The Princess of Cooch Behar and Maharani of Jaipur, Gayatri Devi, spent five-and-a-half months in Tihar Jail during the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi’s government. Her memoir, A Princess Remembers: The Memoirs of the Maharani of Jaipur, recounts this challenging period marked by political turmoil and personal adversity.
Arrested under the COFEPOSA Act in July 1975, Gayatri Devi, then 56, faced incarceration alongside a diverse group of prisoners, from political activists to petty criminals. Despite the harsh conditions, including the presence of sewer rats and a diet of basic meals, she maintained her dignity and continued to contribute positively by setting up educational activities for children in the jail.
The period was fraught with personal and political tension. Gayatri Devi’s arrest was partly attributed to her significant opposition to Gandhi’s regime and her renowned popularity in Jaipur. Despite the intense conditions, she managed to stay connected with the outside world through clandestine means and remained hopeful throughout her imprisonment.
On January 11, 1976, Gayatri Devi was granted parole, only to discover her home was bugged, highlighting the pervasive nature of surveillance during the Emergency. The end of the Emergency saw her return to a hero’s welcome in Jaipur, where her people celebrated her release and the downfall of the Gandhi regime.
Gayatri Devi’s resilience during these tumultuous times is remembered as a testament to her strength and indomitable spirit.
