The Indian King Who Used Rolls-Royce For Garbage Collection
Remember that iconic scene from the movie ‘Pretty Woman’ where Julia Roberts, disrespectfully dismissed by an arrogant saleswoman returns to the store in designer clothes to deliver her famous line, “Big mistake. Big. Huge”? Well, Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar had his own real-life “Pretty Woman” moment with the world’s most luxurious car company. Yes, he is the same Maharaj who used Rolls-Royce for garbage.
Maharaja Jai Singh, Alwar’s king in northeastern Rajasthan, was not only known for his wealth but also for his deep appreciation for the finer things in life, including luxury automobiles. The story of Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar who used Rolls-Royce cars for collecting garbage is a story of pride, revenge, and a king’s self-respect.
Let’s have a look at what the story is about.
What is the Story of Raja Jai Singh and Rolls-Royce?
Back in the day, the Maharajas of India had quite a liking for luxury cars, especially Rolls-Royce. It was known as THE status symbol of power and money. It was so popular that 230 prominent Maharajas of colonial India owned 20% of the entire Rolls-Royce production before WWI.
Given the popularity of the car, Maharaja Jai Singh, a man with a taste for luxury, visited a Rolls-Royce showroom during his visit to London in the 1920s. He walked in the store wearing ordinary clothes to inquire about the specifications and price of the Phantom II Tourer, only to be dismissed by the sales staff. He was snubbed by the staff and was indicated that such poorly dressed Indians could not afford such an expensive car.
Little did he know that they had just snubbed a king. This insult did not sit well with the Maharaja.
The furious Maharaja left the showroom and returned the next day in his royal attire to disclose his identity. He ordered not just one, but a fleet of Rolls-Royce cars to be shipped to india. Not only this, he also made sure that the same arrogant salesperson personally delivers his shipment to India.
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Upon receiving the delivery, instead of taking his new wheels for a royal ride, he gave all his cars to the municipality. He assigned them a very different role – to clean the streets and collect garbage. He wanted to humiliate the Rolls-Royce company and the government obeyed his orders and used Rolls-Royce to clean streets. Six brand-new Rolls Royce were used as garbage trucks in India for a brief period of time.
Word quickly spread across the globe and put a huge dent on Rolls-Royce’s reputation. The company was the epitome of luxury, a status they still maintain today. The company knew they had to take some action to undo this.
They finally sent a telegram with an official apology and a request to call the cars back from the streets. They even offered the Maharaja 6 brand new Rolls-Royce completely free of cost, as a gesture of goodwill.
The Maharaja was satisfied that the company had learnt their lesson and called off the fleet of luxury cars from the streets. The story quickly spread and became a classic example of how one should not be judged based on their appearance.
The story of Maharaja Jai Singh, who used Rolls-Royce for garbage collection, serves as a cautionary tale. It shows us how luxury cars, a symbol of wealth, can also become powerful tools in societal commentary and personal vendetta.
This story from the past highlights the personal resolve of a king to avenge an insult. It also shows us the broader power dynamics and cultural confrontations during the colonial period in India.
Today, Rolls-Royce continues to hold its place as a prestigious brand globally. It remains a favorite among the wealthy and influential, signifying wealth, power, and a taste for luxury.
