This order was established in 1933 by Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala.[1][2] It was awarded to Sikhs and comprised the following classes: Sovereign Grand Master, Members, and Honorary Members.[2] The number of recipients was limited to five at any one time.[2] The Maharaja of Patiala was a Sikh, and his house had been blessed by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.[3][4]
It bore a portrait of Guru Gobind Singh.[5][6] The image was set within an oval frame, showing him dressed in saffron-yellow robes, seated and resting against a royal cushion.[7] He held an arrow in his left hand, while a falcon perched on his gloved right hand.[7] Above the portrait, the following inscription appeared in Gurmukhi: Ik Onkar; Deg Tegh Fateh (transl. One God; Victory to Charity and Arms).[8][7][9] Below the portrait, the words Sache Badshah (transl. The True King) were inscribed.[9]
