Maharaja of Patiala

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, who was Maharaja of Patiala from 1900 to his death in 1938, had a reputation for extravagance and also for being a leading cricketer and administrator in the period immediately before and after India start playing Test cricket. He served on the general staff in World War One, and went on to represent India at the League of Nations. He was chancellor of the Indian Chamber of Princes between 1926 and 1938 and , perhaps most remarkable of all, was married ten times and fathered 88 children through wives and concubines.

He led the Indian side which toured England in 1911 and played for MCC when the club toured India in 1926-27. On the eve of India first Test tour in 1932 he organised trials and was appointed to lead the side but had to withdraw because of ill health a fortnight before the trip. The following year he donated the Ranji Trophy, in honour of KS Ranjitsinhji, for the winners of the first-class competition which is still played to this day. He arranged for a number of foreign players to play in India and in 1935-36 was the instigator of the first Australian tour to the country.

He was also the driving force behind the formation of the Indian board and the Cricket Club of India. He oversaw construction of the Brabourne Stadium in Bombay despite failing health, expressing a desire that it would become "the Lord's of India". A pavilion overlooking the ground was reserved for his private use and is still open today. His last game was in 1938, ten weeks before his death.

His son,Yuvraj of Patiala, who succeeded him as the last Maharaja of Patiala, played with him in a number of matches and went on to represent India in one Test in 1934.
Martin Williamson