Even after India’s princely states merged into the Republic, many royal families continued to thrive, turning heritage into hospitality, legacy into business, and palaces into living museums. Here’s a look at eight of India’s wealthiest and most influential royal families where tradition still meets timeless grandeur.
The Royal Family of Jodhpur: ₹22,000 Crores
Once rulers of Marwar, the Jodhpur royals still live amid grace and grandeur. Their magnificent Umaid Bhawan Palace stands as a symbol of opulence, part royal residence, part Taj hotel. Under Maharaja Gaj Singh II, the family transformed its royal heritage into a flourishing hospitality empire, making Jodhpur’s “Blue City” even more majestic.
The Royal Family of Jaipur: ₹20,000 Crores
In the “Pink City,” the Jaipur royals continue to shape Rajasthan’s cultural identity. From the City Palace to Rambagh Palace, they’ve seamlessly turned heritage into hospitality. Young Maharaja Padmanabh Singh, polo player, model, and global icon represents a new generation of Indian royalty, blending legacy with modernity.
The Gaekwads of Baroda: ₹20,000 Crores
The Gaekwads, once among Gujarat’s most powerful rulers, reside in the grand Laxmi Vilas Palace, a home four times the size of Buckingham Palace. A testament to architectural brilliance, it remains one of the largest private residences in the world. The family’s deep connection to art, culture, and quiet luxury defines their royal life even today.
The Royals of Mewar, Udaipur: ₹10,000 Crores
The Mewar dynasty boasts a lineage over 1,400 years old, making it one of India’s oldest surviving royal houses. They continue to safeguard Udaipur’s City Palace, Fateh Prakash Palace, and a priceless legacy of Rajput valor. Through their heritage hotels, the family invites the world to experience royal tradition in its most authentic form.
The Wadiyars of Mysuru: ₹10,000 Crores
For over five centuries, the Wadiyars ruled Mysuru with wisdom and cultural vision. Their Amba Vilas Palace remains one of India’s most visited monuments, drawing millions each year. Today, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar continues the family’s royal legacy, balancing history with a modern outlook.
The Alsisar Royals: ₹3,000 Crores
From Shekhawati’s desert sands, the Alsisar family reinvented royalty for a new generation. By restoring old havelis into stunning hotels like Alsisar Mahal and Indra Vilas, they turned forgotten grandeur into living heritage. Their Magnetic Fields Festival, a blend of music, art, and culture, now attracts global audiences to Rajasthan’s heart.
The Bourbons of Bhopal: ₹1,900 Crores
A royal story that began in France and found its roots in India. The Bourbons of Bhopal symbolize a rare fusion of Indo-French heritage, with estates, art collections, and a quiet but enduring influence. Their story bridges continents and centuries, a gentle reminder of how royal history can transcend borders.
The Nawabs of Pataudi:₹800 Crores
Here, royal lineage meets Bollywood glamour. Descended from the Nawabs of Bhopal, the Pataudi family is led today by actor Saif Ali Khan. Their ancestral home, the Pataudi Palace, remains a crown jewel where old-world charm meets cinematic sophistication.
The Legacy Lives On
India’s royal families may no longer rule kingdoms, but their influence endures through architecture, culture, and enterprise. From palaces reborn as hotels to royals turned global icons, their stories prove that true heritage isn’t about power, it’s about preserving the past while embracing the present.
