There have been countless tales of India’s Maharajas and their eccentricities. Some boast of having 100 pairs of customised Salvatore Ferragamo while some are notorious for having more than 95 wives. But one such story that shows the humiliation that Indians endured because of their colour and race is depicted from the story of Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar. It’s a tale of wounded pride and a lesson in “Respect” that echoes through time.
Jai Singh Prabhakar Bahadur known as Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar, ascended the throne of Alwar in Rajasthan at the age of 10. An alumnus of Mayo College in Ajmer, the Maharaja played a crucial role in the First World War which granted him the position of the Knight Grand Commander of the Indian Empire by the British in 1919.
As the story goes, Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar was strolling through the streets of Mayfair when he stumbled upon the Rolls-Royce showroom. His first thought was to add some beauties to his collection. The histories of colonialism and imperialism provide sufficient evidence of what transpired subsequently. The store managers disregarded him, possibly due to his race, skin tone, or appearance, believing he was incapable of affording a Rolls-Royce. He was shooed off.
Outranged by this humiliation, upon returning to India, the Maharaja ordered not one but a fleet of Rolls-Royce cars for the “Most Undignified Purpose for the said status symbols: Garbage Collection”. He did not ride any of the 6 cars that he ordered but donated them to the Alwar Municipality to sweep the streets and collect garbage as “Garbage Trucks”.
You can imagine the look of dread and dismay on Rolls-Royce when the news reached its London headquarters. Realising the damage this could cause to their reputation, the company sent their representatives to Alwar who apologised to the Maharaja and requested him to seize the use of the Rolls-Royce cars as garbage trucks.
Jai-Singh agreed only on one condition: All the people, regardless of their colour, race or appearance are treated with respect while at the showroom.
Rolls-Royce agreed and gifted the king six brand new cars, free of cost.
Sadly, this kind of treatment persists today in the metropolitan malls of India, where people make snap judgments about you based on your appearance, as well as your choice of attire, accessories, and handbags.
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