The Extravagant Life of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala
A Glimpse into Royal Opulence
The Indian maharajas from princely states were renowned for their lavish lifestyles, embodying the essence of indulgence. Among them, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala (1891–1938) stood out as a prominent figure known for his extravagant tastes. His immense wealth positioned him among the world's richest, making his lifestyle unattainable for the average Indian. Bhupinder Singh was infamous for his opulent lifestyle, which included ten wives and a harem of 350 women, along with a collection of 44 Rolls-Royce cars and India's inaugural private aircraft.
Despite many maharajas fading into obscurity, Bhupinder Singh remains a celebrated icon. His controversial persona and progressive mindset set him apart. Notably, he made significant contributions to culinary culture, famously credited with inventing the Patiala peg. His polo team, comprised of Sikh warriors, once faced off against an Irish team named Viceroy's Pride in a tent pegging match. To ensure victory, he served the opposing team double measures of whisky the night before, leaving them hungover and unable to compete effectively. The Patiala peg is known to contain 120 ml of whisky.
The Maharaja also commissioned the exquisite Patiala Necklace from Cartier in Paris, a stunning piece that took three years to complete and was delivered in 1928. This necklace featured five rows of graduated diamond links, adorned with 2,930 diamonds and Burmese rubies from the Patiala treasury. Among its jewels was the De Beers No. 1, a rare yellow diamond weighing 234.6 carats, which was the seventh largest diamond globally at that time. Initially discovered in 1888, the diamond weighed an impressive 400 carats in its rough state.
However, the necklace mysteriously vanished from the Patiala royal treasury in 1948, only to be rediscovered in fragments later. The De Beers diamond reappeared at a Sotheby's auction in Geneva in 1982, while the remaining necklace structure was found in a pawn shop in Geneva. The intact choker section made a striking return at the Met Gala in 2022, worn by Emma Chamberlain, capturing global attention.
Beyond his lavish lifestyle, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was dedicated to preserving and promoting the identity of his region. He supported the Punjabi language and commissioned E. Remington and Sons to create the first Gurmukhi typewriter, known as the 'Bhupindra Typewriter.' This initiative was part of his vision to establish Punjabi as the official language and medium of education in Patiala.