BESIDE THE SHALIMAR

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 283, 3 November 1925, Page 7

BESIDE THE SHALIMAR

HARI SINGH BECOMES RULER. “MR A. ’ ’—MULTI-MILLIONAIRE. Within a year of the hearing of the notorious case with which his name was eventually associated—for it was as “Mr A.” that ho was first referred to in the High Courts —Rajah Sir Hari Singh has become ruler of tho great mysterious State of Kashmir.

This arises owing to th 3 death of his unde, Lieut -General His Highness Maharajah Sir Pratap Singh Bahadur, Maharajah of Jumnni aud Kashmir, wlio for years has been in ill-health, and who underwent a serious operation in 1924. Already one of the richest men in the world—with an income estimated at LI ,000,000 a year—Sir Hari Singh, has now inherited property which wall probably make him the wealthiest person alive Before Sir Hari Singh came to rule over Kashmir the succession had to be proved by tho Indian Government, and then by the British Government, but as there was no other claimant this proved a formal matter. The Daily Chronicle states that the same procedure applies in this case as in any other affecting the accession to rulership of an Indian State. Years ago tho Maharajah, who has just died, adopted a son, and, although this was officially recognised by the Indian Government, there was a reservation that .the adoption was a “spiritual’’ one only, and in no way connected with the right of succession. SALUTE OF 21 GUNS. At the age of 29, Sir Hari Singh thus becomes ruler of 3,000,000 inhabitants of the 79,784 square miles of the mysterious Kashmir, with palaces like scenes from “Tho Arabian Nights.” With a few other ruling princes he will share the right to a salute of 21 guns wherever ho goes. To his throne he will take with him tho beautiful daughter of tho Maharajah of Dharampore, whom he married in May, 1923, long after the incidents which were brought into tho fierce searchlight of publicity in December last. “FESTIVAL OF LIGHT.” It was arranged that a ceremony of reconciliation should take place in Kashmir in October, when the picturesque “Festival of Light” was celebrated with all tho pomp and magnificence associated with Eastern ceremony. Sir Pratap was a most orthodox Hindu, keeping the protracted fasts of his religion with rigid observance, and he was greatly distressed by tho revelations in tho Midland Bank case. Strong a 3 the feeling was in India at the time of the litigation, there is no question that the lvashmirites will accept Sir Hari Singh as their ruler. “The case is still looked upon with great sorrow,” a prominent Indian in London said recently, “but the people of Kashmir will always support and sympathise with their beloved prince.” PAGE TO VICEROY. Educated at the great college at Ajmere—the Oxford of native princes —Sir Hari Singh when a youth developed a longing for a knowledge of the wonderful West. He would listen spellbound to stories of London and of British sport, but it was not until 1919 that the aged Maharajah would allow him to visit Europe. Before that time, however, Sir Hari had figured in many ceremonies of state. As a child ho had been page to the Viceroy, the late Marquis Curzon, and wore a rope of pearls worth ! £1,000.000. Then he acted as host I when the Prince of Wales, during his tour of India visited Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. Now Kashmir, the land of “The Indian Love Lyrics,” beloved of Suburbia, is to be ruled by Sir Hari, who, as senior member of ithe State Council, has done much useful work. • In recent years ho ljas brought tho medical services of his State into modern channels, he has remodelled and improved tho silk industry, and during his eventful visit to London, he consulted authorities concerning tho introduction of eloctric railways within his frontiers. TRAGEDY OF THE LATE MAHARAJAH. I Sir Pratap Singh put all his resources at tlio Government’s disposal during tho Great War, and, notwithstanding his advanced years, was present at tho battle of Cambrai to see his warriors in action. He had seen much sorrow, A son and heir was born in 1904, but died in infancy. His brother, Sir Amir Singh, tho father of Sir Hari Singh, again became the heir. Ho died mysteriously 15 years ago—there was talk in the bazaars of powdered rubies having been mixed with his food—leaving his son a great inheritance.