BALBIR SINGH, RAJA
BALBIR SINGH, RAJA (1869-1906), born on 30 August 1869, the son of Raja Bikram Singh, ascended the throne of Faridkot state on 16 December 1898. He ruled for barely eight years, yet his reign was marked by new buildings such as the Victoria Memorial Clock Tower and the Raj Mahal he constructed and the gardens he had laid out in Faridkot.He also did much to develop and promote the breeding of horses and cattle in the state. The first three of the four volumes of the monumental Faridkot Tika, a full scale com mentary in Punjabi on the Guru Granth Sahib prepared by a synod of Sikh scholars appointed by his father Raja Bikram Singh, were published during his time. Raja Balbir Singh died in February 1906 and the succession passed on to his adopted son, Brijinder Singh.
References :
1. Griffin, Lepel, The Rajas of the Punjab. Delhi, 1977
2. Ganda Singh, The Patiala and the East Panjab States Union : Historical Background. Patiala, 1951
3. Harbans Singh, FandJcot Itihas Bare. Faridkot, 1947