Gayatri Devi: A tale of true Indian royal beauty

She was born as the Princess of Cooch Behar on 23rd May 1919 to parents, father Prince Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Behar, West Bengal, and mother Maratha Princess Indira Raje of Baroda at London.

All her life she was fondly addressed as 'Ayesha' by her closed ones.Prince Jitendra was second in line to throne after his elder brother, and Princess Indira was the only daughter of her parents. Indira was an epitome of beauty.

Gayatri Devi was very young when her uncle died and the royal 'Gaddi' was bestowed on her father, making her the heiress of Cooch Behar.

Gayatri Devi had always been very simple, polite and cute li'l girl of her parents. She was sent off to Glendower Preparatory School at London for studies.

She was further sent to University of Lausanne at Switzerland, where she stayed for a while with her mother and other siblings.Gayatri was now becoming an elegant lady, she first met her future husband Sir Sawai Man Singh II when she was just 12.

Sawai Man Singh II was already married twice when Gayatri Devi fell in love with him. Gayatri Devi soon married Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and was later bestowed with titled Maharani Gayatri Devi.

Gayatri Devi was an example of striking beauty and was also seen as an elegant horse rider & star wife of a polo player.

Being a Maharani didn't deter Gayatri Devi to push out through the traditionally limited activities of Princess's of those times.

She remained a philanthropist all her life and dedicated all her efforts to abolish purdah' system on women, aware women about their empowerment and education.

The charismatic beauty of Jaipur Royal, Gayatri Devi was seen as striking women of international glamour and proficient political courage.She won her place in the list of World's Top Ten Beautiful women in Vogue.