Billionaire Sheikh thinks he is Holkar reincarnate

Was the late Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II (YRH) reborn five years after his death in 1961? The world may laugh at the reincarnation theory, but for an Arab Sheikh, it’s a million dollar truth.

Sheikh Saoud bin al-Thani, cousin of the ruling emir of Qatar and once the world's biggest buyer of art, fancies himself an avatar of the late ruler of Indore. The billionaire Sheikh got bitten by the Holkar bug when he saw YRH's portrait by American artist Man Ray. Al-Thani, who was born almost five years after Holkar's death in 1961, bears a striking resemblance to the late ruler. Both have the same oblong face, broad forehead, sharp, equine nose and a pencil moustache.
The Qatari prince is now raiding international art auctions and antiques shops to scoop up almost everything linked to his 'previous birth', spending millions on his pursuit. The Sheikh visited Indore some years ago to collect everything related to the Holkars.
"A few years ago, several antique dealers tried to get in touch with me to solicit my help in procuring antiques and articles that had anything to do with YRH. It was then that I came to know that they were buying on behalf of the Sheikh, who fancied himself to be the reincarnation of the former ruler," Upendra Bapna, great grandson of former prime minister of Indore, Siremal Bapna, told DNA.
"Al-Thani has spent millions of dollars on antiques related to the Holkars: vintage photography, rare jewels, cars, textiles, Art Deco furniture -- building up an entire YRH collection," says Indore-based historian and art dealer Rajendra Singh. The Sheikh is reputed to have limitless funds and attacks art auctions with his 'anything it takes' motto. Sometimes he buys out entire collections on display, paying several times more than the estimated price of items that go under the hammer.

His latest shopping spree was this March at Christie's Paris auction where he devoured objects that German designer Eckart Muthesius had created for YRH. The Sheikh spent almost $1.5 million on a bookshelf and pair of wall-mounted lamps crafted for the Indore royals. Prior to that he picked up several items from the Holkar era in London's Victoria & Albert Museum.
Al-Thani's fascination for Holkar doesn't end with auctions. He gets himself photographed in various poses reminiscent of the former royal, sometimes paying thousands of dollars for a single session. His estate in Doha is also modelled on Manikbagh, YRH's official residence.
In 2005, al-Thani was placed under house arrest, but later released, for allegedly inflating the cost of the antiques he had bought for his country's museums as culture minister. Prior to his arrest, he had spent a whopping $1.5billion during an eight-year buying spree.
The 'original'
Maharaja Holkar led a flamboyant lifestyle with an interest in sports, automobiles and jewellery. He promoted the Holkar cricket team between 1940 and 1961. He had a stable of luxury cars, including six Bentleys. He also owned two airplanes and was a patron of French jewellers like Chaumet and Moubassin.
The 'avatar'
Saoud bin Muhammed al-Thani is a cousin of the ruling emir of Qatar. Some years ago, he saw a portrait of Yeshwant Rao Holkar II. Struck by the resemblance, he announced that he was YRH 'reborn'. Since then, he's buying relics of his 'previous life'. His estate is modelled on Indore's Manikbagh.