In a bold editorial, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi recently called India’s erstwhile kings “pliant maharajas,” accusing them of being subjugated by the East India Company. The statement sparked an uproar across the country, particularly from the royal families of India, who have condemned his remarks as an inaccurate portrayal of history and a blatant attempt to malign their legacy.
A Backlash from the Royals
Among the most vocal critics was Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, granddaughter of Man Singh II, the last Maharaja of Jaipur, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her disapproval. “I strongly condemn Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to malign the erstwhile royal families of India. The dream of an integrated India was only possible because of the utmost sacrifice of the royal families,” she said, adding that Gandhi’s “baseless allegations” were rooted in a “half-baked interpretation of historical facts.”
I strongly condemn Mr RahulGandhi’s attempt to malign the erstwhile royal families of India in an editorial today.
The dream of integrated India was only possible because of the utmost sacrifice of the erstwhile royal families of India.
Baseless allegations made on the basis… pic.twitter.com/7uy23Q6I1w
— Diya Kumari (@KumariDiya) November 6, 2024
Those who sell hatred have no right to lecture on Indian pride and history. @RahulGandhi ’s ignorance about Bharat’s rich heritage and his colonial mindset have crossed all limits.
If you claim to ‘uplift’ the nation, stop insulting Bharat Mata and learn about true Indian heroes… pic.twitter.com/GedmGkYw1r
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) November 6, 2024
Similarly, Vikramaditya Singh, former Congress leader and grandson of Maharaja Sir Hari Singh, the last ruler of Kashmir, criticized Gandhi’s “superficial understanding of history.” Singh highlighted that many Maharajas had humble origins as soldiers or farmers who fought hard to establish and defend their kingdoms, rather than being mere puppets of the British.
“Mr. Rahul Gandhi, coming from such immense privilege, should be aware of the colossal contributions these Maharajas made to the Republic of India,” Singh remarked, citing Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu and Kashmir, who rose from humble beginnings to unify the region as part of India.
Defending the Royals’ Legacy
Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, scion of the 1,500-year-old House of Mewar, also condemned Gandhi’s views, underscoring the vital role royal families played in India’s governance. “Throughout history, the royal families have embodied a spirit of cooperation in governance rather than resorting to exploitation. They were protectors of their people and essential in shaping India’s economic, cultural, and political landscape,” he asserted.
Chaitanya Raj Singh of the former royal family of Jaisalmer labeled Gandhi’s claims as “baseless and unacceptable,” urging the leader to “look into the pages of history” and remember who truly played a part in uniting India.
Moreover, Shrimant Gayatri Raje Puar, a BJP leader from Dewas’ former royal family, criticized Gandhi’s portrayal of the royals, stating, “These Maharajas safeguarded our heritage, sovereignty, and culture at great personal cost, giving us ‘Akhand Bharat.’” She added that dismissing this legacy was a disrespect to India’s cultural heritage.
The Controversial Editorial
In his opinion piece, Gandhi compared the East India Company’s domination of India to the monopolistic pressures in today’s business world. He argued that India’s historical silencing by the British was due to the Company’s partnership with “pliant maharajas and nawabs,” who were bribed and threatened into submission. Gandhi used this analogy to critique modern monopolies that, he claims, have undermined India’s institutions and economy.
“The original East India Company wound up over 150 years ago, but the raw fear it generated is back. A new breed of monopolists has taken its place,” he wrote, further accusing modern business oligarchies of having a stranglehold on the nation, stifling competition, and deepening inequality.
Royal Families’ Contributions to India’s Unity
Despite the criticisms, royal family members argue that Gandhi’s portrayal of their ancestors is not only historically inaccurate but also offensive. They emphasize that the royal families were instrumental in the creation of a unified India, often standing as bastions of local governance and cultural preservation. Leaders like Vikramaditya Singh and Yaduveer Wadiyar, scion of the Wadiyar dynasty of Mysore, have pointed out the pivotal roles their families played in the fight for independence and the consolidation of India post-independence.
Maligning the royal families, many argue, overlooks their immense contributions, which include the unification of diverse regions under the Indian flag, contributions to India’s socio-political landscape, and cultural preservation during a time of colonial exploitation.
The Call for Unity
This controversy has once again drawn attention to the long-standing debate about India’s colonial history, the role of the royal families, and their contributions to the country’s independence and post-independence identity. Critics of Gandhi’s editorial argue that such statements undermine the legacy of the very people who helped shape modern India.
The royal families, with their deep historical roots and contributions to India’s heritage, are calling for a fairer representation of their role in history—one that acknowledges their sacrifices and their invaluable contributions to the unity and sovereignty of India.
As the debate intensifies, it is clear that the historical relationship between India’s royal families and the British Empire is far more nuanced than the portrayal offered in Gandhi’s editorial. Only time will tell if this controversy leads to a deeper understanding of India’s royal past or continues to fuel the political and historical divides that have persisted over the decades.