The history of Jyotiraditya Scindia’s family-the man currently making waves in the political world-is in some ways strongly linked to important moments in Indian history. In 1761, at the Third Battle of Panipat-fought between the Marathas and the Afghan Ahmed Shah Abdalli-the Scindia contingent of the Maratha army saw grievous losses, including the deaths of commanders like Tukoji Scindia and Jankoji Scindia. This battle involved what is considered one of the greatest massacres in the history of war, with perhaps 50,000 Maratha soldiers and non-combatants killed, alongside 20,000 Afghan soldiers.
The Past
A man who providentially escaped the battle field was the grievously injured Mahadji Scindia, possibly Jyotiraditya’s most illustrious ancestor. He went on to be, in many ways, central to the resurgence of Maratha power after battle of 1761, becoming the arbitrator of Emperor Shah Alam’s affairs in Delhi, leaving a rich legacy of diplomatic vision and bravery. Some rank him as the third most important hero in Maratha history, after Chattarapati Shivaji and Peshwa Bajirao. The great historian Jadunath described Mahadji as a colossus, whose bravery and farsighted diplomacy delayed British dominance over India by almost 20 years. In fact, some say his death in 1794 began the disintegration of the Maratha Empire and the dominance of the British.
Mahadji Scindia, as ruler of Gwalior, left a rich legacy. His tolerance and policies to manage Hindu-Muslim unity established a model that in many ways informs Indian society today. He is noted for welcoming moderate Muslims, but is also known to have been severe with their radical cousins. One reason credited for his policies was an experience on the battle field of Panipat-his life was saved by a Muslim, Rana Khan. The model of composite culture that Mahadji left behind was visible in Gwalior till princely rule ended in 1947. It included attempts to foster unity, like Hindus being requested to wear green clothes during Id and Muslims being encouraged to actively participate in key Hindu festivals.
However, British rule in India also involved painful decisions for Indian rulers, some of which are still potent as accusations today. One such is the decision by another of Jyotiraditya’s ancestors, Jayajirao. During the Indian revolt of 1857, Jayajirao Scindia, as ruler of Gwalior, sided with the British during the Indian revolt, helping to suppress it. However, what is also true is that he was not alone in his decision-many other Indian rulers also sided with the British, doing the same.
The Scindia family retained its importance after India’s independence. Sardar Patel and the then ruler of Gwalior-Jyotiradita’s grandfather, Jiwajirao-shared a brief but warm relationship between 1947 and 1950, when Patel died. During the merger of Princely States with the Indian Union, Sardar Patel held in high esteem those rulers who were found to have ruled their people well. Jiwajirao was one of those princes, in Patel’s eyes. According to V.P. Menon, his manfriday during the enormous administrative exercise of the merger, Patel had found Gwalior’s finances to be in excellent condition and had developed quite some respect for Jiwajirao and his administration, even noting the fact that the court of Gwalior had maintained a special fund, Gangajali, to help its poorer citizens get healthcare and other social benefits. The friendship that developed was strong enough that after Patel died, Jiwajirao had a painting of him commissioned and hung in Parliament, where it still hangs today.
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