NEW INDIAN RULER

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 108, 10 May 1938, Page 17

NEW INDIAN RULER

< The heir to the throne of Patiala, vacated by the death of the Maharajah, about six weeks ago, is a handsome young prince, who stands over six feet and. looks taller owing to his large, pointed turban, without which he must never appear in public, states the "Manchester Guardian." Like all Sikhs, he wears a beard which is not cut but trained sideways along the edge of the chin, the ends being tucked under the turban. A habit -that he has taken from his father is to wear pearl earrings at all times. He also is a good cricketer, like the late Maharajah, and ljast year he played in the India eleven against Lord Tennyson's visiting team. He is an excellent shot with both gun and rifle, though in that respect he cannot compete with his friend, the Crown Prince of Bikaner, whom experts count among the ten best shots in the world.

A rich heritage awaits this young man. What will he do with the extraordinary collections of jewellery, with the host of cooks from many countries" (including Czechoslovakia), with the animals and objects that enriched the life of the father? Those Who know him believe that he will not, perhaps, become an outstanding collector, but is likely to be a successful ruler.