Saif annointed 10th Nawab of Pataudi

Pataudi (Haryana), Oct 31 Flanked by his mother Sharmila Tagore and two sisters, Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was Monday anointed the 10th Nawab of Pataudi at a ceremony at the family's Ibrahim Palace here.

Heads of various villages of the area tied a white turban (pagri) around the head of the 41-year-old star.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was also present at the ceremony, apart from Sharmila Tagore and Saif's two sisters Soha and Saba.

His father, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, passed away Sep 22 in New Delhi's Sir Gangaram Hospital after unsuccessfully battling severe lung infection.

Mansur Ali Khan, who captained the Indian cricket team at the age of 21, was the last Nawab of Pataudi state. He held the title till 1971 when the central government abolished the princely system.

The family still has its palace in Pataudi town, 26 km from Gurgaon, much of which has been leased out to a leading heritage resort chain that runs a hotel there. A portion of the palace has been retained by the family.