Princely India

[sidney_jec]

I always knew you were chivalrous by nature Jodhu

[Yagya]

lulz

[Yagya]

Here is a nice book I read a year or two ago. It's called 'A year with the Gaekwar of Baroda'. It is a diary/account by an Englishman (i think) who went to live with the Gaekwar of Baroda. It's really interesting and gives a great insight into the life of Sayajirao and in general India and it's royalty. It's free so you can either read it online or download it.

Here is the link: http://www.archive.org/stream/cu3192...ge/n0/mode/2up

[flyinfishjoe]

One of the few things for which I admire Indira Gandhi is how she abolished the privy purse and princely titles.

[dhim100]

Originally Posted by Yagya

He doesn't seem very excited about his new "job".

Good thread.

[dayalbaba]

Originally Posted by Yagya

Well this is only the beginning Dayal baby! lulz you'll come across many example of absurd display of wealth in this thread!

Come to think of it, Maharajas were Sheikhs of their times.

I can't but think of the living conditions of the common man in that era. in the same period these people were locking up wealth in unproductive forms like jewellery there were thousands upon thousands dying of hunger.

nothing is more frightening than people in power who are cut off from their roots.

Originally Posted by flyinfishjoe

One of the few things for which I admire Indira Gandhi is how she abolished the privy purse and princely titles.

+1

[p2p4]

+1

The common man living conditions are pretty much the same outside the "Maharajas" lavish existence in Rajasthan

The one and only one Royal of the time to break the rules and break bread with the common man was Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur. Much , much has been written about how he wanted to bring a change with his 'subjects' and how he considered himself a commoner than a Royal blood - thus TRYING to break down caste barriers and bringing forth the idea of education for women.

Marathi novelists like P.L.Deshpande has written quite a lot about Shahu Maharaj in his book "MAITRA". Unfortunately and ironically, modern day Marathi readership branded P.L.Deshpande as anti-brahmin just on the basis of his good words on Shahu Maharaj's zeal to abolish casteism.

Originally Posted by dayalbaba

I can't but think of the living conditions of the common man in that era. in the same period these people were locking up wealth in unproductive forms like jewellery there were thousands upon thousands dying of hunger.

nothing is more frightening than people in power who are cut off from their roots.



+1

[Yagya]

Originally Posted by dayalbaba

I can't but think of the living conditions of the common man in that era. in the same period these people were locking up wealth in unproductive forms like jewellery there were thousands upon thousands dying of hunger.

nothing is more frightening than people in power who are cut off from their roots.

True. Infact there is a chapter in the book I posted (A year with Gaekwar) and he describes the common people and there is obviously a stark contrast. However, when I look at the jewels, palaces etc this thought is not overwhelming in my mind because I just look at the artwork gone into it and some of them are masterpieces which can't be created anymore.

Originally Posted by p2p4

+1
The common man living conditions are pretty much the same outside the "Maharajas" lavish existence in Rajasthan

You do realise that Maharajas and Nawabs didn't just exist in Rajasthan

[Yagya]

BTW incase anyone is thinking that the purpose of this thread is to glorify, then it isn't. My purpose for posting is just shed a light on that era. Please take all the stuff as historical sources to further your knowledge as well admire the art and ability of great unknown Indian artists.

[Yagya]

Originally Posted by dhim100

Good thread.

thanks.

[Euromast]

Jodhu, we all know that you like jewllery.

Originally Posted by Yagya

BTW incase anyone is thinking that the purpose of this thread is to glorify, then it isn't. My purpose for posting is just shed a light on that era. Please take all the stuff as historical sources to further your knowledge as well admire the art and ability of great unknown Indian artists.

[dayalbaba]

p^6, there have been notable exceptions, but by and large Indian rajas and nawabs of the colonial era did not care for their subjects. the reason is not hard to seek, they drew legitimacy of rule from their relation with the brits and had no requirement for loyalty from the subjects.

Originally Posted by Yagya

However, when I look at the jewels, palaces etc this thought is not overwhelming in my mind because I just look at the artwork gone into it and some of them are masterpieces which can't be created anymore.

interesting that you mention this. it's somewhat of a conundrum , if resources are limited (which is always the case) what do you spend it for. art requires patronage to flourish but that deprives people of necessities. if you spend only on bare necessities talent and culture dies out and society loses the spark to improve itself.

[Yagya]

I think one can look at it in this way: Mayawati's parks and monuments are a waste of money in a state like UP but that doesn't rule out the fact that the structures themselves are beautiful or Hitler was evil but it doesn't rule out the fact that he was a good orator. Similarly, the wealth display of the Maharajas was absurd but a lot of the things the commissioned are beautiful.

[Indian Sun]

Princely India.

[Yagya]

my favourite player.

[Euromast]

Saurabh maamuly

[Yagya]

V&A did an exhibition back in 2009 called maharaja the splendour of india's royal courts. Amazing exhibition. Here are two really nice videos on it.

[Effer]

Originally Posted by Yagya

Somebody needs to caption this pic. He looks so pissed off.

[mohammedirshad06]

H.H Sree Padmanabha Dasa Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma Maharaja of Travancore, the Last King of Travancore Kingdom and first and only Rajapramukh of Travancore-Cochin State

[mohammedirshad06]

H.H Sree Padmanabha Sevini Rajarajaeswari Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai Varma, the Queen and Regent of Council- Kingdom of Travancore