In a March 10 Instagram video shared by The Established, Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh, affectionately known as ‘Pacho’ — the 26-year-old titular head of the erstwhile Jaipur royal family — offers an intimate look into Chandra Mahal, the private residential wing of the iconic City Palace in Jaipur. Also read | Inside the royal life of princess of Mewar Padmaja Kumari Parmar: From memories of City Palace to fashion and cuisine
While millions of tourists flock to the palace’s public courtyards annually, the upper floors of the Chandra Mahal remain a sanctuary of living heritage, where the echoes of an approximately 300-year-old dynasty meet the pulse of modern life. “Very little of the City Palace is as it was originally conceived. As the palace grew, as the family grew, as the dynasty, they added different parts to City Palace,” Padmanabh shared in the video.
The decor: a masterclass in Rajasthani opulence
The video reveals a palace that is far from a stagnant museum. The interiors of Chandra Mahal are a vibrant tapestry of Jaipur’s artistic legacy. Perhaps the most striking setting in the video, the blue room features the signature ‘Jaipur blue’ and white floral motifs. The walls are adorned with intricate stucco work and hand-painted creepers that mirror the city’s famous pottery.
Gilded frames house sepia-toned photographs of Padmanabh’s grandparents, providing a poignant backdrop to his stories. These personal artefacts sit atop marble-topped consoles, surrounded by heirloom furniture that blends Mughal and European aesthetics. The footage captures the rhythmic beauty of scalloped arches, mirrored ceilings (Sheesh Mahal style), and massive brass-studded doors. The courtyards feature tiered marble fountains and lush bougainvillaea, maintaining the ‘garden city’ vision of Jaipur’s founders.
Amidst the history, contemporary touches — like Padmanabh’s own collection of books and sleek eyewear — reflect a residence that is actively lived in and curated for the 21st century.
The most touching revelation in the video is the continuity of tradition. Padmanabh speaks of his grandmother, Rajmata Padmini Devi, with whom he continues a symbolic New Year’s Eve dance — a tradition started by his grandfather.
More about Padmanabh and the Jaipur royal family
The Jaipur royal family, belonging to the Kachwaha Rajput clan, traces its lineage back to the sun god, Surya. Their history is inextricably linked to the city itself, founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. Despite the formal abolition of princely titles in India, the family remains the cultural and spiritual heart of Jaipur.
Sawai Padmanabh Singh was crowned in 2011 following the passing of his grandfather, Sawai Bhawani Singh. He is a world-class player, carrying forward a family tradition most famously championed by his great-grandfather, Sawai Man Singh II.
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