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-   -   How rich were the Maharajas before Independence! Cars of the Maharajas (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/pre-war/2653-how-rich-were-maharajas-before-independence-cars-maharajas-54.html)

Source

A list of Napiers that were bought by Maharajas from a period advertisement in Australia :



H.H. the Nizam of Hyderabad
H.H. Maharajah of Idar
H.H. Maharajah Scindhia of Gwalior
H.H. Maharajah of Bhavnagar

Here is a Rolls for sale, the description reads

http://www.prewarcar.com/index.php?o...602&Itemid=432

Interesting Rolls!
Some great interior photos that indicate how the interiors were crafted. Surprised that the interior wood seems to have be covered with a paint finish.
The leather seems to be in great shape or such an old car.

The bhavnagar bentley was recently auctioned of by bonhams as a part of the daniels collection. Excerpts from the catalog.

This auction happened a while ago. See http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/pre-wa...arajas-48.html , post no 708.

Some tit-bit on Bhavnagar.
On 2nd of December 1912 there was a marriage ceremony held for the betrothal of Princess Manharkunvarba of Bhavnagar to Mahendra Maharaja Yadavendrasinhji Bahadur of Panna. This was a week long event.
For this occasion a book was published, of around 106 pages with photographs. Only one photograph had cars in it, and therefore this book came to me. I went through the book, quite interesting, and scanned a few pages. As this book goes in Maharaja memorabilia, and for me only one page was of interest, I returned it.
There are two cars to be seen, very nice early cars, and a huge ancient bus.
A few bits of interest.
Just like today we have bachelor and bachelorette parties, they had a “Purdah” party.
And there is not a single photo of the princess anywhere in the book.
To organize the celebrations, they appointed a committee, and then several sub committees to overlook different aspects
Ten camps were set up to accommodate the guests. The Palace was the "Camp" for the bridegroom, there were other camps for European guests, other noblemen. Tent cities were raised, and mansions of some local upper crust folks were used to accomodate guests.
Entertainment included Cheetah hunts, the Cheetah being a pet led on a chain to chase prey, and falcon hunts. All stylish batting.
The bridegroom, the Maharaja, was the one who signed the accession to India in 1950.
The book had a map of the city of Bhavnagar, a map on the seating arrangement, and a guest list which I am posting as a matter of interest for some, though OT.

Cheers harit

Came across this lovely picture on the Bhawalpur FB page. Is the RR BWP 31 ?

Also is the car in the back the Cadillac V16 ?

This car is RR PI 45-WR (BWP 97). The picture was taken during C-in-C Field-Marshal Chetwode's vist toBahawalpur in1935.

The car in the rear is indeed the V-16.

Thanks, any idea where the car is now BWP 97 ?

The car is alive and well in Pakistan. Attaching a photo posted before.

Is that Pakistan its a really scenic back drop and the car looks fab. Is that the one that was inda the Middle East concours ? Kuwait or Saudi Arabia ?

Cheers

The one in the Kuwait Concours was Silver Ghost BWP-31, the famous Independence Day / Jinnah car

Wow Wasif... nice find. Where did you get this pic with the yellow highlighter? :D would have been nicer without that stuff. By the way I think the original pic was auctioned for a good price.


Travancore isn't the PI 45-WR the second body on the car by Barker? Original body being a Thrupp & Maberly Tourer.

Now in Lahore, Pic taken at Aitchison College Lahore in 2008. Similar picture was centre fold of RREC Mag.. Owner Mr. Abid Aziz

Here's a chance to own this special car

http://www.prewarcar.com/index.php?o...822&Itemid=432

Here is another picture of 45WR with HH Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V receiving guest in front porch of the Sadiqgarh Palace, Dera Nawab crica 1934. Another picture where the car is standing in the main porch while the Nawab Sahib reviews a guard of honour. 45WR (BWP97) is rare as one of the few original unrestored RR Phantoms still in superb condition and a daily driveable car.

HH Mir of Khairpur arrived in Bahawalpur to wed Princess Sahibzadi Sadiqa Abbasi, daughter of HH Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Abbasi V, in special train with BWP coaches and was taken from the train station to Sadiq Garh Palace in 45WR as seen in these two pics.