Karam Singh of Patiala

Singh became the ruler of Patiala in 1813.^[3] He was also the first ruler of Patiala to have been referred to as a Maharaja, the title having been bestowed on him by Mughal Emperor Akbar II.^[4][1] Singh was also noted as a patron of paintings, and from 1814 to 1815, he had a family of Rajasthani painters at his court.^[5]

During his early reign, Singh had disputes with his mother and his younger brother, Ajit Singh.^[6] Singh continued his dispute with Nabha State, another Phulkian dynasty state, which had been carrying on since 1807.^[6] From 1838 to 1843, Singh had a border dispute with Kaithal State.^[6] He had extensive diplomatic relations with Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire, whose court in Lahore a vakil of Patiala was often dispatched to.^[7]

Singh supported the British Empire during the Anglo-Nepalese War from 1814 to 1816.^[8][9] In return for Singh's support during the Anglo-Nepalese War, the British awarded Singh territory in the hill states, extending Patiala State's territory to Shimla, Chail and other areas in modern-day Himachal Pradesh.^[8][9] In 1845, Singh declared his support for the British against the Sikh Empire.^[10]

Singh died in 1845 and was succeeded by his son, Narinder Singh, as the Maharaja of Patiala.^[11]