–249 |language=en |access-date=3 June 2024 |archive-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606212059/https://books.google.com/books?id=BSNtEAAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&dq&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":2" />


== Biography ==
== Early life and background ==
Bhupinder Singh was born at the [[Moti Palace Museum|Moti Bagh Palace]], [[Patiala]]<ref name="allaboutsikhs_Phulkian">{{cite web|url = http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=824|title = Historical Sikh Events: Phulkian Misl| date=26 January 2021 }}</ref> and educated at [[Aitchison College]]. At age 9, he succeeded as [[Maharaja]] of Patiala state upon death of his father, [[Maharaja Rajinder Singh]], on 9 November 1900. A Council of Regency ruled in his name until he took partial powers shortly before his 18th birthday on 1 October 1909 and was invested with full powers by the [[Viceroy of India]], the [[Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto|4th Earl of Minto]], on 3 November 1910.
Bhupinder Singh was born on 12 October 1891 in [[Moti Palace Museum|Moti Bagh Palace]], [[Patiala]].<ref name="allaboutsikhs_Phulkian">{{cite web|url = http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=824|title = Historical Sikh Events: Phulkian Misl|date = 26 January 2021|access-date = 21 February 2010|archive-date = 7 October 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081007130201/http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=824|url-status = live}}</ref> Singh was born into the [[Jat]] [[Sikhs|Sikh]] [[Phulkian dynasty]] and [[Sidhu]] clan.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramusack |first=Barbara N. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eIiSaDAGU34C |title=The Princes of India in the Twilight of Empire: Dissolution of a Patron-client System, 1914-1939 |date=1978 |publisher=University of Cincinnati |isbn=978-0-8142-0272-2 |language=en |access-date=26 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307205313/https://books.google.com/books?id=eIiSaDAGU34C |archive-date=7 March 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> He was educated at [[Aitchison College]] in [[Lahore]]. Singh was sent to the [[princely state]] of [[Dholpur State|Dholpur]], supposedly because of threats to his life due to intrigues in the Patiala court.<ref name=":42">{{Cite book |last=Kidambi |first=Prashant |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=50KjDwAAQBAJ |title=Cricket Country: An Indian Odyssey in the Age of Empire |date=2019 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-884313-9 |location=Oxford |pages=170–172 |language=en |access-date=7 June 2024 |archive-date=7 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607082153/https://books.google.com/books?id=50KjDwAAQBAJ&newbks=0&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> He returned to Patiala in the beginning of 1900, only months before his father's death.<ref name=":42" />
[[File:Photograph of an adolescent Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala State and suite, Bourne & Shepherd, 1903.jpg|thumb|Photograph of an adolescent Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala State and suite, Bourne & Shepherd, 1903]]
At the age of 9, Singh succeeded as [[Maharaja of Patiala|Maharaja]] of [[Patiala State]] upon the death of his father, [[Maharaja]] [[Rajinder Singh of Patiala|Rajinder Singh]], on 9 November 1900. Rajinder Singh had died due to alcoholism; Singh's mother, Jasmer Kaur, had died some years earlier of [[tuberculosis]].<ref name=":42" /><ref name=":0" /> A Council of [[Regent]]s ruled in his name until he took partial power shortly before his 18th birthday on 1 October 1909, and was invested with full powers by the [[Viceroy of India]], the [[Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto|4th Earl of Minto]], on 3 November 1910.


[[File:NLS Haig - Maharaja of Patiala visits the Western Front.jpg|thumb|left|<div class="center">Inspecting a [[BL 12 inch railway howitzer|BL 12-inch Railway Howitzer]] in France, August 1918</div>]]
== Reign ==
=== Administration and foreign policies ===
Singh was well known for the construction of buildings with bold [[architecture|architectural]] designs in Patiala, including the [[Shri Kali Devi Temple, Patiala|Shri Kali Devi Temple]]. Other buildings he constructed include Chail View Palace in the summer retreat of [[Kandaghat]]; Chail Palace; and Oak Over and Cedar Lodge in [[Shimla]], which are now the residences of the [[List of chief ministers of Himachal Pradesh|Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]] and the Punjab State Guest House, respectively.<ref name="Solan">[http://hpsolan.gov.in/kandaghat.html ''Himachal Pradesh – Solan'' website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929014518/http://hpsolan.gov.in/kandaghat.html|date=29 September 2007}}</ref> He had a unique monorail system built in Patiala, known as [[Patiala State Monorail Trainways]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Haidar |first=Faizan |date=2018-01-14 |title=Delhi: India's oldest monorail comes back to life, to chug every Thursday |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-india-s-oldest-monorail-comes-back-to-life-to-chug-every-thursday/story-pRQRDdKcFDCaLXP8uhY8DO.html |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528133853/https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-india-s-oldest-monorail-comes-back-to-life-to-chug-every-thursday/story-pRQRDdKcFDCaLXP8uhY8DO.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Singh founded the [[State Bank of Patiala]] in 1917. Although Patiala was a 17-gun [[salute state]], Singh himself received a personal 19-gun salute.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Epstein |first=M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k4zJDQAAQBAJ |title=The Statesman's Year-Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1932 |date=2016-12-23 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-0-230-27061-9 |location=New York City |pages=172 |language=en |access-date=3 June 2024 |archive-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606212035/https://books.google.com/books?id=k4zJDQAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&dq&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> Singh was a member of [[Freemasonry]] and in 1916, he consecrated a [[Masonic lodge]] in Patiala.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune News Service |date=15 April 2016 |title=Polyclinic inaugurated at Lodge Phulkian |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/polyclinic-inaugurated-at-lodge-phulkian-223115# |access-date=27 July 2024 |website=The Tribune}}</ref>


He served on the [[General Staff]] in France, Belgium, Italy and Palestine in the [[First World War]] as an honorary [[lieutenant-colonel]], and was promoted honorary [[major general]] in 1918 and honorary [[lieutenant-general]] in 1931.  He represented India at the [[League of Nations]] in 1925, and was chancellor of the Indian [[Chamber of Princes]] for 10 years between 1926 and 1938, also being a representative at the [[Round Table Conference]]. He married many times and had many children by his wives and [[concubine]]s.
He represented India at the [[League of Nations]], was Chancellor of the [[Chamber of Princes]] for 10 years between 1926 and 1938, and was a representative at the [[Round Table Conference]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Copland |first=Ian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h0QKqCA-QHIC |title=The Princes of India in the Endgame of Empire, 1917-1947 |date=2002-05-16 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-89436-4 |page=xi |language=en |access-date=28 May 2024 |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528222628/https://books.google.com/books?id=h0QKqCA-QHIC&newbks=0&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last1=Singh |first1=Randhir |last2=Singh |first2=Shubhranshu |date=2019-08-15 |title=The forgotten third chamber of Parliament |url=https://openthemagazine.com/columns/column/forgotten-third-chamber-parliament/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Open The Magazine |language=en-GB |archive-date=17 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817072328/https://openthemagazine.com/columns/column/forgotten-third-chamber-parliament/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During his tenure as Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes, Singh fought for the rights of princely states in various jurisdictional and administrative matters.<ref name=":4" /> However, his proposals were rejected by the [[British Raj]] and even the larger 21-gun-salute states did not join him in his efforts.<ref name=":4" /> In one of the elections for the chancellorship, Singh's cousin [[Udai Bhan Singh]], the Maharaj-[[Rana (title)|Rana]] of Dholpur, challenged him and was defeated.<ref name=":6" /> Prior to the election, Singh wrote to Udai Bhan, stating that Udai Bhan would cause a family feud if he continued to challenge Singh, his cousin, in the elections.<ref name=":6" /> Despite Udai Bhan having the support of the British Raj's political departments, including that of the [[Residencies of British India|British Residents]] in Indian States, Singh managed to win the election by using his wealth to secure votes and even provided his election canvassing committee with the use of his private plane to court support from other rulers.<ref name=":6" />


Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was the first man in India to own aircraft, which he bought from the United Kingdom in 1910. For his aircraft he had an [[Patiala Airport|airstrip at Patiala]] built.
=== Military support ===
[[File:Imperial War Cabinet, 1918.jpg|thumb|249x249px|The [[British Empire]]'s [[Imperial War Cabinet]] in 1918. Singh is seated second from left]]
Singh served on the [[General Staff]] in France, Belgium, Italy and Palestine in the [[First World War]] as an honorary [[lieutenant-colonel]], and was promoted honorary [[major general]] in 1918 and honorary [[lieutenant-general]] in 1931. During the First World War, Singh also served on the [[Imperial War Cabinet]] in 1918 and on the [[Imperial War Conference]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Imperial War Cabinet |url=https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw283236/The-Imperial-War-Cabinet |access-date=29 May 2024 |website=National Portrait Gallery |archive-date=1 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101090649/https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw283236/The-Imperial-War-Cabinet |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mohan |first=Vijay |date=26 September 2017 |title=Maharajas 'helped British in WW-I' |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/maharajas-helped-british-in-ww-i-473528 |access-date=29 May 2024 |website=The Tribune |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528221802/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/maharajas-helped-british-in-ww-i-473528 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was awarded 43 medals during the First World War.<ref name=":1" /> Most of the buildings of the [[Chail Military School]], in Himachal Pradesh, were donated by Singh to the [[Government of India]].


