Maharajah Duleep Singh (1838 - 1893) at Ancient House

Maharajah Duleep Singh was the last Sikh ruler of the kingdom of the Punjab in northern India. Wars with the British in the 1840s ended when the young Duleep Singh surrendering his lands and possessions (including the Koh I noor diamond).

He came to Britain, was befriended by Queen Victoria and settled into family life at Elveden Hall, near Thetford. In time however unhappiness over his treatment led him to rebel against the British authorities. His plans led to nothing and he died a broken man.

Duleep Singh's second son, Prince Frederick was the founder of the Ancient House Museum. He lived at Blo Norton Hall, near Thetford and took a keen interest in local history amassing a fine collection of books, paintings, prints and archives.

Sovereign, Squire and Rebel Maharajah Duleep Singh

'Sovereign, Squire and Rebel Maharajah Duleep Singh' by Peter Bance is a fascinating book about the Maharajah Duleep Singh and his family. It is Peter's fourth book and has taken him over 13 years to research. It traces the Maharajah and his family's life in over 250 superbly presented images.

The book is published by Coronet House Publishing Ltd, 2009 (ISBN 978-0-9561270-0-6) and is available in our museum bookshop, price £29.95.