Indian royals have often captivated millions with their opulent, glamorous lifestyles. Whenever we talk about the maharajas and maharanis, all we envision is their royal lineage, ancestral havelis, and a history filled with culture and immaculate taste. India has a rich heritage, and the royals living in this generation are proof of the same.
Despite modernism and technological advancement, these royals still advertise their roots. Be it the Maharaja of Jaipur, Padmanabh or Maharani Shivranjani Rajye, princess of Jodhpur state, these maharajas and maharanis are deeply rooted in their tradition, despite imbibing modern thoughts. One such royal pair, who were the symbols of modernity and cosmopolitanism, were Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar II and Maharani Sanyogita Bai of Indore.
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Hailed as India’s golden couple of the 1920s, Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar II and Maharani Sanyogita Bai brought glamour to the world. The Indian royals lived an incredible life and are still considered the most stylish maharajas and maharanis to this day. In many portraits, the couple was often dressed in Marathi style, with Sanyogita wearing a Marathi-styled saree while Yashwant wore a turban.
While travelling around the world, the couple showcased their fine taste in Western clothing. Yashwant had a fondness for things with a French touch. This was because of the education he received from reputed institutes like Cheam School, Charterhouse, and Christ Church Oxford. Yashwant was merely 17 when he took over the throne from his father, and his rule was termed the ‘golden period’ of Indore.
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Maharani Sanyogita Bai was just 10 years old when she married 16-year-old Yashwant Rao Holkar in 1924. Both went to Oxford University for higher education and travelled extensively across Europe and America. The two were madly in love, and Yashwant always made sure to take Sanyogita’s opinion before making any decision.
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Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar II and Maharani Sanyogita Bai’s style and sophisticated taste were evident in their dressing. He would wear sack suits and fancy evening gowns, which complemented his tall and attractive frame. Sanyogita, on the other hand, often dressed in French attire with a massive emerald ring.
Maharani Sanyogita Bai brought a revolution in fashion by not restricting herself to Indian attire. She was dressed by the likes of Vionnet, Schiaparelli, and Lanvin. The maharani, who was hailed for her exquisite fashion sense, had an extensive jewellery collection.
The couple’s style and glamour were such that when they went on their honeymoon to France, the famous visual artist, Man Ray photographed them together. Not just this, the famous French painter, Bernard Boutet de Monvel painted a double portrait of the couple in 1929 and 1934.
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The couple built their heaven, the Manik Palace in Indore. The palace was a masterpiece of architecture, furnished with pieces by Pierre Jeanneret, Eileen Gray, Le Corbusier, and Brancusi. Everything inside the palace screamed opulence. It was the first palace in India to have air conditioners and a huge ballroom with an extensive collection of the Maharaja’s jazz records.
Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar II commissioned the famous German architect, Eckart Muthesius to create his dream palace. The Maharaja and Eckart travelled to Berlin and France and handpicked some of the most elegant pieces for the Palace. The couple also had many villas along the French Riveria.
Yashwant Rao Holkar II and Maharani Sanyogita Bai led luxurious lifestyles, and their enormous wealth was estimated to be around 70 million dollars. Travelling around the world and riding in exotic cars that Yashwant got personally made in Art Deco style, everything about the couple was extremely glamorous. Not just this, the Maharaja often hosted lavish parties, where he was often seen sipping cocktails with many stars.
In 1937, Maharani Sanyogita Bai passed away due to appendicitis. After her untimely death at the mere age of 23, she left behind their infant daughter, Usha, who inherited her legacy. After Maharani’s death, Yashwant Rao Holkar married twice, but both ended in divorce. After his back-to-back divorces, Maharaja Yashwant’s title and rights were eventually passed on to his daughter, Usha, from his first marriage.
Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar II and Maharani Sanyogita Bai’s love story ended abruptly after her untimely death. Despite this, he remained devoted to her and even preserved their love for art.
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