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Meet the Alwar royals restoring forts and reviving heritage in India
The brother-sister duo is leading efforts to preserve history, promote tourism and uplift local communities
- PUBLISHED: Thu 19 Mar 2026, 12:53 PM
Meet Princess Janaki Kumari and Yuvraj Prince Manavendra Pratap, the dynamic siblings of the Alwar royal family of India, who are breathing new life into the rich heritage of Alwar.
As members of the centuries-old royal family, they are dedicated to preserving the region’s cultural legacy, while also serving the people of Alwar. Their passion for restoration is evident in their efforts to revive the city of Bundi and restore the iconic Alwar Fort of Rajgarh, monuments that have stood the test of time for centuries. Through their work, they aim to not only preserve the architectural grandeur of these forts but also to promote tourism, boost local economy, and create opportunities for the people of Alwar. In a conversation with wknd., they share their story of service and vision.
Childhood memories and royal upbringing
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Growing up in the erstwhile Alwar royal family was a unique blend of normalcy and royalty. “Our parents gave us an upbringing like anyone else. It was only much later when we understood the concept of a royal family,” starts Prince Manavendra, 24. His sister Princess Janaki, 27, adds, “My favourite childhood memories are spending time with my late grandmother and her 20 dogs!”
The Princess recalls her grandmother, Yuvrani Mahendra Kumari’s warmth and the beautiful moments they shared. These early experiences have shaped their understanding of family, culture, and royal duty.
Life as a royal
A typical day for the royals is filled with meetings and discussions on palace matters, interacting with locals, and exploring ways to uplift Alwar. “It’s a marathon meeting spree,” laughs Prince Manavendra as he adds: “We discuss issues and concerns related to the palace. Interacting with the locals in Alwar and Bundi is part of day-to-day rituals.”
Hidden gems of Alwar
While the brother-sister duo is mostly immersed in palace work, they recommend visiting Sariska Tiger Reserve, home to 50 majestic tigers. Another hidden gem is the Pandupol Temple in Alwar and Kangwari Fort in Sariska. “It’s in middle of the jungle (Kangwari Fort). This fort was used by Aurangzeb to capture his brother. It’s perched atop a mountain, the fort commands a breathtaking view of a serene oasis-like waterbody, making it a truly spectacular sight,” shares Manavendra.
Philanthropy and service
The royal family has a long history of philanthropy. Princess Janaki highlights legal awareness camps for girls and youth, which she organises along with her elder sister. “Service to people is our main goal. Our family’s legacy of service was ignited by Maharaja Jai Singh ji, my great-great-grandfather, who was deeply committed to Alwar’s progress. He transformed the city, placing it on the global map and prioritising the welfare of its people.
That sense of duty, she explains, has been consistently carried forward through generations, shaping both public service and personal values within the family. “This ethos was carried forward by my grandmother (Yuvrani Mahendra Kumari) and father (Maharaja Sawai Jitendra Singh Alwar), both of whom have been stalwarts in politics.”
More recently, that legacy has translated into tangible grassroots efforts. “Recently, my sister and I have initiated legal awareness camps in Alwar, focusing on empowering girls and youth with knowledge of legal education and opportunities. These efforts, close to my heart, are conducted at my grandmother’s home, on the occasion of her birth anniversary, Yuvrani Mahendra Kumari, on February 6.”
The initiative also brings together organisations working at the grassroots level, reinforcing a collaborative approach to social impact. “We collaborate with the Sambhali trust from Jodhpur, an organisation doing remarkable work in uplifting women, children, and youth, reinforcing our belief in the importance of grassroots initiatives.”
Preserving royal heritage
Manavendra started early at 17, straight after school. It’s been seven years since Yuvraj has been personally supervising every detail. His role in palace affairs and sense of royal responsibility prompted him to undertake the restoration of Bundi’s Garh Palace. “My grandfather Yuvraj Pratap Singh was overseeing the Bundi project and later I took over. I had a year of orientation. Then the reins were handed over to me. I visited Bundi a couple of years ago with my sister and noticed the damage to the paintings due to lack of care. It sparked a fire in us and a sense of urgency — we couldn’t let 800-plus years of history slip away. The restoration project is a lifelong commitment. It’s our duty, really. We have no choice but to preserve it; it’s something that must be done,” explains Manavendra.
The palace’s beautiful paintings (more than 500 years old) and artworks are being carefully restored. “Experts advise against repainting; we want to preserve the original beauty in its original form,” says Princess Janaki.
Challenges and opportunities
The royal family is eager to unlock the potential of Alwar and share its rich heritage with the world. It’s the treasure trove of history and culture, waiting to be discovered.
“We want Alwar to pick tourism and hospitality, benefiting local artisans and craftsmen and generating livelihoods. There are many hidden gems like the vibrant art, captivating museum, lush jungles and rich history. Alwar’s tourism potential is vast, but infrastructure is key,” says Prince Manavendra.
Princess Janaki adds, “Alwar’s cultural history is rich; people just don’t know about it. The Ramgarh pottery, leheriya, bandhani, tie dye techniques, and lac bangles are exquisite.”
Family pride and traditions
The royals cherish traditions and love local festivals like Teej and Gangor. “These traditional festivals of Alwar are something I get most excited about. I love celebrating them as it’s our way of holding on to our culture,” says Princess Janaki.
Public eye and royals on screen
From palace walls to cinema screens, the lives of India’s royals have long fascinated their fans and filmmakers but for Alwar’s Prince Manavendra and Princess Janaki, being in the spotlight is a chance to share their story and preserve their heritage.
Princess Janaki feels, “I do understand that royalty as a subject is intriguing. Often, filmmakers get excited as they want to make it entertaining. However, without adequate research, they make it exaggerated and over-the-top, which is mostly not the truth. So, I do feel there are a few discrepancies when it comes to the portrayal of royals on screen.”
Prince Manavendra adds, “Showcase our culture accurately, not just luxury. Our ancestors made sacrifices; their stories should be told.”
Perhaps, being a royal is a lot more than what meets the eye. “I feel there’s a lot of pressure that comes on us to preserve our culture and heritage. An unsaid mandate that we have to follow. It’s also a pressure that we give ourselves—to do the best. I feel people do expect, and it’s right for them to expect because that motivates us to do better,” Janaki says.
Life lessons and vision
For the royal siblings, life’s guiding principles come from those who came before. While Janaki believes in the family motto, “Be true to yourself”, Prince Manavendra shares valuable advice that his mother (Maharani Ambika Singh Alwar) imparted. “Don’t believe everything you hear and half of what you see.”
With his eyes on Alwar’s upliftment and Bundi’s restoration, Prince Manavendra has his vision in place. “We want to improve livelihoods and help the economy through hospitality,” he says.
“My goal for Alwar and Bundi is to preserve the culture and heritage. It deserves global international recognition, which I think it will soon,” the princess signs off.