BARODA, STATE NEW NAME VADODARA

BARODA STATE NEW NAME VADODARA

Baroda State was a former Indian State. Vadodara's more recent history began when the Maratha general Pilaji Gaekwad conquered Songadh from the Mughals in 1726.[12] Before the Gaekwads captured Baroda, it was ruled by the Babi Nawabs, who were the officers of the Mughal rulers. Most notably, from 1705–1716, Sardar Senapati Khanderao Dabhade led the Maratha Empire forces in Baroda. Except for a short period, Baroda continued to be in the reign of the Gaekwads from 1734 to 1948.

Initially detailed to collect revenue on behalf of the Peshwa in Gujarat, Pilaji Gaekwad remained there to carve out a kingdom for himself. Damajirao, who was son and successor of Pilaji Gaekwad, defeated the Mughal armies and conquered Baroda in 1734.[12] His successors consolidated their power over large tracts of Gujarat, becoming easily the most powerful rulers in the region.

After the Maratha defeat in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761,[12]

control of the empire by the Peshwas weakened as it became a loose confederacy, and the Gaekwad Maharajas ruled the kingdom until it acceded to Independent Republic of India in 1949. In 1802,[12] the British intervened to defend a Maharaja that had recently inherited the throne from rival claimants, and Vadodara concluded a subsidiary alliance with the British that recognised the Kingdom as a Princely state






Kirti Mandir, the cenotaph of the Gaekwads in Baroda.
See also: Gaekwad dynasty
Pilaji Rao Gaekwad (1721–1732)
Damaji Rao Gaekwad (1732–1768)
Sayaji Rao Gaekwad I (1768–1778)
Fatehsinh Rao Gaekwad I (1778–1789)
Manaji Rao Gaekwad (1789–1793)
Govind Rao Gaekwad (1793–1800)
Anand Rao Gaekwad (1800–1818)
Sayaji Rao II Gaekwad (1818–1847)
Ganpat Rao Gaekwad (1847–1856)
Khande Rao Gaekwad (1856–1870)
Malhar Rao Gaekwad (1870–1875)
Sayajirao Gaekwad III (1875–1939)
Pratap Singh Gaekwad (1939–1951)

Fatehsinghrao Gaekwad II (1951–1988)

The Grand Indian Maharani - Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda

The Grand Indian Maharani - 

Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda

The Grand Indian Maharani

This is a fairytale that can certainly only be re-lived by poring over the pages of a magazine or book because they don’t make them like her any more— Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda was one of the most opulent, charming, and bold Indian Maharanis to have ever lived in the history of Indian royalty. She was a true connoisseur of luxury and the finer things in life. She lived a colourful and carefree life and was part of the international jet-set who adored her for her exoticism and bold personality.    - Suneela

Early Life
Born into the Southern royal family of Pithapuram, daughter of Sri Raja Rao Venkata Kumara Mahipati Surya Rau Bahadur Garu and his wife Sri Rani Chinnamamba Devi of Mirzapuram --- a huge zamindar family in Andhra Pradesh, Maharani Sita Devi was married off into another zamindari family at an early age, as was custom to her generation, to M.R. Apparao Bahadur of Vayyur.

Stroke of Destiny
As with almost everything in life, destiny plays a huge role in who one meets and it was no different for Sita Devi who happened to have caught the fancy of Maharaja Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad of Baroda one fateful day at the Madras Races, which was the beginning of a life of extravagance and incessant worldly pleasures, where the world was her oyster.

The Chase
The Maharaja was the eighth richest man in the world

and a father to eight children, yet this did not stop him from vigorously pursuing Sita Devi. She eventually fell for his charm and made sure she put his money to good use in the form of jaw dropping diamonds and expensive attire.The couple had to flout a number of anti-bigamy laws and religious practices in order to get married. The Maharaja’s legal team even counselled them that in order to be able to marry, Sita Devi must convert to Islam, so as to dissolve her marriage with her first husband and be able to marry Maharaja Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad. This was of course just a formality in order to be legally married, however, it didn’t go down too well with the British Viceroy.

New York, London, Paris, and Monaco
The couple frequently travelled to attend events of the international crème de la crème at various fashion capitals of the world; however, they chose a mansion in Monte Carlo as their base because of the privacy it gave them.

Modern Maharani
At a time when most Indian women and Maharanis were photographed with their heads demurely covered and erred on the side of conservatism, the bold and stunning Maharani Sita Devi went against the norm and was often seen at the Waldorf Astoria of New York or The Dorchester of London, with her hair thrown back to show off the stunningly grand earrings and necklaces, and hands posed so as to show off her bracelets and rings to best effect. The Maharani also enjoyed the occasional cigarette, and believe it or not, even her cigarette holder was studded with rubies.

