Long live the queen: Behind every successful king was an unsung, but equally intriguing queen

Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, née Princess Ayesha of Cooch Behar. Derek Adkins, d. 1951 (Photos courtesy: MAP/Tasveer)

Updated on: Nov 05, 2015 5:28 PM IST

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Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, née Princess Ayesha of Cooch Behar. Derek Adkins, d. 1951 (Photos courtesy: MAP/Tasveer)

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Maharani Vijaya Raje Scindia of Gwalior, née Lekha Divyeshwari Devi. Hamilton Studios, c. 1940s. The Maharaja of Gwalior decided to look amongst his subjects for a bride after his engagement to a princess of Tripura was broken off. Her uncle had sent her photograph, the Maharaja saw it and took a liking to it. They were married within a month of their first meeting. She spent time in the Tihar jail along with Gayatri Devi during the Emergency (Photos courtesy: MAP/Tasveer)

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Nawab Begum Sajida Sultan of Bhopal, also Begum of Pataudi. KL Syed & Co., c. 1938-1940. She was the last Begum of Bhopal; she was also the Begum of Pataudi by marriage. With this photograph, you can see the newer lighting techniques coming into play. Light and shadow began to be used prominently to produce visual effects in photographs. (Photos courtesy: MAP/Tasveer)

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Princess Rafat Zamani Begum or Bari Begum Sahiba of Rampur, formerly of the Najiabad Family. Kinsey Studios, Delhi, c. 1960. Of particular significance in this photograph is the jewellery, possibly redesigned by European jewellers — the Begum wears a striking diamond necklace and an eye-catching tiara. (Photos courtesy: MAP/Tasveer)

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Maharaj Kumar Rani Sita Devi of Kapurthala, among the peonies. Cecil Beaton, 1937. Known as the ‘Pearl of India’, she met Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli and influenced her design. American lyricist Ira Gershwin wrote a song for her. She was also committed to the abolishing of purdah. (Photos courtesy: MAP/Tasveer)

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Maharani Chimnabai II of Baroda, née Shrimant Gajrabai Ghatge of Dewas Sr. Lala Deen Dayal, 1891. Married at a young age, she was encouraged by her husband to study. Due to her active work, Baroda was the first state to abolish purdah. She was the first president of the All India Women’s Conference. (Photos courtesy: MAP/Tasveer)