#gayatri devi

[royal-confessions]

“I saw a documentary about Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, and MY OH MY, she was a beauty! Not only she had the grace of a goddess, but her life was epic! She deserves to be well-known!” - Submitted by jiejie-eonni-onee-sama

[women-throughout-history]

Gayatri Devi

Gayatri Devi, born on May 23, 1919, in London, United Kingdom, was a prominent figure in Indian royalty, politics, and fashion. She was the third Maharani consort of Jaipur from 1940 to 1949 through her marriage to Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. She has left a significant impact on the cultural and political landscape of India. Gayatri Devi was a trailblazer in Indian politics. In the 1962 parliamentary election, she achieved a historic victory, securing the largest majority vote of any candidate. A member of the Swatantra Party, she served as a prominent critic of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's government during her 12-year political career. Despite facing political challenges, including imprisonment during the Emergency in 1975, she remained steadfast in her commitment to public service. Her commitment to women's empowerment extended beyond politics. She established schools in Jaipur, including the Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls School, providing education to thousands of girls and women. Her passion for education was evident in her efforts to promote the first steps of development through learning. An avid sports woman, she excelled in polo and shooting, reflecting her adventurous spirit. She was also known for her love of automobiles and was credited with bringing the first W126 model to India.  Maharani Gayatri Devi was listed as one of Vogue's 10 most beautiful women. Crediting her mother as her style inspiration, she said, “she was one of the most fashionable, most independent and most modern Maharanis ever. She always knew the best places to buy anything and she shopped all over the world.” Gayatri was known for her signature chiffon saris, crafted in Lyon, France, which were adorned with pearls and emeralds.  After retiring from politics, Gayatri Devi spent her later years in a quiet life on her large estate, engaging in hobbies and leisure. She passed away on July 29, 2009, due to paralytic ileus and a lung infection

https://www.financialexpress.com/life/lifestyle-meet-gayatri-devi-the-maharani-of-jaipur-who-started-the-trend-of-chiffon-sarees-know-the-politician-who-is-a-passionate-rider-and-a-social-worker-3229152/ (shows images of gayatri) https://books.google.co.in/books/about/A_Princess_Remembers.html?id=5CoWAQAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y (her autobiography)

[redarmyscreaming]

Gayatri Devi Rajmata Jaïpur.

[history-crushes]

Maharani Gayatri Devi (1919-2009)

She was born in India and died in this country.

She was the third and last Maharani of Jaipur. Famous for her striking beauty, she was also involved in politics after the abolition of princely states.

All her life, she led actions to improve the education, the health, and the living conditions of women in her country. She was a successful Member of Parliament in India

She was in conflict with Indira Gandhi who wanted to be the only female political figure in the country. 

She retired of politics in 1976, and pursued her caritative works until her death in 2009.

I really wanted to present this woman because she looked like a fairytale princess (she had a happily married life with her husband Maraja Man Singh II) and did a lot of things for her country.

[historical-babes]

Gayatri Devi (1919-2009).

Indian princess and politician.

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She was the third Maharani consort of Jaipur from 1940 to 1949, a politician, and philanthropist who was admired as an icon of glamorous royalty but later emerged as an outspoken politician and social activist.

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Ethnically born in a Koch Rajbongshi Hindu family, her father was Maharaja Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Behar in West Bengal, and her mother was Maratha Princess Indira Raje of Baroda, the only daughter of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.

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In 1940 she became the third wife of Sawai Man Singh II, the maharajah of Jaipur and an international polo player. Gayatri Devi rejected purdah (the seclusion expected of female Indian royalty), traveled frequently, and received foreign dignitaries, including U.S. first lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1962. Gayatri Devi also founded several girls’ schools.

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Following India's independence and the abolition of the princely states, she became a successful politician in the Swatantra Party. She advocated free enterprise and greater involvement with the West. She served 12 years in Swatantra Party, during which time she was a prominent critic of Indira Gandhi's government. When Prime Minister Gandhi declared a state of emergency in 1975, she was arrested due to an alleged political vendetta on the false accusation of violating tax laws and was jailed for five months. After her departure from politics, she lived a quiet life in her large estate, spending time with her grandchildren and on hobbies and leisure.

She published her biography, A Princess Remembers, written by Santha Rama Rau, in 1976.

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Gayatri Devi was also celebrated for her classical beauty and became something of a fashion icon in her adulthood.

She was a particularly avid equestrienne. She was an excellent rider and an able Polo player. Her Highness was fond of cars and is credited with importing the first Mercedes-Benz W126, a 500 SEL to India which was later shipped to Malaysia.

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She had a son, Prince Jagat Singh.

She died on 29 July 2009 in Jaipur, at the age of 90. She was suffering from paralytic ileus and a lung infection. She left an estate estimated at nearly half a billion USD.

[theroyalhistory]

Man Singh II and Maharani Gayatri Devi, 1961

[tiny-librarian]

Royal Birthdays for today, May 23rd:

K'inich Kan B'alam II, Mayan King, 635

Philip I, King of France, 1252

Qinzong of Song, Emperor of China, 1100

Uijong of Goryeo, Korean Monarch, 1127

Gongmin of Goryeo, Korean Monarch, 1330

Augustus Ferdinand, Prince of Prussia, 1730

Gayatri Devi, Maharani of Jaipur, 1919

[vintageindianclothing]

For some reason capes are everywhere - mostly over kurtas but for sarees too. And judging by pic 1 as always Gayatri Devi has been there, done that (maybe more a stole but you get the picture)

Capes for cooler weather here.

Pic Source: X and X.