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They lived in fairy-tale palaces, amassed untold fortunes in diamonds and precious stones, maintained fleets of Rolls-Royces, and travelled in specially appointed train carriages, arriving in the capital Delhi to the sound of thunderous gun salutes. They had the power of life and death over their subjects, and thousands of minions attended to their every need.
On the eve of Indian independence in 1947, India's 562 princes occupied nearly half its landmass and ruled over a third of its population. As Britain's most loyal allies, they were virtually untouchable - only those who committed the most heinous of crimes were censured, or, in the rarest of cases, removed. In the endgame of empire, however, they were the biggest losers, and three-quarters of a century later, all but the richest, and the most politically active, live ordinary and mundane lives.
On the eve of Indian independence in 1947, India's 562 princes occupied nearly half its landmass and ruled over a third of its population. As Britain's most loyal allies, they were virtually untouchable - only those who committed the most heinous of crimes were censured, or, in the rarest of cases, removed. In the endgame of empire, however, they were the biggest losers, and three-quarters of a century later, all but the richest, and the most politically active, live ordinary and mundane lives.
Did India let down the maharajahs?
Posted from bbc.comPosted in these groups: 
India
World History
India World History
Posted 10 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Indian boy king's warm friendship with British Queen
Undeterred and flush with a two-thirds parliamentary majority after the 1971 elections, Gandhi successfully introduced a bill into the Lok Sabha to amend the constitution and strip the princes of their titles, privileges and privy purses. As far as she was concerned, the time had come to end "a system that has no relevance in our society".
Few Indians mourned the passing of the princely order and the cries of betrayal emanating from the former durbar halls ring hollow in today's world. Unlike Britain, monarchy has no place in India's democracy. Yet, the means to this end was often twisted. When the cards were dealt, the princes were given an unfair hand."
..."Indian boy king's warm friendship with British Queen
Undeterred and flush with a two-thirds parliamentary majority after the 1971 elections, Gandhi successfully introduced a bill into the Lok Sabha to amend the constitution and strip the princes of their titles, privileges and privy purses. As far as she was concerned, the time had come to end "a system that has no relevance in our society".
Few Indians mourned the passing of the princely order and the cries of betrayal emanating from the former durbar halls ring hollow in today's world. Unlike Britain, monarchy has no place in India's democracy. Yet, the means to this end was often twisted. When the cards were dealt, the princes were given an unfair hand."
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