The queen we are talking about was a bold princess of her time. And he proved this not once but many times. When she was a princess, there was no dearth of princes who were crazy about her.
His relationship was fixed with Maharaja Madho Rao Scindia of Gwalior, one of the most powerful princely states of India. Then she was 18 and Maharaja was 38. But he fell in love with someone else. Then he took a bold decision and broke the relationship. She went to London and married the person she fell in love with. This queen was so fashionable and flaunted her wealth that she had precious diamonds and gems studded in her sandals. She was also a fashion diva of her time.
We are talking about Queen Indira Devi. She was born in 1892 to Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda and Maharani Chimnabai. Went to study in London. Indira was very beautiful. Many Indian princes fell in love with him in his youth. Her engagement was fixed with Madho Rao Scindia at the age of 18. Who was 38 years old then. Gwalior was one of the most powerful princely states of India. But it was something else. Something that would create panic in all the princely states of the country.
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Engaged to someone but in love with someone else
When Indira Devi came to Delhi Darbar with her younger brother in December 1911, she met Prince Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Behar. It had been a year since Indira’s engagement. But after this meeting Rajkumari and Jitendra Narayan fell in love. Although Jitendra’s image at that time was that of a playboy prince.
Indira Devi was amazingly beautiful. She was then considered among the most beautiful women of the country. She was the mother of Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur. She was also called the goddess of fashion. In true sense, she was the queen who popularized Shifan saree. He ordered a well-known Italian shoe manufacturing company to make 100 pairs of sandals, some of which were studded with diamonds and precious stones.
Broke the engagement by writing a letter to the Maharaja of Gwalior
Jitendra was the son of King Nripendra Narayan of Cooch Behar. Cooch Behar is now a district of West Bengal. Indira Devi knew that breaking the engagement would bring a lot of notoriety. His parents would have been angry but he broke the engagement by personally writing a letter to the Maharaja of Gwalior. The Baroda royal family was shaken by this. There was a strong reaction to this in other royal families also.
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Married in London against the wishes of parents
Indira’s parents somehow accepted the break of her engagement with the royal family of Gwalior, but they did not at all approve of their daughter marrying Jitendra. He warned Jitendra to stay away from his daughter. But all this could not work because Jitendra and Indira had made up their minds to marry each other.
Indira’s parents sent her to Europe. Thought that maybe if she stayed away then the ghost of love would go away but this had no effect on her intentions. She married Jitendra in London itself. No member of his family attended this marriage.
Became the ruler of Cooch Behar after the death of her husband
After the death of his elder brother a few days later, Jitendra became the Maharaja of Cooch Behar. Now Indira became the queen of a princely state. Both of them had five children – Jagdeependra Narayan, Indrajitendra Narayan, Ila Devi, Maneka Devi and Gayatri Devi. Now it can only be called a game of destiny that Maharaja Jitendra also died after a few years. Drinking too much alcohol was a major reason for this. Now Rani became the regent of Cooch Behar. Because his elder son was small at that time.
used to throw lots of parties in Europe
From 1922 to 1936, she acted as regent for her minor son Jagadipendra. His rule proved to be both efficient and modern. He spent most of his time in Europe. The Queen used to give many parties there. She was very popular. Many Hollywood stars were good friends of the Queen, many of whom used to attend her parties.
Story of getting diamonds and pearls studded in sandals
Getting diamonds and pearls studded in your sandals also has a different story. The Italian company to which he had ordered to make 100 pairs of sandals and shoes. His name was Salvatore Ferrogamo. This company was considered the most famous designer company of the 20th century. Even today, this company has luxury showrooms all over the world.
Italy’s Salvatore Ferragamo was among his favorite Western designers. Salvatore wrote in his autobiography, once the Queen ordered his company to make shoes, one of the orders was to make sandals in which diamonds and pearls were embedded. He wanted these diamonds and pearls for his collection only. So he also sent diamonds and pearls along with the order.
One of the richest women in the world during her time
She was one of the richest women in the world of her time. He owned thousands of acres of land in Cooch Behar and its surrounding areas, had palaces in Cooch Behar itself, mansions in Kolkata and a summer residence in Darjeeling. There was a large collection of diamonds, gems, pearls and precious jewellery. He owned luxurious villas and apartments in Switzerland and France.
She was known for her luxury, fashion and expensive cars. As of today, his net worth is estimated to be between crores and billions of dollars.
He died in 1967. He lived for 76 years. Died of cancer. She suffered from this disease for a long time. Went to Europe for treatment. He died in Europe itself.