7 Royal Families of India and Where They Are Today

Before India became a unified nation, it was a collection of princely states and kingdoms ruled by various royal families. In 1971, all the royal titles were officially abolished, but even though the thrones vanished, the echoes of royalty still grace the nation’s soul.

Many royal families in India still exist today, from the Mewar Royal Family to the Royal Family of Jaipur and the Jodhpur Royal Family. These families live quietly among everyone else, holding on to their traditions even as they move with the times. So let's dive deeper and take a look at the 7 royal families of India and where they are today.

The Mewar Royal Family is one of the oldest surviving dynasties. Their roots trace back to the 7th century under the Guhila dynasty and later the Sisodia dynasty. 

The Mewar dynasty is famous for its fierce resistance against Mughal invasions, especially under Maharana Pratap, who is celebrated as a symbol of Rajput valour and independence.​

Rana Sriji Arvind Singh Mewar was managing trustee of the Mewar family’s assets, overseeing the City Palace of Udaipur, which is run as a heritage museum and luxury hotel under the HRH Group of Hotels. 

He, however, passed away in March 2025, and his son, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, was coronated as the new head of the Mewar family and is involved in continuing the heritage and cultural legacy at the palace.

Now the City Palace of Udaipur is managed by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF).

The Jaipur Royal family is led by Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh, who ascended the throne in 2011 as the 12th Maharajah of Jaipur and head of the Kachwaha Rajputs. 

This family continues to preserve and maintain its heritage while also adapting to contemporary India. They engage in charitable work, modern public roles and actively participate in social, cultural, and political activities.

Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur is pretty well-known today for her political work and her efforts to empower women.

Many palaces tied to Jaipur’s royals now run as heritage hotels, still offering that royal-style welcome. The Raj Palace in Jaipur, which was turned into a luxury hotel in 1996, stands out for its over-the-top luxury—gold accents, antique furniture, and massive chandeliers.

Through preservation and public involvement, the Wadiyar family has maintained their historic legacy as they have evolved from ruling monarchs to cultural guardians and social figures. From the fourteenth century until the middle of the twentieth century, they ruled the Kingdom of Mysore.

The current head of the Wadiyar family is Maharaja Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar. Yaduveer is the 27th Maharaja of Mysore and was adopted by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar following the death of her husband, Maharaja Srikantadatta Wadiyar. He is descended from the Mysore kings.

He is currently actively involved in Indian politics and public service as a Member of Parliament for the Mysore constituency.

Their palace, also called Mysore Palace or Amba Vilas Palace, was rebuilt multiple times during the course of the five centuries. The palace is now incredibly well-known for its magnificence and for holding the Mysore Dasara festival, which preserves the royal customs.

The Rajkot Royal Family belongs to the Jadeja Dynasty. Thakore Saheb Mandhatasinhji Manoharsinhji Jadeja currently heads this dynasty. He is the 17th titular king, and now he manages a chain of heritage hotels. He is also active in public and cultural affairs.

Their ancestral home, the Darbargadh Palace in Rajkot, still stands as a reminder of their royal roots. This palace is currently being converted into a Museum ready to welcome visitors by 2025.

This museum will showcase the rich 400-year-old history of the Rajkot princely state, featuring vintage cars, paintings, textiles, weapons, and even its connection to Mahatma Gandhi.

The Jodhpur Royal Family belongs to the Rathore Dynasty. It is currently led by Gaj Singh II, who still reside in the Umaid Bhawan Palace. This palace is divided into three parts: the family's private residence, a Taj-operated luxury hotel, and a museum showcasing royal artefacts, vintage cars, and heirlooms.

Together, Gaj Singh II and his children make sure the palace stays beautiful while managing its hotel operations.

The family also take an active role in festivals such as Marwar, keeping Rajput pride and local culture alive at the fort and palace.

There’s always something happening in Jodhpur from cultural programs, design workshops, and celebrations that show off its royal charm.

The Gaekwad dynasty ruled Baroda from 1721 to 1947, spanning 226 years. This dynasty is known for its forward-thinking reforms, especially under Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, who pushed to modernise education, government, and industry.

The family now reside in Lakshmi Vilas Palace, which remains a symbol of their royal legacy. Did you know this palace is one of the largest private homes in the world? They were the former rulers of Baroda, and as of 2025, they continue to maintain their prestigious heritage and residences.

Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad and her family are working to preserve their heritage, participating in cultural projects and community work around Vadodara. The Gaekwads put real effort into protecting their history, especially with the renovation of the 90-year-old Kirti Mandir.

In the past, they had some legal disputes over their vast real estate and assets, but now the issues has been resolved.

The Pataudi family ruled the princely state of Pataudi in present-day Haryana from 1804 to 1971. Their royal line links to Faiz Talab Khan, an Afghan Pashtun and the first Nawab of the Pataudi family, who rose to power under the British East India Company and has roots tied to the Lodi dynasty era.

Saif Ali Khan, a famous Bollywood actor, was ceremonially crowned as the 10th Nawab in 2011 after the death of his father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who was the 9th Nawab.

Saif owns the ancestral Pataudi palace and uses it as the family's private residence, and plans to create a family archive there to celebrate their royal legacy.

Right now, the Pataudi family is caught in a legal fight over the Pataudi Palace, which is said to be worth about ₹800 crore. The government has tagged it as “enemy property” because one of their ancestors, Abida Sultan, moved to Pakistan in the 1950s.

The Travancore Royals have a deep connection with the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of India’s richest and most sacred places. Even today, the family keeps their spiritual and cultural heritage alive in Kerala.

The Bikaner Royals, part of the Rathore clan, are famous for building Junagarh Fort and Lalgarh Palace. They made strong ties with both the Mughals and the British over the years. Till today, the royal family keeps their old traditions alive.

The Alsisar Royals ruled Shekhawati for over 500 years and were part of the Shekhawat Rajput clan. Their old palace, the 17th-century Alsisar Mahal, is now a beautiful heritage hotel.