The Patiala State: Premier of the Phulkian Houses

Patiala state, also known as the princely state of Patiala or Patiala Riyasat, was the largest and senior of the Phulkian princely states of Punjab, ruled by a Sidhu Jat Sikh dynasty. Traditionally founded in the eighteenth century under Baba Ala Singh, the state grew into the premier house among the Phulkian family of states and was centred on its capital at Patiala. It became renowned for its historic fortress of Qila Mubarak, the ornate Sheesh Mahal, and a distinctive Patiala courtly culture that lent its name to the Patiala turban, the Patiala salwar and the celebrated Patiala peg. Rising amid the decline of imperial authority chronicled in our guide to the Mughal Empire, Patiala preserved a proud Sikh heritage, and this account keeps to broadly established history where particular dates and details are uncertain.

Key Takeaways

• Patiala state was the largest and senior of the Phulkian princely states of Punjab.
• It was ruled by a Sidhu Jat Sikh dynasty and is traditionally dated to the eighteenth century, founded under Baba Ala Singh.
• Its capital was the city of Patiala, the seat of the premier Phulkian house.
• Patiala is famed for the historic fortress of Qila Mubarak and the ornate Sheesh Mahal.
• A distinctive Patiala courtly culture lent its name to the Patiala turban, the Patiala salwar and the Patiala peg.
• Patiala acceded to the Indian Union after independence in 1947.

Read on for the history, culture, and legacy in detail.

Quick Facts

Who Ruled the Patiala State?

Patiala state was ruled by a Sidhu Jat Sikh dynasty that became the senior and premier house among the Phulkian princely states of Punjab. The ruling family traced its origin to Baba Ala Singh, who is traditionally regarded as the founder of the state in the eighteenth century, and from whom the line of rulers of Patiala descended. Governing from their capital at the city of Patiala, the rulers presided over the largest of the Phulkian states, holding a leading position among the Sikh princely houses of the region. The dynasty upheld the martial traditions and the Sikh faith of the Phulkian family of states. As the premier Phulkian house, the rulers of Patiala held a place of particular honour among the princely states of Punjab. Their long rule gave the state its distinctive character and its rich heritage, above all Qila Mubarak and a celebrated courtly culture, within the broader history of Punjab.

Where Is Patiala Located?

Patiala is located in the Malwa region of Punjab, in the plains country that lies to the south and east of the rivers for which the region is known. The city of Patiala, which gave the state its name, served as its capital amid this fertile and historic country. The position of Patiala in the Malwa tract of Punjab placed it among the Phulkian states that shared this part of the region, within reach of the wider plains of northern India. The terrain and setting of the region, watered and well suited to agriculture, shaped the life and economy of the state. Patiala’s location in the Malwa country of Punjab is central to understanding its place among the Sikh princely states and the Phulkian family. Its setting also gave rise to the heritage and courtly culture for which the city of Patiala remains known.

What Were the Phulkian States?

The Phulkian states were a family of Sikh princely states of Punjab, ruled by lines of the Sidhu Jat clan who traced their common descent from a shared ancestor, and which included Patiala, Nabha and Jind. The name Phulkian is traditionally associated with the ancestor Phul, from whom the ruling houses of these states claimed descent, making them kinsmen bound by a common lineage. Patiala was the largest and senior of the Phulkian states, with Nabha and Jind as its kindred houses. The Phulkian states shared a common origin, clan and Sikh faith, while each maintained its own separate rule and territory. This family of related states formed a distinctive group among the princely states of Punjab. The shared Phulkian heritage tied the three houses together across their history. The Phulkian connection is central to understanding the place of Patiala among the Sikh princely states of the region.

Who Were the Sidhu Jat Sikhs of Patiala?

The ruling house of Patiala belonged to the Sidhu Jat Sikhs, a lineage of the Jat community that had embraced the Sikh faith and rose to political power in the Malwa country of Punjab. The Sidhu Jats were among the clans of the region whose chiefs built up authority amid the turbulent politics that followed the decline of imperial power, and the Phulkian houses of Patiala, Nabha and Jind sprang from this stock. As Sikhs, the rulers of Patiala upheld the traditions and faith of the Sikh community, which formed a central part of the identity of the state. The Sidhu Jat and Phulkian heritage gave the ruling house its proud lineage and its connection to the wider Sikh people of Punjab. This ancestry linked Patiala to its kindred states and to the martial and religious traditions of the region. The Sidhu Jat Sikh identity forms the ancestral foundation of the ruling house of Patiala.

