India’s Royal Heritage and its Present Custodians

India is home to a rich royal tradition and innumerable castles, palaces, and forts, given that India had many dynasties in each province. After the monarchy was abolished in 1971, many families continued to embrace their heritage and history. Here are some of the most popular dynasties and royal families in India. 

The Mewar Dynasty

With great kings like Maharana Pratap as part of the lineage, The Meyar Dynasty is one of the most respected in the country, and its descendants live in Udaipur. The current head of the family is His Royal Highness Arvind Singh Mewar, who is the 76th ascendant. Under the HRH Group of Hotels comes ten hotels which are uber luxurious and display the majestic grandeur of the Mewar palaces. Their residence is the Udaipur City Palace, whose portion is open for the general public to enjoy. The family also has a museum of antique cars, which is surely a peek into the luxurious lives of the royals. 

The Wadiyar Dynasty

Ruling the Kingdom of Mysore, the Wadiyar Dynasty is headed by Yaduveer Krishnadutta Chamaraj Wadiyar who is the nephew of the previous successor. The city known for its rich silk products, the Wadiyar’s also have their own successful brand called the Royal Silk of Mysore which was started by Srikantadatta. Having seen the land prosper for over 700 years, the family’s Palace is one of the most popular tourist destinations with its magnificent architectural resonance. 

The Royal Family of Jaipur

Attaining a celebrity status for centuries and being surely one of the most influential royal families, the current head of the family is the young and dynamic HRH Sawai Padmanabh Singh, who is the grandson of the last Maharaja His Highness Bhawani Singh. Padmanabh Singh is one of the foremost polo players in the country and has been promoting the sport for many years. Maharani Gayatri Devi, who was heralded as a fashion and beauty icon, was part of the family as well. Some of the most famous palaces like the Rambagh Palace, Jai Mahal and a suite from the City Palace have been given out to hotels. 

The Royal Family of Jodhpur

A symbol of grandeur and antiquity, the Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace are among the biggest forts and largest private residences in the world, whose head is Maharaja Gaj Singh. Taj Group of Hotels manages the Palace in partnership with the family and is open for general tourists as well. Maharaja Gaj Singh was also a member of the Rajya Sabha and was the Indian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago.  

The Gaekwads of Baroda

The Gaekwads, whose seat is the 187-room Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodra (previously known as Baroda), have ruled the city since the 18th Century. Samarjitsinh Gaekwad is the present head and inherited many invaluable paintings by Raja Ravi Varma. The head is an avid cricketer, has even presented his state in the Ranji Trophy, and has even tried his hand at politics. The Gaekwads are Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur’s maiden family. Their residential palace is one of the most prominent landmarks in the city, fashioned in Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture, and it is an architectural masterpiece.

Nawab of Pataudi

A list of royal families without the Pataudis is incomplete, as its descendants are some of the most popular in the country. The Nawabs ruled the Kingdom of Pataudi, and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was the last titular head and the former captain of the Indian Cricket Team. After marrying actress Sharmila Tagore, his son Saif Ali Khan is the current head of the family and is a prominent actor in the Hindi film industry. The Pataudi Palace is the official Palace used by the family as a winter residence.