Maharani Gayatri Devi - Perfect epitome of beauty and intellect

Maharani Gayatri Devi was a woman of substance, she was a true charmer. She charmed the world with her ecstatic beauty, her intellect and her will to go the extra mile in order to serve people of her country.

Renowned magazine “Vogue” once listed Maharani among the 10 most beautiful women in the world; such was the magnetism of her beauty. She was also a fashion icon of her time. She was heartbreakingly beautiful and therefore was often compared to Jacqueline Kennedy for her beauty, regality, celebrity and poise.

Raj Mata of Jaipur was born on May 23, 1919 in London. She was born to the regal family of Cooch Behar. She was the daughter of Prince Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Behar and Maharani Indira Devi of Baroda. Gayatri Devi took education from renowned intuitions. She studied at Shantiniketan initially, and later in Lausanne, Switzerland. Then she studied secretarial skills in London School of Secretaries; Brilliant Mont and Monkey Club London.

Maharani Gayatri Devi as a child

                    

Maharani Gayatri Devi was the third Maharani of Jaipur. Her period of influence was from 1939 to 1970, she served people like a true princess. Maharani Ji was known for her mesmerizing beauty and appealing style.

Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan memorizes Rajmata Gayatri Devi, as a "picture of grace and beauty" wrapped in her soft and pastel flowered chiffons.

Maharaj Bhawani Singh’s daughter Princess Diya Kumari remembers Rajmata, as the first woman of substance and style of her generation and the world bowed to her beauty.

Rajmata Gayatri Devi is undoubtedly a legend who will live in our hearts forever. She had an unmatchable aura, and was the most stylish royal woman of her times. She had a won over charisma; there was something classic and perpetual about her. She considered her mother as her role model and icon, she said once, “I learnt style from my mother; she taught me all about style”

She was India's one of the most fashionable, most independent and most modern Maharani yet she always insisted “she was ordinary”. Her modesty made her everyone’s favorite.

Maharani Gayatri Devi lived a lavish life; everything was available at her feet. Luxuries of all sort made her life comfortable, but she was an independent lady who believed in doing things with a difference.

She was a courageous woman who knew no fear and who knew no limitations. She was fond of hunting and liked to hunt tigers.  

In this pic Maharani Gayatri Devi along with husband Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip pose with hunted tiger.

Rajmata was a passionate horse rider. She loved horses and was a knower of all tricks to ride and tackle a horse. She had many interests, out of them swimming; horse riding, playing tennis and hunting were her favorites. She was an ardent lover of Polo and she never ever missed even a single season of polo.

Gayatri Ji fell in love with dashing Maharaja Sawai Man Singh, the heir to the Jaipur throne. At a young age she realized that she is in love and soon informed her mother about the same. Their marriage was initially opposed by Gayatri Ji’s parents as Maharaja already had two wives and also because there was a notable age difference between the two. She didn’t lose hope and as a result of her determination they got married in the year 1939. Their marriage was a success and both were happy to be together.

          

Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur respects Rajmata Gayatri Devi immeasurably, for Rajmata she says, "She'll be an eternal legend. There is no one to match her. She was a great influence to the women of Jaipur”

Rajmata Gayatri Devi established several schools for girls, and also funded them. The Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls’ Public School of Jaipur is the most prominent one.

She became the proud mother of Prince Jagat Singh of Jaipur on October 15, 1949. Like a wonderful wife she was also a wonderful mother. She loved to spend time with Prince Jagat Singh; she used to play with him and also used to teach him many things.

This is a rare pic of Maharani with Prince Jagat Singh; both seem to have good time with Prince’s new friend.

In 1962 Rajmata decided to enter into politics as a result displacement of India’s nobility. She joined the Swatantra Party and contested election for Lok Sabha Representative. To her and to everyone’s surprise she won by an astounding majority.

Maharani holds the “Guinness World Record” for winning an election by the highest percentage of votes polled. She won the seat again in 1967 and 1971 from the Swatantra party.  

Gayatri Devi Ji lifted the veil of the prolonged tradition of “pardah”. She was the first symbol of liberated Indian woman and was an iconic princess. She always wanted Indian women to lead a full life, to serve their people and to be faithful to their families. Rajmata was much concerned about women and their lives.

She touched lives of people and hence was referred to as “princess of people”.

Actress Sharmila Tagore remembers Rajmata, as a dynamic woman. Sharmila further says, "If a film on her life was made today, I can't think of anyone who could fit in. She had a quality that's hard to find these days. The way she held herself, the way she moved, that’s hard to replicate. She was a fun person to be with. Not one of those boring people. She was great fun to be."

Rajmata was a personal friend of Actress Sharmila Tagore’s mother-in-law, that is how Sharmila Ji got to her know her personally.

Her demise is a great loss to the royal land of Rajasthan. She left us all at the age of 90.

"It's a great loss not only for the people of Jaipur but for the entire state. She was always there for the cause of her people and did a lot of work for the uplift of women. Her presence will always be missed," said Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.