In a significant boost, the Ancient House Museum in Thetford, England, founded by the son of the last Sikh emperor of Punjab, Maharaja Duleep Singh, has been awarded a grant of £198,059. The grant, provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will be utilized to narrate the rich history of the Duleep Singh family through engaging displays, events, and activities.
Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, the son of Maharaja Duleep Singh, bestowed the Ancient House Museum to the people of Thetford in 1924. As the museum enters its centenary year in 2024, this grant will facilitate the presentation of captivating stories about the broader Duleep Singh family.
Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities, Norfolk County Council, expressed, “Through the fore-sighted generosity of Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, for the past 100 years, Ancient House Museum has served the people of Thetford and beyond, preserving the history of the town and surrounding area.”
The displays will feature the remarkable sisters of Prince Frederick, Princesses Sophia and Catherine Duleep Singh, who were trailblazers in women’s political and private autonomy. Additionally, the exhibition will include a ‘Treasury’ style display showcasing Anglo-Punjab historical treasures, a model of Elveden Hall, and personal items like the Maharajah’s walking stick, donated to the museum in 2023.
Councillor Robert Kybird, Chairman of the Breckland Area Museums Committee, emphasized that the grant will elevate Thetford as a preferred destination for Sikh visitors.
The youngest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Duleep Singh, ascended to the throne of Punjab at the age of five but was dethroned after the British annexation in 1849. After arriving in England at 15, he resided at Elveden Hall in the Suffolk countryside.
Ancient House Museum, initiated by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, opened its doors in 1924, becoming a ‘Public Museum’ charity gifted to Thetford’s people. The museum’s story unfolds when Prince Frederick purchased the Tudor house, subsequently redisplayed in 2004-2006.
Interest in the Duleep Singhs has surged in recent years, marked by films, articles, TV and radio programs, books, and annual Punjab festivals in Thetford attended by thousands. Additional funding for the two-year project comes from Thetford Town Council community grant, Friends of Thetford Museum, Norfolk County Council, and Arts Council England.
