The queen ended her relationship with Scindia of Gwalior and had a love marriage, used to have diamonds and pearls embedded in her sandals

Maharani Indira Devi was one of the most beautiful women of her time. She was considered the goddess of fashion. When she broke off her engagement with the Maharaja of Gwalior and entered into a love marriage, it caused a stir in the royal family, as such a thing was completely unexpected in a royal family. This Maharani was both a fashion icon and a celebrity who partied in Europe.

The Maharani we're talking about was a bold princess of her time. And she proved this not once but many times. When she was a princess, she had no shortage of enamored princes. Her marriage was arranged with Maharaja Madho Rao Scindia of Gwalior, one of India's most powerful princely states. She was 18 at the time, and the Maharaja was 38. But she fell in love with someone else. She made a bold decision, breaking off the relationship. She went to London and married the man she loved. This Maharani was so fashionable and ostentatious that she had precious diamonds and gems embedded in her sandals. She was also a fashion diva of her time.

We're talking about Maharani Indira Devi. Born in 1892 to Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda and Maharani Chimnabai, she went to study in London. Indira was extremely beautiful. From a young age, several Indian princes courted her. At the age of 18, she was engaged to Madho Rao Scindia, who was then 38. Gwalior was one of India's most powerful princely states. But something else was to happen. Something that would create a stir among all the princely states of the country.

Engaged to someone but in love with someone else

In December 1911, when Indira Devi accompanied her younger brother to the Delhi Durbar, she met Prince Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Behar. Indira had been engaged for a year. However, after this meeting, the princess and Jitendra Narayan fell in love. Jitendra had a reputation as a playboy prince at the time.

Indira Devi was a striking beauty. She was considered one of the most beautiful women in the country at the time. She was the mother of Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur. She was also known as the Goddess of Fashion. She was the true queen who popularized the chiffon sari. She ordered a renowned Italian shoe manufacturer to make 100 pairs of sandals, some of which were encrusted with diamonds and precious stones.

Broke the engagement by writing a letter to the Maharaja of Gwalior

Jitendra was the son of King Nripendra Narayan of Cooch Behar, now a district in West Bengal. Indira Devi knew that breaking off the engagement would bring considerable disgrace. Her parents would be displeased, but she personally wrote to the Maharaja of Gwalior and broke off the engagement. This shook the Baroda royal family, and other royal families also reacted sharply.

Married in London against the wishes of parents

Indira's parents accepted the broken engagement with the Gwalior royal family, but they were absolutely not willing for their daughter to marry Jitendra. They warned Jitendra to stay away from their daughter. But all this failed, as Jitendra and Indira were determined to marry each other.

Indira's parents sent her to Europe, hoping that her time away would dispel the ghost of love, but this did not deter her. She married Jitendra in London. No member of her family attended the wedding.

Became the ruler of Cooch Behar after the death of her husband

Shortly after his elder brother's death, Jitendra became the Maharaja of Cooch Behar. Indira became the queen of the princely state. They had five children: Jagadipendra Narayan, Indrajitendra Narayan, Ila Devi, Menaka Devi, and Gayatri Devi. It's only a twist of fate that Maharaja Jitendra also passed away a few years later. Excessive drinking was a major factor. The queen became the regent of Cooch Behar, as her eldest son was still a child.

She used to throw big parties in Europe

From 1922 to 1936, she served as regent for her minor son, Jagadipendra. Her reign proved both efficient and modern. She spent much of her time in Europe, where the Queen threw lavish parties and was quite popular. She was close friends with many Hollywood stars, many of whom frequently attended her parties.

The story of diamonds and pearls embedded in sandals

The story behind the diamond and pearl studs in her sandals is also unique. The Italian company she commissioned to make 100 pairs of sandals and shoes was Salvatore Ferrogamo. This company was considered the most famous designer firm of the 20th century. Even today, the company has luxury showrooms all over the world.

Italy's Salvatore Ferragamo was one of her favorite Western designers. Salvatore wrote in his autobiography that the Queen once placed a shoe order with his company, including a pair of sandals studded with diamonds and pearls. She wanted these diamonds and pearls for her own collection. So, she sent the diamonds and pearls along with the order.

One of the richest women in the world in her time

She was one of the wealthiest women in the world of her time. She owned thousands of acres of land in Cooch Behar and its surrounding areas, including a palace in Cooch Behar, mansions in Kolkata, and a summer residence in Darjeeling. She had a vast collection of diamonds, gems, pearls, and precious jewelry. She owned luxurious villas and apartments in Switzerland and France.

She was known for her luxury, fashion, and expensive cars. Her net worth is estimated to be between tens of millions and billions of dollars today.

She died in 1967. She lived for 76 years. She died of cancer. She suffered from this disease for a long time. She went to Europe for treatment. She died there.

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