Maharaja Ripudaman Singh

[puzzled]

You don't hear much about this guy. Was quite different to other Punjabi/Indian Maharajas especially his cousins from Patiala. He refused to get a coronation ceremony from the British when his father died like the other Maharajas used to in India and instead chose to get anointed in a Sikh ceremony. He supported many Sikh causes and refused to provide the British with soldiers from his state like how the Patiala state did. During his rule he made sure Dalits had excess to education and jobs. He refused to cooperate with the British and they decided to dethrone him and sent him and his family packing out of Punjab. He became more closer to Sikhi during his exile. Not saying he was perfect but during a time where many Sikh/Punjabis/Indians in power were sucking up to the British he was one who wasn't!