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Sir Rajinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala

(1872-1900), Maharaja of Patiala

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Son of Maharaja Mahendra Singh, a member of the Phulkian Dynasty, Maharaja Rajinder Singh was educated at Cambridge. In 1897, he was recognised for his bravery and awarded the Grand Cross of the Star of India the highest order for chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. A keen sportsman, he was known for playing polo, cricket and field hockey. The Maharaja was said to have had an astounding 365 wives. He later also married the daughter of his Irish horse master, Florence Bryan, who converted to Sikhism. He reigned as Maharaja of Patiala in the state of Punjab, India from 1876 until he died in a riding accident in 1900. His most famous child was Bhupinder Singh, his successor.

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Sir Rajinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala ('Princes. No. 21.'), by Hon. Mary Catherine Rees (née Dormer) ('MR' and 'Bint') - NPG D44994

Sir Rajinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala ('Princes. No. 21.')

by Hon. Mary Catherine Rees (née Dormer) ('MR' and 'Bint')
chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair 4 January 1900
NPG D44994

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James Kennedy

11 December 2018, 16:25

Since Rajinder Singh died in 1900 it is not possible that he was the first person in India to own an aeroplane, as this is before the Wright Brothers' first flight. I believe it was his son, Bhupinder Singh, who first brought an aeroplane to India. I have been researching the life of my grandfather C H Atkins who was Political Agent in Patiala from 1910-1912 at the time of the installation of Bhupinder Singh as Maharaja when he reached his majority, his father (Rajinder Singh) having died when he was 10.