Page:Who's Who in India Supplement 1 (1912).djvu/73

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

Rs. 55,000 to the Punjab University in honour of H. R. H. Prince Albert Victor's visit to Patiala in 1890, besides the sum of Rs. 25,000 which was contributed previously ; Rs. 1,62,000 to Khalsa College, Amritsar; Rs. 20,000 to the Punjab Association, Lahore; Rs. 30.000 to the Imperial Institute, London.

The present Maharaja succeeded in 1900. at his father's death. His Highness takes a keen interest in the administration of his State, and during his rule many reforms have been introduced. The first regular settlement of the State has been completed, and the Public Works. Accounts and Education Departments have been reorganized. Public buildings costing fifty-seven lakhs have been erected: water-works have been established in Patiala City, and an electric installation set up. Primary education has been made free throughout the State: the staff at the Mahinder College, where also education is free, has been strengthened ; and a fine Sanitarium tor consumptives was opened at Dharampur by His Excellency Lord Hardinge in 1911.

Handsome donations have been given by the present Maharaja, of which the following are prominent : Minto Memorial, Rs. 5,000; Dunlop Smith Memorial, Rs. 2,000; Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta. 1,00,000; Kangra Relief Fund, Rs. 10,000; Pasteur Institute, Kasauli, Rs. 5,000; King Edward Memorial. Punjab, Rs. 2,00,000. The Maharaja was present at the Coronation Durbar held in Delhi in 1903 and at the review he himself led his troops. His Highness was honoured with a visit from H. E. Lord Curzon in 1903; and on this occasion His Excellency unveiled the statue of Her Majesty, the late Queen-Empress Victoria. In November 1905 when His Highness was invited to meet His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at Lahore, the visit was commemorated by the grant of one lakh of rupees to the Khalsa College, Amritsar, for founding a foreign scholarship. Their Royal Highness' safe return to England was commemorated by a donation of Rs. 50,000, half of which went to the Victoria Mayo High School for girls, Lahore, and the other half to Lady Minto's Fund for Nurses.