The Gaekwad dynasty of Baroda ruled the princely state from 1721 to 1949 and remains, by inheritance, one of India's most prominent royal families. The current titular Maharaja is Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, who succeeded his father in 2012.
The Family's Roots: The Maratha Gaekwads
Founded by Pilaji Rao Gaekwad in 1721 as a Maratha Confederacy holding, the kingdom of Baroda became one of pre-Independence India's largest and most progressive princely states under Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III (reigned 1875–1939), who pioneered free education and women's rights.
Recent Generations
Maharaja Pratapsinh Gaekwad (1908 – 1968) — last fully reigning Maharaja.
Maharaja Fatehsinh Gaekwad (1930 – 1988) — titular Maharaja 1968–1988.
Maharaja Ranjitsinh Gaekwad (1938 – 2012) — Samarjitsinh's father; titular Maharaja 1988–2012; painter.
Samarjitsinh Gaekwad
Maharaja Samarjitsinh Pratapsinh Gaekwad, born 7 August 1967 — heads the family since 2012.
He played first-class cricket for Baroda through the 1990s. He is also Chairman of the Banyan Tree group and a board-level figure in multiple businesses.
His Wife: Maharani Radhikaraje
Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad, born 25 May 1978 in Wankaner, Gujarat, is from the Wankaner royal family. A former journalist (Indian Express, India Today), she has become one of the most internationally visible Indian royal figures. They married in 2002.
Their Daughters
Princess Padmaja Raje Gaekwad, born June 2005.
Princess Narayani Raje Gaekwad, born November 2007.
The Gaekwad Family Tree at a Glance
Dynasty: Gaekwad of Baroda, since 1721.
Father: Maharaja Ranjitsinh Gaekwad (1938 – 2012).
Maharaja Samarjitsinh Gaekwad:
- Born 7 August 1967
- Bombay Scottish School; Sydenham College; Templeton College, Oxford
- Titular Maharaja from 2012
- Chairman, Banyan Tree group
Wife: Maharani Radhikaraje née Wankaner (b. 25 May 1978); married 2002.
Daughters: Padmaja Raje (b. June 2005); Narayani Raje (b. November 2007).
What the Baroda Royal Family Story Teaches Us
A Maratha dynasty going back three centuries. A famous 19th-century reformist ancestor. A father who chose painting over publicity. A journalist wife who became a famous Indian royal figure. Two daughters carrying forward a 300-year tradition. The Gaekwad tree is one of India's most documented.
For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Gaekwad story carries the same lesson. Famous ancestors give later generations both a baseline and a burden. Sayajirao III's progressive legacy still shapes how the family is perceived. Write down the famous ancestors. They define expectations for everyone who follows.
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