Maharaja Rajinder Singh
Encyclopedia
Maharaja
Sir
Rajinder Singh, GCSI
(Punjabi
: ਰਾਜਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ; 25 May 1872-8 November 1900) was Maharaja
of the princely state
of Patiala from 1876 to 1900, when he died following a riding accident. For his bravery in 1897, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Star of India by the colonial government. Described as "the first reigning Prince to blend the elements of the English gentleman and Indian potentate", he implemented reforms, including endowments for a woman's hospital, orphanages, and training of troops.
He was the first Indian to own a car in 1892, a French
De Dion-Bouton as well as being the first man in India to own an aircraft.
Singh was celebrated at the time of his death as "the best polo player in India", as well as one of the finest cricketers and billiard players of his day. He was also an Olympic medalist in field hockey. The maharaja had a total of 365 wives as well as defied his subjects and the British government when he married the Irish-born daughter of his horse master, but persuaded her to embrace the Sikh faith. He was a close friend of Lord William Beresford
and of Lord Roberts
.
His son was Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh.
Maharaja
Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...
Sir
Sir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Rajinder Singh, GCSI
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
(Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
: ਰਾਜਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ; 25 May 1872-8 November 1900) was Maharaja
Maharaja
Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...
of the princely state
Princely state
A Princely State was a nominally sovereign entitity of British rule in India that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule such as suzerainty or paramountcy.-British relationship with the Princely States:India under the British Raj ...
of Patiala from 1876 to 1900, when he died following a riding accident. For his bravery in 1897, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Star of India by the colonial government. Described as "the first reigning Prince to blend the elements of the English gentleman and Indian potentate", he implemented reforms, including endowments for a woman's hospital, orphanages, and training of troops.
He was the first Indian to own a car in 1892, a French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
De Dion-Bouton as well as being the first man in India to own an aircraft.
Singh was celebrated at the time of his death as "the best polo player in India", as well as one of the finest cricketers and billiard players of his day. He was also an Olympic medalist in field hockey. The maharaja had a total of 365 wives as well as defied his subjects and the British government when he married the Irish-born daughter of his horse master, but persuaded her to embrace the Sikh faith. He was a close friend of Lord William Beresford
Lord William Beresford
Lieutenant-Colonel Lord William Leslie de la Poer Beresford VC KCIE born Mullaghbrack, County Armagh, Ireland was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.The son...
and of Lord Roberts
Lord Roberts
Lord Roberts may refer to:*John Roberts, 2nd Baron Roberts , was an English politician and soldier during the English Civil War English and English Restoration...
.
His son was Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh.