Interesting Facts...Royal families..Must Read

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Some interesting facts about the Royal families of India.

Tripura's Manikya dynasty (earlier known as the Fa Dynasty) is one of the oldest dynasties in the world. The present Maharaja (Pradyot Burman) is the 189th direct descendant from an unbroken chain of rulers. A book called "Rajmala" chronicles the history of the royal family.

Tennis player Somdev Ded Burman and musicians Sachin Deb Burman & Rahul Deb Burman have the same lineage of the Tripura royalty.

Film actresses Riya sen and Raima Sen's paternal grandmother was Ila Devi (princess of Cooch Behar and the elder sister of Rajmata Gayatri Devi of Jaipur).

The indelible ink used to mark fingers of voters during Indian elections is made by Mysore Paints which was founded in 1937 by the Maharaja of Mysore to provide employment for the local population by exploiting the natural resins and dyeing agents found in the region’s forests.

The Kapurthala royal family had converted to Christianity during the British rule.

The Nawab of Arcot is recognised by the President of India as the “Prince of Arcot” and enjoys the rank of a cabinet minister.

The first president of India (Dr. Rajendra Prasad) entered the Rashtrapati Bhavan (presidential palace) on the silver chariot owned by the Maharaja of Patiala.

The gate of Lalbagh palace in Indore is a replica of the gate of Buckingham palace in London. The gate was cast in England and shipped to Indore.

Gondal (Gujarat, Western part of India) was one of the most progressive princely states with an efficient tax-free economy. Under Maharaja Bhagwat Sinh, the system of Purdah (veil) was abolished, education was made compulsory for girls and 'Zananas' (restricted women’s wings) were no longer built in palaces. Sangramsinh High School in Gondal is built on the model of Eton college in England. Two Royal rail saloons of the Gondal State have been renovated keeping the original decor and are available for accommodation. A stay at these saloons provides a unique experience of the royal grandeur.

Baroda’s Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III had taken a cow with him on his trip to Europe. He wanted to ensure he got pure milk and ghee (clarified butter) as he was very concerned about proper food preparation.

Cooch Behar ‘s Maharani Indira Devi (daughter of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad of Baroda and mother of Rajmata Gayatri Devi of Jaipur) had ordered 100 pairs of shoes, some diamond studded, from Italian shoemaker Salvatore Ferrogamo, one of the most famous designers of 20th century.

Baroda’s Maharani Sita Devi (2nd wife of Maharaja Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad) had ordered a gold tongue scrapper from Europe.

The American consulate in South Bombay (which processes visa applications from Western parts of India) was the property of Maharaja Amarsinh Zala of Wankaner. Wankaner House, spread over 10,000 square yards, was built in 1930s. It was sold for Rs. 18 crores ($ 4 million) in 1957 to the American government as the royal family was not able to maintain such a big property and there were huge tax due. Another property, Amar Building on Firozsha Mehta Road in Bombay, also belonged to the Wanaker royals. It was sold for Rs. 19 crores ($ 4.2 million) to the Government of India and now house the foreign exchange department of Reserve Bank Of India (India’s central bank).

Jaipur’s Maharaja Madho Singh II carried water from the river Ganges (Ganga jal) in huge jars which are the world’s largest silver objects.