TWO MILLIONS A YEAR

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1928, Page 13

TWO MILLIONS A YEAR

WEALTHY INDIAN PRINCE ONE OF THE RICHEST MEN ALIVE. UNIQUE GATHERING IN LONDON. Never before has such a galaxy of Indian potentates been seen in England as the body of Indian princes who are now in London to discuss the future relations between the native States and the paramount Power (remarks “J.F. C.” in the Daily News). Not even in the years of the coronations of King Edward and King George did so many of these rulers assemble. Our Indian Empire consists of two distinct parts—what is known ’as British India, and the native States, which are governed each by its own ruler, under the suzerainty of his Majesty exercised through the Governor-General in Council. Of these rulers there are some 700, and their States range from tiny municipalities of one or two villages to the 83,000 square miles and the 11,000,000 inhabitants governed by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Collectively the States cover one-third of India, and their peoples number 72 of the 319 millions inhabiting our Indian Empire. Their wealth and prestige are enormous. Sir Hari Singh, the Maharajah of Juminu and Kashmir, for instance, is probably one of the richest men alive. He rules the largest independent State ■ in India, a country almost equal in I ' size to Great Britain, and having some , of the grandest scenery and the finest mountain spurt that is to be had in the world. He inherited from his father some £10,000,000, and his annual income is said to amount to two millions and a-quarter. At his coronation, which was carried out with great magnificence, Sir Hari was dressed in green and gold brocade, fastened with diamond buttons. He wore ropes of pearls, emeralds, and diamonds, and had enormous diamonds in his ears. His white aigrette was a mass of flashing diamonds, and his favourite pony, which took part in a gorgeous procession of horses and elephants with superb trappings was decorated with emeralds, one wonderful stone being valued at £30,000. The Maharajah of Patiala is India’s second richest prince. The ruler of the Greatest State in the Punjab, he is one of the most powerful Sikh princes. A man of great wealth, with an income estimated at £300,000, his palaces are treasure houses of pearls, diamonds, and emeralds. At the coronation of the Maharajah of Kashmir he was decked in jewels said to be worth 30 lakhs of rupees—about £200.000. HUNDRED ROOMS OF HOTEL. The Maharajah has taken a country house at Chalfont St. Giles. Three years ago he made his visit to this country memorable by the lavishness of his arrangements, which ineluded nearly 1001 rooms at a West End hotel.

He is a keen sportsman. In 1911 he captained the Indian cricket team which eame to this country, and he played the M.C.C. team in India. 192627. The Maharajah of Kapurthala is the ruler of a small but wealthy Punjab State. Having succeeded his father in 1877 at the age of five, he inherited a realm of 630 square miles, and a revenue of £250,000 a year. With great magnificence his golden jubilee was celebrated last winter. The prince comes regularlv to this country, though he makes his home at Iris beautiful pavilion off the Bois de Boulogne, in Paris. His jewels are said to be worth £BOO,OOO. I The Maharajah Gaekwar of Baroda jis one of the most remarkable of Indian princes. Ruling a country of 3000 square miles, £nd a population of 2,000,000, he ranks among the world’s richest men, and his jewels are famous. His riches were thrust upon him: Malliar Rae having been deposed by the British Government for obvious misrule, the present Gaekwar was chosen for the throne of Baroda. He was then a shepherd boy of 12, though originally of Maratha princely blood. In his 47 years’ reign he has made the small State of Baroda one of the most progressive in India. Rich beyond the dreams of avarice, the Gaekwar's jewels are the wonder of Asia. His palace at Baroda is one of the most remarkable buildings in India. It has cost millions to build from first to last, its corridors are of alabaster, inlaid with precious stones, the like of which not even Aladdin ever saw. The famous “Star of the South” one of the great diamonds of the world is there; so is the great collar of 500 diamonds, with a double row of pearlshaped emeralds, the broad scarf literally covered with row upon row of pearls, and knotted with immense rubies on the left shoulder. There is. a carpet larg enough to cover a fairsized room, covered with seed pearls, and the necklace which the Gaekwar habitually wears in his own country is worth a king’s ransom.