He was well known for the construction of buildings with bold [[architecture|architectural]] designs in Patiala, including Kali Temple, Patiala, and Chail View Palace in the summer retreat of [[Kandaghat]] along with Chail Palace and Oak Over and Cedar Lodge in [[Shimla]] which now houses the [[Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh]] and Punjab State Guest House respectively.<ref name=Solan>[http://hpsolan.gov.in/kandaghat.html ''Himachal Pradesh – Solan'' website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929014518/http://hpsolan.gov.in/kandaghat.html |date=29 September 2007 }}</ref> He was known as a sportsman. He was also known for an exceptional collection of medals, believed to be the world's largest at the time.<ref>Singh J. A medal for collecting medals. ''[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]'' (Chandigarh) Sunday, 29 February 2004  [https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040229/spectrum/main7.htm]</ref> According to legend, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh would be driven in a motorcade of 20 [[Rolls-Royce cars]]. He had a unique monorail system built in Patiala known as [[Patiala State Monorail Trainways]].
== Sports ==
Singh was noted both as a sportsman and a patron of sports. He was captain of the [[Indian national cricket team|Indian cricket team]] that visited England in 1911,<ref>{{cite news |date=29 June 2019 |title=How the British forged the first Indian cricket team |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-48659324 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629233244/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-48659324 |archive-date=29 June 2019 |access-date=30 June 2019 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref> and played in 27 [[first-class cricket]] matches between 1915 and 1937.<ref>{{cite web |title=Royalty on the cricket field |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/691775 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404042858/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/691775 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=18 May 2018 |work=International Cricket Council}}</ref> For the season of 1926/27, he played as member of the [[Marylebone Cricket Club]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maharaja of Patiala Profile: Overview |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/maharaja-of-patiala-32680 |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520072759/https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/maharaja-of-patiala-32680 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was selected as the captain of India on its first Test tour of England in 1932, but dropped out for reasons of health two weeks before departure and [[Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji]], the Maharaja of [[Porbandar State|Porbandar]], took over.


His then Education Minister, Pandit Makhan Lal Banerjee accompanied him to the summer capital of Chail and was also a well-known referee in cricket.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}
Singh had a key role in the founding of the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI), the national [[Sports governing body|sports administration]] body for [[cricket in India]], and he donated the [[Ranji Trophy]] in honour of Maharaja [[Ranjitsinhji]] of [[Nawanagar State|Nawanagar]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About BCCI: History |url=https://www.bcci.tv/about/history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017174201/https://www.bcci.tv/about/history |archive-date=17 October 2019 |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Board of Control for Cricket in India }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Biswas |first=Sudipta |date=2020-04-09 |title=Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and his patronage towards sports in India |url=https://delhipostnews.com/maharaja-bhupinder-singh-and-his-patronage-towards-sports-in-india/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512114429/https://delhipostnews.com/maharaja-bhupinder-singh-and-his-patronage-towards-sports-in-india/ |archive-date=12 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Delhi Post |language=en-US }}</ref> Singh's [[cricket]] and [[polo]] teams, Patiala XI and Patiala Tigers, were among the best in India.<ref name=":0" /> He also served as the President of the [[Indian Olympic Association]] from 1928 to 1938.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pritam |first=Norris |date=6 October 2024 |title=A mess of Olympic proportions |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/a-mess-of-olympic-proportions-3221452 |access-date=8 May 2025 |website=Deccan Herald}}</ref>


He is perhaps the most famous [[Maharaja of Patiala]], best known for his extravagance and for being a [[cricketer]]. His cricket and polo teams – Patiala XI and Patiala Tigers – were among the best of India. He was a great patron of sports.
== Extravagance ==
Singh is largely noted and remembered for his extravagance. During his life, Singh developed a reputation for being a generous host, throwing lavish parties, and entertaining doctors, artists and people of repute from around the world.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Arora |first=Amrtansh |date=2023-03-23 |title=Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, patron saint of Patiala peg who used Sikh identity to his advantage |url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/maharaja-bhupinder-singh-patron-saint-of-patiala-peg-who-used-sikh-identity-to-his-advantage/1464098/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604082528/https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/maharaja-bhupinder-singh-patron-saint-of-patiala-peg-who-used-sikh-identity-to-his-advantage/1464098/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was noted for collecting various items, including cars, jewels, medals, paintings, watches, wines, and spending sprees in Europe.<ref name=":0" />[[File:A group photograph of Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala (reg. 1900-1938) with the cricketer Sir Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji Jadeja, known as Ranji, and other guests and servants. Patiala, circa 1910.jpg|thumb|A group photograph of Singh (seated right) with the cricketer, Maharaja [[Ranjitsinhji]] of [[Nawanagar State|Nawanagar]], known as Ranji, (seated near left) and other guests and servants. Patiala, circa 1910]]


He was captain of the [[Indian national cricket team|Indian cricket team]] that visited England in 1911,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-48659324 |title=How the British forged the first Indian cricket team |publisher=BBC News |date=29 June 2019 |access-date=30 June 2019}}</ref> and played in 27 [[first-class cricket]] matches between 1915 and 1937.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/691775 |title=Royalty on the cricket field |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=18 May 2018}}</ref> For season of 1926/27, he played as member of [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] [https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/34/34190/34190.html]. He donated the [[Ranji Trophy]] in honour of [[Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji]], [[Jam Sahib]] of [[Nawanagar State|Nawanagar]]. He was selected as the captain of India on its first Test tour of England in 1932, but dropped out for reasons of health two weeks before departure and the [[Maharaja of Porbandar]] took over. Most of the buildings of [[Chail Military School]] were donated by Maharaja of Patiala to the government of India.
In 1925, Singh placed the largest single order to [[Cartier (jeweler)#Royalty|Cartier]] to date: the [[Patiala Necklace]], worth {{INRConvert|1000|m|year=1925|to=USD EUR}}.<ref name="pat1">{{Cite web |last=Manmohan |first=Nutan |date=2022-11-05 |title=From Bahadur Shah Zafar to the Nizam of Hyderabad, a jewellery brand for the royals |url=https://theprint.in/feature/from-bahadur-shah-zafar-to-the-nizam-of-hyderabad-a-jewellery-brand-for-the-royals/1197972/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US |archive-date=30 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930003440/https://theprint.in/feature/from-bahadur-shah-zafar-to-the-nizam-of-hyderabad-a-jewellery-brand-for-the-royals/1197972/ |url-status=live }}</ref> One of his wives, Maharani Bakhtawar Kaur, presented [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]] of the [[List of British royal consorts|United Kingdom]] with a necklace on behalf of the Ladies of India during the [[Delhi Durbar#Durbar of 1911|Delhi Durbar of 1911]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Emerald and diamond choker |url=http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/microsites/dressfortheoccasion/object.asp?exhibs=BPSO2006jewellery&item=5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721160611/http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/microsites/dressfortheoccasion/object.asp?exhibs=BPSO2006jewellery&item=5 |archive-date=21 July 2013 |access-date=15 February 2013 |publisher=Royal Collection}} Although he was married five times, his favourite wife was his third wife, Maharani Vimal Kaur Sahiba of Ubbewal.</ref> He was also known for an exceptional collection of [[medal]]s, believed to be the world's largest at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Jangveer |date=29 February 2004 |title=A medal for collecting medals |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040229/spectrum/main7.htm |access-date=28 May 2024 |website=The Tribune |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029090129/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040229/spectrum/main7.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Singh also owned a fleet of 44 [[Rolls-Royce Motor Cars|Rolls-Royce]] cars.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Dhar |first=Shobita |date=2015-04-05 |title=Royal Royce tales |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/royal-royce-tales/articleshow/46810553.cms |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=27 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527233113/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/royal-royce-tales/articleshow/46810553.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> He was the first Indian to own a private plane and built an [[Patiala Airport|airstrip in Patiala]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 August 2023 |title=This player was first Indian cricketer to buy private jet; not Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/cricket/report-this-player-was-first-indian-cricketer-buy-private-jet-virat-kohli-dhoni-kapil-dev-tendulkar-bhupinder-singh-3057523 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=DNA India |language=en |archive-date=4 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904030642/https://www.dnaindia.com/cricket/report-this-player-was-first-indian-cricketer-buy-private-jet-virat-kohli-dhoni-kapil-dev-tendulkar-bhupinder-singh-3057523 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also owned properties in [[Mumbai]] and [[Juhu]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1937 |title=Sale of the Immovable Properties owned by His Highness the Maharaja of Patiala in Bombay and Juhu |url=https://indianculture.gov.in/archives/sale-immovable-properties-owned-his-highness-maharaja-patiala-bombay-and-juhu |access-date=29 April 2025 |website=Indian Culture |via=National Archives of India}}</ref>


Sir Bhupinder Singh founded the [[State Bank of Patiala]] in 1917.
== Personal life and family ==
Singh married ten times and had a harem of 350 concubines.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-05-21 |title=Bhupinder Singh of Patiala: The Maharaja Who Married 10 Times, Had 350 Concubines, And Sired 52 Children |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/people/bhupinder-singh-of-patiala-the-maharaja-who-married-10-times-had-350-concubines-and-sired-52-children-article-110311649 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Times Now |language=en |archive-date=27 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527211126/https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/people/bhupinder-singh-of-patiala-the-maharaja-who-married-10-times-had-350-concubines-and-sired-52-children-article-110311649 |url-status=live }}</ref> He fathered 88 children, 52 of whom survived to adulthood.<ref name=":2" />


He served as the Chancellor of Chamber of Princes from 1926 to 1931. He worked tirelessly for his subjects' betterment and introduced many social reforms in Patiala.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}
=== Wives and concubines ===
{{Dynamic list|multiple=no}}


His elder son, [[Maharaja]] [[Yadavindra Singh]] and younger son Raja [[Bhalindra Singh]] both played first-class cricket, Yuvraj also played in one [[Test cricket|Test]] for India, in 1934. Raja Bhalindra Singh, later served as President of Indian Olympic Association.
Some of Singh's wives and concubines are:
* Maharani [[Sri]] Bakhtawar Kaur Sahiba (1892–1960). Daughter of Sardar Gurnam Singh, Sardar Bahadur of [[Sangrur]], [[Order of British India|OBI]]. Married Bhupinder Singh in 1908.
* Maharani Jaswant Kaur. Her brother, [[Gian Singh Rarewala]], served as the first [[Chief minister (India)|Chief Minister]] of the former state of [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union]] (PEPSU), and as the President of the [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dulat |first=A. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XaigEAAAQBAJ |title=A Life in the Shadows: A Memoir |date=22 December 2022 |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers India |isbn=978-93-5629-597-1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 November 2016 |title=Prominent Players |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/arts/prominent-players-318724/ |access-date=17 April 2025 |website=The Tribune}}</ref>
* Maharani Vimala Kaur Sahiba (original name Dhan Kaur) of Ubbewal (1906–1992). Married Maharaja Bhupinder Singh in 1920, [[Order of British India|OBI]].
* Maharani Yashoda Devi.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-08 |title=Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Of Patiala: The Man Who Epitomised Living Life King Size |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/people/maharaja-bhupinder-singh-of-patiala-the-man-who-epitomised-living-life-king-size-article-109142553 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Times Now |language=en |archive-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414234204/https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/people/maharaja-bhupinder-singh-of-patiala-the-man-who-epitomised-living-life-king-size-article-109142553 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Maharani Manjula Devi of [[Darkoti]].
* 3 other wives who were members of the royal family of Darkoti.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dhole |first=Pradip |date=2017-10-17 |title=Bhupendra Singh (Maharaja of Patiala) and India's 1911 tour of England |url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/bhupendra-singh-maharaja-of-patiala-and-indias-1911-tour-of-england-652322/ |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Cricket Country |language=en-US |archive-date=25 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525005919/https://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/bhupendra-singh-maharaja-of-patiala-and-indias-1911-tour-of-england-652322 |url-status=live }}</ref>


On 23 March 1938, Bhupinder Singh died.
=== Children ===
[[File:YadavindraSinghofPatiala1930s.png|thumb|266x266px|[[Yadavindra Singh]], Singh's eldest son and successor as the Maharaja of Patiala, circa 1930s]][[File:Manjula Devi of Darkoti, one of the wives of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, and their daughter, Naginder Kumari Khanna, one of the daughters of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. Circa 1950s.jpg|thumb|221x221px|Manjula Devi of [[Darkoti]], one of Singh's wives, and their daughter, Naginder Kumari Khanna, circa 1950s. Naginder married [[Vipin Khanna]]. Darkoti was a [[Kachhwaha]] [[Rajput]] ruled [[princely state]], founded in the 11th century, whose rulers were directly descended from the ruling house of the [[Kingdom of Amber]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/dli.pahar.1916 |title=Punjab States Gazetteer: Simla Hill States -  1910 |date=1911 |publisher=Civil and Military Gazette Press |volume=8 |pages=392–394}}</ref>]]


Yuvraj Yadavindra Singh became the Maharaja on 23 March 1938.  He was to be the last Maharaja, agreeing to the incorporation of Patiala into the newly independent India on 5 May 1948, becoming [[Rajpramukh]] of the new [[Indian state]] of [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union]].
{{Dynamic list|multiple=no}}


Bhupinder Singh's grandson [[Amarinder Singh|Captain Amarinder Singh]] is a politician in India and served as [[Chief Minister]] of [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] from 2002 to 2007. Captain Amarinder was again elected as [[List of chief ministers of Punjab (India)|Chief Minister of Punjab]] in 2017.
Singh's children included:


