Ancient House Museum Receives £200k Grant to Chronicle Last Sikh Maharaja's Legacy

A museum in England, founded by the son of the last Sikh emperor of Punjab, has recently been awarded a grant of nearly £200,000. This grant will be utilized to narrate the compelling story of the family through various exhibits, events, and activities. Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities at Norfolk County Council, praised the foresight and generosity of Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, stating that the Ancient House Museum has been preserving the history of Thetford and its surrounding areas for a century. She expressed her belief that this grant will enable the museum to better serve the diverse communities and foster a deeper appreciation for the town's heritage.

The exhibits at the museum will showcase the intriguing and significant tales of the wider Duleep Singh family, shedding light on Prince Frederick and his remarkable sisters, Princesses Sophia and Catherine Duleep Singh, who were pioneers in advocating for women’s political and personal autonomy. Additionally, there will be a display reminiscent of a 'Treasury', featuring treasures of Anglo-Punjab history, along with personal artifacts such as the Maharajah’s walking stick, generously donated to the museum in 2023, which was originally given to him by the future King Edward VII when he was the Prince of Wales.

Councillor Robert Kybird, Chairman of the Breckland Area Museums Committee, expressed his confidence that this award will further establish Thetford as a favored destination for Sikh visitors.

Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, son of Maharaja Duleep Singh, gifted the Ancient House Museum to the people of Thetford in 1924. This grant, awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund as the museum enters its centenary year in 2024, will support its ongoing mission to preserve and share this rich history.

Duleep Singh ascended to the throne of Punjab at the tender age of five but was deposed following the British annexation of the territory in 1849. He arrived in England at the age of 15 and resided at Elveden Hall in the Suffolk countryside.

The story of Ancient House Museum began when Prince Frederick Duleep Singh acquired the rare timbered Tudor house and bestowed it upon the people of Thetford as a 'Public Museum' charity. Since its opening in 1924, the museum has undergone several transformations, with its most recent refurbishment taking place between 2004 and 2006. Interest in the Duleep Singhs has surged over the years, evidenced by the growing number of films, articles, TV and radio programs, books, and annual Punjab festivals in Thetford, attracting thousands of attendees. Additional funding for this two-year project has been provided by various organizations, including Thetford Town Council, Friends of Thetford Museum, Norfolk County Council, and Arts Council England, as part of the Norfolk Museum Service’s National Portfolio Organization grant.