The Collector

      This collection of orders, decorations and medals, perhaps unmatched elsewhere in the world in its richness and variety belonged to the eighth Maharaja of Patiala, Lieutenant General, His Highness, Farzand-i-Kbas, Daulat-i-Ingishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir-i-Umra, Mabarajadhiraj Raj Rajesbwar, Mabaraj-i-Rajgan, Sir Bbupinder Singh Mohinder Bahadur, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, GBE, ADC, as he was known.  He became the Maharaja at a very young age of nine years on November 1, 1900, and ironically died young too, at the age of forty seven on March 23, 1938. 

     The Maharaja was a great sportsman, an astute politician and an able administrator.  The credit goes to him for bringing the Patiala State into a position of eminence in the country.  A colourful personality, he lived life to the fullest.  During his seven visits to England and other European countries between 1911 and 1935, he indulged in extensive shopping and bought expensive jewellery from Cartier, custom-made Rolex watches, silver from Garrads, cars, carpets, dogs, horses, paintings, wines and so on; the list is endless.  An insatiable collector, he acquired this collection of orders, decorations and medals over a period of time from Spink & Son in London, medallists to the Crown of England, who were also the designers and manufacturers of fine insignia for many countries of the world. 

      The Maharaja, who had a passion for military trappings was very keen to institute his own medals to recognise the services of the officers and men of Patiala State Forces who took part in the First World War.  He took up the case with Sir Edwin Samuel Montagu, Secretary of State for India.  Sir Montagu made references to this in his letter of July 27, 1918 to the Viceroy........ "but Patiala has a realpoint of substance when he talked to me about his anxiety on the subject of his returned soldiers.  He says be bas no land to give them and be cannot afford to give them money.  He is naturally very frightened lest they should be given grants of land in British India, which would result in losing the best of his men whom he has persuaded to volunteer. He, therefore, is very anxious to give them some form of medals.  I have been carefully reading the papers in this office and I cannot for the life of me understand why he shouldn't".

      During the First World War, the Patiala Imperial Service Lancers comprising 605 men served in Egypt, Palestine and Mesopotamia.  The First and Second Patiala infantry combined for the duration of the war to form the Patiala imperial Service Infantry, also served in Egypt and Palestine.  It is assumed that all soldiers who saw service with these units would have received a silver medal known as the Great War Medal 1914-18.

      Prominent among the other orders and medals instituted by the Maharaja is the 'Guru Ghar Manya Mandal' (Order of the Holy Saint ) which bears the inscription 'Ek Onkar, Deg Tegh Fateh' (God is One.  Grace, Power, Victory ) above a portrait of Guru Gobind Singh.  It is made of gold and was instituted in 1936.  The order consisted of the Sovereign and Grandmaster and one class of members.  Ordinary members were limited to five and were selected from foreign sovereigns and their consorts, reigning princes and their heirs, members of the state, honorary members and foreigners.  It had a collar, sash badge and a star.

 The Maharaja was bestowed with various orders and honours during his visits to other European Kingdoms and countries.  King Albert of Belgium conferred upon him the Broad Ribbon of the Order of Leopold.  In France, he was conferred with the National Honour of the Legion of Honour.  After the first Round Table Conference of June 1931, he visited Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Poland where he was awarded various orders and decorations.