A princess remembers ebook

After all, they WERE royal blood. Interestingly, Maharani Gayatri Devi, as an individual wasn't impressive to me at all, in contrast with what I had expected, but if that's what it takes for her to be honest, salud! Who did impress me was her mother Indira Raje--powerful woman that! Jul 27, Agrja Saxena rated it really liked it. What a remarkable lady I remember watching her interviews as a child and being in awe of her even though she was of a considerable age by then.. Dec 07, Ketki Chandavarkar rated it it was amazing.

Beautifully written Exactly how a princess lived her life and the opportunities and excess that it allows. Also the description of the indian landscape from pre to post independence is good and heart breaking. The views are from a privileged stand point and she accepts that her views are biased. But a true indian princess story..

Sep 03, Anju Vijay added it. Thought it might be clear to me in a day about how I feel about this book and I still honestly, have no clue. Gayatri Devi is the third wife of the last Maharaja of Jaipur before the coalition of princely states to Indian Union. She talks about her life in Cooch Behar and then in Jaipur after getting married.

I have heard about the wealth and luxury of the royal families and I am immensely invested in anything related to Indian Royalty. But boy was I wrong in estimating the royal life they had. I always thought I can rate an auto biography but I am unable to do so here. This could be because of some of the conflicting opinions I had regarding their actions and the feeling that some part of it was being exaggerated. Nevertheless, she was one of the biggest critics of Congress and has talked about their corruption and malpractices that used to go on.

I enjoyed this part but I am also mesmerized by her childhood and basically anything royal which is pretty much most of the book. I am left with a deep desire to visit Jaipur and I definitely will. Jul 03, Aditi Kudalkar rated it it was amazing Shelves: memoir-diary-autobiography. Exciting, fascinating, warm, exquisite, emotional, heartbreaking.

Dec 04, Aradhita rated it it was amazing. I guess the ideal way to review a book would be to mention how it made you laugh and cry with the narrator, how it was so well written, you felt you could relate with her even though she was a Maharani, actually quite unrelatable with your mundane life. But I'll take the easy way out and just say that this is hands down one of the best autobiographies I have ever read.

Oct 16, Sonam Dubey rated it really liked it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and was able to view and picture how royals used to live. Start of this book was very fascinating than the end. This book has beautiful photographs as well. However I feel not much information has been shared about Gayatri Devi's son in this book. Overall a good read and a must book in your shelf. Nov 17, Simran rated it really liked it. It's like magic when words can make your imagination run.

It's like escaping into another world. The memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur had the power to spill this magic. Her childhood infatuation turning into lov It's like magic when words can make your imagination run. Her childhood infatuation turning into love for the Maharaja of Jaipur, the kiddish girly day dreams, the secret courtship and the actual day of the wedding after a lonnnggg wait.

Her story is nothing less than a fairy-tale. There is no doubt about the fact that she was indeed a great lady, who not only was one of the most beautiful women of her times, who not only lived a lavish life, but also worked endlessly for the good of her people. After her childhood and marriage, she goes on to describe in detail the time of Indian Independence.

Through her words, one can actually feel what the Indian Independence had done to the lives of the Royalty. She also gives a critic on the new government and way of life after independence. And later, the abolition of the Privy Purse and other privileges for the Princes.

It was hard to imagine before reading her memoirs , that the rulers of the former Princely States would have gone through such a drastic change. But ruling family members like the Maharani Gayatri Devi, did not give up the opportunity to work for the welfare of their former subjects. She went on to play an active role in politics, doing as much as she could. Though her way of writing is good in the sense that it is simple and detailed, the only thing I did not quite like about her memoirs is the way in which she described the death of her family members.

There seemed to be no strong sense of emotion in here words. Even when she described the death of her Husband. Much better was expected, keeping in mind the fact that the Maharani is greatly educated from institutions all around the world , and also spent time in Shantiniketan, in contact with Rabindranath Tagore.

