Raja Daljit Singh of Kapurthala can be credited as the person who initially thought of the idea of erecting the Indian Memorial Gateway in the town of Brighton to thank its inhabitants for their wartime help to the Indian wounded soldiers.
In his speech at the opening of the Indian Memorial Gateway, the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh recognized Raja Daljit Singh for his inspiration:
"I am happy to think that the idea of some visible and lasting token of our appreciation and gratitude was first, suggested by a member of the Sikh race, Raja Daljit Singh, who was then well placed for promoting the project, being a member of the Council of India in Whitehall.” [1]
Hon. Raja Sir Daljit Singh (1882 - 1946) was a member of the Kapurthala royal family. He was the grandson of Raja Nihal Singh who ruled the Sikh Kingdom of Kapurthala from 1836 to 1852. Educated at Aitchison College in Lahore he was a member of the Imperial Legislative Council at Calcutta from 1913-1915, member of the Council of State from 1915 to 1917, Member of the Third Council of the Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab from 1913 to 1916 and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir State from 1917 to 1921.
Not only did Raja Daljit Singh come up with the idea of the Indian Memorial Gateway, but he was also instrumental in raising funds for the construction of the memorial by soliciting donations from the Maharajas of various Indian Kingdoms.
A 1916 letter from Raja Daljit Singh to the Maharaja of Gondal provides important insight into the initial inspiration and early work done in making the idea of the Indian Memorial Gateway into a reality.
India Office,
Whitehall. S/W.
London.
23rd August 1916.
Dear Thakor Sahib,
When the Indian wounded came to England the town of Brighton behaved most generously and gave their splendid buildings for hospitals, The people did all they could to make the Indian feel happy and "at home". The Mayor and Corporation as a further mark of sympathy are now going to put a memorial on the spot where the bodies of Hindu soldiers were cremated. The Mahommadan soldiers who there died were buried at Woking where the War Office are erecting a memorial.
Sir Walter Lawrence and I went to Brighton the other day and were taken by the Mayor to the Crematorium which is some way outside the town.
It struck me that it would be a good thing if we were to put up an Indian memorial in Brighton itself to mark the fact of Indians - Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs - coming to this country to fight for their King and Empire, and also to show a grateful regard for the hospitality of the people of Brighton. I propose Brighton, for it is the place where wounded Indian soldiers first came to England and received so enthusiastic a welcome. Besides in Brighton such a memorial would be very prominent and conspicuous as thousands and thousands of visitors to this famous seaside city would see it.
Such a memorial would help to mark the great events which are bringing East and West more closely together than they have ever been before.
The project has been mentioned to the Secretary of State for India (Mr. Austen Chamberlain) and though the India Office would have no connection with it, as from first to last it would be entirely unofficial, he has been pleased to express his sympathy. The Corporation and inhabitants of Brighton would welcome such a recognition. The conspicuous part already played by Your Highness and your State in this world conflict is well known throughout India and England and by extending your generous help to this proposal Your Highness would be helping to perpetuate in the minds of the English public the memory of those of our countrymen who gave their lives for the Empire. The form of the memorial would necessarily depend on the response made to this appeal. I have consulted Colonel Sir James Dunlop Smith, Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob and Sir Walter Lawrence on the subject, and we think that the erection of a "Chattri" of Indian design in some prominent place in the town of Brighton would be very suitable. The cost may be put at from £5000 to £10,000 according to size and material.
If the suggestion which I have ventured to make should be fortunate enough to meet with approval and promises of support, a committee would be formed in the United Kingdom to collect subscriptions and to carry out the wishes of the subscribers.
With many apologies for the trouble I am giving and hoping this will find Your Highness in the enjoyment of the best of health.
I remain
yours sincerely,
Daljit Singh
of Kapurthala
To
His Highness Thakor Sahib Sir
Bhagvatsinghji Sagramji, G.C.I.E.,
of Gondal.
Footnotes
1. Brighton Herald, October 29, 1921