India's Most Beautiful Women Who Shine Through Their Souls

From exquisite beauty to unmatched class, Royal India has always been the enigmatic front of the country. Princess Diya Kumari and her daughter Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur exemplify this and much more.

- Anshu Khanna

Regal, Royal India has historically been the true custodian of all things fine. The most natural and refined practices of living emerged inside royal palaces, chalets and havelis. Self-care and beauty practices helming this quest towards using nature’s bounty for selfhealing and adornment.

Folklore of hamams filled with rose petals, the practice of solah shringaar, and the endearing smoke of a lubaan, gently adding fragrance to the Maharani’s cascading hair. Or even the ritual of lining her eyes with kohl, to not just make them a river of expression but also free of evil eye.

Not just beautiful, but also brave, women of princely India were legendary figures. Those who defined history through their pristine beauty and strength of character and grit to live life queen-size, besides being the crowned angel who transformed the lives of their people, their praja. However, in 21st century democratic India, it is rare to see royal scions who continue to be leaders in their own right, living by their principles and bettering the life of the many who look up to them in reverence.

Femina catches up with two such women, Princess Diya Kumari and her young daughter Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur, who are graciously taking the tradition of royal patronage forward, the care and protection, which their ancestors were known for. One of the few 19-gun salute states, Jaipur’s rulers were known to rule through their heart, making the pink city emerge as a culture and craft centre of Northern India.