== Personal life ==
* [[Yadavindra Singh]] (1914 – 1974). Yadvindra became the Maharaja on 23 March 1938. He was the last Maharaja of Patiala, agreeing to the incorporation of Patiala State into the newly [[History of India (1947–present)|independent India]] on 5 May 1948. Yadvindra later became a [[Sports governing body|sports administrator]] and [[diplomat]], serving in various roles, including as the Indian delegate to the [[United Nations General Assembly]], and as Indian Ambassador to [[Italy]] and later, to the [[Netherlands]]. His wife, [[Mehtab Kaur of Patiala|Mehtab Kaur]], was a politician who served as a [[Member of Parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]] in both the [[Rajya Sabha]] and the [[Lok Sabha]].
[[File:A group photograph of Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala (reg. 1900-1938) with the cricketer Sir Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji Jadeja, known as Ranji, and other guests and servants. Patiala, circa 1910.jpg|thumb|A group photograph of Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala (reg. 1900–1938) with the cricketer Sir Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji Jadeja, known as Ranji, and other guests and servants. Patiala, circa 1910]]
* [[Bhalindra Singh]] (1919 – 1992). He was a sports administrator and politician. His positions included being a member of the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) and President of the [[Asian Games Federation]] and the [[Indian Olympic Association]]. He also served as the [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]] from the [[Patiala Assembly constituency]].<ref name=":43">{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=Punjab Vidhan Sabha Compendium of Who's Who of Members (1937–2017) (Updated till 25-10-2019) |url=https://punjabassembly.nic.in/images/docs/Vidhan%20Sabha%20Compendium.pdf |access-date=14 April 2024 |website=Punjab Vidhan Sabha |publisher=Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat |page=63 |archive-date=30 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430063921/https://punjabassembly.nic.in/images/docs/Vidhan%20Sabha%20Compendium.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> He married Pushpa Kumari, the daughter of the ruler of [[Sahanpur]].<ref name=":32">{{Cite book |last=Brentnall |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ayYbAvECXQwC |title=The Princely and Noble Families of the Former Indian Empire: Himachal Pradesh |publisher=Indus Publishing |year=2004 |isbn=978-81-7387-163-4 |volume=1 |location=New Delhi |pages=33–34 |language=en}}</ref>
Bhupinder Singh married ten times and had numerous consorts. From those unions, he sired an estimated 88 children of whom at least 53 survived him.{{citation needed|date=December 2010}} He was the owner of the world-famous "[[Patiala Necklace]]" manufactured by the famous brand [[Cartier (jeweler)|Cartier SA]]. His wife Maharani Bakhtawar Kaur presented Queen Mary with a magnificent necklace on behalf of the Ladies of India during the [[Delhi Durbar#Durbar of 1911|Delhi Durbar of 1911]] to mark the first visit to India by any Queen Empress.<ref>{{cite web|title=Emerald and diamond choker |url=http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/microsites/dressfortheoccasion/object.asp?exhibs=BPSO2006jewellery&item=5|publisher=Royal Collection|access-date=15 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721160611/http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/microsites/dressfortheoccasion/object.asp?exhibs=BPSO2006jewellery&item=5|archive-date=21 July 2013|url-status=dead}} Although, he was married five times, his favorite wife was his third Wife, Maharani Vimal Kaur Sahiba of Ubbewal</ref> In 1925, he made the largest ever single order to [[Cartier (jeweler)#Royalty|Cartier]] till date for jewelry worth {{INRConvert|1000|m|year=1925|to=USD EUR}}.<ref name=pat1>[https://theprint.in/feature/from-bahadur-shah-zafar-to-the-nizam-of-hyderabad-a-jewellery-brand-for-the-royals/1197972/ From Bahadur Shah Zafar to the Nizam of Hyderabad, a jewellery brand for the royals], The Print, 5 Nov 2022.</ref>
* Yadhuvansh Kumari (1922 – 2006). She married Govind Singh, the son of [[Raja]] [[Brijnath Singh]] of [[Maihar State|Maihar]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Tejinder |date=2018-05-27 |title=Jyoti Singh Opens Her Heart as Yadvi Opens on US Screens |url=https://www.america-times.com/jyoti-singh-opens-heart-yadvi-opens-us-screens/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=The America Times |language=en-US |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303121624/https://www.america-times.com/jyoti-singh-opens-heart-yadvi-opens-us-screens/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=IANS |date=25 August 2017 |title='Yadvi: The Dignified Princess': A one-dimensional real-life tale (IANS Review, Rating: **1/2) |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/yadvi-the-dignified-princess-a-one-dimensional-real-life-tale-ians-review-rating-1-2-117082500391_1.html |access-date=23 June 2024 |website=Business Standard |archive-date=22 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622224806/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/yadvi-the-dignified-princess-a-one-dimensional-real-life-tale-ians-review-rating-1-2-117082500391_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5oBWAAAAMAAJ |title=National Register of Private Records |date=1972 |publisher=National Archives of India |series=part 2 |location=New Delhi |page=96 |language=en |issue=1}}</ref>
* Raghavendra Singh (1923 – unknown). He was married to Sumitra Raje [[House of Holkar|Holkar]], the daughter of Maharaja [[Tukojirao Holkar III]] of [[Indore State|Indore]] and the sister of Maharaja [[Yashwant Rao Holkar II]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1954 |title=Representation from Raja Raghavendra Singh, brother of H.H. the Maharaja of Patiala against the Maharaja of Patiala |url=https://indianculture.gov.in/archives/representation-raja-raghavendra-singh-brother-hh-maharaja-patiala-against-maharaja-patiala |access-date=23 June 2024 |website=Indian Culture |page=5 |via=National Archives of India |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717215359/https://indianculture.gov.in/archives/representation-raja-raghavendra-singh-brother-hh-maharaja-patiala-against-maharaja-patiala |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Mrigendra Singh (1929 – 2014). He was a [[scholar]] and a [[musician]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kapuria |first=Radha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hna6EAAAQBAJ |title=Music in Colonial Punjab: Courtesans, Bards, and Connoisseurs, 1800-1947 |date=2023-04-15 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-269292-4 |publication-place=Oxford |pages=317 |language=en |access-date=3 June 2024 |archive-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606212044/https://books.google.com/books?id=Hna6EAAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&dq&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Kailash Kumari Devi (1934 – 2004). She married [[Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo]], former [[List of chief ministers of Odisha|Chief Minister of Odisha]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarangi |first=Suresh Prasad |date=2017 |title=The Role of R.N. Singh Deo in the State Politics of Odisha in the Pre and Post-Independent Political Scenario: A Critical Study |url=https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2017/April/engpdf/The_Role_of_R.N._Singh_Deo.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220124904/http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2017/April/engpdf/The_Role_of_R.N._Singh_Deo.pdf |archive-date=20 February 2021 |access-date=28 May 2024 |website=Odisha Review |page=29 |issn=0970-8669}}</ref>
* Kunwar Devinder Singh (1936 – 2019).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sirhindi |first=Manish |date=2019-03-24 |title=Younger son of Maharaja of Patiala, Kunwar Devinder Singh passes away |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/younger-son-of-maharaja-of-patiala-passes-away/articleshow/68552783.cms |access-date=2024-05-28 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528103852/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/younger-son-of-maharaja-of-patiala-passes-away/articleshow/68552783.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> He married [[Amarjit Kaur]], a former [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha|member of the Rajya Sabha]], former Chairperson of the Central Social Welfare Board under the [[Ministry of Women and Child Development]], and the daughter of [[Raghbir Singh (chief minister)|Raghbir Singh]], who served as Chief Minister of the former state of PEPSU.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2019 |title=Captain's uncle passes away |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/captain%E2%80%99s-uncle-passes-away-747770 |access-date=12 April 2025 |website=The Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 April 2013 |title=Amarinder's aunt ready to take on Preneet Kaur in LS elections |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/amarinder-s-aunt-ready-to-take-on-preneet-kaur-in-ls-elections/story-817lRVxTlh1MdsKrbUdy8K.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409181632/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/amarinder-s-aunt-ready-to-take-on-preneet-kaur-in-ls-elections/story-817lRVxTlh1MdsKrbUdy8K.html |archive-date=9 April 2025 |access-date=5 May 2025 |work=Hindustan Times |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Naginder Kumari Khanna (1937 – 2012). She married [[Vipin Khanna]], a businessman and financier who was noted for his business interests in the [[arms industry]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Rana |first=Mahendra Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yInZdHn-pKoC&dq=arvind+khanna+sangrur&pg=PA367 |title=India Votes: Lok Sabha & Vidhan Sabha Elections 2001-2005 |date=2006 |publisher=Sarup & Sons |isbn=978-81-7625-647-6 |language=en |access-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413193202/https://books.google.com/books?id=yInZdHn-pKoC&dq=arvind+khanna+sangrur&pg=PA367 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":473">{{Cite web |last=MS |first=Nileena |date=2 November 2023 |title=How the Modi government is covering up two decades of defence corruption to save the Rafale deal |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/gupta-papers-rafale-deal-agusta-westland-sushen-gupta |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114152534/https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/gupta-papers-rafale-deal-agusta-westland-sushen-gupta |archive-date=14 November 2023 |access-date=29 April 2025 |website=The Caravan |language=en}}</ref>
* Amrit Kumari Khanna. She married Ravi Khanna, a former [[Indian Army]] [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]] and Vipin Khanna's brother.<ref name=":12">{{cite web |last1=Committee on Public Undertakings |date=13 December 1967 |title=Fifth Report on Contract Entered into by State Trading Corporation of India Limited (with M/s Oval Industries Inc., New York for Import of sulphur) pertaining to Ministry of Commerce |url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/57463/1/copu_04_05_1967.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212212650/https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/57463/1/copu_04_05_1967.pdf |archive-date=12 February 2022 |access-date=28 May 2024 |website=Parliament Digital Library |publisher=Lok Sabha Secretariat |page=21}}</ref>
* Shailendra Kumari. She married Himmat Singh, the younger son Maharaja [[Umaid Singh]] of [[Kingdom of Marwar|Jodhpur]] and a member of the [[Rathore dynasty]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uUJuAAAAMAAJ |title=Mānavatā ke mukuṭamaṇi Mahārājā Ummedasiṃhajī |publisher=Jñāna |year=2005 |page=34 |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Brentnall |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ayYbAvECXQwC |title=The Princely and Noble Families of the Former Indian Empire: Himachal Pradesh |date=2004 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-163-4 |location=New Delhi |page=252 |language=en |access-date=12 June 2024 |archive-date=12 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612190152/https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/The_Princely_and_Noble_Families_of_the_F/ayYbAvECXQwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Dhananajaya |url=https://archive.org/details/houseofmarwar0000sing |title=The House of Marwar |publisher=Lotus Collection, Roli Books |year=1994 |isbn=978-81-7436-002-1 |location=New Delhi |page=153}}</ref>
* Bhavenesh Kumari (d. 2023). She was a lawyer and a [[Supreme Court of India]] [[advocate]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bhavenesh Kumari Patiala '50 |url=https://www.woodstockschool.in/alumni/distinguished-alumni/patiala/#:~:text=She%20was%20the%20first%20woman,landmark%20case%20in%20her%20career. |access-date=28 May 2024 |website=Woodstock School |archive-date=28 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528000408/https://www.woodstockschool.in/alumni/distinguished-alumni/patiala/#:~:text=She%20was%20the%20first%20woman,landmark%20case%20in%20her%20career. |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3" />
* Kumudesh Bhandari. She married [[Romesh Bhandari]], a diplomat and administrator who served in various positions, including as [[Foreign Secretary (India)|Foreign Secretary]], [[List of lieutenant governors of Delhi|Lieutenant Governor of Delhi]], and [[List of governors of Uttar Pradesh|Governor of Uttar Pradesh]].<ref name="about">{{Cite web |title=Shri Romesh Bhandari |url=https://upgovernor.gov.in/en/post/shri-romesh-bhandari?brd=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127112841/http://upgovernor.gov.in/en/post/shri-romesh-bhandari?brd=1 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Raj Bhavan, Uttar Pradesh}}</ref>
* Kanwar Kumar Indira Singh. He owned [[Tea processing|tea estates]] and [[real estate]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rambani |first=Vishal |date=24 June 2015 |title=Land mafia cheats Patiala royal family scion |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/land-mafia-cheats-patiala-royal-family-scion/story-SWsy25j7ryPD3ufZNvaFpJ.html |access-date=3 June 2024 |website=Hindustan Times |archive-date=27 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727144309/http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/land-mafia-cheats-patiala-royal-family-scion/story-SWsy25j7ryPD3ufZNvaFpJ.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Virender |date=6 May 2024 |title=Rajinder Kaur And Another vs Yashodan Devi (Deceased) Through Lrs on 6 May, 2024 |url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/179625161/ |access-date=5 May 2025 |website=Indian Kanoon}}</ref>
* Danesh Kumari. She married Kumar Aman Singh, a member of the [[Bijawar State|Bijawar royal family]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jhala |first=Angma Dey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=feQvCgAAQBAJ |title=Courtly Indian Women in Late Imperial India |date=2015-10-06 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-31443-1 |location=Oxfordshire |language=en |access-date=23 June 2024 |archive-date=25 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625111148/https://books.google.com/books?id=feQvCgAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Dass |first=Jarmani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2yD5DwAAQBAJ |title=Maharaja |date=2020-08-26 |publisher=Penguin Random House India |isbn=978-93-5349-783-5 |location=New Delhi |language=en |access-date=23 June 2024 |orig-year=1970 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727100225/https://books.google.com/books?id=2yD5DwAAQBAJ |archive-date=27 July 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* Brijindra Singh. He was a [[lieutenant colonel]] in the [[Indian Army]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1954 |title=Representation from Lt.Col Kunwar Brijindra Singh, the younger brother of H.H. Maharaja of Patiala regarding -1).Cut in his monthly allowance. 2). Restoration of Jewellery of his wife and his mother and a House in Chail. 3).Share from Trust fund of Rs.16 Lakhs for marriage of Members of H.H. family. |url=https://indianculture.gov.in/archives/representation-ltcol-kunwar-brijindra-singhthe-younger-brother-hh-maharaja-patiala-0 |access-date=30 June 2024 |website=Indian Culture |via=National Archives of India |archive-date=30 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630004924/https://indianculture.gov.in/archives/representation-ltcol-kunwar-brijindra-singhthe-younger-brother-hh-maharaja-patiala-0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Kamlesh Kumari. She married Jasbir Singh, a businessman with business interests in real estate and transport.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bY2qUYx_oFEC |title=Indian and Pakistan Year Book and Who's who |publisher=Bennett, Coleman, Company |year=1952 |volume=38 |location=New Delhi |page=793 |language=en}}</ref>


