GURRI KAHLON is Founded on the legacy of a General, who was renowned by Kings, Queens and fellow Athletes as
“The Best Polo ‘Back’ Player in the World”.
Sardar Bahadur General Chanda Singh: Confidant, Teammate and Humbled General to the Maharaja of Patiala and... He was, a Friend of Kings.
The Story Behind the Inception of perhaps the finest Men’s Garments Hand Crafted in modern times:
My Great Grandfather was in the company of Royals; thus, he had a passion for fine things in life, yet maintained a balance of humility in Aristocracy….he was a subtle enthusiast.
The foundation of his legacy was laid when
Maharaja Rajinder Singh noticed him at an
Army polo tournament in the late 18th century.
After which a young and talented Chanda
Singh, was recruited by the King to join the
Patiala Army; This was, his defining moment.
Chanda Singh’s legacy began to form
after the numerous victories with
H.H. Maharaja Rajinder Singh and
H.H. Maharaja Bhupindra Singh of Patiala,
where they won enormous championships
noting four times, in the Punjab Polo Cup,
three times,the Baresford Cup, two times,
in the Viceroy’s Cup and four times, the Civil
Service Cup amongst their most prominent wins.
By this time, Chanda Singh had gained
such great popularity on a global scale,
that it
resulted in a very rare, and until
this day, considered a unique occurance;
This is where it all begings...
in 1909, French Comte Jean De Madre
had orchestrated invitations from
H.M. King Alfonso XIII of Spain and
H.M. King Edward VII of England
to help them win Polo Championships
for their respective countries.
Upon his King’s grant, the
General took sail to Europe where he
played in the Spanish Polo Championship
along side
H.M KING ALFONSO XIII OF SPAIN
in which he helped the Kings’s team
win their first polo cup.
It is said that after the Spanish victory,
Alfonso offered Chanda Singh a noble title
if he were to reside and remain in Spain,
but Chanda Singh respectully refused due
to his loyalty towards his King back home.
Following his win in Spain, Chanda Singh was invited by
H.M. Edward VII, King of England to play with the English in a match against the Americans.
The English won.
Queen Alexandra of England was in awe of Chanda Singh’s performance,,and as a token of her apprciation, she awarded him with her personal and most favorite horse, the beautiful, ‘Miss Haig’ .
Although Chanda Singh was upset about leaving ‘Miss Haig’ behind, he was extremely humbled to have received such a gift from the Queen.
However, Chanda was quite happy about
the presents he actually could, carry back home to the Royal State of Patiala:
a beautiful pocket watch and Pistol carved in gold and beautifully embedded with precious stones which was Presented to him by King Alfonso of Spain,
a true hand crafted
bespoke suit and handmade leather boots
which were made from a mold of his feet,
courtesy of the French Comte Jean De Madre.
He was a true Gentleman, extremely precise about his attire and was in love with his European “Tip Top Suit and Boot” outfits.
During my young days and frequent visits to India, I would not tire of listening to my Grandfather tell me stories of his father’s
passionate pursuits and how he loved wearing fine clothes, shining boots and carrying his gentleman watch high upon his horse.
It was his trip to Europe in 1909 which was the inception of his elaborate wardrobe and sense of style which has passed on from generation to generation…
It was then, that I realized how strongly the family was influenced by European Fashion sense; when I saw the same traits in my
Grandfather, his siblings, their children and…myself.