Duleep Singh Commemorated in Elveden

Wreaths were laid on Tuesday in Elveden Church commemorating the 126th anniversary of the death of Maharajah Duleep Singh who died on October 22, 1893.

The event was organised by the Anglo Punjab Heritage Foundation, with the efforts of Historian Peter Bance and held jointly by Mayor of Thetford, Cllr Brenda Canham.

Rector of Elveden, the Reverend Paul Tams, recited a prayer, and then the Sikh priest Giani Baldev Singh, from the Norwich Gurdwara, conducted the Ardas, a Sikh prayer by the graveside.

The first wreath was laid by the mayor, followed by one on behalf of the Sikh community which was laid by Harminder Singh Gill and Gurpal Uppal.

Bibi Gurbaksh Kaur from the Norwich Sikh Community laid a wreath at the grave of Maharani Bamba Duleep Singh whilst a wreath was laid by the Khalsa Jatha British Isles at the Maharajah’s son Prince Albert Edwards Duleep Singh grave.

Proceedings then continued at The Guildhall, in Thetford, Where Jasvir Kaur from the Raj Academy read out a statement from HH the Maharajah of Kapurthala, a patron of the Anglo Punjab Heritage Foundation and congratulated the organisers, this was followed by speeches from people including the mayor, Oliver Bone, curator of Thetford Museum and Peter Bance, who thanked the various volunteers, individuals and organisations who made this event a success.