Indian Royal Families that continue to live a majestic life

Much has changed over a period of five decades and with the 26th amendment to the Constitution of India in July 1971, monarchy in India took a back seat and moved forward into the world of modernity. In light of this drastic turn of events, many royal families faced innumerable challenges and problems. However, there are still a couple of them who survived the implications of the changes and adapted to the new environment, continuing to live a luxurious life.

Here are some of the existing royal families in India you probably didn’t know about.

Photo - Instagram/jodhpur_maharaja/arvindsinghmewar

With an ancestral figure like Maharana Pratap, Mewar dynasty is truly one of the most popular and recognized royal lineages in India. Currently, Rana Sriji Arvind Singh Mewar is the 76th custodian of the dynasty and the family resides in the beautiful city of Udaipur. Apart from all the royal status, the family owns heritage hotels, resorts and charitable institutions across Rajasthan, inclduing the HRH Group of Hotels, which has over 10 hotels under it.

Photo - Instagram/arvindsinghmewar

The Royal Family of Jaipur are the descendants of a Rajput clan known as the Kachhwahas, who claim descent from Kush, son of Ram. His Highness Bhawani Singh was the last titular head of Jaipur. While he had no son, in 2002 he adopted his daughter's elder son, Padmanabh Singh, who succeeded him as head of the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur upon his death. Padmanabh Singh is also a national-level polo player.

Photo - Courtesy official page of Royal Jaipur

Known to have ruled the kingdom of Khetri, Abhimanyu Singh is currently the head and the sixteenth scion of the royal family of Alsisar. Besides owning grand palaces in Jaipur and Ranthambore, the family also runs several hotels on their properties.

Photo - Instagram/abhimanyualsisar

With the changing times, many royal households have turned their palaces into heritage hotels, in order to survive the tides of time, but not the royal family of Rajkot. Lead by Yuvraj Mandhatasinh Jadeja, the family is currently invested in developing bio fuels and hydropower plants.

Photo - Courtesy official page of Royal Princely State/Rajkot

Tracing their history back to the Yaduvanshi clan of Lord Krishna, Yaduveera Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar is currently the titular Maharaja of Mysore and the head of the Wadiyar dynasty. The family owns one of the most famous silk brands known as The Royal Silk of Mysore, started by the King’s uncle, Srikantadatta.

Photo- Instagram/ykcwadiyar

Formerly ruled by the Rathore rulers, Jodhpur, an ancient dynasty was established in the 8th century. Currently, Maharaj Gaj Singh II is the titular head of the state. The family owns the world’s largest private residence in Jodhpur, Umaid Bhavan, along with Mehrangarh Fort, also amongst the largest forts in the world.

Photo: Instagram/jodhpur_maharaja

Formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner, the city was founded by Rao Bika in 1488 CE. The current Royal Family of Bikaner is lead by Maharaja Ravi Raj Singh, who is the 25th Maharaja of Bikaner, since the 24th October 2003.

Samarjitsinh Gaekwad is currently the head of the royal family of Baroda. Known to have originated from Pune, the ancestral family settled in Baroda in the 18th century. While theirs is a lineage that is ancient, the current ruler inherited a property of over Rs 20,000 crores, which includes, the Laxmi Vilas Palace.

This set of royal family is not unknown to the masses. The Pataudi Clan, previously lead by the last titular head and former captain of the Indian Cricket Team Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, is now ruled by Bollywood’s very own nawab, Saif Ali Khan.

Photo - AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi

- By Tenzin Chodon