| Rajinder Singh | |
|---|---|
 Singh c.1898 | |
| Maharaja of Patiala | |
| Reign | 1876–1900 |
| Predecessor | Mahendra Singh |
| Successor | Bhupinder Singh |
| Born | 25 May 1872 |
| Died | 8 November 1900 (aged 28) |
| Religion | Sikhism |
Sir Rajinder Singh GCSI (25 May 1872 – 8 November 1900) was the Maharaja of the princely state of Patiala from 1876 to 1900. In 1897, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Star of India for his bravery, by the colonial government.[1] Described as "the first reigning Prince to blend the elements of the English gentleman and Indian potentate."[2]
In the 1890s, he became one of the first Indians to own a car, a French De Dion-Bouton in 1892.[3] Singh was also the first Indian to own a private plane.[3]
Singh died following a riding accident. He was known for playing polo, cricket, field hockey and English billiards. The maharaja defied his subjects and the British government when he married Florence Bryan, the daughter of his Irish horse master, persuading her to convert to the Sikh faith. He was a close friend of William Beresford and of Frederick Roberts.[2] The Irish composer Thomas O'Brien Butler (1861–1915), who spent some time in India, dedicated a song composition to him.
He had a large house, currently the official residence of the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, named Oakover which was one of the earliest houses built in Shimla, a hill station that served as the summer capital of British India. However, in 1891, the Maharaja Rajinder Singh was banned from entering Shimla by the British Viceroy, Lord Lansdowne. He was strictly told that he could not wed the Viceroy's daughter, yet had gone to the Viceroy's house afterwards and took his daughter on his horse and then drove away. After being banned he founded Chail, a rival town to Shimla, at a higher elevation to show his supremacy.
He was the son of Maharaja Mahendra Singh of Patiala, a member of the Phulkian Dynasty. One of his sons was Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh.[4][5]
