Maharaja Bhupinder Singhwas one of the most celebrated and influential rulers of the princely state of Patiala. His life was full of luxury, royal traditions, and extravagant hobbies. Let us know about the unique and interesting stories of his life.
Birth and early life
- Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was born in Moti Bagh Palace, Patiala.
- He received his early education from Aitchison College, Lahore.
- At the age of just 9, he succeeded his father and took over the reins of the princely state of Patiala.
- During his reign Patiala touched new heights of prosperity with the construction of canals, trains, post offices, 262 schools and 40 hospitals.
- By 1914 the annual revenue of the princely state was Rs 9 million.
Unique story of 365 queens
- The stories of the Maharaja’s marriages and the queens became famous all over the world.
- He had 365 queens, who were selected in a unique way.
- The Maharaja would light the lanterns, and the woman who was the first to extinguish the lantern would get a chance to stay with him that night.
Family and heirs
- Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was the father of 88 children, of whom 52 lived to adulthood.
- His large number of wives and children made him a topic of discussion on a global level.
- Many books were written on his extraordinary lifestyle.
Royal wealth and luxury
- Private Plane and Car Collection:
- The Maharaja had a private plane and 44 Rolls-Royce cars.
- Patiala Necklace:
- She owned the world famous Patiala necklace, which was studded with 1001 blue and white diamonds.
- The Maharaja used to demonstrate his power by wearing it in the court once a year.
love for sports
- The Maharaja was particularly fond of cricket and polo.
- In 1911, he captained the Indian cricket team on its tour of England.
- Between 1915 and 1937 he played many first-class cricket matches.
- He also became a member of the prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
- The Maharaja built the highest cricket pitch in India for his ‘Patiala Tigers’ cricket team.
food hobbies
- The Maharaja was also famous for his extraordinary food.
- They could eat 40-50 boneless quail at a time.
- His soup was made from 24 snips.
- In 1927, the Times reported that they were in Paris with 40 servants, 20 dancers and boxes full of diamonds and pearls.
‘Patiala Peg’ and royal parties
- The Maharaja was famous for hosting lavish parties.
- He invented ‘Patiala Peg’ at these parties, which is still a symbol of his royal lifestyle.
- These parties were attended by dignitaries from all over the world.
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh: Center of Attraction
The life of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was a unique example of royal grandeur, unique traditions and luxury. His lifestyle still attracts history lovers and the general public. Their achievements and luxurious stories are a symbol of the pride of Patiala and the pride of the Indian princely states.