Did You Know The Connection Between Patiala’s Maharaja Bhupinder Singh And Adolf Hitler

This article is in collaboration with Devansh Kaushal

When we talk about Patiala, this city has its own vibe as it is one of the royal cities in India. Whenever one looks at the history of Patiala, we always find some authentic stories. The Chiefs of Patiala had well-established contacts with the world’s most popular public figures. And yes they also had a good connection with Adolf Hitler. So further in the story, you are going to learn about the story of Old Maybach, Hitler, and Maharaja Bhupinder Singh.

Know The Personalities:

Adolf Hitler: Adolf Schicklgruber is betterly known as Adolf Hitler. He was an Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945. He rose to power as the leader of the Nazi Party, becoming Chancellor in 1933 and then further in 1934.

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh:  Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was the chief of the princely state of Patiala in the North of India. With fertile lands of Punjab under his territory, the king had immense wealth at his disposal. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was known for his enthusiasm for gorgeous jewels and expensive items. Maharaja had more than 50 royal cars in his garage which included Rolls Royce and some other expensive Maybachs. The Maharaja was also recognized for his tour around the world.

Meeting with Hitler:

In 1935 Maharaja Bhupinder Singh requested a meeting with Hitler. After much reluctance, a meeting got scheduled for 15 minutes appointment for the Maharaja. As the discussion between Hitler and Maharaja commenced, it stretched into a full one-hour session. Hitler invited Maharaja and there Hitler gave a custom-made Maybach with Zeppelin engine to the Maharaja. Hitler wanted to magnify his friendship with the Maharaja, so the princely state of Patiala might take a neutral stand in case of a war between Germany and Britain. The only time when Hitler presented a car to an autocrat was for the King of Egypt and King of Nepal.

Where is the Maybach now?

The car lived with the Royal family of Patiala till it was gifted away in 1957. Raja Malvinder Singh (Younger brother of Present Raja and Chief Minister of the state) shares the narrative that how the family dropped Maybach in 1957. 

Raja Malvinder Singh, ” I think it was the only Maybach of its kind that survived the war. I was sitting in our Patiala House, Delhi. I was reading a comic when my father walked in with Sardar Sukhjit Singh Majathia after a game of golf. The ADC came and said that Sardar Satyajit Singh had come to see my father. I was minding my own business but listening to what they were saying.

After a while, Sardar Satyajit Singh, an ADC to my father said, ‘ Sir, I have to come to ask the courtesy of you. You have this Maybach which you’ve never used. Can I acquire it from you? My dad said, ‘ I’m not trading here any cars, but if you want it as a present, then you can take it”

“We had an Australian officer named Harvey who was in charge of the garages and Sardar Satyajit said, ‘Sir, could you give it to me in writing as Harvey won’t give it to me’. So my father ordained a letter to a stenographist, acknowledged it, and the next day Satyajit approach Patiala and picked up the Maybach. He eventually sold it and it is now with a private curator in America and probably worth alike to 5 million dollars.”

Thanks for showing interest in the whole narrative inscribed by Devansh Kaushal and You can also hit the website and Instagram by clicking on the respective links. 

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