=== Wives and consorts ===
=== Other relatives ===
Of his five wives, Maharani Vimala Kaur Sahiba of Patiala (1906–1992), his 3rd [[Dowager]] Maharani from Ubbewal was his favourite wife. She attended all the ceremonies with him and travelled abroad.
Singh's younger brother was Birendra Singh.<ref name=":52">{{Cite book |last=Hawksley |first=Lucinda |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3zMXAgAAQBAJ |title=The Mystery of Princess Louise: Queen Victoria's Rebellious Daughter |date=21 November 2013 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-1-4481-9211-3 |location=London |page=332 |language=en}}</ref> Birendra Singh's daughter and Singh's niece, Naresh Inder Kumari, married Hardev Singh Chhina, an [[Indian Administrative Service]] officer who served as the [[Chief secretary (India)|Chief Secretary]] of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].<ref name=":62">{{Cite web |date=18 August 2018 |title=Former Chief Secy Chhina dies at 98 |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/former-chief-secy-chhina-dies-at-98-639226/ |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=The Tribune}}</ref><ref name=":52" /> The son of Naresh Inder Kumari and Hardev Singh Chhina, Paramdev Singh Chhina, served as the Additional [[Advocate general (India)|Advocate General]] of Punjab.<ref name=":62" /> Singh's cousin was Udai Bhan Singh, the Maharaj-Rana of Dholpur.<ref name=":6" /> His cousin from the Patiala family, Mahesh Inder Singh, was a Member of the [[Punjab Legislative Assembly]] and a Freemason who served as the [[Masonic lodge officer|Worshipful Master]] of the Masonic lodge in Patiala.<ref name=":44">{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=Punjab Vidhan Sabha Compendium of Who's Who of Members (1937–2017) (Updated till 25-10-2019) |url=https://punjabassembly.nic.in/images/docs/Vidhan%20Sabha%20Compendium.pdf |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=Punjab Vidhan Sabha |publisher=Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat |page=262 |archive-date=30 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430063921/https://punjabassembly.nic.in/images/docs/Vidhan%20Sabha%20Compendium.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rizvi |first=Jamil Hussain |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NckzAAAAMAAJ |title=Pakistan Story |publisher=Zia H. Rizvi |year=1973 |page=22 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Maharani]] [[Sri]] Bakhtawar Kaur Sahiba (1892–1960). Daughter of Sardar Gurnam Singh, Sardar Bahadur of [[Sangrur]], [[Order of British India|OBI]]. Married Bhupinder Singh in 1908.
* Maharani Vimala Kaur Sahiba (original name Dhan Kaur) of Ubbewal (1906–1992). Married Maharaja Bhupinder Singh 1920. [[Order of British India|OBI]].


==Titles==
== Notable descendants ==
{{Dynamic list|multiple=no}}
 
Through his children, Singh has many notable descendants, including:
* [[Amarinder Singh]]
* [[Ananga Udaya Singh Deo]]
* [[Arvind Khanna]]
* [[Jagat Singh (politician)|Jagat Singh]]
* [[Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo]]
* [[Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo]]
* [[Raj Raj Singh Deo]]
* [[Randhir Singh (sports administrator)|Randhir Singh]]
* [[Rajeshwari Kumari]]
* [[Raninder Singh]]
 
== Death ==
Singh's health began deteriorating, and he died on 23 March 1938 due to ill health.<ref name=":7" /> He was succeeded on the throne of [[Patiala State|Patiala]] by [[Yadavindra Singh]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Brunner |first=Michael Philipp |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Education_and_Modernity_in_Colonial_Punj/wwcLEAAAQBAJ |title=Education and Modernity in Colonial Punjab: Khalsa College, the Sikh Tradition and the Webs of Knowledge, 1880-1947 |date=2020-11-23 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-3-030-53514-8 |pages=62 |language=en}}</ref> To mark Singh's death, a state-wide [[hartal]] for five days was announced, during which all offices, schools, colleges, and other public institutions were to remain closed, and, throughout the period of mourning, flags at all forts and public buildings in the state were to be hoisted at [[half-mast]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhupinder State Press |first=Patiala |url=http://archive.org/details/extraordinary-hh-government-gazette-vol28-no53 |title=Extraordinary His Highness's Government Gazette, Patiala, Vol. No. 28, No. 53. |date=1938-03-23}}</ref>
 
== Titles ==
*1891–1900: [[Sri]] [[Yuvaraja]] [[Sahib]] Bhupinder Singhji
*1891–1900: [[Sri]] [[Yuvaraja]] [[Sahib]] Bhupinder Singhji
*1900–1911: [[His Highness]] Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, [[Maharajadhiraja]] Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, [[Maharaja]] Bhupinder Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Yadu Vansha Vatans Bhatti Kul Bushan, Maharaja of [[Patiala]]
*1900–1911: [[His Highness]] Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, [[Maharajadhiraja]] Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, [[Maharaja]] Bhupinder Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Yadu Vansha Vatans Bhatti Kul Bushan, Maharaja of [[Patiala]]
Line 129: Line 181:
[[File:GeorgeVICoronationRibbon.png|100px]]
[[File:GeorgeVICoronationRibbon.png|100px]]
[[File:Cavaliere di Gran Croce OCI Kingdom BAR.svg|100px]]
[[File:Cavaliere di Gran Croce OCI Kingdom BAR.svg|100px]]
[[File:EGY Order of the Nile - Grand Cordon BAR.png|100px]]
[[File:EGY Order of the Nile - Grand Cordon BAR.svg|100px]]


