Kings and Maharajas in India had a deep fascination with luxury cars, especially those imported from abroad. Among the most coveted were Rolls Royce cars. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was no exception – he had an entire fleet of Rolls Royce cars. However, what set him apart was his possession of an unique car gifted to him by Adolf Hitler himself: the renowned Maybach of that era.
This gift raises an intriguing question: What was the connection between Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and the German dictator? And why did Hitler choose to bestow such a grand gift upon him?
The princely state of Patiala, established in 1763 by Baba Ala Singh after the decline of the Mughal Empire, had a strong relationship with the British, particularly for their support during the Revolt of 1857. This alliance may have played a role in the Maharaja’s connections with influential figures of the time, including Hitler.
The fertile plains of Punjab brought immense wealth to the region, making it one of the richest and most powerful states in India. The rulers of Patiala strengthened their ties with the British by supporting their military campaigns in Afghanistan, China, and the Middle East.
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, who ruled between 1891 and 1938 was known for his commanding presence and remarkable reputation. His passions extended to a wide range of luxuries from wine and jewellery to sports cars. He owned over 27 Rolls Royce cars and possessed an extensive collection of jewellery, including the famous ‘Patiala Necklace’ crafted by Cartier in Paris. Beyond his love for luxury, Bhupinder Singh was a significant political figure, serving as an influential member of the Chamber of Princes.
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was also a key figure in Indian cricket history. He was one of the founding members of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the governing body of cricket in the country. He also established the Ranji Trophy, a premier domestic cricket competition, in honour of his friend, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Nawanagar.
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was also a figure of considerable political clout. As a prominent member of the Chamber of Princes, he wielded substantial influence not only in India but also across Europe. His personal friendships extended to the kings of England, Spain, Sweden, Norway, and several other nations.
The Gift from Adolf Hitler
In 1935, during a visit to Germany, Adolf Hitler presented Maharaja Bhupinder Singh with a Maybach car. This was a rare honour, as Hitler gifted cars to only two other rulers: King Farouk of Egypt and Juddha Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana of Nepal. It is believed that Hitler hoped to secure the Maharaja’s neutrality in the event of a conflict between Germany and the British Empire.
The story of how Maharaja Bhupinder Singh received this extraordinary gift is recounted by his grandson, Raja Malvinder Singh, in Sharda Dwivedi’s book “The Automobiles of the Maharaja”. According to him, when his grandfather visited Germany in 1935 and requested a meeting with Adolf Hitler, the latter was reluctant and only agreed to a brief 10-15 minute meeting with the Maharaja. However, as they began talking, 15 minutes stretched into 30, then an hour. Impressed by their conversation, Hitler invited the Maharaja to stay for lunch, then asked him to return the next day, and again on the third day. On that final day, Hitler presented him with German weapons, including Lignose, Walther, and Luger pistols, as well as a luxurious Maybach car.
A Rare and Powerful Maybach
The Maybach gifted to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was one of only six ever made. It was an exceptionally powerful vehicle, featuring 12 Zeppelin engines that made the bonnet significantly large. The car was maroon in colour, with seating for the driver and one passenger in the front, and space for three more passengers in the back.
The extraordinary Maybach car was shipped to India and stored in the garage of Moti Bagh Palace in Patiala, alongside the Maharaja’s extensive collection of luxury vehicles. When World War II began, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh took precautions and hid the Maybach inside the palace, where it remained unused.
The Car’s Unique Registration Number
After Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s death, his son, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, succeeded him. When India gained independence in 1947, the princely states, including Patiala, were merged to form PEPSU (Patiala and East Punjab States Union). During this period, the Maybach car was registered for the first time in Punjab, bearing the number plate ‘7’.
Like many royal families adapting to changing times, the Patiala royal family eventually sold off much of its property along with the Maybach. Bhupinder Singh eventually gave the car to his ADC (Aide-de-Camp), who later sold it. The car is now owned by a private collector in the United States and is valued at nearly 5 million dollars (approximately Rs 50 crore). Bhupinder Singh was also the first Indian to own a private plane, for which he had an airstrip constructed in Patiala.