Karam Singh (1798 – 1845) was the fourth ruler of Patiala State and the Maharaja of Patiala. Singh was the first of the Patiala rulers to have the title of Maharaja.Template:Dubious His reign was noted for Patiala State's territorial expansion and his support for the British Empire.[1]
Early life and background
Karam Singh was born in 1798. He was the son Sahib Singh, the ruler and Raja-e-Rajgan of Patiala.[2] Singh was also the member of the Phulkian dynasty.[2]
Reign
Singh became the ruler of Patiala in 1813.[3] He was also the first ruler of Patiala to have been referred to as a Maharaja, the title having been bestowed on him by Mughal Emperor Akbar II.[4][1] Singh was also noted as a patron of paintings, and from 1814 to 1815, he had a family of Rajasthani painters at his court.[5]
Administration and rule
During his early reign, Singh had disputes with his mother and his younger brother, Ajit Singh.[6] Singh continued his dispute with Nabha State, another Phulkian dynasty state, which had been carrying on since 1807.[6] From 1838 to 1843, Singh had a border dispute with Kaithal State.[6] He had extensive diplomatic relations with Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire, whose court in Lahore a vakil of Patiala was often dispatched to.[7]
Relations with the British Empire and territorial expansion
Singh supported the British Empire during the Anglo-Nepalese War from 1814 to 1816.[8][9] In return for Singh's support during the Anglo-Nepalese War, the British awarded Singh territory in the hill states, extending Patiala State's territory to Shimla, Chail and other areas in modern-day Himachal Pradesh.[8][9] In 1845, Singh declared his support for the British against the Sikh Empire.[10]
Death and succession
Singh died in 1845 and was succeeded by his son, Narinder Singh, as the Maharaja of Patiala.[11]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Captain Amarinder Singh: The People's Maharaja: An Authorized Biography{{#if:Singh|, Singh}. Hay House, Inc(2017-02-15). ISBN 978-93-85827-44-0
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Baba Ala Singh: Founder of Patiala Kingdom{{#if:Singh|, Singh}. Guru Nanak Dev University(2005)
- ↑ Khyal: Creativity Within North India's Classical Music Tradition{{#if:Wade|, Wade}. CUP Archive(1984). ISBN 978-0-521-25659-9
- ↑ The Cherished Five in Sikh History{{#if:Fenech|, Fenech}. Oxford University Press(2021). ISBN 978-0-19-753284-3
- ↑ History and Culture of Panjab{{#if:Singh|, Singh}. Atlantic Publishers and Distributors
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Punjab District and State Gazetteers: Part A].{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Punjab Government Press(1900)
- ↑ Piety and Splendour: Sikh Heritage in Art{{#if:Goswamy|, Goswamy}. National Museum(2000)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chiefs and Families of Note in the Delhi, Jalandhar, Peshawar and Derajat Divisions of the Panjab{{#if:Massy|, Massy}. Pioneer Press(1890)
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Captain Amarinder Singh: The People's Maharaja: An Authorized Biography{{#if:Singh|, Singh}. Hay House, Inc(2017-02-15). ISBN 978-93-85827-44-0
- ↑ Imperial Gazetteer of India{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Clarendon Press(1908)
- ↑ Punjab Painting{{#if:Srivastava|, Srivastava}. Abhinav Publications(1983). ISBN 978-81-7017-174-4