How Did Patiala State Originate?

Patiala state originated in the eighteenth century, traditionally under the leadership of Baba Ala Singh, who is remembered as the founder of the ruling house and the builder of the state in the Malwa country of Punjab. Amid the turbulent politics that followed the weakening of imperial authority and the rise of Sikh power across Punjab, the Phulkian chiefs of the Sidhu Jat clan built up their territories, and the line of Ala Singh established the principality that grew into the premier Phulkian state. The capital was established at Patiala, which gave the state its name and became the seat of the ruling house. This origin amid the rise of Sikh power in eighteenth-century Punjab gives Patiala its distinctive history among the princely states. The precise details belong to the broadly recorded history of a dynamic age. The state thus took shape as the leading Sikh principality of the Phulkian family in the Malwa region.

Why Was Patiala the Premier Phulkian State?

Patiala was the premier Phulkian state because it was the largest and senior of the three kindred houses of Patiala, Nabha and Jind, holding a leading position among them in territory, standing and influence. Growing from the foundation traditionally laid by Baba Ala Singh, the house of Patiala expanded its authority over a wide territory in the Malwa country and came to be recognised as the senior line of the Phulkian family. Its rulers held high titles and a place of particular honour among the Sikh princely states of Punjab. The size of its territory and the prominence of its ruling house set Patiala apart from its kindred states. This premier standing made Patiala the most important of the Phulkian states and one of the leading princely states of the region. The seniority of Patiala among the Phulkian houses is a defining feature of its history and its identity within Punjab.

What Is Qila Mubarak?

Qila Mubarak is the historic fortress and palace complex at the heart of the city of Patiala, the principal seat and most celebrated monument of the ruling house. The complex comprises fortified walls, gateways, halls, courtyards and palaces built and extended over time by the rulers of Patiala, forming a grand ensemble that served as the centre of the court’s ceremonial, residential and administrative life. Within its walls stand notable structures associated with the ruling house, including ornate halls and the celebrated Sheesh Mahal. Qila Mubarak reflects the status, wealth and architectural patronage of the premier Phulkian state. As the heart of the capital, it was the focus of the life of the ruling house and the state. The fortress remains the foremost heritage landmark of Patiala, drawing visitors interested in the history of the Sikh princely states. Qila Mubarak stands as an enduring emblem of the heritage and standing of Patiala.

What Is the Sheesh Mahal of Patiala?

The Sheesh Mahal, meaning the palace of mirrors, is one of the most celebrated structures associated with the ruling house of Patiala, renowned for its ornate decoration. Built as a palace of the rulers, the Sheesh Mahal is known for its painted and mirrored ornament, decorated halls and refined architectural detail, which reflect the taste and patronage of the premier Phulkian state. The building is associated with the collections and courtly life of the ruling house and stands among the notable monuments of the city of Patiala. The Sheesh Mahal exemplifies the decorative traditions fostered at the court, blending the influences that shaped the palace architecture of the princely states. It remains an admired example of the heritage of Patiala. As a jewel of the state’s architecture, the Sheesh Mahal reflects the refinement of the ruling house. The Sheesh Mahal is cherished as one of the finest ornamented palaces of the Sikh princely states of Punjab.

What Was the Distinctive Patiala Courtly Culture?

Patiala was renowned for a distinctive courtly culture that reflected the wealth, refinement and flamboyant style of the premier Phulkian state, and which lent its name to several well-known terms. The court of Patiala was associated with a rich tradition of hospitality, music, dress and display, cultivated under the patronage of its rulers. This courtly style gave rise to the Patiala turban, a particular manner of tying the turban; the Patiala salwar, a style of loose, pleated trousers; and the Patiala peg, a generous measure of drink associated in popular lore with the hospitality of the court. These terms, still widely recognised, reflect the lasting cultural influence of the state. The courtly culture of Patiala expressed the grandeur and refinement of the ruling house. It remains one of the most distinctive legacies of the state. The Patiala courtly culture, preserved in these popular terms, is among the best-known contributions of the state to the wider culture of the region.

