Sukhjit Singh, Crown Prince of Kapurthala

Brigadier Maharaja Sukhjit Singh, (born 15 October 1934) is a former Indian Army officer who served with the Scinde Horse. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest award for gallantry, for his leadership and bravery during the Battle of Basantar in the India–Pakistan war of 1971.

Early life, education, and family Sukhjit Singh was born on 15 October 1934 in Bangalore to Paramjit Singh and his second wife, Lilavati Devi. Singh had three paternal half-sisters, Indira Devi, Sushila Devi and Ourmilla Devi, by Brinda Devi, the first wife of his father, and an elder full-sister, Ash Kaur. He married in 1957 at New Delhi to Gita Devi, the daughter of Ala Vajsur Khachar, the Darbar of Jasdan, by his second wife, Madhvi Devi. Gita died in 2023, and he and she had together two sons, Shatrujit Singh and Amanjit Singh, and two daughters, Gayatri Devi and Preeti Devi.

His fondest memory is of rides with his grandfather, Jagatjit Singh, "in a zebra-driven chariot in the zoological gardens of the palace", according to an interview he gave to The Tribune.

Reign Upon the death of his father on 19 July 1955, he succeeded him as the Maharaja of Kapurthala. His succession was recognised by the President of India. On 6 September 1970, the President of India, by the powers vested in him through article 366(22) in the Constitution of India, derecognised him.

Military career Singh was commissioned as an officer (second lieutenant) in the Scinde Horse on 6 June 1954. Lt. Col. Sukhjit Singh eventually rose to the rank of Brigadier.

Titles His Highness Farzand-i-Dilband Rasikh-al-Iqtidad-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia Raja-i-Rajagan Maharaja Sukhji Singh Bahadur, the Maharaja of Kapurthala.

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