Prince Shivraj Singh of Jodhpur is the next titular Maharaja of Jodhpur, who reconstructed the Umaid Bhawan Palace and turned it into an ultra-luxury hotel.
The Indian royals enjoyed significant privileges in India, however, their royal powers diminished after the 26th Amendment to the constitution of India. It took away the right of former rulers to receive an annual payment from the Government of India. Many Maharajas were deprived of their titles and were only dependent on the fortunes left by their ancestors.
However, there are still many Maharajas who enjoy the life of the palace and are still enjoying the opulence. One such royal family is the Jodhpur Royal Family. The family is headed by Maharaja Gaj Singh II, who came to the titular position in 1952. He, along with his family, lives in one of the biggest private mansions in the world, the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
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Maharaja Gaj Singh II will be succeeded by his son, Yuvraj Shivraj Singh. The 48-year-old Shivraj is not only a pro at polo but is also the face of Indian Polo. Shivraj handles the family business, looking at the multiple chains of hotels. Let us delve into some lesser-known details about Yuvraj Shivraj Singh.
Born on September 30, 1975, the charming Prince of Jodhpur, Shivraj Singh did his schooling from Mayo College in Ajmer and later moved to Eton College. He also played polo for Eton. After his schooling, Shivraj pursued a degree in Business Administration from Oxford Brooks University.
After completing his graduation, Shivraj worked with the Schroder’s Bank in Geneva and London. He also worked at Jardine in Hong Kong. After his work experience in various countries, the young Prince returned to India and started looking after his family business of managing the day-to-day activities of the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
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It was Shivraj Singh, who reconstructed the centuries-old palace into a luxurious hotel with the help of the Tata Group. The renovation amounted to Rs. 10 crores approximately. Apart from Umaid Bhawan Palace, Shivraj also runs hotels like Bal Samand and Sardar Samand.
The future successor to the throne, Shivraj Singh, was introduced to Polo by his father, Gaj Singh II. Shivraj is a member of the Jodhpur Polo and Equestrian Institution Club and has a handicap of +3. He has played Polo all over the world, including in England, Australia, Europe, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Switzerland. His Jodhpur Eagles squad has won numerous accolades and tournaments.
Despite its glamour, Polo is one of the most dangerous sports, and Prince Shivraj Singh’s fatal accident is a reminder of the same. The incident happened during the Birla Cup match at the Rambagh Polo Ground in February 2005. During the match, Shivraj Singh fell from his horse when he was trying to take a near-side shot.
A rival team’s horse crashed into him because of which he lost his balance and fell on the ground. Shivraj was immediately taken to the SDMH hospital and then transferred to Sawai Man Singh Hospital, where the doctors stated that Yuvraj had suffered a brain haemorrhage and was put on a ventilator.
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He was later flown to Mumbai, where he underwent a 90-minute-long surgery at Tata Hospital. Shivraj’s accident was so fatal that his brain was pushed up against his skull, and this incident shocked the entire polo community. Though Shivraj’s surgery was successful, he remained in a coma for over two months. Eleven months later, he recovered, spoke a few sentences and moved with the help of a wheelchair.
In March 2010, the handsome Prince Shivraj Singh got engaged to Princess Gayatri Kumari Pal of Askot. The engagement was an intimate affair in the presence of Shivraj’s parents, Gaj Singh and Hemlata Rajye, and his elder sister, Shivranjini Rajye, at the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Shivraj Singh and Gayatri Kumari’s wedding on November 18, 2010, at the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur was a grand affair. A whole chartered train was booked for the baraatis. Over 300 people were invited to the wedding and were issued special entry passes. The rituals were attended by Bollywood and Hollywood stars, politicians, business tycoons and many others.
In 2011, Prince Shivraj Singh and Princess Gayatri Kumari Pal became proud parents of a baby girl, whom they named Baiji Lal Sahiba Bhanwar Baisa Vaara Kumari Rajye. In 2015, they welcomed a baby boy into their life, whom they named Raj Bhanwar Siraj Deo Singh.
Yuvraj Shivraj Singh handles the business of Umaid Bhawan, one of the world’s biggest private mansions in the world. The palace, with 347 rooms, is divided into three functional parts – the residence of the royal family, a luxurious hotel and a museum focusing on the history of the Jodhpur Royal family. As per multiple reports, the total net worth of the Jodhpur royal family is approximately Rs. 22,400 crores, and Yuvraj Shivraj is reportedly the heir of the royal wealth.
Shivraj Singh is the perfect example of a modern mindset, yet the handsome Prince is deeply rooted in his royal values and heritage.
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