Maharajah Bhupinder Singh of Patiala: Flamboyant Man and Lover

Maharajah Bhupinder Singh was the ruler of the state of Patiala. He ascended the 'gaddi' throne as a minor before being confirmed as ruler in 1907. The Maharajah ruled for 32 years and lived a flamboyant life. That was the age of Nawabs, rajahs and maharajahs who were pampered by the British, as it was proclaimed by Queen Victoria, that Rajahs and Indian Princes would be allowed to continue in power, so long they accepted Britain as the paramount power. this benefited the state of Patiala and the ruling family there.

The Indian rulers were thus a protected species and instead of looking after the development of the state indulged in pursuits of pleasure and many picked up wives and  mistresses at the drop of a hat. The Maharajah Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was one of them. He was extremely fond of cars and young women. In particular  his love for Rolls Royce cars bordered on the extreme.

The Maharajah was a great lover as well. He had 10 official wives and at least 80 concubines and in the process fathered over 100 children. Bhupinder Singh lived a regal life and it is on record that 60% of the state revenue was spent on him,his palaces, cars and women. He also frequently travelled to Europe where he hobnobbed with the leaders  there and also twice met Hitler.

The Maharajah's wives lived in opulence and his jewels were 3 sister princesses from Himachal. He had married all 3 princesses. The Maharajah was a frequent visitor to Simla and there met an English girl. She fell in love with Bhupinder Singh and eloped with him. It was learnt that she may have been daughter or relation of Lord Kitchener the C in C of the Indian army. An incensed Kitchener promptly banned the Maharajah from entering Simla. The Maharajah took this ban in his stride and shifted to Chail, an adjacent hill station with his English love. he developed Chail and also built the highest cricket ground in the world there. His palace is still in existence and is used as a five starHOTEL BY Himachal tourism. the palace is modelled on  an English castle and is a wonder to behold. the master bedroom suite where the Maharajah  took his mistresses and loves,  gives a feeling of nostalgia

The Maharajah in his Rolls

Maharajah Bhupinder Singh lived his life to the hilt. He was perhaps the last of the Maharajah's who made  life so colorful to live

Maharajah Bhupinder Singh,The Patiala King and Adolf Hitler

The Maharajah of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh (1900-38) is one of the most flamboyant Maharajahs India ever had.In addition to his 20 Rolls Royce cars, he was also a ladies man.He married 10 wives, including 4 sister from Himachal and fathered nearly 100 children. In addition he was one of the rare breed of rulers who seduced an English girl from Simla.It is rumored that she was the daughter of Lord Kitchner, Commander In Chief , Indian Army. Lord kitchner was incensed at this seduction and banned the Maharajah from Simla.The maharajah went one better and built his own hill station at Chail. It is a lovely place and rivals Simla in every aspect. The charm of the Maharajah was evident as his elopement with the English girl reveals. He was handsome and had a magnetic personality.

One other facet of Bhupinder Singh is not that well known and that concerns his meetings with Adolf Hitler, in 1935. Hitler as we all know was the dictator of Germany and a man with a magnetic personality. He was to have a 10 minute meeting with Bhupinder Singh, but the meeting went so well that it continued for over an hour.The maharajah was also invited to Lunch with Hitler the next day. This invitation must be seen in the background, that Hitler rarely invited Asians for his lunches.Remember he kept Subhas Bose waiting for many weeks before he agreed to meet him? Hitler was obviously impressed with Bhupinder Singh
This was not all as Hitler presented a Maybach luxury car to the maharajah. this showed his appreciation of Bhupinder Singh. Hitler presented only 3 cars to Asian rulers and Bhupinder Singh was one of them.The British were indeed suspicious !
The car remained with the Patiala family till 1957 and then was gifted away, but this episode of Hitler presenting a car to Mahrajah Bhupinder Singh is a incident that cannot be forgotton.