GQ Heroes 2025 | Sawai Padmanabh Singh — The Renewal of Jaipur
From polo fields to palace courtyards, the refined 27-year-old Sawai Padmanabh Singh is leading a revival to restore Jaipur’s place as a global hub of culture and sophistication.
In the autumn of 2021, while on assignment at Rajmahal Palace RAAS Jaipur, the author observed a slender young man in beige track pants and a hoodie walking beside the hotel’s general manager, attentively inspecting details and asking questions about improvements. That man was Padmanabh Singh, the titular Maharaja of Jaipur and the hotel’s owner.
Today, Singh is internationally recognized as an eloquent and stylish leader, adeptly blending his family’s regal heritage with a modern outlook and a renewed cultural vision. He continues to shape both his public image and personal legacy, embracing the elegance and influence of his forebears.
Among his inspirations is Maharani Gayatri Devi, the charismatic polo-loving queen known for her sophistication and friendships with figures like Jacqueline Kennedy and Queen Elizabeth II. Singh shared his admiration during the GQ Heroes summit in Bengaluru, where he spoke at a panel presented by Isopure.
“Here was the Maharani of Jaipur—on a horse, galloping around town, wearing a T-shirt and with her hair open. It was a very, very powerful move. And she really has been a source of inspiration.”
Author’s Summary
Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur reimagines royal tradition for the modern era, merging heritage, fashion, and leadership into a renewed vision of cultural pride.