Exclusive: Did You Know India’s Youngest Maharaja Still Lives In City Palace & His Age Is Just …

If you thought Jaipur’s City Palace was simply a place to walk through grand courtyards, admire royal artefacts and imagine what life looked like in the days of maharajas, there’s a rather interesting detail that changes the picture: a Maharaja still lives here. We recently explored Jaipur’s iconic City Palace in the latest episode of Palaces of India, and behind the museum galleries and centuries-old architecture lies something more wholesome. The palace isn’t entirely a museum; a section of it remains a private royal home.

Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh Still Lives Inside Jaipur City Palace

The story of the City Palace goes back to Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who shifted his court from Amber to his newly established capital, Jaipur, in 1727. Construction of the palace began around the same time, and successive generations of the Jaipur royal family continued adding to the sprawling complex. Today, its courtyards, gateways and buildings preserve centuries of Jaipur’s royal history. 

And then there’s Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh! 

Also Read: Exclusive: THIS Part Of Jaipur’s City Palace Is Banned For The Public For A Mysterious Reason

He Became A Maharaja At The Age Of 12!

Born on July 2, 1998, Padmanabh Singh is 28 years old today. He became the titular Maharaja of Jaipur at just 12, following the death of his grandfather, Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh, in 2011. His formal coronation ceremony was held at the City Palace. 

But the intriguing part isn’t just his age. He and his family still live inside the City Palace.

Their private residence is Chandra Mahal, the towering seven-storey building at the heart of the complex. The City Palace itself describes Chandra Mahal as the royal family’s continuing residence, with portions opened to visitors through a special Royal Tour. 

And yes, this is where the palace gets particularly intriguing. Chandra Mahal houses a series of lavishly decorated rooms, including Sukh Niwas, known for its striking blue interiors. But unlike the museum spaces where visitors can freely wander, the royal residence has boundaries. Some areas remain private precisely because, well, someone actually lives there.

So while thousands of tourists enter the City Palace every day to peek into Jaipur’s royal past, somewhere within those same walls, a 28-year-old Maharaja is still very much part of its present.

Also Read: Exclusive: Decoding The Mysteries Of City Palace’s Blue Room, Mukut Mandir & Sukhnivas

Watch the full Palaces of India episode on the Curly Tales App or Curly Tales YouTube Channel.

Cover Image Courtesy: pachojaipur/Instagram and Internal

For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.