Vintage Vignettes … from a Princely State

By R.G. Singh, Secretary, Ramsons Kala Pratishtana

The 1938 wedding of Prince Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar with Princess Satyaprema Kumari of Jigni was a week-long affair held from 13th May to 20th May. The main celebration was on the 15th May at the Peacock Pavilion. As stated in Vintage Vignettes 31.8.2026, the Royalty of Princely States under the Central India (CI) Agency attended the wedding which is evident from several of photographs in which men in traditional Rajput wedding gear are seen at multiple events.

The CI Agency administered the Bundelkhand region which included several States, Estates and Principalities. The gun-salute States by order of precedence included Datia and Orchha (15 gun-salutes), Ajaigarh, Baoni, Bijawar, Charkhari, Panna, Samthar (11 gun-salutes), Alipura, Beri, Bihat, Chhatarpur, Garrauli, Gaurihar, Jigni, Lugasi, Naigaon Rebai and Sarila (no gun-salute).

Pic.1: H.H. Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV with Lt. Col. H.H. Maharaja Lokendra Shri Sir Govind Singh Ju Deo Bahadur, G.C.I.E., K.C.S.I. of Datia, who attended the wedding. They are seen seated on Victorian style cushioned chairs in front of the steps of Lalitha Mahal Palace.

The Lalitha Mahal Palace building (constructed in 1931) is a majestic two-storied composition of double iconic columns and domes which are shimmering white in an Italianate palazzo style. The structure is set in a sprawling terrace with landscaped gardens which is set on a ridge commanding a panoramic view of the gently sloping and curving valley at the foot of Chamundi Hill. Many European and other royalty, which were a part of the wedding party, were hosted at this Palace.

Pic.2: Rajput royal men from some of the Principalities of CI and European guests on the steps leading to the landscaped gardens.

Pic.3: Some more Rajput royal men, a few seated and a few more standing, in front of the raised platform on which the groom Prince Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar is seen seated along with his father, the Yuvaraja H.H. Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar, at the Public Durbar Hall (Diwan-e-aam)during the pre-wedding rituals. [Photographs Collection: Private]