Transcription
“A Visitor Here,” The Calgary Daily Herald, July 22, 1915.
The Calgary Daily Herald
Thursday July 22, 1915
A VISITOR HERE
[Photograph Caption] The Maharajah of Kapurthala in his robes of state – He took a motor ride round Calgary this afternoon.
RULING INDIAN PRINCE SPENDS DAY IN CALGARY
_____
His Highness Maharajah of Kapurthala and Suite Stay at Palliser Hotel
_____
TALKS TO THE HERALD ABOUT PROHIBITION
_____
Expresses Faith in Ability of Grand Duke to Hold the Germans at Bay
_____
“Who wants that? I think it’s quite alright to have a beer and light wine and indeed I generally take a brandy and soda after exercise. Really, I believe it is quite good for me, though I do not think spirits should be used very much.”
The topic was the prohibition bill voted on yesterday and the speaker was a well-groomed dignified personality with a rich Oxford accent. It was the Maharajah of Kapurthala His Highness Jagajit Singh Bahadur, who, attired in a well-fitted lounge suit, seated in his private sitting room at the Palliser hotel received and conversed with the Herald representative this afternoon.
His highness expressed his appreciation of this western country, but his main topic was the war and comment on the fighting on the various fronts.
Hopes Russians Win
“We hope,” he said, “to see the Russians victorious in the long run and I think the Grand Duke is a fine strategist. We have every confidence in him and look for a successful ending to the present great struggle in Poland.”
His highness in the course of conversation discovered that The Herald man knew his country and spoke his own tongue, whereat he exhibited considerable interest, observing that it was rather unusual to meet one so far from India who was versed in those tongues.
This leading Sikh ruler is going east after a short further stay in the west and expects to meet the governor-general in Ottawa in a few weeks’ time.
Who He Is
The maharajah is one of the ruling princes in India who contributed so generously to the British war fund
(Continued on Page Three)
RULING INDIAN PRINCE SPENDS DAY IN CALGARY
___
(Continued from Page One)
which was organized by the leading rulers of Britain’s great dependency. The territory over which he holds sway comprises the state of Kapurthala, in the Punjab, which has an area of 652 square miles and a population of 314,000. He also is the owner of territory to the same extent in the province of Oudh in central India. He is the possessor of several magnificent palaces, of which one is at Idah in the state of Kapurthala, and the other his summer residence at Mussorie, a beautiful resort well known to Anglo-Indians, nestling up in the hills beneath the shadow of the mighty Himalayas.
His highness, who, while not being conspicuous to guests at the Palliser, nevertheless attracted considerable attention, is one of the leading chiefs of the great Sikh race, being the head of the famous fighting branch in Rajputana.
What He Has Done
Besides giving several thousand lakhs of rupees in cash to Great Britain he sent 1,000 picked infantry with the Indian contingent in East Africa. His eldest son, who is a warrior Sikh, is now doing his bit to overthrow German “kultur” in Flanders.
One of his highness’ most absorbing topics just at present is the great war, and in order to keep himself thoroughly posted on the turn events are taking he has a large map with the positions of the opposing forces marked upon it. His military knowledge enables him to grasp the more of the meaning of the tactical movements described in the official reports than the ordinary student of the course of the campaign, and in order to keep in touch with as much as possible he reads the newspapers from day to day.
His diligent practice of keeping up with the official reports is sometimes embarrassing for his secretary who is expected by his mater to be equally well posted on the course of the war.
“You know,” said Mr. Roy, his secretary, to The Herald this morning, “I have not so much time for reading the papers, and I find it keeps me hustling to be able to answer the queries of his highness as to what is the latest news from any front.”
His highness on this trip across Canada is traveling with his private car with a retinute [sic] of 15 attendant. He is accompanied by his wife and a younger son and a private secretary, and during his short stay of a day in Calgary he made a short tour of the city in a motor car placed at his disposal by H.R.G. Crauford.
His highness was born in September, 1872, and succeeded his father in the title in 1877. He was created a K.C.S.I. in 1897, and a G.[?]S.I. in 1911.
