Rajinder Singh of Patiala

Rajinder Singh became Maharaja of Patiala at age four after the death of his father Maharaja Mahendra Singh. A regency council governed until he came of age in 1890. His reign was marked by lavish spending and patronage of the arts.

Rajinder Singh commissioned the construction of the Moti Bagh Palace in Patiala, a sprawling complex blending Mughal and European architectural styles. The palace became a symbol of his extravagant lifestyle and the wealth of the Patiala state.

Rajinder Singh became a major patron of the Patiala gharana of Hindustani classical music, supporting musicians like Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. His court became a center for music and dance, contributing to the preservation and development of North Indian classical traditions.

Rajinder Singh's lavish spending on palaces, jewelry, and entertainment led to severe financial strain on the Patiala state. By the late 1890s, the state accumulated significant debt, prompting British intervention to impose financial controls.

Rajinder Singh died suddenly at the age of 28, reportedly from a fever. His early death left the Patiala state in financial disarray and led to a succession crisis, with his infant son Bhupinder Singh becoming maharaja under a regency.