Yadavindra Singh

Yadavindra Singh Biography

Yadavindra Singh was a ruler belonging to the royal family of Patiala, who has also played one international test cricket match in the year 1934. This right-handed batsman has also played 52 first class test matches during 1930’s. His full name is Maharajadhiraj Sir Yadvinder Singh Mahendra Bahadur, and he ruled the princely state of Patiala from 1938 to 1974. He was the last ruler of Patiala kingdom and he agreed to leave his kingdom for democratic republic India after Indian independence in 1947. As a sportsman, he has also served as president of the British Indian Olympic Committee from 1938 to Indian independence and continued the same position till 1960. He has been one of the notable sports figures to initiate Asian games.

He has also served as a police inspector in the Patiala State Police during Second World War. His name has many honorary titles like Lieutenant, Captain and major general. He has married twice. At first he was married to Maharani Hem Prabha Devi of Saraikela. His second wife, Maharani Mohinder Kaur currently serves as the Rajmata Sahiba of the erstwhile Patiala state. Singh was succeeded by his son Captain Amarinder Singh, a politician belonging to Congress Party. His daughter, Maharaj kumari Heminder Kaur, is married to K. Natwar Singh, former external affairs minister.

He was born on 17 January 1913, Patiala Punjab. He succeeded his father, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and became the ruler of Patiala in the year 1938. When his kingdom was joined to form a republic nation, he continued as Rajpramukh of the new Indian state of Patiala and East Punjab States Union until it was merged with the state of Punjab when it was formed in the year 1956. During world war second, he served as Inspector General in countries Malaya, Italy and Myanmar. He has also served many honorable positions like Indian Ambassador to Italy and Netherlands.

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Updated: September 24, 2017