The Phulkian Sikh dynasty of Patiala traces back to the 18th century, founded by Baba Ala Singh in 1763. The current head of the family is Captain Amarinder Singh, the former two-time Chief Minister of Punjab who briefly captured national attention for his unique combination of royal heritage, military service, and front-line state politics.
The Family's Roots: The Phulkian Dynasty
Founded in 1763 by Baba Ala Singh, the Patiala state grew to become the largest Sikh princely state of pre-Independence India. Amarinder was born in Patiala on 11 March 1942.
His Father: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh (7 January 1913 – 17 June 1974) was the last reigning Maharaja of Patiala and later served as India's first Rajpramukh of the Patiala and East Punjab States Union, and then as India's Ambassador to Italy and the Netherlands. He was a notable Test cricketer who captained the Indian Test team.
His Mother: Maharani Mohinder Kaur
Maharani Mohinder Kaur (1922 – 2017) was a member of the Indian Parliament from Patiala (1964–67).
His Siblings
Amarinder has three siblings, including former senior bureaucrats and a politically active sister.
His Wife: Preneet Kaur
Preneet Kaur, born 3 October 1944, is a former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Patiala (1999–2014, 2019–2024) and former Minister of State for External Affairs. She and Amarinder married in 1964.
Their Children
Raninder Singh, born 17 January 1967 — president of the National Rifle Association of India; ran unsuccessfully for Parliament.
Jai Inder Kaur, daughter — runs philanthropic activities.
The Patiala Family Tree at a Glance
Dynasty: Phulkian Sikh dynasty of Patiala, 1763.
Parents: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh (1913 – 1974); Maharani Mohinder Kaur (1922 – 2017).
Captain Amarinder Singh: Born 11 March 1942; Welham Boys' School; Lawrence School Sanawar; Doon School; National Defence Academy; Indian Military Academy; commissioned in the Sikh Regiment; resigned 1965 to assist in the war effort; Punjab Chief Minister 2002–2007 and 2017–2021; joined BJP October 2021.
Wife: Preneet Kaur (b. 1944); former MP, former MoS External Affairs.
Children: Raninder Singh (b. 1967); Jai Inder Kaur.
What the Patiala Family Story Teaches Us
A Maharaja-cricketer-diplomat father who captained India in Test cricket. A mother who was a Member of Parliament. A son who served in the army, became Chief Minister of Punjab twice, and switched parties at age 79. A wife who has her own decade-long parliamentary career.
For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Patiala story carries the same lesson. Some families combine sports, politics, military, and diplomacy across generations. The Patiala royal-political tree is one of those. Most families have similar cross-domain combinations — write them all down.
👉 Start building your family legacy today with Family Root App
- Android: Family Root App on Google Play
- iOS: Family Root App on Apple Store
📜 Disclaimer The family tree and biographical information provided in this article are based on publicly available sources and records including Wikipedia, Britannica, and verified news reports. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or authenticity of all data. This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not represent any political endorsement or commentary on the policies of any government or individual. If you believe any information is incorrect or wish to request edits or removal, please contact us at Info@familyrootapp.com.
