Remembering the Forgotten Grandson of the Great Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Prince Albert Edward Alexander Duleep Singh was born on August 20, 1879. He was the youngest son of Maharani Bamba Muller and Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire.
Edward was raised in an aristocratic environment at Elveden Hall, a grand estate in Suffolk, England. His childhood was surrounded by luxury and a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences.
Growing up, Edward saw very little of his father, who spent much of his time in London pursuing ways to reclaim his lost Sikh kingdom, which had been annexed by the British. His mother, Maharani Bamba, struggled with loneliness and emotional neglect and eventually turned to alcohol. As the youngest of six siblings, Prince Victor, Prince Frederick, Princess Bamba, Princess Catherine, and Princess Sophia, Edward was especially close to Sophia. He spent much of his time with her, and she lovingly called him ‘Eddie’.
In 1886, Maharaja Duleep Singh decided to leave England permanently. He sold his possessions, including Elveden Hall, and in 1887 set sail for India with his family. However, upon reaching Aden, he and his family were arrested on the orders of the Viceroy of India. The British government refused them entry into India, forcing a heartbroken Duleep Singh to send his family back to England. He then went to Paris, hoping to find support for his cause.
Eight-year-old Prince Edward returned to England with his mother and siblings. Due to their close association with Queen Victoria, the family came under the protection of the palace and Arthur Oliphant was appointed to take care of them. Initially, the family resided in Maharaja Duleep Singh’s former London residence, which was sparsely furnished and barely liveable. Arthur Oliphant then decided to relocate the family to the coastal town of Folkestone in Kent, providing them with a fresh start.
In Folkestone, Edward's mother, Maharani Bamba, continued to struggle with depression and heavy drinking. Tragically, on September 18, 1887, she was found dead on the floor beside the bed.
Edward, along with his siblings, made a grieving journey to Elveden Hall to bid their mother a quiet farewell. She was laid to rest at St. Andrew’s Church, just across the road from their former home, where Edward once played with his sister Princess Sophia. His father, Maharaja DuleepSingh, was unable to come from Paris.
After the funeral, Arthur Oliphant took Edward and Sophia back with him to Folkestone. Left alone, Edward and Sophia held on to each other, often sharing a room as they coped with their mother's loss. His older siblings had departed to pursue their education.
Soon after, a decision was made by Arthur, and Edward was sent to a private boarding school in Sussex called Sandroy. From there, he would often write to Princess Sophia asking for books and pencils.
At Sandroyd, Prince Edward proved to be intelligent and hardworking. His school reports consistently praised him not only for being at the top of every subject but also for being a soft-hearted and well-disciplined boy. He excelled in Latin, history, and divinity, earning high marks and the admiration of his teachers. His future looked promising, and it was anticipated that he would continue his education at Eton. But his persistent cough had become a growing concern and he was frequently suffering from ill health.
In late April 1893 his health became a serious concern because of the tubercular swelling in his stomach. His condition became critical and he was sent home. Soon he was admitted to a private hospital in Hastings, East Sussex. All the children gathered around little Edward, sitting beside his bed, trying to keep him comfortable.
Prince Victor pleaded with the Palace to allow their father, the Maharaja, to return to England to see Edward. The permission was granted for three days and Maharaja arrived in Hastings on April 21, 1893. Doctors informed him that Edward had only days to live. Sitting by his son's bedside, the Maharaja struggled to control his emotions, having been advised by Prince Victor to remain composed in Edward's presence, and not to cry. After three days, before departing, Maharaja placed a handwritten note in his son Edward's hand that read, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’.
A week later, after his father’s departure, on May 1, 1893, Prince Edward passed away in Hastings at the age of thirteen. He was laid to rest next to his mother, Maharani Bamba, at St. Andrew Church. Due to his own ill health, Maharaja Duleep Singh was unable to attend the funeral of his son.
Prince Edward had an olive complexion and gentle features. He was soft hearted, serious and quiet by nature. Although he was buried according to Christian rites, the ‘Singh’ name remained an integral part of his identity.
Prince Albert Edward Alexander Duleep Singh was born on August 20, 1879. He was the youngest son of Maharani Bamba Muller and Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire.
