The Enigmatic Life of Princess Gayatri Devi: A Royal Love Story

A Glimpse into the Life of Princess Gayatri Devi

Princess Gayatri Devi, affectionately known as Ayesha, was the youngest daughter of Maharani Indira Devi and Maharaja Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Behar, a princely state in Bengal that held a prestigious 13-gun salute in the British hierarchy. Indira Devi's marriage was a sensational topic, as she wed against her parents' wishes after breaking off an engagement. Gayatri Devi inherited her mother's fierce spirit and determination.

At the tender age of 12, she first encountered Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur, who was 21 at the time and visiting her father's estate, the Woodlands Palace in Calcutta, now known as Kolkata. The Maharaja, affectionately called Jai by his friends, was not only charming but also a prominent polo player, and young Gayatri found herself infatuated with him. In her autobiography, A Princess Remembers: The Memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur, she reminisced about the excitement that filled the air when sixty of his stunning polo ponies arrived from Jaipur, with their grooms donning vibrant Rajput turbans. She described his flirtatious nature and low, drawling voice as irresistibly attractive.

At the time, Jai was already married, yet he professed his love for Gayatri and expressed to her mother, Indira Devi, his intention to marry her once she matured. Indira Devi was against this relationship due to Jai's existing two wives, fearing her daughter would become the third. Gayatri's brother also cautioned her about Jai's reputation as a womanizer, to which she confidently replied that he would no longer need to be one after their marriage.

Their romance blossomed in secrecy. While studying in London, Gayatri would meet Jai, and when she turned 16, he proposed to her, which she gladly accepted. In 1940, Princess Gayatri of Cooch Behar wed the Maharaja of Jaipur, becoming his third wife in a grand ceremony. Among her wedding gifts was a Bentley from the Nawab of Bhopal, reflecting her love for luxury cars.

Unlike the Maharaja's first two wives, who adhered to strict Rajput customs and purdah, Maharani Gayatri Devi became his public companion, showcasing her progressive upbringing. She quickly became a celebrated queen, known for her hospitality towards visiting dignitaries. Together, they had one son, Jagat Singh.