[[File:Grand Crest Ordre de Leopold.png|100px]]
[[File:BEL - Order of Leopold - Grand Cordon bar.svg|100px]]
[[File:GRE Order Redeemer 1Class.svg|100px]]
[[File:GRE Order Redeemer 1Class.svg|100px]]
[[File:ESP Charles III Order GC.svg|100px]]
[[File:ESP Charles III Order GC.svg|100px]]
Line 142: Line 194:
</div>
</div>


{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}[[File:Seated painting of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala State as a young prince, circa early 20th century.jpg|thumb|186x186px|Seated painting of Singh as a young prince]]


===British===
===British===
Line 158: Line 210:
* [[King George V Silver Jubilee Medal]] – 1935
* [[King George V Silver Jubilee Medal]] – 1935
* [[King George VI Coronation Medal]] – 1937
* [[King George VI Coronation Medal]] – 1937
[[File:NLS Haig - Maharaja of Patiala visits the Western Front.jpg|thumb|<div class="center">Inspecting a [[BL 12 inch railway howitzer|BL 12-inch Railway Howitzer]] in France, August 1918</div>]]


===Foreign===
===Foreign===
Line 174: Line 227:
===Other===
===Other===
*A [[Unani]] College, namely 'Bhupinder Tibbi College' was after his name at Patiala
*A [[Unani]] College, namely 'Bhupinder Tibbi College' was after his name at Patiala
* The [[Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University]] was named after him in recognition of his contribution to the promotion of sports.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sports University to Be Named After Maharaja Bhupinder Singh |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/state-editions/sports-university-to-be-named-after-maharaja-bhupinder-singh.html |access-date=13 February 2020 |work=[[The Pioneer (India)|The Pioneer]] |date=31 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
* The [[Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University]] was named after him in recognition of his contribution to the promotion of sports.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sports University to Be Named After Maharaja Bhupinder Singh |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/state-editions/sports-university-to-be-named-after-maharaja-bhupinder-singh.html |access-date=13 February 2020 |work=[[The Pioneer (India)|The Pioneer]] |date=31 July 2019 |language=en |archive-date=13 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213155756/https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/state-editions/sports-university-to-be-named-after-maharaja-bhupinder-singh.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{More footnotes needed|date=January 2022}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/34/34190/34190.html Cricketarchive profile of Bhupinder Singh]
{{Commons category|Bhupinder Singh of Patiala}}
* [https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/34/34190/34190.html CricketArchive profile of Bhupinder Singh]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160305005757/http://famoushotels.org/article/1133 The Maharja's Travel to Vienna, Austria]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160305005757/http://famoushotels.org/article/1133 The Maharja's Travel to Vienna, Austria]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060704172814/http://www.maharaja.freeserve.co.uk/patiala.html Maharaja of Patiala]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060704172814/http://www.maharaja.freeserve.co.uk/patiala.html Maharaja of Patiala]
*[http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/p/patiala.html Genealogy of the rulers of Patiala]
*[http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/p/patiala.html Genealogy of the rulers of Patiala] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030228135510/http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/p/patiala.html |date=28 February 2003 }}
*[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070509/himplus1.htm Article in Tribune on the Myth of Bhupinder's role in building Chail]
*[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070509/himplus1.htm Article in Tribune on the Myth of Bhupinder's role in building Chail]
{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
Line 197: Line 250:
{{s-aft| after = [[Maharaja Yadavindra Singh|Yadavindra Singh]]}}
{{s-aft| after = [[Maharaja Yadavindra Singh|Yadavindra Singh]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{S-end}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Bhupinder of Patiala}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Bhupinder of Patiala}}
[[Category:1891 births]]
[[Category:1891 births]]
[[Category:1938 deaths]]
[[Category:1938 deaths]]
[[Category:Maharajas of Patiala]]
[[Category:Maharajas of Patiala State]]
[[Category:Jat rulers]]
[[Category:Indian Sikhs]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]]
Line 217: Line 270:
[[Category:Southern Punjab cricketers]]
[[Category:Southern Punjab cricketers]]
[[Category:Indian cricket administrators]]
[[Category:Indian cricket administrators]]
[[Category:Indian cricketers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian royalty]]
[[Category:Marylebone Cricket Club cricketers]]
[[Category:Marylebone Cricket Club cricketers]]
[[Category:Members of the first Indian cricket team to tour England in 1911]]
[[Category:Members of the first Indian cricket team to tour England in 1911]]
[[Category:Northern India cricketers]]
[[Category:Northern India cricketers]]
[[Category:Patiala cricketers]]
[[Category:Patiala cricketers]]
[[Category:Punjabi people]]
[[Category:Indian Freemasons]]
[[Category:Sikh monarchs]]
[[Category:Indian sports executives and administrators]]
[[Category:Indian sports executives and administrators]]
[[Category:British Indian Army personnel]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 22:53, 22 March 2026



Sir Bhupinder Singh
GCSI GCIE GCVO GBE
Maharaja of Patiala (more)
Bhupinder Singh, c. 1911
Maharaja of Patiala
Reign8 November 1900 – 23 March 1938
PredecessorRajinder Singh
SuccessorYadavindra Singh
Minister of State
Born(1891-10-12)12 October 1891
Moti Bagh Palace, Patiala, Patiala State, Punjab Province, British India
Died23 March 1938(1938-03-23) (aged 46)
Patiala, Patiala State, Punjab Province, British India
Spouse10
Issue
Detail		Estimated at 52, including Yadavindra Singh and Bhalindra Singh
DynastyPhulkian
FatherRajinder Singh
MotherJasmer Kaur Manshahia
ReligionSikhism
Cricket information
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
Hindus
Marylebone Cricket Club
Career statistics
Competition FC
Matches 27
Runs scored 643
Batting average 17.37
100s/50s 0/1
Top score 83
Balls bowled 72
Wickets 2
Bowling average
5 wickets in innings 0
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 2-40
Catches/stumpings 4/0
Source: ESPNcricinfo
Bhupinder Singh of Patiala
2nd President of Indian Olympic Association
In office
1928 - 1938
Preceded byDorabji Tata
Succeeded byYadavindra Singh

Sir Bhupinder Singh (12 October 1891 – 23 March 1938) was the Maharaja of Patiala and a cricket player. Singh's reign as Maharaja of the princely state of Patiala, in British India, lasted from 1900 to 1938.[1] He was a member of the Phulkian dynasty. During his reign, Singh was most noted for his extravagance, contributions to sports, and for being an ally to the British Raj.[2] Many of Singh's children married notable individuals and through his children, Singh has many notable descendants.[3][4][5]

Early life and background[edit | edit source]

Bhupinder Singh was born on 12 October 1891 in Moti Bagh Palace, Patiala.[6] Singh was born into the Jat Sikh Phulkian dynasty and Sidhu clan.[7] He was educated at Aitchison College in Lahore. Singh was sent to the princely state of Dholpur, supposedly because of threats to his life due to intrigues in the Patiala court.[8] He returned to Patiala in the beginning of 1900, only months before his father's death.[8]

Photograph of an adolescent Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala State and suite, Bourne & Shepherd, 1903

At the age of 9, Singh succeeded as Maharaja of Patiala State upon the death of his father, Maharaja Rajinder Singh, on 9 November 1900. Rajinder Singh had died due to alcoholism; Singh's mother, Jasmer Kaur, had died some years earlier of tuberculosis.[8][9] A Council of Regents ruled in his name until he took partial power shortly before his 18th birthday on 1 October 1909, and was invested with full powers by the Viceroy of India, the 4th Earl of Minto, on 3 November 1910.