Jewels and Clothes
Sita Devi was part of the international jet-set and when she travelled, she did so in style – with no less than a thousand French chiffon sarees and trunk loads of precious jewellery. The Maharani possessed a spectacular collection of jewellery, famous among which were the Baroda pearls – an unparalleled seven-strand necklace of priceless Basra pearls which were made famous on her neck at multiple international events, and a three-strand diamond necklace with the Star of the South, a 128.80 carat Pink Brazilian diamond, and the English Dresden: a 78.53 carat diamond. Since the Maharani was truly an international doyenne, she frequented world renowned jewellers like Harry Winston, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels. In fact, Van Cleef & Arpels endearingly referred to her as ‘Mrs. Brown’ because of her dusky complexion. The Maharani took her opulence and love for jewels so seriously that she also commissioned gold tongue cleaners from Van Cleef!

There is also an interesting story of the Maharani at a ball at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, and her reaction on seeing a pair of her former diamond and emerald anklets on the neck of the Duchess of Windor—Wallis Simspon. While everyone was oohh-ing and aah-ing at Wallis’s necklace, Sita Devi made sure it was known that that very piece looked great on her ankles in the past, to which the Duchess immediately returned the necklace to Harry Winston.

Unfortunate End

In spite of all the luxuries and money in the world, Sita Devi’s life ended rather traumatically. She divorced her husband in 1956, and although she continued to live lavishly, she was known to be lonely. The biggest blow of her life came on the night of her son, Princie’s 40th birthday, as he committed suicide in his apartment in Cannes. Her life in a gilded cage came crashing down, and soon after, Sita Devi also died at her apartment in Paris.

MAHARANI SITADEVI OF BARODA the "Indian Wallis Simpson" INTERESTING LIFE STORY OF HER

MAHARANI SITADEVI OF BARODA 

 the "Indian Wallis Simpson"

INTERESTING LIFE STORY OF HER 

Maharani Sita Devi Sahib of Baroda, born to Telugu family on 12 May 1917 in Madras, India, died 15 February 1989 in Paris, France.[1]

She was known as the "Indian Wallis Simpson".[2] 

She was a colourful lady who led an extravagant life for over 40 years[2] and was a member of the international jet set. 

Biography

Sita Devi was the daughter of the Maharaja of Pithapuram – 

Sri Raja Rao Venkata Kumara Mahipati Surya Rau Bahadur Garu and his wife Sri Rani Chinnamamba Devi of Mirzapuram.

Sita Devi first married M. R. Apparao Bahadur, Zamindar of Vuyyuru.[2] By him she had one child Rajah M. Viduth Kumar Apparao.[3]

She met her second husband, Pratap Singh Gaekwar of Baroda, at the Madras horse races in 1943.[2]

The Gaekwad was, at that time, considered the eighth richest man in the world. It was also reported he was the second richest Indian prince.

The Gaekwad was mesmerised by Sita Devi. The lovers consulted with his legal team. The lawyers recommended that the Hindu Sita Devi convert to Mohammedanism.[2]

That would dissolve her marriage to the Zamindar under Indian law. She embraced Islam only to then adopt Hinduism once again. The Gaekwad took her as his second wife in 1943, which caused consternation with the British authorities, as this violated the antibigamy laws that the previous Gaekwad of Baroda enacted. 

The British Viceroy in New Delhi summoned the Gaekwad to contest this marriage. The latter argued that the law applied to the subjects of Baroda, and that he being their monarch was exempt from this law. This was confirmed by the Viceroy's legal advisers. The British government accepted the marriage, but didn't refer to the Maharani as "Her Highness" as was the protocol for the consorts of rulers of princely states.[2]

In 1946, the Gaekwad took his second wife on a tour of Europe. The reason for their visit was to find a suitable residence away from India.

[2] They found that the independent principality of Monaco was a suitable place to set up their second home. They bought a mansion in Monte Carlo and the Maharani took up permanent residence there.

[2] The Gaekwad visited often, bringing some of the great treasures of Baroda to Monaco.

The Maharani became the custodian of these treasures.[4]

The couple also made two trips to the United States after the war. They went on a spending spree, buying all types of luxurious items. It was widely reported they spent $10 million on one of those trips.

