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 (1695-1765), who was granted the title by Ahmed Shah Abdali of Afghanistan in 1764.
The Maharajas of Patiala were awarded 17 gun salutes.
The most famous Maharaja of Patiala was Bhupinder Singh (12 October 1891 – 23 March 1938). He is perhaps best known for his extravagance, and for being a cricketer. His polo and cricket teams were one of the best in India Two of his sons, Maharajadhiraj Yadavindra Singh and Raja Bhalindra Singh, both played first-class cricket. Yuvraj played in one Test for India, in 1934.
Maharaja of Patiala was also known as the owner of the highest cricket ground in Chail and the first Indian to own a car and an aircraft.
Maharaja of Patiala was also considered as leader of the sikhs and masses of Punjab pre independence.
Yuvraj Yadavindra Singh became the maharaja on 23 March 1938. He was to be the last maharaja, agreeing to the incorporation of Patiala into the newly independent India on 5 May 1948, becoming Rajpramukh of the new Indian state of Patiala and East Punjab States Union.
The present Maharaja is Capt. Amarinder Singh. Heir to the throne is Yuvraj Raninder Singh.
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