A King's Travel Diaries

All of 20, he has travelled to over 30 countries. A professional polo player, intrepid traveller, and style maverick—His Highness Jaipur Padmanabh Singh invited T + L India & South Asia over to the City Palace, Jaipur, for a conversation on his escapades.

- Aindrila Mitra

There’s something quintessentially royal about the Pink City—be it the architectural marvels, the rich cuisine, or the Rajputs who nurture their roots in history. It’s a city that has always mesmerised and overwhelmed me at the same time—enchanting in its opulence, and awe-inspiring when it comes to the prominence given to heritage and lineage, even in everyday life.

This is, therefore, no ordinary day. I am meeting the Maharaja of Jaipur, Padmanabh Singh, at his residence, the City Palace, right in the heart of Jaipur, opposite the iconic Jantar Mantar. Featured in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list, all of 20 years and fondly called Pacho by his friends and family, His Highness Jaipur is leading every traveller’s dream. Polite to a fault, always composed, but seriously passionate about polo and travel, Pacho is upfront. “Travel is freedom. Sometimes, when I have nothing pressing to do and have time, I take out the map, point to a place, and I’m there before you know it! I enjoy that freedom—without too many responsibilities, doing what you like teaches you so much about yourself.” But at the nearly 300-year-old City Palace, he’s the King. “My favourite section in the palace is Sukh Niwas, where my grandfather (the late Bhawani Singh) used to live, and now I do. We’ve had really opulent Balls there.” Indeed, the guest list of these events included the likes of Oprah Winfrey and the Prince of Wales.