Madhavi Raje: All about the late Rajmata of the Gwalior Royal family

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia's mother, 'Rajmata' Madhavi Raje passed away due to prolonged illness on May 15, 2024, morning at AIIMS in New Delhi. For the unversed, Madhavi Raje was the Rajmata or Queen Mother of the Gwalior's Royal family and she was a prominent figure in the socio-political circles of Gwalior. As per reports, Madhavi Raje was undergoing treatment for pnemonia and sepsis for several weeks at AIIMS.However, she was critical and passed away on Wednesday morning.
“With great sorrow, they wish to share that Rajmata is no more. Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia's mother and the Rajmata of the Gwalior royal family, Rajmata Madhavi Raje Scindia, had been undergoing treatment at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi for the past two months. Her condition had been extremely critical for the past two weeks. This morning at 9:28am, she took her last breath at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi. Om Shanti,” read a press statement.
Who was 'Rajmata' Madhavi Raje? Her life and times
Not many know that before getting married into the royal family of Gwalior, Madhavi Raje belonged to the royal Rana dynasty family of Nepal. Judd Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, who was the head of the Rana dynasty, was the former Prime Minister of Nepal. In 1966, she got married to Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia who was also the Former Member of the Lok Sabha in India, and thus became a part of Gwalior's royal family.
The wedding of 'Rajmata' Madhavi Raje and Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia was a royal affair back then. They got married in Delhi and their wedding was attended by many guests from India and abroad. Interestingly, back in 1966 a special train was arranged for their wedding just to take the procession from Gwalior to Delhi. Madhavi Raje and Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia married on May 6, 1966 in Delhi and when the new couple reached Gwalior, they were given a grand welcome with flowers that decorated the whole way leading to the palace.
Madhavi Raje and Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia had two children Jyotiraditya Scindia and Chitrangada Singh. While Madhavrao Scindia was the Maharaj of the royal family of Gwalior he was also a former Member of the Lok Sabha. Menawhile, Madhavi Raje was also a prominent figure in her own right and she played an important role in the social and cultural activities that took place in Gwalior. For instance, she was known for her philanthropic works and she was chaired several trusts. She also headed the Board of Governors of Scindias Kanya Vidyalaya, which promoted girl-child education. After her husband's death in 2001 in a plane crash, she also established a gallery in his memory called Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia II which is situated inside the Gwalior Palace museum.
Her son, Jyotiraditya Scindia is currently the Minister of Civil Aviation of India.