The ‘flying’ Sikh Raja of Chhachhrauli estate

Virender Singh Dhillon

When Wright Brothers invented an aeroplane in 1903, one could hardly imagine that an Indian king will fly his own aircraft within two decades. This ‘flying’ Sikh Raja was Ravi Sher Singh (1908-1947) of the erstwhile Kalsia estate of Chhachhrauli. He was the first king in India who purchased his own aircraft and flew it at a speed of 100 mph. He was a conscientious pilot. He trained himself at the National Flying Services Club at Hanworth, England. Back home, he was the first ‘royal’ to be trained by the Delhi Flying Club in 1930. It is interesting to note one of the instances when Raja Ravi Sher Singh, in response to whether he would arrive by car or by train to attend a meeting of the Chamber of Princes in New Delhi in March 1931, entered, ‘own aeroplane’ in the form that detailed his travel plan and arrangement thereof. He acquired a DH-60 M Moth, named Rio Rata plane, which he later sold to Raja Umaid Singh of Jodhpur. He indulged in his passion for flying by procuring another aircraft, a DH 80A Puss Moth, initially registered to Tata Sons, in June 1931. Unfortunately, a friend crashed and wrecked the aircraft in June 1935. 

Kalsia state lasted for around 250 years (1711-1961) and nine rulers ruled during this period. The most modern and farsighted ruler of Kalsia state was Raja Ravi Sher Singh, born in 1902 (reign 1908-1947). He had his basic education at Mussoorie while residing at Balla Hissar Cottage. The untimely demise of his father Raja Ranjit Singh at a young age of 26 in 1908 left him distressed. But keeping all odds at bay, he learnt the manners of the state under the tutelage of Master Sant Singh at Chhachhrauli. British political agent Fanshawe wanted him to be educated at Aitchison Chief’s College in Lahore, and he attained good grades. Leslie-Jones, the principal of the college, acknowledged his intelligence and his tutors Bhai Kapoor Singh, PM Lawlor and FS Eden appreciated his learning faculties. His new tutor, Brig General ED Money advised him to be further educated in Europe, for which he sailed from India in 1920. 

Raja Ravi Sher Singh was an epitome of modernisation. He had great zeal for public welfare and a mission to modernise his estate. From 1920 to 1929, he visited England thrice: First, for modern education; second, for his honeymoon and third, for his training as a pilot at Hanworth. The Raja returned to India in 1921 to be a member of the Chamber of Princes (created in February 1921). While in England, he joined the membership of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (founded in March 1823) in 1929. The flying King introduced motor cars, telephones, radios and telegraphic facilities, hospital, sanitation, drainage and tap water supply; and installed electric lights in the erstwhile estate of Chhachhrauli to serve the needs of his manor and interests of its people. He died in Westminster Hospital, London, on January 4, 1947, due to pneumonia and cancer of pharynx. 

In independent India, his son Karan Sher Singh enrolled at the Joint Services Wing Academy based in Clement Town, Dehradun, in July 1949 and opted for the Air Force. Karan Sher Singh after training at the JSW Academy enlisted at Begumpet for training as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force (The No. 1 Air Force Academy moved from Ambala to Begumpet Airport in October 1951). He was an ardent fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force and died while manoeuvring a Hawker Hunter Plane on January 19, 1961, in Jamnagar. His plane crashed while force landing away from Jamnagar to save an accident which could have caused extensive damage to life and property in the city. Flight-Lieutenant Karan Sher Singh was awarded the Ashok Chakra Class II posthumously on October 8, 1963.

(The writer teaches 

History at Maharaja Agrasen College, Jagadhri)