Have you or your parents ever hosted Royalty before ?
By veejay19
@veejay19 (3589)
India
June 11, 2010 2:41am CST
Before India achieved independance, the country was divided into very small states or kingdoms ruled by Kings.After independance these kings or Rajahs lost their kingdoms but were compensated by money paid monthly and known as Privy purses.These kings were allowed to retain their palaces and also any land that they owned.
In 1954 i was 9 years old and living in an apartment in the city of Bombay with my parents and grandparents.Once a Rajah or ruler of one such small kingdom from the state of Rajastan had some work in Bombay. He had 2 daughters who wanted to accompany him also and were excited when he said yes.However there was a hitch.Since he was staying in a hotel and would be out the whole day he did not want to leave his girls all alone there. He asked one of his friends who knew my dad whether he could leave his daughters with somebody trustworthy and my dads friend recommended us.
So the king with his daughters came to our house with his friend.I remember the girls had headscarves and thin semitransparent veils covering their faces.they were to stay with us for a week.After making them comfortable the Rajah left and no sooner he went the girls whose names were Roopa and Rani removed their veils.They were fair and beautiful.roopa the elder was 19 and tall and slim whereas rani was a little short and chubby but still pretty.Both had long and dark flowing hair.Roopa was quiet and rani was cheerful,talkative and friendly.However they both settled down and became like our family.they were used to a regal lifestyle but in our house they adapted quickly and won our hearts.they loved me very much and used to keep me on their laps everytime.In the evenings my mom,me and the girls would go for walks in the nearby gardens and everybody would gape at their beauty.
finally the day of departure came and the Rajah took all of us to the Tajmahal Palace Hotel and we had a sumptous dinner there.The next day he came to pick them up and the girls hugged all of us and cried as though they were leaving their own family behind.After they were gone we never heard or saw them again.By now they must be grandmothers, in their 70`s and God knows where.Well what do you think?
2 people like this
8 responses
@sindhusha (180)
• India
11 Jun 10
hai bhoot unkle,It's a fantastic story.It must be quite thrilling and refreshing to think of them after these many years.You have got fantastic experiences.Thank you for sharing.:)
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
12 Jun 10
hi chickoo, yes i remembered this story after a long time.I was too young and very innocent too at the age of 9.If i had been a little older i would have taken more interest in them.Its very rare to find 2 lovely girls dumped on you from nowhere and your not reacting,huh? By the way, my "friend" did not show up last night.Boo hoo hoo sob !!!
@sindhusha (180)
• India
13 Jun 10
Oh thank you for the word "friend"......... By the way I've got a message from our friendly ghost and I've been talking to him.So I forgot to show up that night.Any way what a friendly ghost.......Really.
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
18 Jun 10
This is really wonderful, worth remembering.. I had the opportunity of shaking hands with Chacha Neheru, when he came here to inaugurate Hirakud Dam.
Thanks for sharing.
Welcome always. 
Cheers.
Professor
Cheers.
Professor
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
18 Jun 10
My uncle,ie my father`s cousin was the Deevan of Sikkim before it became apart of India.Then he became Lt Gov of Arunachal Pradesh followed by that of Pondicherry.He was also one of the directors of RBI.Another uncle was Secy of Cultural Affairs in N. Delhi and later on became Permanent Rep of India in UNESCO in Paris. He is now retired and living in America.
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
11 Jun 10
An experience worth cherishing, no doubt. We’ve never entertained royalty, neither do we feel ourselves capable enough of taking up the task. In one way I think you people were lucky…most royalty supposedly have a lot of attitude and its quite a nightmare hosting them even for a few hours…however, I feel good pedigree has prevailed here and the girls certainly knew the meaning of the best of etiquette and manners…but I also feel they were genuinely good at heart too!
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
12 Jun 10
Yes, they were very good hearted and very sporting too.In those days we had only one bed in the house on which my aged grandpa slept.We all slept on the floor.The princesses very sportingly slept on the floor on simple cotton mattress without the slightest murmur and also ate the simple food that we offered them.This showed the upbringing that they had.After they left the Rajah sent my dad a letter of appreciation too. He had offered my dad money too but it was refused.We treated them like our family and thats why they were happy with us.
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
12 Jun 10
Interesting story. Not something likely to happen in the US. The only royalty we've ever had here was of the various native American tribes, and sad to sad to say,they were treated in a much less civilized manner than as you did in India. Also, I doubt that any 9 year old American boy would consent to being held in anyone's lap. He would quickly tell everyone that he was not a baby.
@commanderxo (1494)
• Canada
11 Jun 10
Wow, that's quite an amazing story.
Perhaps, you might seek out the Rajah's friend who knew of your father, or, simply ask your father, (if he's still alive - no disrespect), to which either of them "may" know of a way in which you could reconnect?
...or...
Perhaps India may keep some sort of archive listing of former Kings, that might reveal their present address? Most, if not all cities, do keep historical records.
If either of these suggestions are in any way possible, then I wish you every success in locating your friends. I think it would be truly wonderful if you were able to see each other again.
Good luck, & cheers;
cdrxo
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
11 Jun 10
That must be really awesome to hosts a royalty in our house(i loved that).
My grandfather once elected as the president of their company's labor union,and i remember the late president of my country coming to our house,but i was too small during that time (maybe 4 yrs old) that,i can't remember too well.
Only photos give me remembrance of the event.
Thanks for sharing your experience dear friend
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
11 Jun 10
An experience worth cherishing, no doubt. We’ve never entertained royalty, neither do we feel ourselves capable enough of taking up the task. In one way I think you people were lucky…most royalty supposedly have a lot of attitude and its quite a nightmare hosting them even for a few hours…however, I feel good pedigree has prevailed here and the girls certainly knew the meaning of the best of etiquette and manners…but I also feel they were genuinely good at heart too!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
11 Jun 10
Wow, your story sounds like a beautiful fairy tale although it is true. That would have been such a nice experience to have royalty stay at your house especially two beautiful young women. It would be interesting to see whether they remember their stay with you, they probably have very fond memories of it. Thanks for sharing your nice experience...
