Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Maharani of the former princely state of Baroda, is facing significant backlash for her remarks suggesting that Indian royal families experienced financial difficulties after the abolition of the privy purse.
The “privy purse” referred to the financial allowances provided to the former rulers of princely states in India during the early years of independence. These allowances were determined by the size and status of the princely states. In 1971, the privy purse was abolished as part of a broader policy to reduce royal privileges and promote egalitarianism in the country. Many royal families, who relied on these funds to maintain their luxurious lifestyles, were immediately impacted financially.
Radhikaraje Gaekwad’s statements about royal families having to sell properties and valuables to survive after the abolition of the privy purse did not garner any sympathy.
Gaekwad recently made these controversial remarks on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast. “After Indira Gandhi removed the privy purse, it was difficult,” she told the podcast host. “It became difficult for our families to run their household.
“For example, some families had to sell their silver and gold utensils, their thrones, some had to sell their houses,” she said.
The Maharani of Baroda mentioned that royal families felt a sense of shame when selling their possessions. These valuables were often sold at a fraction of their actual value because royals could not sell them openly, she added.
A clip from her longer video was widely shared on X. “Are we supposed to feel sorry or something?” asked one X user in a post that has received over half a million views.
Are we supposed to feel sorry or something? pic.twitter.com/qlIobzd06p
— O 🏳️🌈 🇵🇸 (@chippdnailss) July 26, 2024
Many comments echoed similarly negative sentiments. Some accused Indian royal families of collaborating with the British, while others pointed out that these families built their empires on the backs of poor peasants.
“I have read stories of families who had to sell daughters to make the ends meet but these people wants us to feel sorry for not being able to chip in to sustain their lavish lifestyle,” one X user commented.
“Did she really mention a throne among the list of things they had to sell? What about those who don’t have thrones to sell,” another asked.
“All these royal families who remained unharmed until Independence were British loyalists. When people were dying of famine and drought, they still wanted all the luxury,” X user Sushmita wrote.
Radhikaraje was born into the princely family of Wankaner, Gujarat. She married Samarjitsinh Gaekwad of Baroda.
