This Indian king had 350 mistresses, fathered 88 children, he was famously known as..., name is...
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was not just a king, he was a larger-than-life personality known for his rich lifestyle, love for food, and grand way of living. His habits were so extravagant that even British officers who visited him were left amazed. Some stories about him are so surprising, hat they are hard to believe, but they're all true.
He loved to eat, especially parathas and kebabs, and people say he could easily eat enough food for five people in one meal. Once, during a dinner with a British officer, his plate was seen loaded with about 15 kinds of parathas, heaps of kebabs, and his famous Patiala peg of whisky. The officer was so shocked, he later wrote about the experience.
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was a tall man, he stood at 6 feet 4 inches in height and weighing around 136 kg. He was born on October 12, 1891, and was lovingly called 'Tikka Sahib' as a child. Sadly, he lost his father at the age of just 9, and soon after, he became the ruler of Patiala. His life was full of colour, charisma, and unforgettable tales. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, the man with many interests
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was a man of many interests, he was a sportsman, soldier, music and art lover, a caring father, and also known for living a life full of luxury and indulgence. His personality had so many sides that people who met him were often surprised.
According to historians Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins in their book Freedom at Midnight, the Maharaja could eat up to 10 kilograms of food in a day. For him, having two whole chickens just with tea was normal. He also had a grand stable with 500 of the world's finest horses.
His lavish lifestyle is also seen in the fact that he had a harem of 350 women with whom he fathered 88 children, of which 52 survived to adulthood. To boost his strength and stamina, he used to take special medicines made from rare herbs and spices. He married ten times, and his favourite wife was Rajmata Vimala Kaur, who often travelled abroad with him and made public appearances.
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh paid a lot of attention to the women in his harem. He made sure they looked exactly how he liked. For this, he hired perfumers, hairdressers, jewellers, and even brought in plastic surgeons from France and Britain to change their looks if needed.
In an article by James Sherwood published by Henry Poole & Co, it was written that the Maharaja would often have his favourite women from the harem sit around his cold-water swimming pool with no clothes on. While swimming, he would sometimes stop to touch them or take a sip of whisky.
Even the ceiling in his bedroom was decorated with erotic carvings, showing just how extravagant and bold his lifestyle was.
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh also had his own private airplane, and he owned 44 Rolls-Royce cars. He had a deep love for cricket and is often called the Father of Indian Cricket. In 1911, he even led the Indian cricket team to England, and between 1915 and 1937, he played many first-class matches.
The famous 'Patiala Peg' a large serving of whisky was also his invention.
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