The Last Maharani of Gwalior

An Autobiography

Edited by Vijaya R. Scindia
By Manohar Malgonkar

Subjects: India And South Asian Studies
Paperback : 9780887066597, 279 pages, September 1987
Hardcover : 9780887066580, 279 pages, September 1987

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Table of contents

Part I
In the Shadow of Nepal

1
Grandfather Khadga

2
I Become a Ward

3
My Grandmother

4
My First Proposal

5
Going to College

6
Marriage Talks

7
The Dictates of Destiny

8
I Meet the Maharajah

Part II
The Scindias

9
Mahadji Scindia

10
Daulatrao Scindia

11
Jayajirao Scindia

12
The Building of the Palaces

13
My Father-in-Law, Madhavrao Scindia

Part III
The Maharani of Gwalior

14
My Husband

15
Life as a Maharani

16
Integration

17
The Clocks are Silenced

Part IV
The Politician

18
The Tragedy of Bastar

19
Toppling

20
De-recognition of the Princes

21
A State of Emergency

22
A Guest of the Government

23
Prisoner No. 2265

24
The Parting of the Ways

Postscript

Index

Description

This is a description of contemporary India and some of its recent history in the form of an autobiography. Rajmata Scindia is a member of the Indian Parliament. As a maharani she had thousands of servants and several enormous palaces. Since Independence, which marked the end of the supremacy of the Maharajas, she has emerged as one of India's most popular political leaders, first with the Congress party and now with the opposition. Her appeal to the masses, who see her as an image of Mother India, amazes both her admirers and her critics.