Gayatri Devi, often styled as Maharani Gayatri Devi, Rajmata of Jaipur, was born as Princess Gayatri Devi of Cooch Behar. She was the third Maharani of Jaipur from 1939 to 1970 through her marriage to HH Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. The royal titles and the accompanying privy purses were technically abolished through a constitutional amendment in 1971.
Following India's independence and the subsequent abolition of the princely states, she became an extremely successful politician. Gayatri Devi was also celebrated for her classical beauty and became something of a fashion icon in her adulthood.
Her father, Prince Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Behar, was the younger brother of the Yuvraja (Crown Prince). Her mother was Princess Indira Raje of Baroda, the only daughter of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, an extremely beautiful princess and a legendary socialite. Early in her life, her uncle's death led to her father ascending the throne (gaddi). Gayatri Devi studied at Shantiniketan, and later in Lausanne, Switzerland, where she travelled with her mother and siblings, then studied secretarial skills in London School of Secretaries; Brilliantmont and Monkey Club London.
She married HH Saramad-i-Rajahai Hindustan Raj Rajendra Sri Maharajadhiraj Sir Sawai Man Singh II Bahadur on 9 May 1940.
Maharani Gayatri Devi (as she was styled after marriage) was a particularly avid equestrienne. Gayatri Devi had one child, Prince Jagat Singh of Jaipur, ex-Raja of Isarda, born on 15 October 1949 , who was granted his grandfather's fief as a subsidiary title, and Gayatri Devi was called the Rajmata or Queen Mother. Jagat Singh was thus half-brother to Bhawani Singh of Jaipur.
Gayatri Devi was once included in Vogue magazine's Ten Most Beautiful Women list.
Gayatri Devi started schools for girls' education in Jaipur, most prominent of which is the Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls’ Public School. She also revived and promoted the dying art of blue pottery.
Gayatri Devi was related to several other erstwhile royal families in India, and not only the Rajput royals. Her maternal grandparents were Maharaja Sayajirao and Maharani Chimnabai of Baroda. Through marriage, she was related to Maharaja Hanuwant Singh of Jodhpur, the Maharaja of Dewas, the Maharaja of Tripura, and the Maharaja of Pithapuram in Andhra Pradesh.
She had one son, Maharaj Jagat Singh of Jaipur (erstwhile Raja of Isarda), and two grandchildren, Lalitya Kumari and Devraj Singh. She is also indirectly related to the former royal families of Lunawada and Baria.
She developed gastric problems in London and was admitted to a hospital there. She was being treated for gastric disorder at the King Edward’s Hospital in London and had expressed her desire to return to Jaipur. Gayatri Devi was flown in an air ambulance to Jaipur. She was admitted at Santokba Durlabhji Memorial Hospital (SDMH) on July 17. She passed away on July, 29th reportedly due to lung failure.
