Who was Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala?

Diljit Dosanjh won the hearts of many with his debut at the Met Gala earlier today. His outfit—an achkan in a crisp ivory hue—was paired with a matching cape, turban (or page), and necklace inspired the inimitable Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, who ruled from 1900 to 1938.
Ascending the throne at nine, Bhupinder Singh’s rule was characterised unparalleled luxury. He was, reportedly, the first Indian to own a private aircraft and maintain a fleet of 44 Rolls-Royce cars, and his opulent lifestyle truly set him apart.

The Maharaja’s personal life was as grand as his public persona. He is believed to have had 10 wives and maintained a harem of 350 concubines, fathering 88 children. His wealth was evident in his collection of cars and the airplane, while the Moti Bagh Palace rivalled Versailles in grandeur.
One of his most enduring legacies is the “Patiala peg,” a generous measure of whiskey that he popularised during his legendary parties, which were attended dignitaries, arts, and professionals from around the world.
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In 2022, American YouTuber Emma Chamberlain also wore a choker resembling one from the original Patiala Necklace at the Met Gala, sparking widespread criticism online (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
The Patiala Necklace
In 1928, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh commissioned the Patiala Necklace from Cartier, marking the jeweller’s largest single order. The necklace featured 2,930 diamonds, including the 234.65-carat De Beers diamond, the seventh-largest diamond in the world at the time. It also included Burmese rubies and other large diamonds ranging from 18 to 73 carats.
The necklace mysteriously disappeared from the Patiala treasury around 1948. Decades later, parts of it were recovered Cartier, who restored it using synthetic stones to replace the missing gems.
Diljit sported a multi-layered, jewel-studded necklace with a stunning emerald centrepiece resembling the Patiala necklace for his look at the Met Gala.

Manav Golecha, owner of Golecha Jewels, told The Indian Express in a separate conversation earlier that it took them “nearly three months to create this multi-layered necklace, inspired the original Patiala Necklace. The current neckpiece has over 50 carats of tourmalines. The emerald centrepiece alone weighs close to 130 carats.”
In 2022, American YouTuber Emma Chamberlain also wore a choker resembling one from the original Patiala Necklace at the Met Gala, sparking widespread criticism online. Chamberlain had credited Cartier for her jewellery on Instagram, prompting a backlash from Indians accusing the brand of showcasing a “stolen piece of heritage.”Story continues below this ad
Following the controversy, horians shared old photographs of the necklace, questioning whether it was indeed the same piece once owned the Patiala royals—and how such a treasured artefact ended up in the West.