Keeping aside the little flaws, The Maharani has done commendable justice to her memoirs. A life so lavishly lived, a life that went through such drastic changes and yet lived with a kind heart is worth reading and appreciating. May her soul rest in peace. Jun 23, Prabhat sharma rated it really liked it Shelves: completed. Date of birth She has narrated her childhood at Palace in Cooch Behar and travels in Europe and UK with her parents and other siblings.

Here she along with her studies, she practiced equestrian, Polo and participated in Shikar in forests. She was his third wife. First important event described is independence of India, after which her State merged with Rajputana.

Second event is when elections are declared in She contests for the post of Member of Parliament. She convenes meetings with people of her constituency and visits various people. She has described them as a poor but they are dressed in coloured clothes and have dressed their animals.

After election, she has described that all her sisters and other Kings and families attended Parliament as visitors. Fourth, in she rejects to join ruling party Congress and contests as member of Swatantra Party. Her husband is made ambassador of India to Spain. She lost but she won election to the post of Member of Parliament. Fifth, In emergency was declared under the Constitution. She was arrested and put in Tihar jail in New Delhi for violation of tax laws.

After 5 months, she was released. She retired from politics. It is a worth reading book. Sep 24, Megha Tyagi rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites. To begin, reviewing this book is quite emotional as a sensitive reader and a native from Rajasthan. The book cover simply says it is a memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur. But, honestly it offers much more than simply a recount of this charismatic women's life journey in the royals of India.

I would like to divide the review into two parts. The first part begins with a marvelous introduction of a royal world way beyond our imaginations. It brings to life all those fairy tales we used to hear in ou To begin, reviewing this book is quite emotional as a sensitive reader and a native from Rajasthan. It brings to life all those fairy tales we used to hear in our childhood. It reconfirms on solid account that yes the Indian kingdoms were glamorously rich, traditional and quite enormous of their time.

Maharani's childhood days give the readers a detailed glance into the travels, parties , restrictions, traditions, hunts and a number of incidences of the life of royal families in 's. Her sensational yet immensely beautiful romance and later wedding with the late His Highness Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur creates a perfect mood of awe and praise for the couple. It introduces the personal understanding between them and constantly mentions the supportive nature of His Highness as a husband and a friend.

This part deals with the concerns and issues faced by the Maharani in entering into a new city with different culture and even language. The second part however makes the book as the one with a very sad ending.

The crumbling powers of the erstwhile rulers of princely states, the unacceptable political motives of the new government and the incapabilities of the Maharani to cater to the needs of her own people in the city of Jaipur.

The tragic death of His Highness is what marks the end of this women's energy and the desire to move on with life. Her life revolved around her Maharaja. At every point of her life since she was 12, he was there as the wind beneath her wings. It is quite difficult to describe the pain with which she must have written the last chapters of the book. But, nevertheless, I would like to recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the great history of our country, story of a courageous women and a beautiful love story in our recent past.

Dec 22, Marcia Hartsock rated it really liked it. This is a fascinating book about a long gone era. Gayatri Devi's memoirs capture the details of a life few people ever led, that of an Indian Maharani, but her experiences before Indian's independence are all the more compelling when contrasted to her life since Having spent time in Jaipur myself, and now having in-laws there, this account makes me even more interested in Jaipur's history over the last century.

India, like every country with a long history, cannot be understood from one acc This is a fascinating book about a long gone era. India, like every country with a long history, cannot be understood from one account or perspective, and these memoirs provide a viewpoint that seems to be lacking in other accounts I have read of the relationship between the princely states and British India, and later, the New Delhi government of independent India.

The author proudly defends her husband, the last Maharaja Man Singh, his relationship with his subjects and the leadership he provided for the improvement of the city he loved. She was much more independent that prior Maharanis, eventually lived outside of 'purdah', and ran very successfully for political office.

Like others active in political opposition to the government, she was imprisoned during Indira Ghandi's State of Emergency, and spares nothing in her criticism of Mrs. Ghandi's leadership. The book was published in , so her last words from the early s are not hopeful for India, particularly the region of Jaipur. She passed away a few years ago, and it would have been nice to hear if she felt any better about the direction of her country in her last decade.

