History would remember
Gayatri devi(1920-2009) as a real princess. Though, she was better known as
Maharani
or Queen of Jaipur!
Right from her infancy to her recent death, she acted as a real blueblood. She shot her first tiger ,when she was barely twelve years old. She dated
Maharaja Man singh second, when she was sixteen and left her political career,when she was in her fifties.
A Princess Remembers: The Memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur recounts her interesting lifestyle as a royal. It was written by her in association with
Shanta Rama Rau.
Her royal upbringing and marriage with a powerlful Indian Maharaja accorded her the best privileges of life.For example, if her childhood was spent frequenting
Harrods,London, then post marriage,she found herself as an integral part of
polo culture.
Even after abolishment of privy purses and hereditary titles, she continued to enjoy the same respect as she was used to ! Irrespective of being part of the largest democracy, she was still addressed as
Rajmata or Queen mother.
Gayatri Devi was a rare example of beauty and brain. She was adjudged among the most beautiful women by
Vogue and she was intergral part of swishset. Interestingly, even serving a prison term during emergency years(1975), she was enjoying caviars and cakes!
However, she spend a considerable part of her personal fortune in social welfare programmes. She launched many educational activities for girls.
This is one of the rare memoirs,where the subject doesnot speak lie. For exmple, she has given a detailed account of royal splurging and how common men survived hard against odds.
It must be read by all ,who want to explore erstwhile royals in a democratic set up.