Maharaja Yadavindra Singh
Encyclopedia
Maharajadhiraj Sir Yadavindra Singh Mahendra Bahadur, GCIE
, GBE
(Punjabi
: ਯਾਦਾਵਿੰਦ੍ਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਹੇਨਦ੍ਰ ਬਹਾਦੁਰ; January 17, 1913, Patiala, Punjab
– June 17, 1974, The Hague
, Netherlands
) was Maharaja of Patiala
from 1938 to 1974. Moreover, he was an India
n cricket
er who played in one Test
in 1934. Maharaja Yadavindra attended Aitchison College
, Lahore
He served in the Patiala State Police and became its Inspector General and served in Malaya, Italy and Burma during the second World War
He succeeded his father, Maharaja
Bhupinder Singh
, as the Maharaja of Patiala
on 23 March 1938, but agreed to the incorporation of the princely state
into India on 5 May 1948. He was Rajpramukh
of the new Indian state of Patiala and East Punjab States Union
until it was merged with Punjab in 1956.
He married firstly Maharani Hem Prabha Devi of Saraikela
and secondly Maharani Mohinder Kaur
in 1938.
Sir Yadavindra also served as President of the British Indian Olympic Committee from 1938–1947 and as President of the Indian Olympic Committee from 1947-1960. He was also instrumental in organizing the Asian Games
.He founded Yadavindra Public School
, a premier public school.Lal Bagh Palace, the building in which Yadavindra Public School is housed was donated by Sir Yadavindra Singh. He was a noted horiculturist by passion and later served as Chairman of Indian Horticulture Development Council.He wss also the president of BCCI
.
Following his accession to the throne of Patiala, Sir Yadavindra pursued a political and diplomatic career, serving as Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes from 1943-1944.In 1947 when India gained independence He was the Pro- Chancellor of Chamber of Princes
, at a special session he said " After centuries time has come when India has gained independence from foreign rule and its the time when we all (princely states) should unite for our motherland " and persuaded many other rulers to join the Indian Union.
He continued his career from 1956 onwards, serving as Indian delegate to the UN General Assembly from 1956–1957 and to UNESCO
in 1958. He also headed the Indian delegation to the FAO
on and off from 1959-1969. Sir Yadavindra served as Indian Ambassador to Italy from 1965–1966 and as Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands from 1971 until 17 June 1974, when he died suddenly in office at The Hague
from heart failure, aged 61 after a reign of 36 years. On specific instructions of Indira Gandhi he was cremated with full state honours on the longest and hottest day of the year.
He was succeeded by his son Captain Amarinder Singh
, who is a politician with the Congress Party and who served as Chief Minister
of the Indian State of Punjab
from 2002 to 2007.His daughter, Maharajkumari Heminder Kaur is married to K. Natwar Singh
, Former External Affairs Minister of India.
In 1956 His Highness donated the Anand Bhawan,a 150 bigha palace to the Govt. of Punjab (prior to creation of Himachal) for creation of Holiday Home for the poor children, which was later leased out at throw away prices to Baba Ramdev for his Pitanjali Trust.
Order of the Indian Empire
The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1878. The Order includes members of three classes:#Knight Grand Commander #Knight Commander #Companion...
, GBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(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...
: ਯਾਦਾਵਿੰਦ੍ਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਹੇਨਦ੍ਰ ਬਹਾਦੁਰ; January 17, 1913, Patiala, Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
– June 17, 1974, The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
) was Maharaja of Patiala
Maharaja of Patiala
The Maharaja of Patiala was a maharaja in India and the ruler of the princely state of Patiala in Punjab. The first Maharaja of Patiala was Baba Ala Singh , who was granted the title by Ahmed Shah Abdali of Afghanistan in 1764....
from 1938 to 1974. Moreover, he was an India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
er who played in one Test
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
in 1934. Maharaja Yadavindra attended Aitchison College
Aitchison College
Aitchison College, Lahore, is one of the most prestigious educational institutions of its kind in South Asia. Established in 1886, it has retained its character over the years, maintaining the public school tradition of providing an education that uses academics, sports and co-curricular activities...
, Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
He served in the Patiala State Police and became its Inspector General and served in Malaya, Italy and Burma during the second World War
He succeeded his father, 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...
Bhupinder Singh
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GBE was the ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Patiala from 1900 to 1938.- Biography :...
, as the Maharaja of Patiala
Maharaja of Patiala
The Maharaja of Patiala was a maharaja in India and the ruler of the princely state of Patiala in Punjab. The first Maharaja of Patiala was Baba Ala Singh , who was granted the title by Ahmed Shah Abdali of Afghanistan in 1764....
on 23 March 1938, but agreed to the incorporation 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 ...
into India on 5 May 1948. He was Rajpramukh
Rajpramukh
Rajpramukh was an administrative title in India which existed from India's independence in 1947 until 1956. Rajpramukhs were the appointed governors of certain of India's provinces and states....
of the new Indian state of Patiala and East Punjab States Union
Patiala and East Punjab States Union
The Patiala and East Punjab States Union was a state of India from 1948-56. It was created by combining eight princely states: Patiala, Jind, Nabha, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Kalsia, Malerkotla and Nalagarh. The state was inaugurated on July 15, 1948 and formally became a state of India in 1950. The...
until it was merged with Punjab in 1956.
He married firstly Maharani Hem Prabha Devi of Saraikela
Saraikela
Saraikela, also spelled Seraikella, is the administrative headquarters of Saraikela Kharsawan District of Jharkhand. Earlier it was a municipality in Pashchimi Singhbhum districtin the Indian state of Jharkhand....
and secondly Maharani Mohinder Kaur
Rajmata Mohinder Kaur of Patiala
Her Highness Rajmata Mehtab Kaur , née Mohinder Kaur is the widow of His Late Highness Maharajadhiraj Yadavindra Singh of Patiala and the present Rajmata Sahiba Of Patiala, India. She is daughter of S...
in 1938.
Sir Yadavindra also served as President of the British Indian Olympic Committee from 1938–1947 and as President of the Indian Olympic Committee from 1947-1960. He was also instrumental in organizing the Asian Games
Asian Games
The Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
.He founded Yadavindra Public School
Yadavindra Public School
Yadavindra Public School, is located in Patiala, Punjab India.Considered among the top rung of Indian Public Schools, Yadavindra Public School, Patiala is a boarding-cum-day school founded by Late His Highness Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, father of former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder...
, a premier public school.Lal Bagh Palace, the building in which Yadavindra Public School is housed was donated by Sir Yadavindra Singh. He was a noted horiculturist by passion and later served as Chairman of Indian Horticulture Development Council.He wss also the president of BCCI
Board of Control for Cricket in India
The Board of Control for Cricket in India , headquartered at Mumbai, is the national governing body for all cricket in India. It's not the apex governing body in India. The board was formed in December 1928 as BCCI replaced Calcutta Cricket Club. BCCI is a society, registered under the Tamil Nadu...
.
Following his accession to the throne of Patiala, Sir Yadavindra pursued a political and diplomatic career, serving as Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes from 1943-1944.In 1947 when India gained independence He was the Pro- Chancellor of Chamber of Princes
Chamber of Princes
The Chamber of Princes was an institution established in 1920 by a royal proclamation of the King-Emperor to provide a forum in which the rulers of the Indian princely states could voice their needs and aspirations to the government of British India...
, at a special session he said " After centuries time has come when India has gained independence from foreign rule and its the time when we all (princely states) should unite for our motherland " and persuaded many other rulers to join the Indian Union.
He continued his career from 1956 onwards, serving as Indian delegate to the UN General Assembly from 1956–1957 and to UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
in 1958. He also headed the Indian delegation to the FAO
Fão
Fão is a town in Esposende Municipality in Portugal....
on and off from 1959-1969. Sir Yadavindra served as Indian Ambassador to Italy from 1965–1966 and as Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands from 1971 until 17 June 1974, when he died suddenly in office at The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
from heart failure, aged 61 after a reign of 36 years. On specific instructions of Indira Gandhi he was cremated with full state honours on the longest and hottest day of the year.