Reign[edit | edit source]

Administration and foreign policies[edit | edit source]

Singh was well known for the construction of buildings with bold architectural designs in Patiala, including the Shri Kali Devi Temple. Other buildings he constructed include Chail View Palace in the summer retreat of Kandaghat; Chail Palace; and Oak Over and Cedar Lodge in Shimla, which are now the residences of the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and the Punjab State Guest House, respectively.[10] He had a unique monorail system built in Patiala, known as Patiala State Monorail Trainways.[11] Singh founded the State Bank of Patiala in 1917. Although Patiala was a 17-gun salute state, Singh himself received a personal 19-gun salute.[12] Singh was a member of Freemasonry and in 1916, he consecrated a Masonic lodge in Patiala.[13]

He represented India at the League of Nations, was Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes for 10 years between 1926 and 1938, and was a representative at the Round Table Conference.[14][15] During his tenure as Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes, Singh fought for the rights of princely states in various jurisdictional and administrative matters.[15] However, his proposals were rejected by the British Raj and even the larger 21-gun-salute states did not join him in his efforts.[15] In one of the elections for the chancellorship, Singh's cousin Udai Bhan Singh, the Maharaj-Rana of Dholpur, challenged him and was defeated.[16] Prior to the election, Singh wrote to Udai Bhan, stating that Udai Bhan would cause a family feud if he continued to challenge Singh, his cousin, in the elections.[16] Despite Udai Bhan having the support of the British Raj's political departments, including that of the British Residents in Indian States, Singh managed to win the election by using his wealth to secure votes and even provided his election canvassing committee with the use of his private plane to court support from other rulers.[16]

Military support[edit | edit source]

The British Empire's Imperial War Cabinet in 1918. Singh is seated second from left

Singh served on the General Staff in France, Belgium, Italy and Palestine in the First World War as an honorary lieutenant-colonel, and was promoted honorary major general in 1918 and honorary lieutenant-general in 1931. During the First World War, Singh also served on the Imperial War Cabinet in 1918 and on the Imperial War Conference.[17][18] He was awarded 43 medals during the First World War.[2] Most of the buildings of the Chail Military School, in Himachal Pradesh, were donated by Singh to the Government of India.

Sports[edit | edit source]

Singh was noted both as a sportsman and a patron of sports. He was captain of the Indian cricket team that visited England in 1911,[19] and played in 27 first-class cricket matches between 1915 and 1937.[20] For the season of 1926/27, he played as member of the Marylebone Cricket Club.[21] He was selected as the captain of India on its first Test tour of England in 1932, but dropped out for reasons of health two weeks before departure and Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji, the Maharaja of Porbandar, took over.

Singh had a key role in the founding of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the national sports administration body for cricket in India, and he donated the Ranji Trophy in honour of Maharaja Ranjitsinhji of Nawanagar.[22][23] Singh's cricket and polo teams, Patiala XI and Patiala Tigers, were among the best in India.[9] He also served as the President of the Indian Olympic Association from 1928 to 1938.[24]

Extravagance[edit | edit source]

Singh is largely noted and remembered for his extravagance. During his life, Singh developed a reputation for being a generous host, throwing lavish parties, and entertaining doctors, artists and people of repute from around the world.[9] He was noted for collecting various items, including cars, jewels, medals, paintings, watches, wines, and spending sprees in Europe.[9]

A group photograph of Singh (seated right) with the cricketer, Maharaja Ranjitsinhji of Nawanagar, known as Ranji, (seated near left) and other guests and servants. Patiala, circa 1910

In 1925, Singh placed the largest single order to Cartier to date: the Patiala Necklace, worth ₹1,000 million (Template:INRConvert/USD EUR).[25] One of his wives, Maharani Bakhtawar Kaur, presented Queen Mary of the United Kingdom with a necklace on behalf of the Ladies of India during the Delhi Durbar of 1911.[26] He was also known for an exceptional collection of medals, believed to be the world's largest at the time.[27] Singh also owned a fleet of 44 Rolls-Royce cars.[28] He was the first Indian to own a private plane and built an airstrip in Patiala.[29] He also owned properties in Mumbai and Juhu.[30]

Personal life and family[edit | edit source]

Singh married ten times and had a harem of 350 concubines.[5] He fathered 88 children, 52 of whom survived to adulthood.[5]

Wives and concubines[edit | edit source]

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Some of Singh's wives and concubines are:

Children[edit | edit source]

Yadavindra Singh, Singh's eldest son and successor as the Maharaja of Patiala, circa 1930s
Manjula Devi of Darkoti, one of Singh's wives, and their daughter, Naginder Kumari Khanna, circa 1950s. Naginder married Vipin Khanna. Darkoti was a Kachhwaha Rajput ruled princely state, founded in the 11th century, whose rulers were directly descended from the ruling house of the Kingdom of Amber.[35]
This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Singh's children included:

Other relatives[edit | edit source]

Singh's younger brother was Birendra Singh.[59] Birendra Singh's daughter and Singh's niece, Naresh Inder Kumari, married Hardev Singh Chhina, an Indian Administrative Service officer who served as the Chief Secretary of Punjab.[60][59] The son of Naresh Inder Kumari and Hardev Singh Chhina, Paramdev Singh Chhina, served as the Additional Advocate General of Punjab.[60] Singh's cousin was Udai Bhan Singh, the Maharaj-Rana of Dholpur.[16] His cousin from the Patiala family, Mahesh Inder Singh, was a Member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly and a Freemason who served as the Worshipful Master of the Masonic lodge in Patiala.[61][62]

Notable descendants[edit | edit source]

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Through his children, Singh has many notable descendants, including:

Death[edit | edit source]

Singh's health began deteriorating, and he died on 23 March 1938 due to ill health.[3] He was succeeded on the throne of Patiala by Yadavindra Singh.[63] To mark Singh's death, a state-wide hartal for five days was announced, during which all offices, schools, colleges, and other public institutions were to remain closed, and, throughout the period of mourning, flags at all forts and public buildings in the state were to be hoisted at half-mast.[64]

Titles[edit | edit source]

  • 1891–1900: Sri Yuvaraja Sahib Bhupinder Singhji
  • 1900–1911: His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Yadu Vansha Vatans Bhatti Kul Bushan, Maharaja of Patiala
  • 1911–1914: His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Patiala, GCIE
  • 1914–1918: Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Patiala, GCIE
  • 1918–1921: Major-General His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Patiala, GCIE, GBE
  • 1921–1922: Major-General His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Patiala, GCSI, GCIE, GBE
  • 1922–1931: Major-General His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Patiala, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GBE
  • 1931–1935: Lieutenant-General His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Patiala, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GBE
  • 1935–1938: Lieutenant-General His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Maharaja of Patiala, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GBE, GCSG

Honours[edit | edit source]

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh

(ribbon bar, as it would look today)

File:TCH Rad Bileho Lva 1 tridy (pre1990) BAR.svg

[citation needed]

Seated painting of Singh as a young prince

British[edit | edit source]

Inspecting a BL 12-inch Railway Howitzer in France, August 1918

Foreign[edit | edit source]

