'Great time with Royal family of Rajpipla State'

Here is what our dear friend Prashant Pandya posted on Facebook after a wonderful lunch together at Goodies, Vadodara, on 4th October 2012 :

Today I had a great time with Shri Indra Vikram Singhji, Shri Indra Vadan Singhji (grandsons of Maharaja Vijaysinhji of erstwhile Princely State of Rajpipla), and Shri Manvendra Singhji (great-grandson of Maharaja Vijaysinhji). Shri Indra Vikram Singhji is a sports writer and author of several books, including a collector's edition 'A Maharaja's Turf' on his grandfather's Epsom Derby 1934 triumph. An article on 'Rajpipla Post' (Postal History of Rajpipla State), which is written by me, is also included in his book 'A Maharaja's Turf'. Shri Indra Vikram Singhji presented this book to me today during our meeting at Baroda. Read more about 'A Maharaja's Turf' :
http://www.bookadda.com/books/maharaja-s-turf-indra-vikram-8190166832-9788190166836

Comments of famous personalities on the book 'A Maharaja's Turf'

This is what some famous personalities have to say about 'A Maharaja's Turf' :

“A most enjoyable and interesting book, which tells the story of the huge success in European racing of the Maharaja of Rajpipla at a time when he, and several other Indian princes, ranked high on the owners lists.”

…..Lester Piggott, OBE, now 76 years old, one of the greatest jockeys ever, with 4,493 career wins including nine Epsom Derby victories.

“Intriguing, most interesting, it brought back lots of memories.”

…..Sir Peter O’Sullevan, aged 93, often described as ‘the voice of racing’, ‘the most famous commentator of the 20^th century’ and ‘the true voice of the sport’.

“The volume brings together an impressive range of primary material on the life and racing interests of Maharaja Vijaysinhji of Rajpipla. Anyone interested in the culture of princely India in the 20^th century will find the book a fascinating read and a rich source of information.” 

.....Dr Amin Jaffer, International Director Asian Art, Christie’s, London.

“This is a wonderful record of a unique era.”

.....Brough Scott, UK Sportswriter of the Year 2010.

“Indra Vikram Singh has told an important story well”. 

.....Tim Cox, highly-acclaimed historian of the thoroughbred breed, owner of an extensive library. 

A Maharaja's Turf

This is the story of the exhilarating win of Maharaja Sir Vijaysinhji of Rajpipla in the English Derby at Epsom in 1934, the only Indian owner to win the blue riband of the turf in its 231-year history. His horse Windsor Lad triumphed on that cloudy afternoon of 6th June, earning the Maharaja a unique hat-trick of Derby victories as he had already clinched the first Indian Derby at Calcutta in 1919 with his horse Tipster, and the Irish Derby at Curragh in 1926 with Embargo.

It is a fully illustrated book by Maharaja Vijaysinhji’s grandson Indra Vikram Singh, with classic media photographs of the race and from the Rajpipla royal family collection over many generations. The book has been extensively researched from about 80 newspapers and magazines of 1934 and five books, besides websites, and carries articles by Maharaja Vijaysinhji himself. There are news reports, cartoons and caricatures which open out a whole new world to the modern reader. Featured in its pages are King George V and Queen Mary and other members of the British royal family, the Aga Khan, Maharaja Man Singh II of Jaipur and the leading racehorses, owners, trainers and jockeys of the day, among other eminent personalities.

The book affords a look at a bygone era of a princely way of life and the days of the Raj, into the period between the two World Wars, delves into history and links the past with present times. It unfolds the tale of the uncanny prophesy of Gipsy Lee, the several coincidences around the number 13, the defeat of a ‘super-horse’, and the unrelenting quest of a prince to realise his dream, that is bound to keep the reader transfixed.

A Maharaja’s Turf is published by Sporting Links and already available in leading bookshops in India.
ISBN 978-81-901668-3-6, 148 pages, Hardbound, Fully illustrated, MRP Rupees 1995.

The author Indra Vikram Singh may be contacted on email teddy.rajpipla@gmail.com, singh_iv@hotmail.com or mobile phone no. + 91 9899579063.