What Is the Patiala Turban and Patiala Salwar?

The Patiala turban and the Patiala salwar are two enduring styles of dress that take their names from the city and court of Patiala, reflecting the cultural influence of the premier Phulkian state. The Patiala turban refers to a distinctive and elaborate manner of tying the turban, associated with the stately style of the Patiala court and still recognised as a mark of Punjabi dress. The Patiala salwar is a style of loose, generously pleated trousers, gathered at the ankle, that became popular and widely worn, carrying the name of the city into everyday dress. Both styles reflect the way the courtly culture of Patiala shaped wider traditions of dress in Punjab and beyond. The association of these garments with Patiala is a testament to the cultural prominence of the state. The Patiala turban and salwar remain living elements of Punjabi dress and a lasting legacy of the state’s distinctive courtly culture.

Who Was Maharaja Bhupinder Singh?

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was among the most renowned of the rulers of Patiala, remembered as a prominent figure of the Sikh princely states in the early twentieth century. As a ruler of the premier Phulkian state, he is associated in broadly recorded history with the grandeur, display and prominence of the Patiala court, and with the state’s standing among the leading princely houses of India. His reign is linked to the flourishing of the courtly culture, patronage and public life for which Patiala became known, and he held a notable place among the rulers of his day. The details of his reign belong to the recorded history of the period. As a ruler of Patiala, he embodied the wealth and refinement of the state. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh remains one of the best-remembered rulers of Patiala and a notable figure in the history of the Sikh princely states of Punjab.

What Was the Religion and Culture of Patiala?

The religion and culture of Patiala were rooted in the Sikh faith of its ruling house and people, which formed a central part of the identity of the state and of the wider Phulkian family. As a Sikh princely state, Patiala honoured the traditions, worship and institutions of the Sikh community, which were cherished and supported by the ruling house. At the same time, the court of Patiala fostered a rich cultural life of music, dress, hospitality and patronage of the arts, giving rise to the distinctive courtly culture for which the state is remembered. The culture of Patiala blended the Sikh heritage of the region with the refinement and display of a leading princely court. This combination of faith and courtly culture gave the state its particular character. The religious and cultural life of Patiala reflected the devotion and status of the ruling house. It remains one of the most distinctive aspects of the heritage of the state within Punjab.

How Was Patiala Governed?

Patiala was governed by its ruling house through a system that combined the authority of the ruler with the service of ministers, nobles and officials who managed the affairs of the state. At the head stood the ruler, who held high titles as the head of the premier Phulkian house, supported by officers responsible for revenue, justice and the general administration of the territory. The state, the largest of the Phulkian houses, comprised the capital city and a wide territory in the Malwa country of Punjab. Revenue came chiefly from the land and the produce of the fertile region, in keeping with its agrarian character. The nobility and local chiefs held responsibilities within this structure, a common pattern among the princely states. Within the framework of British paramountcy, the administration of the state developed over time. This system of governance allowed the dynasty to maintain its leading position for generations. The administration of Patiala reflected the traditions of a premier Sikh princely state of Punjab.

What Were Patiala's Relations with the Great Powers?

Patiala, as the premier Phulkian state, engaged over its history with the great powers that contended for mastery of northern India, including the declining imperial authorities, the rising Sikh power and later the British. As British paramountcy extended across the region, the rulers of Patiala entered into arrangements that recognised their rule while acknowledging the overarching authority of the colonial power. The state is broadly recorded as having maintained relations of alliance and accommodation with the British during the nineteenth century, through which it preserved its standing and territory. Its position as the senior Phulkian house shaped these dealings. The rulers of Patiala managed their relations to safeguard the interests and prominence of the state across changing times. Through such dealings, the dynasty maintained its leading place among the princely states. The state’s relations with the great powers form an important strand in its history and in that of the Sikh princely states of Punjab.