Indian officials audited the principality's finances. They concluded the Gaekwad had taken several large interest-free loans from the Baroda treasury. They demanded that these be returned. The prince complied by making several payments from his $8 million-a-year income.[2]

The princely couple transferred a copious amount from the Baroda treasury, including some of its most famous jewellery, including four celebrated pearl carpets,[4]

a famed seven-strand necklace of priceless pearls (called the Baroda pearls), 

a three-strand diamond necklace with the famous Pink Brazilian Star of the South 128.80-carat (25.760 g) diamond and

 the English Dresden 78.53-carat (15.706 g) diamond. The princely couple also had custody of the Empress Eugenie diamond. 

When Baroda was integrated into the newly independent India, Indian officials were eventually able to recover some of the items, but some of the jewels had been transferred to the Maharani's ownership.

Years after the Maharani's death some of the precious items were discovered. 

In 1994 the pearl carpet was found in a Geneva vault.[4]

It was sold to an Arab prince for $31 million.[2]

Currently this carpet is displayed at the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, in Qatar, even though it was commissioned by an Indian Hindu Maharaja and not by an Islamic ruler. 

The Star of the South and other gems were located with jewellers in Amsterdam.[2]

Eventually, India, due to the discrepancies and possible fraud, deposed the Gaekwad in 1951 and his eldest son by his first wife succeeded him. Technically, the couple were not heads of state any longer, but they insisted on still being referred to by their former titles.[5]

She gave the Gaekwad one son, born in 1945, his name was Sayaji Rao Gaekwad (8 March 1945 – 8 May 1985). 

Nicknamed "Princie",[6] 

he was the apple of her eye. She attended some of the most exclusive events on the globe[7] and partied with other international luminaries, e.g. Aristotle Onassis.[8]

In 1953 the Maharani sold a pair of bejewelled anklets to Harry Winston. They had several large emeralds and diamonds. 

The jeweller set these stones into a spectacular necklace that was bought by the Duchess of Windsor Wallace Simpson. 

The Duchess wore this to a 1957 New York ball also attended by Sita Devi. When other guests were admiring the necklace. The Maharani was heard to exclaim that those jewels looked just as nice on her feet. The embarrassed Duchess returned the necklace to Winston.[9]

 The Maharani was a car enthusiast and was reportedly very fond of her Mercedes W126, which was custom made for her by Mercedes-Benz. At the 1969 Ascot Gold Cup she invited guests to touch the 30-carat (6.0 g) sapphire on her right hand for good luck.[5]

 Esquire Magazine included Sita Devi and Princie on its list of "fun couples" for 1969.[5]

Sita Devi divorced the Gaekwad in 1956. He promptly moved to London.[10]

Even after the dissolution of her second marriage, she clung to her exalted title. Her Rolls-Royce still sported the armorial insignia of Baroda. 

She would reminisce about the days when she was referred to as royalty and received 101-gun salutes. Prince Rainier awarded citizenship of Monaco to both Sita Devi and Princie.[11]

 She maintained a Paris apartment as well. She continued to live in grand style, drinking Baron de Rothschild's Bordeaux, rearranging her Louis XVI furniture and attending exclusive parties. When travelling she brought along a large wardrobe, reported to be a thousand saris, hundreds of pairs of shoes and of course her jewellery.[5]

But her finances were eventually reduced enough for her to secretly auction some of her beloved jewels in 1974.[11]

The Maharani suffered a tragedy in 1985, when Princie committed suicide one night when after his 40th birthday. His death was attributed to alcoholism and drug addiction.[9]

 Sita Devi died four years later of natural causes. Some speculated it was due to a broken heart.

Titles

    1917–1935 : Maharajkumari Sita Devi of Pithapuram

    1935–1943 : Her Highness Rani Sita Devi, Rani of Vuyyur

    1943–1989 : Her Highness Maharani Sita Devi Sahib Gaekwad, Maharani of Baroda

3. Sita Devi of Baroda

Known as ‘Indian Wallis Simpson’, Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda was always into the luxurious life and her love for having or buying luxurious items evidently prove that.  She was known for her meticulous detail to fashion as it was said that she used to travel with a thousand of saris with matching handbags and shoes.

Akshay Chavan, a royal enthusiast and amateur historian in Verveonline –

    “She loved her jewels and she knew how to capture attention.  At a time when most Indian women and maharanis were photographed with their heads demurely covered, she was often seen at the Waldorf Astoria or The Dorchester, her hair thrown back to show off earrings and necklaces, hands posed so as to show off her bracelets and rings to best effect. Even her cigarette holder was studded with rubies.”