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Maharaja Dalip Singh - Page 3

Sketches made of Maharaja Dalip Singh by Queen Victoria in 1854

Disappointed, gradually he distanced himself from the nobility, the Queen and from his family, undertaking tours of France and Russia. He wrote several letters addressing people of Punjab, signing himself as a Sovereign of the Sikh Nation. He made several attempts to return to his dear Punjab, but all in vain. He died in Paris. There he had married again, had two young daughters. He died as a broken man, with his family in financial crisis, over which he had no control. He was also at a distance of thousand miles, from his motherland, for which he aspired sovereignty.

Insignia - (The Court of Arms) of the Maharaja

Elveden and the British Sikh Community

Sikhs from all over England regularly visit Elvedon and place flowers at his grave. More orthodox Sikhs do not take him as kindly as he cut his kesh. He promised to take the pahul (baptism)as soon he reached the nearest shore to Punjab, which he did when he reached Aden on the way to India where he was not allowed to land. The entry was barred by the faithful Sikhs of the British Empire, who thought that if he reached Punjab, the British will face an uprising. But that event was not to happen. The dilemmas he faced in Britain, the longing he had for Punjab, the sovereignty he wanted for the land of five rivers was never accomplished.

The Maharaja as a young man in the English outfit riding in Musoorie. 1853

Sir John Spencer Login (1810-1863) the Guardian of the Maharaja - London 1860

It seems all of his family members died issueless, there is no confirmation for any of living descendants. His second son, Frederick Duleep Singh lived in Blo Norton Hall a moderate house compared with Elveden but with majestic gardens and an attached temple, some say it has all the hallmarks of a gurdwara.

Prince Fredrick Dalip Singh (1868-1926)- photo taken 1918

Princess Bamba Dalip Singh, later Mrs. Sutherland (1869-1957) Photo taken on the occasion of her formal presentation at Court 1887

Prince Fredrick Dalip Singh in the attire of a Sikh Raja. Photo taken 1897

Prince Victor Dalip Singh (1867-1918) - photo 1879

Several times in the past, many Sikhs in Britain have argued and proposed to buy Elveden and that it should be converted into a memoir for the last ruler of Punjab. However, these proposals have come to nothing. Despite a number of Sikh millionaires in London and elsewhere, the negotiations have foundered mainly on financial arrangements among such committees. Elveden has passed through three hands, since the Maharajah's trustees at the India Office sold it to the First Earl of Iveagh in 1894 for £159,000. The Estate was again sold to Guiness Family in the early 1970s who are its present owners. The price of the estate is now several million pounds.

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