OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 70, 24 March 1938, Page 10

OBITUARY

THE MAHARAJAH OF PATIALA

(Received March 24, noon.) LAHORE, March 23. . The death has occurred of the Maharajah of Patiala.

The Maharajah Dhiraj of Patiala, who was an honorary lieutenant-general in the British Army, received his education at the Aitchison' Chiefs' College, Lahore, and during his lifetime rendered many distinguished services to India and the Empire. His ceaseless activities throughout the Great War were of the utmost importance to the British Government, at whose disposal his Highness, from the outset,

unreservedly placed the resources of the State, In addition to cash contributions and war material, the Maharajah contributed over 28,000 recruits, and, above all, the personal inspiration of a Ruler who himself went about rousing his warrior race to hasten to help in maintaining the ideals of the British Empire. In the third Afghan War his Highness volunteered his personal services, and remained at the front until an armistice was called for by the Amir.

In 1918 the Maharajah was selected as one of India's representatives for the Imperial War Cabinet. He visited the Allied fronts in Europe and in Palestine, and received many high honours from ths various Governments. In 1925 the Maharajah represented the Indian Princes at the sixth session of the Assembly of the League of Nations, and in 1926 was elected Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes, which position he occupied during the four succeeding years. He was reelected in 1933, and held office till the beginning of 1936, when he resigned. He was 47 years of age.