Vijayaraje Scindia

Vijayaraje Scindia Biography

Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia was the Rajmata of Gwalior till 1970 as consort of the last ruling Maharaja of Gwalior Jivajirao Scindia and was a prominent Indian political personality. She ranked among the highest royal figures of the princely states during the time. After abolish of special rights of Royal families, she was active in politics and well known for her administration. She was a member of the Jana Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Based on her biography, Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi written by Mridula Sinha, a film has been made. Her children too are active in politics. Prominent political figures - Madhavrao Scindia, Vasundhara Raje and Yashodhara Raje are her children. Her relationship with her husband is the best instance of the Indian ideal of perfect harmony. Jivajirao Scindia died in 1961. Both her daughters had troubled married life and are divorced.

Vijayaraje Scindia was born as Lekha Divyeshwari in 1919 at Sagar of Madhya Pradesh. She was the child of Thakur Mahendra Singh and Chuda Deveshwari. Her mother died at the time of her death and she was raised in the household of her maternal grandparents. Her father was a deputy collector in the provincial administration. Young Lekha was deeply influenced by her grandmother, Rani Dhan Kumari and her personality made a long lasting impact on Lekha's personality. Though born in an aristocratic family, Lekha received a relatively normal upbringing and a standard education. She received education from her home initially and later studied at Vasanta College, Benares, and the Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow living in hostel.

It was during her stay at hostel, when Independence movement was very active in India. Lekha was so influenced by her grandmother that she gave up the use of foreign goods and fabrics. In 1941, at the age of 22, Lekha was married to Jivajirao Scindia, Maharaja of Gwalior and assumed the name 'Vijayaraje Scindia'. After the death of her husband, she entered administration and politics. Vijayaraje was initiated into electoral politics in 1962.

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Updated: April 02, 2014