Discover the incredible tale of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, the first Indian cricketer to own a private jet, blending luxury, aviation, and cricket passion.

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You might think famous cricketers like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar were the first to own fancy private planes. But guess what? The honor of being the first Indian cricketer with a super cool private jet goes to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh.

A Royal First: Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh Takes to the Skies

While we often hear about cricketers like Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli buying private jets, the real pioneer was Maharaja Sir Bhupinder Singh, who used to be the king of Patiala.

From King to Aviation Lover

Imagine becoming a king when you are only 9 years old! That happened to Bhupinder Singh, who ruled Patiala in Punjab from 1900 to 1938, before India became independent from British rule.

Getting His Airplane: Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s Big Idea

Even though he was a young king, Bhupinder Singh did something amazing. In 1910, when he was 19, he bought an airplane from the United Kingdom. This was a big deal back then and showed how much he loved luxury and new things.

Building a Place to Land: Maharaja’s Smart Move

The Maharaja was ahead of his time. He made a special place for his airplane to land in his kingdom. This place was called an airstrip, made for airplanes from the UK. Imagine having your special place for airplanes!

Cricket Crazy: Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s Other Passion

Apart from being a king, Bhupinder Singh loved cricket. He was good at it and played for a famous team called “Patiala XI.” He was so good that he even led the Indian cricket team when they went to England in 1911.

More Than Just Cricket: Maharaja’s Exciting Life

The Maharaja did not just stop at cricket. He played in 27 important cricket matches and was part of the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1926. He was even chosen to lead the Indian cricket team for a big tour in 1932 but could not go because he was not feeling well.

Remembering Maharaja Bhupinder Singh: A Hero On and Off the Field

Thinking about Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s life reminds us of his amazing spirit. He was a king who loved planes and cricket, and he showed us that we can do really cool things with determination. His story inspires us to dream big and achieve amazing things like he did.