Book released on Maharaja Jagatjit Singh's love for French heritage

The Ambassador of France to India, Alexandre Ziegler hosted a function to celebrate the publication of 'Prince, Patron, and Patriarch: Maharaja Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala'.

The book, published by Roli Books, was launched by The Ambassador, authors Brigadier Sukhjit Singh, Cynthia Meera Frederick, and Pramod Kapoor, founder-publisher Roli Books.

The occasion marked 'L'amitié Franco-Indienne', the long-standing friendship between the two countries, and Maharaja Jagatjit Singh's renowned relationship with France.

Speaking at the occasion, Ambassador Alexandre Ziegler said, "I am delighted to launch this book, which narrates the "love story" between Brigadier Sukhjit Singh's grandfather, Maharaja Jagatjit Singh, and French heritage and culture in the twentieth century. The Maharaja's affinity with France was such that he was known as 'Le Roi de la Francophonie' amongst his peers. We wish to foster these ties by welcoming more Indian students to France and enhancing the partnerships between our top-notch academic institutions."

Brigadier Sukhjit Singh remarked, "The warm and gracious hospitality extended to us by Ambassador Ziegler and the French Embassy is truly in the fitness of paying tribute to the great love my grandfather had for France".

During her presentation on the book, co-author Cynthia Meera Frederick said, "Maharaja Jagatjit Singh's fluency in French was so advantageous – not only in France – but was of such an enormous benefit during his epic travels across the globe as it was so widely spoken throughout the world".

The launch was attended by Raja Randhir Singh of Patiala and Rani Vineeta Singh, The Maharaja and Maharani of Nabha, Princess Janaki Kumari of Alwar, Princess Manavika Kumari of Alwar, Catherine Grenier (Director of the Giacometti Foundation), Ambassador Navtej Sarna, François and Stéphanie Arpels, Rajeev Sethi, Aryama Sundaram, Peter D'Ascoli among others.