Plaque unveiled marking Maharaja's links to Gravesend

Maharaja Duleep Singh was exiled to Britain at a young age

The last King of the Sikh Empire has been honoured in a Kent town which has a unique link to his story.

Maharaja Duleep Singh was deposed from his leadership by the British at a young age and sent into exile in Britain. He was even a friend of Queen Victoria's during his time in England.

However, in 1886 Maharaja Duleep Singh attempted to sail from Gravesend in Kent to India in a bid to reclaim his homeland, but he was forced to return to Europe.

The plaque tells a tale of 'The Last Sovereign of the Punjab'

The guest of honour at the unveiling of a plaque in Gravesend was the Indian singer and actor Satinder Sartaaj, who played the Maharaja in 'The Black Prince', a film about the maharaja's life. The Jugnu Bhangra Group sponsored and organised the event.

A scene from the film 'The Black Prince' Credit: Brillstein Entertainment Partners

A photograph of Maharaja Duleep Singh

In his report Derek Johnson speaks to the actor and singer Satinder Sartaaj; Peter Bance, a Sikh historian; and local residents Diljeet Nota and Bonita Bedi.