Other[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "History of Patiala from Patiala web site". Archived from the original on 7 September 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2006.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 FE Lifestyle (13 October 2023). "Who was Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala: The royal who built Chail cricket ground & the genius behind Patiala peg; know about his lavish lifestyle & downfall". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Allen, Charles; Dwivedi, Sharada (1984). Lives of the Indian Princes. New Delhi: BPI Publishing. pp. 248–249. ISBN 978-81-86982-05-1. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Rana, Mahendra Singh (2006). India Votes: Lok Sabha & Vidhan Sabha Elections 2001-2005. Sarup & Sons. ISBN 978-81-7625-647-6. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Bhupinder Singh of Patiala: The Maharaja Who Married 10 Times, Had 350 Concubines, And Sired 52 Children". Times Now. 21 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  6. ↑ "Historical Sikh Events: Phulkian Misl". 26 January 2021. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  7. ↑ Ramusack, Barbara N. (1978). The Princes of India in the Twilight of Empire: Dissolution of a Patron-client System, 1914-1939. University of Cincinnati. ISBN 978-0-8142-0272-2. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Kidambi, Prashant (2019). Cricket Country: An Indian Odyssey in the Age of Empire. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 170–172. ISBN 978-0-19-884313-9. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Arora, Amrtansh (23 March 2023). "Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, patron saint of Patiala peg who used Sikh identity to his advantage". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  10. ↑ Himachal Pradesh – Solan website Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ Haidar, Faizan (14 January 2018). "Delhi: India's oldest monorail comes back to life, to chug every Thursday". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  12. ↑ Epstein, M. (23 December 2016). The Statesman's Year-Book: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the Year 1932. New York City: Springer. p. 172. ISBN 978-0-230-27061-9. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  13. ↑ Tribune News Service (15 April 2016). "Polyclinic inaugurated at Lodge Phulkian". The Tribune. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  14. ↑ Copland, Ian (16 May 2002). The Princes of India in the Endgame of Empire, 1917-1947. Cambridge University Press. p. xi. ISBN 978-0-521-89436-4. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Singh, Randhir; Singh, Shubhranshu (15 August 2019). "The forgotten third chamber of Parliament". Open The Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 Dass, Jarmani (26 August 2020) [1970]. Maharaja. New Delhi: Penguin Random House India. ISBN 978-93-5349-783-5. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  17. ↑ "The Imperial War Cabinet". National Portrait Gallery. Archived from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  18. ↑ Mohan, Vijay (26 September 2017). "Maharajas 'helped British in WW-I'". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  19. ↑ "How the British forged the first Indian cricket team". BBC News. 29 June 2019. Archived from the original on 29 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  20. ↑ "Royalty on the cricket field". International Cricket Council. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  21. ↑ "Maharaja of Patiala Profile: Overview". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  22. ↑ "About BCCI: History". Board of Control for Cricket in India. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  23. ↑ Biswas, Sudipta (9 April 2020). "Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and his patronage towards sports in India". Delhi Post. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  24. ↑ Pritam, Norris (6 October 2024). "A mess of Olympic proportions". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  25. ↑ Manmohan, Nutan (5 November 2022). "From Bahadur Shah Zafar to the Nizam of Hyderabad, a jewellery brand for the royals". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  26. ↑ "Emerald and diamond choker". Royal Collection. Archived from the original on 21 July 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013. Although he was married five times, his favourite wife was his third wife, Maharani Vimal Kaur Sahiba of Ubbewal.
  27. ↑ Singh, Jangveer (29 February 2004). "A medal for collecting medals". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Dhar, Shobita (5 April 2015). "Royal Royce tales". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  29. ↑ "This player was first Indian cricketer to buy private jet; not Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar". DNA India. 27 August 2023. Archived from the original on 4 September 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  30. ↑ "Sale of the Immovable Properties owned by His Highness the Maharaja of Patiala in Bombay and Juhu". Indian Culture. 1937. Retrieved 29 April 2025 – via National Archives of India.
  31. ↑ Dulat, A. S. (22 December 2022). A Life in the Shadows: A Memoir. HarperCollins Publishers India. ISBN 978-93-5629-597-1.
  32. ↑ "Prominent Players". The Tribune. 6 November 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  33. ↑ "Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Of Patiala: The Man Who Epitomised Living Life King Size". Times Now. 8 April 2024. Archived from the original on 14 April 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  34. ↑ Dhole, Pradip (17 October 2017). "Bhupendra Singh (Maharaja of Patiala) and India's 1911 tour of England". Cricket Country. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  35. ↑ Punjab States Gazetteer: Simla Hill States - 1910. Vol. 8. Civil and Military Gazette Press. 1911. pp. 392–394.
  36. ↑ "Punjab Vidhan Sabha Compendium of Who's Who of Members (1937–2017) (Updated till 25-10-2019)" (PDF). Punjab Vidhan Sabha. Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat. 2020. p. 63. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  37. ↑ Brentnall, Mark (2004). The Princely and Noble Families of the Former Indian Empire: Himachal Pradesh. Vol. 1. New Delhi: Indus Publishing. pp. 33–34. ISBN 978-81-7387-163-4.
  38. ↑ Singh, Tejinder (27 May 2018). "Jyoti Singh Opens Her Heart as Yadvi Opens on US Screens". The America Times. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  39. ↑ IANS (25 August 2017). "'Yadvi: The Dignified Princess': A one-dimensional real-life tale (IANS Review, Rating: **1/2)". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 22 June 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  40. ↑ National Register of Private Records. part 2. New Delhi: National Archives of India. 1972. p. 96.
  41. ↑ "Representation from Raja Raghavendra Singh, brother of H.H. the Maharaja of Patiala against the Maharaja of Patiala". Indian Culture. 1954. p. 5. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024 – via National Archives of India.
  42. ↑ Kapuria, Radha (15 April 2023). Music in Colonial Punjab: Courtesans, Bards, and Connoisseurs, 1800-1947. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 317. ISBN 978-0-19-269292-4. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  43. ↑ Sarangi, Suresh Prasad (2017). "The Role of R.N. Singh Deo in the State Politics of Odisha in the Pre and Post-Independent Political Scenario: A Critical Study" (PDF). Odisha Review. p. 29. ISSN 0970-8669. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 February 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  44. ↑ Sirhindi, Manish (24 March 2019). "Younger son of Maharaja of Patiala, Kunwar Devinder Singh passes away". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  45. ↑ "Captain's uncle passes away". The Tribune. 24 March 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  46. ↑ "Amarinder's aunt ready to take on Preneet Kaur in LS elections". Hindustan Times. 5 April 2013. Archived from the original on 9 April 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  47. ↑ MS, Nileena (2 November 2023). "How the Modi government is covering up two decades of defence corruption to save the Rafale deal". The Caravan. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  48. ↑ Committee on Public Undertakings (13 December 1967). "Fifth Report on Contract Entered into by State Trading Corporation of India Limited (with M/s Oval Industries Inc., New York for Import of sulphur) pertaining to Ministry of Commerce" (PDF). Parliament Digital Library. Lok Sabha Secretariat. p. 21. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  49. ↑ Mānavatā ke mukuṭamaṇi Mahārājā Ummedasiṃhajī (in हिन्दी). Jñāna. 2005. p. 34.
  50. ↑ Brentnall, Mark (2004). The Princely and Noble Families of the Former Indian Empire: Himachal Pradesh. New Delhi: Indus Publishing. p. 252. ISBN 978-81-7387-163-4. Archived from the original on 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  51. ↑ Singh, Dhananajaya (1994). The House of Marwar. New Delhi: Lotus Collection, Roli Books. p. 153. ISBN 978-81-7436-002-1.
  52. ↑ "Bhavenesh Kumari Patiala '50". Woodstock School. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  53. ↑ "Shri Romesh Bhandari". Raj Bhavan, Uttar Pradesh. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  54. ↑ Rambani, Vishal (24 June 2015). "Land mafia cheats Patiala royal family scion". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 27 July 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  55. ↑ Singh, Virender (6 May 2024). "Rajinder Kaur And Another vs Yashodan Devi (Deceased) Through Lrs on 6 May, 2024". Indian Kanoon. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  56. ↑ Jhala, Angma Dey (6 October 2015). Courtly Indian Women in Late Imperial India. Oxfordshire: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-31443-1. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  57. ↑ "Representation from Lt.Col Kunwar Brijindra Singh, the younger brother of H.H. Maharaja of Patiala regarding -1).Cut in his monthly allowance. 2). Restoration of Jewellery of his wife and his mother and a House in Chail. 3).Share from Trust fund of Rs.16 Lakhs for marriage of Members of H.H. family". Indian Culture. 1954. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024 – via National Archives of India.
  58. ↑ Indian and Pakistan Year Book and Who's who. Vol. 38. New Delhi: Bennett, Coleman, Company. 1952. p. 793.
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 Hawksley, Lucinda (21 November 2013). The Mystery of Princess Louise: Queen Victoria's Rebellious Daughter. London: Random House. p. 332. ISBN 978-1-4481-9211-3.
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 "Former Chief Secy Chhina dies at 98". The Tribune. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  61. ↑ "Punjab Vidhan Sabha Compendium of Who's Who of Members (1937–2017) (Updated till 25-10-2019)" (PDF). Punjab Vidhan Sabha. Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat. 2020. p. 262. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  62. ↑ Rizvi, Jamil Hussain (1973). Pakistan Story. Zia H. Rizvi. p. 22.
  63. ↑ Brunner, Michael Philipp (23 November 2020). Education and Modernity in Colonial Punjab: Khalsa College, the Sikh Tradition and the Webs of Knowledge, 1880-1947. Springer Nature. p. 62. ISBN 978-3-030-53514-8.
  64. ↑ Bhupinder State Press, Patiala (23 March 1938). Extraordinary His Highness's Government Gazette, Patiala, Vol. No. 28, No. 53.
  65. ↑ "No. 32178". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1921. p. 5.
  66. ↑ "Sports University to Be Named After Maharaja Bhupinder Singh". The Pioneer. 31 July 2019. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.

External links[edit | edit source]

Bhupinder Singh of Patiala
Born: 12 October 1891 Died: 23 March 1938
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Rajinder Singh 		Maharaja of Patiala
1900–1938 		Succeeded by
Yadavindra Singh
Civic offices
New title
 President of the Indian Olympic Association
1928–1938 		Succeeded by
Yadavindra Singh
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bhupinder_Singh_of_Patiala&oldid=471934"
Discover more