He was succeeded by his son Captain Amarinder Singh
Amarinder Singh
Captain Amarinder Singh . He served as the Chief Minister of Punjab from 2002 to 2007 and presently serves as the President of Punjab PCC. He currently resides in New Moti Bagh Palace, Patiala.-Personal life:...
, who is a politician with the Congress Party and who served as Chief Minister
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
of the Indian State of Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
from 2002 to 2007.His daughter, Maharajkumari Heminder Kaur is married to K. Natwar Singh
K. Natwar Singh
Kunwar Natwar Singh, popularly known as K. Natwar Singh is an Indian politician and former cabinet minister. On December 7, 2005, he was removed from his post as Minister in charge of External Affairs under a cloud of scandal and became a minister without portfolio. Named by the U.N...
, Former External Affairs Minister of India.
In 1956 His Highness donated the Anand Bhawan,a 150 bigha palace to the Govt. of Punjab (prior to creation of Himachal) for creation of Holiday Home for the poor children, which was later leased out at throw away prices to Baba Ramdev for his Pitanjali Trust.
Titles
- 1913-1935: SriSriSri , also transliterated as Shri or Shree or shre is a word of Sanskrit origin, used in the Indian subcontinent as polite form of address equivalent to the English "Mr." in written and spoken language, or as a title of veneration for deities .-Etymology:Sri has the root meaning of radiance, or...
Yuvaraja Yadavindra Singh Sahib-ji - 1935-1938: LieutenantLieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Sri Yuvaraja Yadavindra Singh Sahib-ji - 1938-1939: Lieutenant His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Yadu Vansha Vatans Bhatti Kul Bushan, MaharajaMaharajaMahārāja 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 Patiala - 1939-1942: Captain His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Yadu Vansha Vatans Bhatti Kul Bushan, Maharaja of Patiala
- 1942-1944: MajorMajorMajor is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja SirSirSir 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...
Yadavindra Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Yadu Vansha Vatans Bhatti Kul Bushan, Maharaja of Patiala, GBEGBEGBE or Gbe may refer to:* Gbe languages, a group of languages in West Africa* Gigabit ethernet, a term for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second* Government business enterprise... - 1944-1945: Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Sir Yadavindra Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Yadu Vansha Vatans Bhatti Kul Bushan, Maharaja of Patiala, GBE
- 1945-1946: Major-General His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Sir Yadavindra Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Yadu Vansha Vatans Bhatti Kul Bushan, Maharaja of Patiala, GBEGBEGBE or Gbe may refer to:* Gbe languages, a group of languages in West Africa* Gigabit ethernet, a term for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second* Government business enterprise...
- 1946-1974: Lieutenant-General His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir ul-Umara, Maharajadhiraja Raj Rajeshwar, 108 Sri Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Sir Yadavindra Singh, Mahendra Bahadur, Yadu Vansha Vatans Bhatti Kul Bushan, Maharaja of Patiala, GCIE, GBE
Honours
- King George V Silver Jubilee MedalKing George V Silver Jubilee MedalThe King George V Silver Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the coronation of King George V.-Issue:...
-1935 - King George VI Coronation MedalKing George VI Coronation MedalThe King George VI Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the coronation of King George VI.-Issue:For Coronation and Jubilee medals, the practice up until 1977 was that United Kingdom authorities decided on a total number to be produced, then allocated a proportion to each of...
-1937 - Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE)-1942
- 1939-1945 Star-1945
- Burma StarBurma StarThe Burma Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II.The medal was awarded for service in the Burma Campaign between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945...
-1945 - Africa StarAfrica StarThe Africa Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in the Second World War.The Star was awarded for a minimum of one day service in an operational area of North Africa between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943...
-1945 - Italy StarItaly StarThe Italy Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II.The medal was awarded for operational service in Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, Pantelleria, the Aegean area and Dodecanese Islands, and Elba at any time between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945...
-1945 - British War MedalBritish War MedalThe British War Medal was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War I.The medal was approved in 1919, for issue to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who had rendered service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918...
-1945 - India Service Medal-1945
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE)-1946
- Indian Independence Medal-1947
- Grand Cross of the Romanian order
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy-1966
- Six other foreign honours