How Did Patiala Become a Princely State under the British?

Patiala became a princely state within the framework of British paramountcy that took shape across India during the nineteenth century. As British power extended over the subcontinent, the ruling house of Patiala, like the other Phulkian and Sikh states, entered into arrangements that recognised its rule over its territory while acknowledging the overarching authority of the colonial power. Under this system Patiala was counted among the princely states of Punjab, retaining its own ruler, administration and internal governance, and holding a leading position as the premier Phulkian house. This status allowed the Sidhu Jat Sikh dynasty to continue governing its wide territory in the Malwa country under the paramountcy of the British crown. The princely-state framework shaped the modern history of Patiala until the independence of India. Within this arrangement the state preserved its Sikh heritage, its courtly culture and its distinct identity. Patiala’s standing as the premier princely state of Punjab is an important part of its story before independence.

How Did Patiala Join Independent India?

Patiala, like the other princely states, acceded to the Indian Union after the independence of India in 1947, when the states were integrated into the new nation. With the end of British paramountcy, the rulers of the princely states joined India, and their territories were brought into the republic through the great process of integration that reshaped the political map of the subcontinent. Patiala, as the premier Phulkian state, played a leading role among the Punjab states in this transition and was joined with its kindred and neighbouring states in the union that reorganised the region. This transition ended the era of Patiala as a separately governed principality, though the ruling family retained its historical standing and heritage. The integration of the states was one of the defining achievements of the early years of independent India. Patiala thus became part of the modern nation and of the reorganised structure of Punjab.

Patiala Today

Patiala is remembered today chiefly through its rich heritage, above all the historic fortress of Qila Mubarak, the ornate Sheesh Mahal and the distinctive courtly culture that lent its name to the Patiala turban, salwar and peg. The palaces, gardens and institutions of the city reflect the heritage of the premier Phulkian state and draw visitors interested in the history of the Sikh princely states of Punjab. The former ruling family retains its historical association with the state and its heritage. The cultural traditions fostered by the court, from music and dress to hospitality, continue to shape the identity of the city, which has grown into a major centre of the region. For readers of Indian history, Patiala offers a vivid example of the leading Sikh princely state of Punjab. Its legacy endures in Qila Mubarak, its courtly culture and the proud Sikh heritage of its capital in the Malwa country.

Sources & Further Reading

• Archaeological Survey of India (asi.nic.in).
• Ministry of Culture, Government of India (indiaculture.gov.in).
• Department of Tourism, Government of Punjab (punjabtourism.gov.in).

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Patiala state?

Patiala state was the largest and senior of the Phulkian princely states of Punjab, ruled by a Sidhu Jat Sikh dynasty. Traditionally founded in the eighteenth century under Baba Ala Singh, it was centred on its capital at Patiala and became the premier house among the Sikh princely states of the region.

Who founded Patiala state?

Patiala state is traditionally regarded as having been founded in the eighteenth century under Baba Ala Singh, from whom the ruling house descended. He is remembered as the builder of the state in the Malwa country of Punjab amid the rise of Sikh power across the region.

Why was Patiala the premier Phulkian state?

Patiala was the premier Phulkian state because it was the largest and senior of the three kindred houses of Patiala, Nabha and Jind. Its wide territory and the prominence of its ruling house gave it a leading position among the Sikh princely states of Punjab.

What is Qila Mubarak?

Qila Mubarak is the historic fortress and palace complex at the heart of Patiala, the principal seat of the ruling house. It comprises fortified walls, halls and palaces, including the celebrated Sheesh Mahal, and remains the foremost heritage landmark of the state.

Why is Patiala associated with the turban, salwar and peg?

Patiala is associated with the Patiala turban, the Patiala salwar and the Patiala peg because the distinctive courtly culture of the state lent its name to these well-known styles and terms. They reflect the lasting cultural influence of the court of the premier Phulkian state.

What happened to Patiala after independence?

Patiala acceded to the Indian Union after independence in 1947 and, as the premier Phulkian state, played a leading role among the Punjab states in the integration that reshaped the region. This ended its era as a separately governed principality, though the ruling family retained its heritage.