Broke off engagement with Madho Rao Scindia for love marriage, used to wear diamond- studded shoes, all about India’s bold maharani, name is…

Rajkumari Indira Raje, later known as Maharani Indira Devi after she became the queen of erstwhile princely state of Cooch Behar, was a true rebel at heart, and did things which many women wouldn't dare to even in modern times.  

In an era where women, regardless of family, status, or wealth, were looked down upon and treated as second-class citizens, especially in developing nations like India, Rajkumari Indira Raje, the then princess of the erstwhile princely state of Baroda, became a trailblazer for modern women.

Rajkumari Indira Raje, later known as Maharani Indira Devi after she became the queen of erstwhile princely state of Cooch Behar, was a true rebel at heart, and did things which many women wouldn’t dare to even in modern times.

The rebellious princess, regarded by many as “most beautiful Indian woman” of her times, defied her parents by calling off her engagement with Madho Rao Scindia, the crown prince and future king of Gwalior, to marry the partner of her choice, Prince Jitendra Narayan, who later went to become the ruler of Cooch Behar.

Let us find out more about the amazing life and times of Maharani Indira Devi;

Who was Maharani Indira Devi?

Born on February 19, 1892, Rajkumar Indra Raje was the princess of Baroda and daughter of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, and his second wife Chimnabai,

Indira famously broke off her engagement to Madho Rao Scindia, the Scindia crown prince who later became the Maharaja of Gwalior, and reportedly ran away from home to marry her boyfriend Jitendra Narayan, against her parents’ wishes.

Later, Indira Raje became Maharani Indira Devi, after Jitendra Narayan ascended the throne of the princely state of Cooch Behar in British India. and became the Maharaja following his brother’s passing.

After her husband’s demise, Indira Devi became the Queen Regent of Cooch Behar in 1922-1936 as her elder son, Jagaddipendra Narayan, was a minor at the time. Indira’s fourth child and second daughter, Princess Gayatri Devi, would later go on to become the Maharani of Jaipur.

Maharani Indira Devi died in 1968, at the age of 76.

Maharani Indira Devi love story

The love story of Maharani Indira Devi has become immortal, because in that era, it was uncommon for women, especially those from affluent families, to defy their elders, but Indira Raje was a woman born way ahead of her time.

Indira’s love story began in 1911, when she met Jitendra Narayan, the younger brother brother of the then Maharaja of Cooch Behar, at Delhi Darbar. The two fell in love and decided to get married, but there was one major hurdle standing between happily ever after; Indira Raje was engaged to be wed to Scindia crown prince, Madho Rao Scindia.

Indira realised that her parents would not allow her to marry Jitendra because it would sour relations between the Scindias of Gwalior and the Gaekwads of Baroda. Besides, the Gwalior royal family was considered one of the elite dynasties in India, and calling off the engagement would have stirred a giant controversy.

Additionally, Jitendra was the younger brother of the Maharaja, and could not claim the throne, so Indira decided to null the engagement with a bold and courageous move– she wrote a letter.

The (in)famous letter

During those times, it was unheard of that an 18-year-old princess would dare to defy her parents and marry someone against their wishes, but Indira was no ordinary princess. The bold young woman penned a letter to her fiancee, narrating the entire situation about how she fell in love and why she could not marry him.

In response, Indira’s father received a single-sentence telegram from the Maharaja of Gwalior, asking “What does the princess mean by her letter?”. The revelation shocked her parents but the Maharaja of Baroda wrote back to Gwalior in an exemplary fashion, signing off his response letter as “your son”.

‘Happily ever after’

While Indira’s parents backed their daughter against the Scindias, they were still opposed to her marrying Jitendra Narayan, as they considered him to be a playboy from an unworthy family. Indira’s family even summoned him and personally warned him to stay away from their daughter.

However, the young lovers were adamant, and eventually Indira’s parents allowed her to leave her home and marry Jitendra if she wished. Indira and Jitendra tied the knot at hotel in London where no family member from the bride’s side was present.

The couple lived a blissful life, and Jitendra would later become king after his older brother and then Maharaja of Cooch Behar, Rajendra Narayan, died due to an illness.  However, soon, Maharaja Jitendra would also pass away, reportedly due his excessive drinking habits.

After her husband’s demise, Indira Devi acted as the regent of Cooch Behar, till her son came of age. The gorgeous queen spent most her life in Europe and was famous for her active social life and lavish parties.

‘Goddess of Fashion’ who wore diamond-studded shoes

Maharani Indira Devi has been dubbed as the ‘Goddess of Fashion’ by many biographers. The stylish Indian Maharani is said to have popularised chiffon sarees, and reportedly used to wear diamond-studded sandals worth crores of rupees, imported from Europe.

According to one account, Maharani Indira once placed an order for 100 pairs of sandals with a famous Italian shoemaker Salvatore Ferragamo, some of which were studded with diamonds, pearls and other precious gemstones.

An unparallel beauty, Maharani Indira Devi was considered as the most beautiful woman in India at the time. Biographers have revealed that the young queen was a true fashionista who was in touch with the latest European and American fashion, and always wore the latest designer dresses.

It has also been documented that the Queen loved to gamble and was quite a party animal, throwing lavish parties for her friends in Europe, that included top Hollywood A-listers of the time.