The Maharaja and the Mujra

The Mujra dance has benefited immensely from the patronage of ancient Indian royalty. One such benefactor was the Maharajah of Patiala. Maharajah Bhupinder Singh was one of the most legendary princely rulers of India, with a girth to match his magnanimity.

The Maharajah was based in Patiala, head to a large and extravagant kingdom of the Punjab. His rule stretched from Delhi to Lahore, and beyond. Fond of earthly pursuits, he maintained a harem of thousands of exotic, beautiful women. A princely sum of hundreds of rupees was allocated to the management of the Maharajah’s harem. Many of these women were trained in the hedonistic art forms, including the classical predecessors of the modern day mujra.

The mujra reached a glorious apex during the reign of the Maharajah Bhupinder Singh.