In the book she laments that the former grounds of the Rambagh Palace converted to a luxury hotel by her husband were acquired by the government for housing and commercial activity. She suggests that the land be converted to a public park, which indeed it now has become - Central Park. Dec 01, Hazeanni rated it it was amazing Shelves: asia-and-asian-literature , non-fiction , history , memoir-autobiography , favorites , royal-court-and-courtiers.

A very engaging and fascinating memoir of the world most beautiful woman, Maharani Gayatri Devi, the Rajmata of Jaipur. It's offering rare glimpses on her parts of historical India back from the period of princely rule to her retirement from politics post Indira Gandhi.

Her Highness used lots of nicknames here. Ayesha - Herself. The story was, prior to A very engaging and fascinating memoir of the world most beautiful woman, Maharani Gayatri Devi, the Rajmata of Jaipur.

The story was, prior to her birth, her mother reads a novel by Rider Haggard and decided to name her newborn after the heroine. Being told that it was a Moslem name, and priest consultation concluded that her daughter auspicious name should start with the alphabet G, Ayesha remained as her calling name.

Jai - Man Singh II, her consort. Her eldest brother. Bubble - Bhawani Singh, Maharaja of Jaipur. Pat - Prithviraj Singh, Jo Didi second son.

Mickey - Prem Kumari. The story began with an exciting journey to Baroda located in the northeastern part where her maternal grandparents reigning as the Gaekwad of Baroda and the Maharani Consort.

I felt transposed to the Laxmi Palace while listening to her breeze and beautiful descriptions. On the second chapter, her mother got betrothed to the Maharaja of Gwalior who already had a wife. As the only princess of a premier Maharaja marrying a childless Maharaja of another premier state, this kind of alliance was highly desirable. The marriage prospects greatly to the advantage of Princess Indira Raje; especially after the birth of heir to the throne of Gwalior later.

But the princess thought otherwise. She fell in love with a younger brother of the Maharaja of Cooch Behar which she met during the Delhi Durbar. To break the engagement, she wrote to her betrothed, informing His Highness, that she didn't want to marry him. An unprecedented action among Indian royalty. Then, she demanded to wed her beloved and met with disapproval. Only after 2 years, her parents finally relented but on condition, they would not take any part on the wedding.

I think it's written in the destiny that Indira Raje will become a Maharani. Barely 3 weeks, the newlyweds received news of the death of the groom's elder brother. With it, her husband ascended the throne as the Maharaja Jitendra Narayan. Now, her part began with the childhood memories in Cooch Behar. I liked the fact that her reminiscence properly captured the household, everyday life, environment and surrounding without being overdone. She alternated that with brief history and anecdotes when appropriate.

A smooth writer. I managed to unravel something here. In her grandmother's memoir Sunity Devi , the cause of death of Maharaja Rajendra Narayan her eldest uncle was vague at best. Here, the reason given was alcoholic abuse due to broken heart of non-permission to marry Edna May, an English actress. Everybody knew she shot her first leopard at the age of twelve.

Upon reading, I realized it's a part of royal duty in Cooch Behar as much as it was a royal leisure. A princess remembers: the memoirs of the Maharni of Jaipur , Vikas Pub. House Pvt, Ltd. A princess remembers: The memoirs of the maharani of Jaipur , Anchor Books. A princess remembers: the memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur , Lippincott. A princess remembers: the memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur , Tarang Paperbacks. People Gayatri Devi Maharani of Jaipur Places India. Times 20th Century India.

Edition Notes Includes index. Classifications Dewey Decimal Class G36 A36 Community Reviews 0 Feedback? Loading Related Books. House Pvt, Ltd in English. Growing up as a princess in Cooch Behar in eastern India's north with wealthy parents, travel on India's elite polo circuit, time in England, France and all over Europe with servants, saris and an attentive and loving family, one would might anticipate a boring biography. It was a very interesting autobiography of the then Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur.

Toward the end it was a painful read as I totally share her views of the deteoration of the lovely Pink City of Jaipur and the State of Rasjesthan. No one would like to see palaces, gardens, forts.