Many Indians believe India has no royal families or even kings or queens. Several royal families in India still survive without wielding any political influence over the population. Monarchy is no longer prevalent in India, yet a few Indian royal families continue to live a life of legacy and luxury.
Here’s how they maintain their lifestyle.
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The Royal Indian Family of Jaipur:
His Majesty Bhawani Singh was Jaipur’s final titular ruler, and he named Diya Kumari’s son, Padmanabh Singh, as his successor. Padmanabh was crowned Maharaja of Jaipur in 2011. The royal family has entrusted the management of Rambagh Palace to Taj Hotels.
Padmanabh Singh
Image Source: Vouge Arabia
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The Royal Indian Family of Jodhpur:
Jodhpur housed one of the most powerful Rajput royal families, the Rathores. The Mehrangarh Fort and the Umaid Bhawan Palace are both located in Jodhpur. Maharaja Gaj Singh currently resides in the Umaid Bhawan Palace with his wife, two children, and their spouses. The royal family has opened a portion of the Palace to tourists, while the Taj Group of Hotels handles the remainder.
Maharaja Gaj Singh
Image Source: Apna Jodhpur
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The Royal Indian Family of Mewar:
The Mewar Dynasty produced great monarchs such as Maharana Pratap, whose descendants presently live in Udaipur, Rajasthan. His Royal Highness Arvind Singh Mewar is the head of this dynasty, the CEO of the HRH Group of Hotels, and a very successful businessman. Singh and his wife, Maharani Vijayaraj, reside in the city palace of Udaipur.
Arvind Singh Mewar (L) and his son Lakshya Singh Mewar (R)
Image Source: Pinterest
His son, Lakshya Singh Mewar, is next in line to the throne and holds several properties of the Mewar clan. Although he has a royal upbringing, he is extremely humble and has engaged in several philanthropic initiatives. He is a sports patron and is six times Guinness World Records Holder for his charitable endeavours.
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The Royal Indian Family of Pataudi:
The Nawabs once governed Pataudi, and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi served as the last nominal ruler. He married actress Sharmila Tagore and had three children with her. Saif Ali Khan, a Bollywood actor, is currently the Nawab of Pataudi. The Pataudi Palace is estimated to be worth Rs 800 crore.
Saif Ali Khan
Image Source: Filmfare
Besides his palatial earnings, Saif Ali Khan is a moderately successful actor. Though Khan dabbled in cricket as a child, he followed in his mother’s footsteps and entered Bollywood, where he has had mixed success over three decades, appearing in various film genres. Sara Ali Khan, his daughter, is also an actress.
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The Royal Indian Family of Rajkot:
The Jadeja dynasty of Rajkot, originally the capital of the princely state of Saurashtra, has devoted itself to eco-friendly initiatives when many other royals are focusing on commercial business activities to earn a living. Despite possessing various estates, including their 100-room royal house, the Ranjit Villa, the clan’s present chief, Yuvraj Mandhatasinh Jadeja, has invested about $10 million in creating biofuels and hydropower facilities.
Yuvraj Mandhatasinh Jadeja
Image Source: Oneindia
He says, “The pandemic has taught us to be mindful of unbridled consumption and to preserve the environment. With our climate-friendly initiatives, we hope to leave behind a better planet for the next generation.”
References: DNA and The National Lifestyle
