Author: Gayatri Devi
Publisher: Rupa
Year: 1999
Language: English
Pages: 408
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8171673074
Description
This book presents an intimate look at the extraordinary life of one of the world's most fascinating women, and an informal history of the princely states of India from the height of the Princes' power to their present state.
Daughter of the Maharajah of Cooch Behar and widow of the Maharaja of Jaipur, she was raised in a sumptuous palace staffed with 500 servants. She shot her first panther when she was twelve. After she had won a seat in the Parliament of India, John F Kennedy introduced her as woman with the most staggering majority that anyone has ever earned in an election. She has appeared on lists of the world's most beautiful women.
Gayatri Devi describes her carefree tomboy childhood with her brothers and sisters in the palace of Cooch Behar and on their adventurous trips with their elegant mother to London and the Continent; her secret six-year courtship with the dashing, internationally renowned polo player, Jai, the Maharaja of Jaipur; and her marriage and her entrance into the glittering life of the City palace of the 'pink city' of Jaipur, where she had to adjust to unfamiliar customs and to life with Jai's two other wives.
Jai's liberating influence, combined with Gayatri Devi's own strong character, took her well beyond the traditionally limited activities of a Maharani; she founded several progressive schools and she won unprecedented success in the political arena. In recent years, Gayatri Devi has had to face tragedies as great as her former triumphs, and she writes movingly of these as well.
Elegantly produced, this book is profusely illustrated with color and B& W photographs. This book is now in its 11th edition.
Contents
PART ONE
CHAPTER I
A VISIT TO BARODA
CHAPTER II
MY PARENT'S MARRIAGE
CHAPTER III
CHILDREN OF THE NEW MAHARAJA
CHAPTER IV
FAMILY LIFE IN COOCH BEHAR
CHAPTER V
THE DUTIES AND DELIGHTS OF ROYALTY
CHAPTER VI
ENGLAND, THE CONTINENT, AND CALCUTTA
CHAPTER VII
THE MAHARAJA OF JAIPUR
CHAPTER VIII
I BECOME ENGAGED
PART TWO
CHAPTER IX
OUR WEDDING
CHAPTER X
PALACE LIFE IN JAIPUR
CHAPTER XI
WARTIME
CHAPTER XII
INDEPENDENCE
CHAPTER XIII
THE RAJPRAMUKH OF RAJASTHAN
PART THREE
CHAPTER XIV
INDIA'S NEW GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER XV
THE SWATANTRA PARTY
CHAPTER XVI
CAMPAIGNING FOR ELECTION
CHAPTER XVII
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
CHAPTER XVVIII
AMBASSADOR TO SPAIN
CHAPTER XIX
JAI'S LAST POLO GAME
PART FOUR
CHAPTER XX
FURTHER CHANGE
CHAPTER XXI
THE EMERGENCY
CHAPTER XXII
TIHAR JAIL
CHAPTER XXIII
POST EMERGENCY
CHAPTER XXIV
MY LIFE TODAY
INDEX