Maharaja of Kapurthala dedicates 90% of his Royal Estate to Mai Bhago Girls Armed Forces Institute

Brigadier (Retd.) His Highness Maharaja Sukhjit Singh of Kapurthala, a Maha Vir Chakra awardee and former officer of the Scinde Horse, has made the Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls the principal beneficiary of his estate, according to his registered Will. The 91-year-old has provided that 90% of his estate to ultimately pass to the institute, while making separate arrangements for the Mata Gujri Medical Centre in Delhi and the Scinde Horse.

​After having registered his Will, the warrior-Maharaja went on to marry his caretaker on 29.06.2026, Meera Basant Kaur.

​Few notables: One, as a dedicated and true soldier, the donation is to “the Mai Bhago Armed forces Preparatory Institute for Girls” Punjab.

​Two: the Royal instinct to genuinely serve the people (now rare), the Will reads:

​“However admission to the Kapurthala extension branch of the Mai Bhago Institute will be restricted to Sikh girls who have Aadhaar Cards for over 10 years recording their geographical residence in what was Kapurthala State territory of 1,632 sq. kms. prior to 20.08.1948, irrespective of which Punjab district, on district reorganisation, it may be located today.”

​Third: Maharaja Sukhjit Singh has directed that his share in B-90A, Greater Kailash-1, New Delhi, should go to the Mata Gujri Medical Centre at Pahari Wala Gurdwara in Greater Kailash-1. He has asked the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee to ensure that the medical centre receives the property.

​He has separately provided 10% of his estate to his regiment ‘Scinde Horse’, preferably for the benefit of people in Kapurthala. He has also donated his ‘Medals’ to the regiment.

Commissioned as an officer of the Indian Army on 6.06.1954, Maharaja Sukhjit Singh continued his military service even after being recognised as the Maharaja of Kapurthala in 1955. He fought in the 1965 war against Pakistan in the Sialkot Sector and, in 1971, led the Scinde Horse into the Battle of Basantar in the Shakargarh sector.

As commanding officer, then Lt. Colonel Sukhjit Singh displayed exceptional leadership, courage and soldierly qualities. His regiment successfully resisted a major Pakistani armoured counterattack and went on to destroy eight enemy tanks and capture an officer and two junior commissioned officers. For his gallantry and leadership in the Battle of Basantar, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest gallantry award. He subsequently rose to the rank of Brigadier.

The Hero of 1971 Battle of Basantar (now retired) Brigadier Sukhjit Singh Maharaja of Kapurthala, in his Will, recalls how his fellow soldiers helped save his life during the 1965 and 1971 wars. He says his continued support for soldiers and their families came from a sense of gratitude towards those who had stood by him during his military service.

​The registered Will sets out Maharaja Sukhjit Singh’s wishes for the distribution of his property. The provisions will take effect in accordance with applicable succession and property laws and will depend on the ownership and legal status of the assets concerned.

​Now at 91, the warrior-Maharaja marries his caretaker on June 29 2026, Meera Basant Kaur. Kapurthala Royal House, thus, gets a new Maharani.

​It appears, the warrior-Maharaja had confidence that she will continue to serve the Sikh girls of the erstwhile of the State of Kapurthala.