Discover The Maharaja

Imperial splendor and opulent splurges. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh has inspired Patiala family’s regal, characterful jewellery creations for generations to generations. Our founder, Chaudhary Abdul Hakeem, was the official jeweler to Maharaja of Patiala in 1925.

Meet our muse, The Maharaja Of Patiala

A ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Patiala in India from 1900 to 1938, being one of the richest men in the history, a politically significant figure of 20th century, best known for his ostentatious taste in jewels and other extravagances…Sir Bhupinder Singh is a symbol of sheer luxury. As a man with an appetite for every conceivable luxury, he summoned Parisian Jeweler Jacques Cartier to get the legendary ‘Patiala Necklace’ made which is known to be as one of the most expensive pieces of jewellery ever made.

 

(Source-Wikipedia)

The Maharajah was famous for his voracious taste for sumptuous jewels and owned various remarkable jewellery pieces of all time. Amongst the many jewels the Maharaja owned, the most famous perhaps was the 

• The Patiala Necklace- Displaying an astonishing 2,930 diamonds and weighing over a thousand carats, it was crafted in platinum and enhanced by Burmese rubies. And with the famous yellow 234.6-carat De Beers diamond as a centerpiece which is the seventh-largest diamond in the world. This magnificent necklace showcased Maharajah’s incredible collection of family heirlooms, hundreds of Cartier diamonds and the famous “De beers diamond” as the centerpiece meticulously crafted in precious platinum which took Cartier three years to make.  

• Patiala Ruby Choker- Another prized jewel was this spectacular piece of jewellery crated by Cartier in 1931 for the Maharani of Patiala, who was one of Sir Bhupinder Singh’s wives. This beautiful choker consisted of rubies, pearls and diamonds mounted on platinum.

His appetite for luxury went from incredible jewels to sports to ritzy Automobiles as he owned more than 27 Rolls Royces. He was also a close friend of Adolf Hitler as Hitler gifted Maharaja a custom-made Maybach with Zeppelin engine in 1935 as a symbol of diplomacy. He is known to be the first Indian man to own an aircraft for which he had an airstrip build at Patiala.

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh is widely known for his political accomplishments and remarkable contribution to sports as he was the first Indian to represent India at the league of nations after the first world war and round table conference. He was also keen cricketer and polo player as he founded the first official cricket team of India and in fact, donated generously for the Ranji Trophy.

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s two personal favorite Jewelers were: Jacques Cartier, who came to India to make several impressive pieces of Jewels for the Maharaja and Chaudhary Abdul Hakeem, who would make classic gold jewellery for the Maharaja.

Our Founder’s creations for Maharaja

Chaudhary Abdul Hakeem was devoted to adorning Maharaja and his wives with precious Gold, pearl and gemstone jewellery as his personal favorite Jeweler. Chaudhary Abdul Hakeem’s high jewellery creations for Maharaja fashioned an imperial aesthetic that is infused in our jewellery collections today.

 

Chaudhary Abdul Hakeem 1935.

(Source-Personal Collection of Chaudhary Fazal Karim)

During the massacre of 1947, Chaudhary Abdul Hakeem and his family was reported to be safely escorted to Pakistan in Maharaja’s personal buggies and cars because of his close companionship with Maharaja Bhupinder Singh.

Legacy Lives On

Today, Patiala family carries on the skills passed down seamlessly from generation to generation for over a centaury. Jewellery designers, certified gemologists, expert setters and skilled polishers work in a harmony to create impeccable pieces of jewellery.

Patiala Family still has strong ties to the family of the Maharaja. The relationship between the families is more than a century old.

             The Grandson of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, Amrinder Singh of Patiala being received in Pakistan by the Grandson of Chaudhary Abdul Hakeem, Chaudhary Shahid Nadeem.

(Source- Personal collection of Chadhary Javed Iqbal)