Government of his territories with exemplary wisdom, firmness and benevolence."
Maharaja Mahinder Singh succeeded to the gaddi; the chief incidents of his rule will be found recorded in Part III, page 5. of this work, as also the biography of his successor, Maharaja Rajinder Singh.
Maharaja Mahinder Singh's salute was increased from 15 to 17 guns in 1864 and the honour of G. C. S. I. was conferred upon him in 1870. At the request of Sir Henry Durand, Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab, he performed the opening ceremony of the Sutlej Bridge in 1870. He rendered valuable aid in suppressing the Kuka rising in 1871, which was publicly acknowledged by the Government. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales paid a visit to the Maharaja at Rajpura in 1875, and to commemorate the event the Albert Edward Mahinder Ganj was established at Rajpura.
Maharaja Rajinder Singh served with distinction on the staff of General Sir Edmund Elles, when he proceeded with his contingent to the frontier during the Momand and Tirah campaigns. During the Boxer rising in China. Maharaja Rajinder Singh offered the services of his troops to Government, but, much to his regret, there was no necessity for sending these troops.
For the war in South Africa the Maharaja sent a large number of trained remounts for the British cavalry; in fact, for over a century, whenever occasion has arisen, the Patiala State has always been ready to place all its troops and resources at the disposal of the British Government, and has thus earned a well merited name for conspicuous loyalty. Maharaja Rajinder Singh was invested with the insignia of a Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India by Lord Elgin in 1898. Since the time of Lord Mayo, every Viceroy has honoured the State with a visit.
Maharaja Rajinder Singh, like his predecessors, was generous and liberal minded and gave handsome donations, among which the following figures stand out prominently:
