When we imagine Indian royalty, we often think about shimmering palaces, elephant processions, and ornate thrones. But beyond these regal facades and royal ceremonies, there was a world of eccentric indulgences that make even modern luxury look tame. From bathing in molten gold (yes, really!) to hosting feasts with leopards as VIP guests, some Indian kings and queens lived lives so lavish, they sound like legends.
Let’s explore those weird, wild, and wonderfully extravagant habits of Indian royals that truly were stranger than fiction.
Forget scented candles and Himalayan salt — the Maharaja of Junagadh, Mahabat Khan, reportedly took his self-care routine to a whole new level. He used to take baths filled with rose water and flakes of gold. Attendants would prepare the bath regularly using solid gold tubs. The extravaganza didn’t stop there! The leftover water wasn’t even drained, but collected and filtered to preserve every last flake of gold.
For these royals, luxury was beyond lifestyle — it was a spectacle.
Animals held a special place in Indian palaces — not only in stables or gardens, but in royal dining rooms too! Nawab Mahabat Khan of Junagadh (yes, again!) was known for hosting grand feasts with his pet leopards seated at the table. They were dressed in jewel-studded collars too. These weren’t casual dinners — they were multi-course affairs, complete with silverware for the feline guests.
The Nawab once ordered a state funeral for his favourite dog, with a marble tomb that rivalled those of humans. And you thought modern pet parents were obsessed?
There was practice of “Tulabharam” — where kings were weighed against gold, silver, or grain and then the equivalent amount was donated for charity — sounds noble, right? But the Indian royals turned this into a public display of both wealth and ego.
For instance, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was weighed in diamonds, and Tipu Sultan was weighed in gold multiple times during his reign. These ceremonies used to draw massive crowds — and a fair bit of gossip. Was it charity, or was it only a royal flex?
Ever heard of the Patiala Necklace? It was created by Cartier for Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, featuring over 2,900 diamonds, including the world-famous De Beers diamond. His wardrobe reportedly included hundreds of custom-made suits. The interesting part was, each suit was more opulent than the last one. And let's not forget the Maharani Indira Devi of Cooch Behar, who had a collection of European couture that could put Hollywood to shame.
These royals didn’t just wear crowns — they owned red carpets centuries before Bollywood did.
The Nizam of Hyderabad — once the richest man globally — had a private railway line that ran from his palace to his favourite mosque. Decorated with velvet seats, chandeliers, and gold fixtures, it was Nizam’s idea of a casual commute.
Meanwhile, Udaipur’s Maharana Sajjan Singh owned a private zoo within the palace grounds - home to lions, tigers, and numerous exotic birds. It was very common for kings to keep wild animals like cheetahs and elephants as pets. These animals were even trained to perform tricks or simply roam their palace gardens.
At that time, luxury was about building a world where the impossible felt ordinary!
Many Indian royals considered astrology very seriously, they wouldn’t eat, meet, or even bathe without consulting their court astrologers. Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar reportedly wore armour lined with religious relics, while royalty in Travancore avoided public appearances on inauspicious days, even if it meant delaying wars.
Some kings even built temples inside their private chambers and had 24/7 priests chanting Mantra — just to keep misfortune at bay.
While modern billionaires own yachts and private islands, the Indian royals of the past lived in a world where every day was a display of divine privilege. These weren’t only habits — they were statements of identity, status, and sometimes, pure indulgent fun. Their larger-than-life habits were surely stranger than fiction.
