Allow access to the grounds of the last Maharaja of the Punjab's home - Elveden Hall!
Allow access to the grounds of the last Maharaja of the Punjab's home - Elveden Hall!
The Issue
Elveden Hall is permanently closed to the public because it is unsafe. This petition is to ask the owner, Edward Guinness, if he will consider opening an exterior part of the grounds for one day so we can pay our respects to Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja of the Punjab.
Places of cultural importance must be shared so we can acknowledge the past and grow for the future.
Elveden Hall is located within the Elveden Estate, on the boarder of Suffolk and Norfolk, England.
The Hall was purchased by Maharaja Duleep Singh in 1863 and was in his care until his death in 1893.
Born in 1838, in Lahore, Duleep ascended to the throne at just five years old. The young Maharaja had a close ally in his mother, Jind Kaur.
To keep the young Maharaja in line, those in charge exiled Jind Kaur, forcing the two apart for over thirteen years.
In his mother’s absence, agents working in the British East India Company took full advantage.
In 1849, after two Anglo-Sikh wars, the Company took control of the Punjab. Duleep was forced to surrender his land as well as the Koh-i-noor diamond. In return, he was granted an annual income and pension, as long as he ‘remained obedient to the British Government’.
At age sixteen, Duleep travelled to England where he became a firm favourite of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. There is even a portrait of the Maharaja in Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
Duleep made England his home, specifically Elveden Hall. He brought in architect John Norton to completely redesign the exterior and interior of the Hall, mirroring exotic Mughal palaces.
Elveden Hall was also the home to Duleep’s wife, Bamba and children including the famous suffragette Princess Sophia.
Many shooting parties took place at the Hall and were frequently attended by Queen Victoria the Duke of Cambridge and Prince George.
The Maharaja had a difficult relationship with the British monarchy, but Elveden Hall has been steadfast.
After Duleep’s death in 1893, Elveden Hall was purchased by the Guinness family and remains the property of the 4th Earl of Iveagh today.
The Hall has also been used as filming locations for The Crown, The Living Daylights and Eyes Wide Shut.
Please sign this petition to make your voice heard. Thank you.
162
The Issue
Elveden Hall is permanently closed to the public because it is unsafe. This petition is to ask the owner, Edward Guinness, if he will consider opening an exterior part of the grounds for one day so we can pay our respects to Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja of the Punjab.
Places of cultural importance must be shared so we can acknowledge the past and grow for the future.
Elveden Hall is located within the Elveden Estate, on the boarder of Suffolk and Norfolk, England.
The Hall was purchased by Maharaja Duleep Singh in 1863 and was in his care until his death in 1893.
Born in 1838, in Lahore, Duleep ascended to the throne at just five years old. The young Maharaja had a close ally in his mother, Jind Kaur.
To keep the young Maharaja in line, those in charge exiled Jind Kaur, forcing the two apart for over thirteen years.
In his mother’s absence, agents working in the British East India Company took full advantage.
In 1849, after two Anglo-Sikh wars, the Company took control of the Punjab. Duleep was forced to surrender his land as well as the Koh-i-noor diamond. In return, he was granted an annual income and pension, as long as he ‘remained obedient to the British Government’.
At age sixteen, Duleep travelled to England where he became a firm favourite of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. There is even a portrait of the Maharaja in Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
Duleep made England his home, specifically Elveden Hall. He brought in architect John Norton to completely redesign the exterior and interior of the Hall, mirroring exotic Mughal palaces.
Elveden Hall was also the home to Duleep’s wife, Bamba and children including the famous suffragette Princess Sophia.
Many shooting parties took place at the Hall and were frequently attended by Queen Victoria the Duke of Cambridge and Prince George.
The Maharaja had a difficult relationship with the British monarchy, but Elveden Hall has been steadfast.
After Duleep’s death in 1893, Elveden Hall was purchased by the Guinness family and remains the property of the 4th Earl of Iveagh today.
The Hall has also been used as filming locations for The Crown, The Living Daylights and Eyes Wide Shut.
Please sign this petition to make your voice heard. Thank you.
162
Petition created on 4 April 2023