History
Politics
Culture
Freedom Fighter
Indian History
Cultural Figures
Women in History
Philanthropist
Temple Builder
She was the forgotten Maharani of Gwalior.
A freedom fighter, philanthropist and a temple builder, She was the last queen of Gwalior.
She was also the Co-Founder of Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP).
This is a thread about Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia.
A freedom fighter, philanthropist and a temple builder, She was the last queen of Gwalior.
She was also the Co-Founder of Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP).
This is a thread about Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia.
Rajmata was born into a family of Rana Royals with Nepali background.
Ever since she was seven years old, she became greatly interested in Hinduism.
She performed prayers and observed Chaturmas Vrats. She used to imagine herself as Mirabai & ecstatically sing songs for Krishna
Ever since she was seven years old, she became greatly interested in Hinduism.
She performed prayers and observed Chaturmas Vrats. She used to imagine herself as Mirabai & ecstatically sing songs for Krishna
Vijaya Raje Scindia was tutored at home.
When she was 11 years old, she expressed interest in the freedom movement of India. She asked her family for permission to participate in Dandi Satyagraha.
When she was denied the permission, she secretly slipped out of the house
When she was 11 years old, she expressed interest in the freedom movement of India. She asked her family for permission to participate in Dandi Satyagraha.
When she was denied the permission, she secretly slipped out of the house
When the influence of freedom movement was felt upon her, she gave up wearing imported Saris.
She disapproved the drinking of Alcohol and took to a vegetarian diet.
She disapproved the drinking of Alcohol and took to a vegetarian diet.
At the age of 22, she was married to Jiwajirao Scindia, Maharaja of Gwalior.
Her first act after wedding was commissioning the renovation of Gopal temple of Ujjain.
Thus began a remarkable saga of temple building activities of the Maharani, unrivalled in the modern age.
Her first act after wedding was commissioning the renovation of Gopal temple of Ujjain.
Thus began a remarkable saga of temple building activities of the Maharani, unrivalled in the modern age.
Then came Independence in 1947. Congress wanted to dissolve the Scindia kingdom. Bur Scindias were adored by their subjects.
Maharaja asked Congress-"Why not ask people if they want Gwalior kingdom to be dissolved? In a democracy, they should have the right to decide that"
Maharaja asked Congress-"Why not ask people if they want Gwalior kingdom to be dissolved? In a democracy, they should have the right to decide that"
But the Congress did not want to leave the decision to the people because they knew the people would choose Gwalior kingdom.
As Rajmata herself remarks- "They wanted democracy in the place of feudal rule, but that democracy did not extend to the people of princely states"
As Rajmata herself remarks- "They wanted democracy in the place of feudal rule, but that democracy did not extend to the people of princely states"
Then came the merger of Gwalior into Indian union.
On this occasion, the Maharaja spoke to the crowd. There was a very wide cheer.
Then Nehru rose to speak up. There was a muted silence.
This irked Nehru.
"Gwalior is a perverse land where people are mired in past"- Nehru said
On this occasion, the Maharaja spoke to the crowd. There was a very wide cheer.
Then Nehru rose to speak up. There was a muted silence.
This irked Nehru.
"Gwalior is a perverse land where people are mired in past"- Nehru said
In 1956, rumors were rife that Maharaja of Gwalior had plans to join Veer Savarkar's Hindu Mahasabha.
The Scindia influence could be a setback for congress. The congress in response planned to nationalize all of Scindia's properties, effectively to turn him into a pauper.
The Scindia influence could be a setback for congress. The congress in response planned to nationalize all of Scindia's properties, effectively to turn him into a pauper.
To protect her husband, she travelled to Delhi to assure Nehru that rumors were false.
Nehru said-"If he is not against us, he needs to prove he is with us. Let him stand on Congress ticket".
Rajmata-"But he hates politics".
Nehru-"In that case, you stand as our candidate"
Nehru said-"If he is not against us, he needs to prove he is with us. Let him stand on Congress ticket".
Rajmata-"But he hates politics".
Nehru-"In that case, you stand as our candidate"
Loading suggestions...