Edward was raised in an aristocratic environment at Elveden Hall, a grand estate in Suffolk, England. His...
Prince Albert Edward Alexander Duleep Singh was born on August 20, 1879. He was the youngest son of Maharani Bamba Muller and Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire.
Edward was raised in an aristocratic environment at Elveden Hall, a grand estate in Suffolk, England. His childhood was surrounded by luxury and a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences.
Growing up, Edward saw very little of his father, who spent much of his time in London pursuing ways to reclaim his lost Sikh kingdom, which had been annexed by the British. His mother, Maharani Bamba, struggled with loneliness and emotional neglect and eventually turned to alcohol. As the youngest of six siblings, Prince Victor, Prince Frederick, Princess Bamba, Princess Catherine, and Princess Sophia, Edward was especially close to Sophia. He spent much of his time with her, and she lovingly called him ‘Eddie’.
In 1886, Maharaja Duleep Singh decided to leave England permanently. He sold his possessions, including Elveden Hall, and in 1887 set sail for India with his family. However, upon reaching Aden, he and his family were arrested on the orders of the Viceroy of India. The British government refused them entry into India, forcing a heartbroken Duleep Singh to send his family back to England. He then went to Paris, hoping to find support for his cause.
Eight-year-old Prince Edward returned to England with his mother and siblings. Due to their close association with Queen Victoria, the family came under the protection of the palace and Arthur Oliphant was appointed to take care of them. Initially, the family resided in Maharaja Duleep Singh’s former London residence, which was sparsely furnished and barely liveable. Arthur Oliphant then decided to relocate the family to the coastal town of Folkestone in Kent, providing them with a fresh start.
In Folkestone, Edward's mother, Maharani Bamba, continued to struggle with depression and heavy drinking. Tragically, on September 18, 1887, she was found dead on the floor beside the bed.
Edward, along with his siblings, made a grieving journey to Elveden Hall to bid their mother a quiet farewell. She was laid to rest at St. Andrew’s Church, just across the road from their former home, where Edward once played with his sister Princess Sophia. His father, Maharaja DuleepSingh, was unable to come from Paris.
After the funeral, Arthur Oliphant took Edward and Sophia back with him to Folkestone. Left alone, Edward and Sophia held on to each other, often sharing a room as they coped with their mother's loss. His older siblings had departed to pursue their education.
Soon after, a decision was made by Arthur, and Edward was sent to a private boarding school in Sussex called Sandroy. From there, he would often write to Princess Sophia asking for books and pencils.
At Sandroyd, Prince Edward proved to be intelligent and hardworking. His school reports consistently praised him not only for being at the top of every subject but also for being a soft-hearted and well-disciplined boy. He excelled in Latin, history, and divinity, earning high marks and the admiration of his teachers. His future looked promising, and it was anticipated that he would continue his education at Eton. But his persistent cough had become a growing concern and he was frequently suffering from ill health.
In late April 1893 his health became a serious concern because of the tubercular swelling in his stomach. His condition became critical and he was sent home. Soon he was admitted to a private hospital in Hastings, East Sussex. All the children gathered around little Edward, sitting beside his bed, trying to keep him comfortable.
Prince Victor pleaded with the Palace to allow their father, the Maharaja, to return to England to see Edward. The permission was granted for three days and Maharaja arrived in Hastings on April 21, 1893. Doctors informed him that Edward had only days to live. Sitting by his son's bedside, the Maharaja struggled to control his emotions, having been advised by Prince Victor to remain composed in Edward's presence, and not to cry. After three days, before departing, Maharaja placed a handwritten note in his son Edward's hand that read, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’.
A week later, after his father’s departure, on May 1, 1893, Prince Edward passed away in Hastings at the age of thirteen. He was laid to rest next to his mother, Maharani Bamba, at St. Andrew Church. Due to his own ill health, Maharaja Duleep Singh was unable to attend the funeral of his son.
Prince Edward had an olive complexion and gentle features. He was soft hearted, serious and quiet by nature. Although he was buried according to Christian rites, the ‘Singh’ name remained an integral part of his identity.
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