Benefactor Prince Frederick & Regal statue of Maharajah Duleep Singh – Part 4
While vacationing in England, a plan came up to visit Elveden- The final resting place of the last ruler of Punjab; Maharajah Duleep Singh, the heir to the mighty Sikh empire son of Maharajah Ranjit Singh. The quest for the last traces of the Maharajah, at Elveden turned out to be quite an adventure. Locating the Elveden estate we had a soul-stirring experience when we visited the Saint Andrew’s Church where the 3 family graves are located, one being the grave of Maharajah Duleep Singh from 1893!
Maharajah Duleep Singh was buried in Saint Andrew’s Church in the Elveden estate complex after he passed away in Paris
For Indians the memories of Maharajah Duleep Singh are those of him being a child king exiled to England who presented the Kohinoor Diamond to Queen Victoria.
Ancient House Museums
Subsequently we had reached the quiet town of Thetford to visit the Royals at the Ancient House Museum and view the regal statue of the Maharajah Duleep Singh in traditional Indian attire! We had recalled Maharani Jindan’s role in her son Maharajah Duleep Singh’s life and how it she transformed his thoughts from that of an English aristocrat to the ruler of India again!
Writer at the regal statue of Maharajah Ranjit Singh
After viewing the unique paintings and sketches of Maharajah Duleep Singh and his family as each had a story to tell! Afterwards, we headed for the old narrow wooden staircase to the first floor of the Ancient House museum to discover more connections to the Maharajah & his family.
Prince Frederick Duleep Singh Gifts the Ancient House Museum
As we walked up the ‘ancient’ looking staircase we come across several English Political Cartoons from the private collection of Prince Frederick, which can make one smile till now! They were named as the ‘Hero of the Nile’ on Admiral Nelson-1798, second detailed one was on Prime minister Lord John Russel-1832 and the third was ‘The Royal German Sausage: 1832-36.
A portrait Bust of Maharajah Duleep Singh, first commissioned by Queen Victoria herself!
In a low ceiling room I stepped into the time machine to be a part of the opening of the Thetford Museum on the 11th of December 1924. Being photographed by the Eastern Daily Press were the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Thetford, Duchess of Grafton, Alderman & Chairman of the museum committee with Prince Frederick Duleep Singh.
Historic photo in local newspaper of the Openung of Thetford museum donated by Maharajah Duleep Singhji’s son Prince Frederick
Today, a large wood engraved plaque over the medieval-look fire-hearth read that this 15th century house was presented to the Borough of Thetford by His Highness Prince Fredrick Duleep Singh on the 11th day of December.
The model of Battle of Ferozeshah Punjab- 1845 depicting Anglo Sikh War
On the opposite wall is the year 1845 Model of the wretched Battle of Ferozeshah Punjab, the First Anglo-Sikh war participated by the young 7 year old Maharajah Duleep Singh of Punjab against the imperialist British!!
At leisure, look up for more engrossing photographs, paintings and Prints donated by Prince Frederick to the Ancient Museum on Norfolk Museums Collections website- Picture Norfolk.
Maharajah Duleep Singh was the last descendant of Maharajah Ranjit Sigh – the Lion of Punjab
Anecdote
Some historians believe that when Maharajah Duleep Singh’s eldest son, Victor Duleep Singh married Lady Anne Conventry from the English aristocracy; Queen Victoria asked her not to produce an heir to Sikh Kingdom and leave England too!
Age and Beauty which comes of Age- Prince Frederick Duleep Singh
The Ancient Museum also proudly displays the slogan-‘Age and the Beauty which comes of Age’ from their benefactor Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, the second son of Maharajah Duleep Singh (1868-1926). He wrote this to encourage the preservation of ancient buildings. Prince Frederick educated at Eton and Cambridge was an archaeologist, historian and a keen collector of old books, china, coins, paintings, portraits and stained glass. Prince Frederick too never had a chance to see Punjab or get a glimpse of his glorious past. Tragically, he did this to keep peace with the British. Years away from the independence day of India, ironically, he died on the 15th of August 1926 and the last descendant of the Sikh empire was gone!
A Tribute at Butten Island
Writer on the way to Butten Island to view the regal statue of Maharajah Duleep Singh
On our way back to the car park, it poured like crazy as if the weather shared our despair. From the car park we crossed a narrow bridge that indicated the way to the peaceful Butten Island that lies at the confluence of the rivers Thet and Little Ouse– an open natural beauty green space area, lined with trees. The Butten Island in Thetford holds a majestic statue of Maharaja Duleep Singh dressed as a traditional Sikh sovereign on a horseback. While on the bridge attention is caught by the beautifully sculpted, black stone statue of the Maharajah standing out regally amidst the lush greenery of the tranquil park-a proper homage at last!
The much publicized statue in the books and on the internet is nevertheless a welcome sight. It too begins with ‘Bringing History and Cultures together’ slogan unveiled by Prince Charles in 1992.The front stone forming the base of the regal image is engraved with a brief biography of the Maharajah’s choppy life- from a child king, separated from his mother, a favourite of Queen Victoria to his popular days in Elveden as a prominent figure in East Anglia, ending with his death in Paris following his struggle to reclaim the throne!
Au Revoir
Saint Andrew’s Church that holds the graves of the last Sikh sovereign- Maharajah Duleep Singh
There is a lot more material associated with Maharajah Duleep Singh and his family which has been successfully compiled by authors and historians but I have to wind up, somewhere. The retention in mind was the unkempt grave of Maharajah Duleep Singh in the Saint Andrew Church and the royal statue of the Maharajah which is a befitting tribute to his memory. Perhaps the Ancient House Museum can add to displays related to the Maharajah. We drove out of Thetford past Elveden with an uneasy mind and haunting memories of the turbulent life of Maharajah Duleep Singh and a nagging question-Why was he chosen to be exiled from India to England when at that time India had a plethora of other Princes and Princely states too?
No Entry to the Maharajah’s residence Elveden Hall
Beautifully described.
Everything is so beautifully written making the reader feel that they r also a part of this discovery.
Seema Anand Chopra is the ultimate adventurer and story teller. How beautifully she has described her visit to see the last resting place of Maharaja Duleep Singh. Her appropriate pictures are a delightful to see. Keep giving us more…….
Very informative
Easy to read
I wonder why it’s out of bounds
Lots to be rediscovered