The Maharaja’s Dogs

We are already used to how eccentric some famous or powerful people can be, be they government or royalty. But particularly in India, when it managed to achieve independence by putting an end to the Maharajas, the people were relieved as they practiced a way of life focused on ostentation, and stood out for an eccentricity that was very similar to madness.

Among all of them, many eccentricities stood out. Some were extremely cruel, like the one who used newborn babies as bait to hunt tigers, or the one who used an electric train in the palace to transport food, drink, servants and even guests.

But the winning eccentricity is that of Maharaja Muhammad Mahabat Khan III, who reigned over the state of Junahadh, north of Mumbai.

This maharaja had an inordinate passion for dogs. So much so that he reached 800. Everyone knows the phrase “Live like a Maharaja” . Did your dogs live the same way?

eccentricity personified

Of these 800 dogs, some were the favorites of this eccentric maharajah. These favorites were kept well accommodated in apartments that had air conditioning, telephone and electricity, bubble baths, manicures, pedicures, and even servants who gave their lives to attend to the animals as if they were the Maharaja himself.

He even hired a famous English veterinarian who spent his daily workdays in a dog hospital, as a result of the Maharaja’s eccentricity. It was a hospital with characteristics similar to those that treat people; several rooms and the latest technology available at the time.

If any of the dogs died, whether in the palace or the hospital, a state funeral was held, as if it were a prince. The funeral was to the sound of Chopin and the subjects were to remain in mourning for the Maharaja’s “son”.

and your way of having fun

This maharaja seemed to enjoy bothering others. That’s why, every time there was a ceremony, no matter what caliber or importance, he loved to release dozens and dozens of his dogs to disturb the English guests.

the big wedding

But the height of eccentricity was the maharaja’s decision to marry one of his female dogs, or more specifically, his favorite female dog, Roshnara, to a Labrador named Bobby. The maharajah did not settle for a simple symbolic ceremony, and took care of all the preparations to make the wedding according to the Muslim ritual, something that was not to everyone’s liking, and many politely declined the invitation to the party.

The wedding ceremony organized by the Maharaja

The huge ceremony cost 22,000 rupees. Considering that we’re talking about before the 20th century, it was an exorbitant amount. Fifty thousand royalty and aristocratic characters attended, who, along with thousands of other people, acclaimed “the bride and groom”. The maharaja had ordered to dress the bridegroom in silk and put bracelets on him, several of them carved in gold.

The bride would be no exception in our Maharaja’s eccentricity, and she was dressed very luxuriously, with very expensive essences, gold ornaments, and was transported on a silver palanquin. Sound crazy enough already? For there is more.

I couldn’t miss the honeymoon

During the feast of the feast, the bride and groom were seated next to the maharaja, as if they were his children. When dinner was over, the dog couple were directed to one of the luxurious dog suites so they could have their luxurious and eccentric honeymoon.

This ceremony was the basis for different maharajas in other regions of India to start doing the same.

I suppose like me, you were speechless while reading this article. If you are a regular reader of our blog, you already know that we are animal lovers and defenders of the good treatment they deserve, but there are exceptions that are out of context.

It is sad to see how a country that has always been mired in poverty could have prospered in the time of the Maharajas if a balance had been found between keeping pets well and feeding people.