India – Oil on Canvas of the Maharajah Rajinder Singh of Patiala, c1890s. Measures approximately 86cm by 61cm, framed. An important painting of Maharaja Rajinder Singh (1872-1900) the son of Maharaja Mohinder Singh, born at Patiala on 25 May 1872. After the death of his father, he ascended the throne in January 1877. A Sikh, he was part of the Phulkian clan originating from the Sidhu Jats. Families of the dynasty, believed to have a common ancestor named Chaudhary Phul, ruled Patiala, Jind, Nabha, and other Punjab states. Chaudhary Ram Singh the son of Chaudhary Phul was baptized and blessed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji (the tenth Sikh Guru). Maharaja Rajinder Singh took a keen interest in the promotion of sports, especially polo and cricket. Maharajah Rajinder Singh died on 8 November 1900 in the prime of his life.