They seized one another's lands and defended them, laid waste to another's estates and died protecting them, honoured and defamed one another, rescued and betrayed one another and in glorious battle met and mangled one another. They fought over land and honour because they were warriors.
John Zubrzycki takes you through the inside stories of India's most glamorous royal family - Jaipur, in his "The House of Jaipur". This is a neat read for any history enthusiast, where you will learn more about the Jaipur royal family. The author primarily deals with the life of Sawai Man Singh II (Jai). The persona of his third wife - Gayatri Devi (Ayesha), and her mother, Indira Devi, takes a strong plot.
Zubrzycki paints a vivid picture of Jai's life, highlighting his prowess as one of the finest Polo players and his glamorous lifestyle, complete with connections to foreign celebrities. Indian independence and princely states joining the union, followed by the privy purse abolition, Jai played a diplomatic fiddle between the royals and the politicians. The unexpected death of Jai serves as a turning point, unravelling fissures within the royal family that take a legal course. Jai's unexpected death led Ayesha to be a bit disturbed and was followed by the Indira Gandhi years and emergency, where she has a story to tell.
The book offers insights into the dynamics of the Jaipur royal family's relationships with those in power, from the Mughals to the Congress and NDA. The controversial process of adoption to the throne, the underlying politics, the extravagant yet carefree lifestyle of the royal members, post-independence consolidation, the family's foray into modern electoral politics, and the subsequent litigations are explored in detail. Towards the backend, the book takes slow progress with much-unwanted detailing. Despite this, "The House of Jaipur" is a lovely craft. It provides a glimpse into a world where glittering glamour may not be as pristine as it appears. It is a recommended read for those interested in the intersection of history, politics, and royalty.
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