Jaipur, named as the capital city of Rajasthan, India, was historically known as the Kingdom of Amber. The current royal family includes, Maharaja Pandhanmabh Singh, Rajmata Padmini Devi, Princess Diya Kumari, Maharaja Lakshraj Prakash and Rajkumari Gaurvi Kumari.
Let us look at some of the historical as well as current facts about the Royal Family of Jaipur!
1.First Planned city of India by Maharaja Sawai Singh II
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II founded the city in 1727. The architect, Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, who also incorporated the Shilpa Shastra and Vastu Shastra is credited with the planning of the city. Along with it, the Maharaja constructed five astronomical towers for observation between the years 1727 and 1734. The Jantar Mantar of today is the largest of these five towers. The instruments in the Jantar Mantar are known to offer the precise measurements of time and other astronomical quantities. The Hindu Chhatri, Jaiprakash Yantra, Samrat Yantra, are devices which are used to probe the universe.
2. Title of Sawai
The founder of Jaipur, Maharaja Jai Singh II was bestowed with the title of “Sawai” at a very young age which means “one and a quarter time superior to his contemporaries” due to his exceptional and commendable wits.
3. Educated the nation about astronomy
Maharaja Jai Singh was also one of the first personalities to revive and educate the nation about the subject of astronomy. He was a witness of the debate regarding the determination of date using the astronomical calculations for Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah to begin his journey. Due to his profound interests in subjects like architecture, mathematics and architecture he built five astronomical observatories as mentioned earlier.
4. Maharani Gayatri Devi- The most famous Royal woman
One of the names which is quite prevalent and known when talked about the reputed Royal family of Jaipur is the name of Maharani Gayatri Devi who was considered as the world’s most stylish royal women. Gayatri Devi was the first Royal women of Jaipur to step beyond the traditional boundaries and getting a seat in the Indian Parliament in 1962. The majority of votes she was able to secure were the world’s highest (192,909/246,516) and was also mentioned in the Guinness book of World Records.
5. Gayatri Devi’s luxurious life and her exceptional talent set her apart from other women of royal families
She was found to be really fond of cars and is known for importing the first Mercedes-Benz W126 to India. She owned several Rolls Royce and an aircraft as well. She was an excellent polo player and a rider as well.
6. Breaking the Royal Boundaries – Diya Kumari
Regardless of her royal status, Diya kumari, daughter of Maharaja Bhawani Singh, married Narendra Singh who is the son of Budh Singh, a Rajput who worked as an assistant controller in the City Palace in Jaipur. He began his employment at the palace as as an accountant. Princess Diya Kumari and him were married without the knowledge of her parents, which was revealed later when her parents planned to marry her off.
7. The unexpected acceptance of the 13 year old heir
In 2002, the last titular Maharaja of Jaipur Bhawani Singh decided to adopted and subsequently nominated his daughter Diya Kumari’s eldest son, Padmanabh Singh, as his heir because he had no son. Padmanabh Singh at 13 was crowned the title of Maharaja of Jaipur.
8. Unexpected appointment of a 9 year old as a “Titular Maharaja”
In 2013, his younger brother, Laksharaj Singh, was made the “titular maharaja” of the former principality of Sirmur in Himachal. Rajamata Padmini Devi was from Sirmur and there too was no male heir of this erstwhile state therefore, Laksharaj Singh was made the Maharaja and the owner of the property of Sirmur state including about 200 acres of private forest
9. Padmanabh Singh – A world class Polo player
Maharaja Padmanabh Singh’s unmitigated penchant for Polo has brought him numerous international accolades and he was also offered a membership in both the Federation of International Polo and the Guards Polo Club of Windsor in Britain. With this he can play and hang out with his high-profile buddies like Prince William and Prince Harry of Britain.
10. Maharaja Padmanabh Singh – A fashion icon
Along with being a world class Polo player, he is a well-known model and has walked the runway for numerous luxury brands namely Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and others. The world-renowned photographer Mario Testino counts him as one of his muses as well. His achievements also include the role of a cavalier at the prestigious event Le Bal for Ava Phillippe who is the daughter of famous Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon.