The Young Maharaja

His nickname, ‘Pacho’, is as special as his name. It tells a story of love and a special bond. It was given by his grandmother, Rajmata Padmini Devi, Maharani of Jaipur. Every time Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh, a.k.a. Pacho, the head of the Jaipur royal family, is out on the polo ground, all eyes are on him. His special skills, backed by his rich polo lineage, make him stand out. The young king is now on a mission — to change the perception of the sport.

Love for Jaipur

Jaipur is not just a city; it is an emotion for me! Growing up, I remember it as a city full of life. But what distinguishes it for me is its heritage of art, crafts and culture. I grew up seeing the love it got from travellers across the globe, and it’s wonderful to see that continue.

Love for polo

Polo’s relationship with India is historic. But in Jaipur, it isn’t just about the sport — it’s about the legacy of our family. As a member of the royal family of Jaipur, I carry a rich polo lineage. My grandfather, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, laid the foundation for polo in Jaipur. I was always fascinated by the game, having grown up around all this history and watching my grandfather and other family members on the polo field.

I started playing polo in school and began my professional career in 2015. Since then, I’ve captained the Indian Polo Team and had the honour of participating in prestigious tournaments across the world. In 2023, I resurrected the Jaipur Polo Team, which had been dormant for several years. I’m proud to captain a team that has a strong relationship with my family and the city.

A game for everyone

I don’t think a sport can really be reserved for a certain class. Polo isn’t meant for just the elite to enjoy and be a part of, it is for everyone to engage in. I want to use my platform not just to play but to spark curiosity about polo among younger generations.

My goal is to inspire more and more people to play and love the sport; promote it among young players; champion gender inclusivity. In order to increase participation in the sport, we have instituted the Sawai Man Singh Polo and Riding Academy, which helps young polo enthusiasts learn from expert coaches at the Rajasthan Polo Club. I want to emphasise training, infrastructure, and support at the grassroots level. Playing polo has been transformative for me, and I’d love to see many other people have the opportunity to experience that too.

Face of US Polo Assn.

The partnership with the U.S. Polo Association was organic in many ways because we have similar motivations — to bring polo to a much wider audience. The Association has made immense strides in raising global awareness about the culture and world of polo, and that’s precisely what I want to do as well.

Fashion sensibilities

Typically, I draw inspiration from the clothing heritage of Rajasthan – mulmul kurtas, juttis from an artisanal shoemaker in Barmer, or a bandhgala.

Even when I’m travelling abroad, I always try to draw from our culture. Over time, I’ve only developed a deeper appreciation for the clothing history of the region.

Preserving India’s heritage

“The richness and diversity of Indian culture are unparalleled. From craft to music to architecture to food — every corner of the country has something special. These are the things that make us unique, and it’s essential that we not only preserve them but showcase them on a global platform. It’s been a pleasure working with The Leela, an organisation which is unwaveringly committed to celebrating our incredible heritage.”

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has partnered with His Highness of Jaipur, honouring him as a distinguished “Icon of India”. This collaboration emphasises their mutual appreciation for opulence, cultural legacy, and Indian traditions, especially within the realms of polo, art, and fashion.

Entrepreneurial activities

Jaipur has immense potential as a global centre for art, culture, and meaningful engagement. At the City Palace, we’re focused on how we can make our collections accessible to wider audiences. One big part of this is conservation work — we have to preserve the incredible collections to be able to amplify them. We have initiated conservation projects across various parts of the City Palace. This includes work to conserve the iconic ‘deodhies’ (gates) in the Pritam Niwas courtyard and the Chandra Mahal Verandah, embellished with paintings and frescoes by the renowned artist AH Muller, and the restoration of the fountains at the Jai Niwas gardens.

In 2025, three galleries at the City Palace — Sabha Niwas, Arms and Armoury Gallery, and the Textile Gallery — are undergoing extensive restoration.

I also see a lot of scope to create innovative, experiential spaces in Jaipur. In 2024, we opened The Sarvato, a tasting menu restaurant and cocktail bar. In the same year, I co-founded the Jaipur Centre for Art, in partnership with Noelle Kadar. It’s a contemporary arts gallery in the City Palace. The inaugural exhibition brought together a diverse group of artists, including Tanya Goel, Anish Kapoor, Sean Scully, Dayanita Singh, and LN Tallur.

Jaigarh is one of the most beautiful monuments in Jaipur, in India even, so I’m focused on how we can build local and international engagement with the fort. Last year, we held the first edition of the Jaigarh Heritage Festival, in partnership with Teamworks Arts, which was a celebration of Rajasthani culture.

We also opened The Sculpture Park at Jaigarh, in partnership with Jaipur Centre for Art.

Vijaygarhi, the site had been closed for nearly 200 years and it is incredible to see how it’s gone from a closed space to an area for public engagement with contemporary art.

Box:

Sawai Padmanabh Singh, scheduled to attend an exclusive training camp in Hyderabad for the Indian National Arena Polo Team until April 12 in preparation for the Zone ‘E’ Playoffs of the II FIP Arena Polo World Championship, had to cancel his trip due to health issues. The pre-qualifiers will take place in Saudi Arabia from April 21 to April 26, 2025, during which India will compete against Pakistan and Iran for a chance to qualify for the World Championship in the United States later this year.

Box: the creative life

l The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has partnered with His Highness of Jaipur, honouring him as a distinguished “Icon of India”. This collaboration emphasises their mutual appreciation for opulence, cultural legacy, and Indian traditions, especially within the realms of polo, art, and fashion.

l His polo career commenced at a young age, and he has had represented the Indian national team, as well as played friendly matches with British royals, including Prince William and Prince Harry.

l He has often served as photographer Mario Testino’s muse, and made his debut at the prestigious Le Bal (in 2017), where he acted as a cavalier for Ava Phillippe, daughter of actress Reese Witherspoon.

l Having been nurtured by two remarkable women: his mother, Princess Diya Kumari, and his grandmother, Rajmata Padmini Devi, he champions the initiatives launched by women in his family, such as promoting education for girls, and ensuring that young women from all backgrounds can thrive.

Quote: I draw inspiration from the clothing heritage of Rajasthan – mulmul kurtas, juttis from an artisanal shoemaker in Barmer, or a bandhgala. Even when I’m travelling abroad, I always try to draw from our culture.”

Quote: “The partnership with the U.S. Polo Association was organic in many ways because we have similar motivations — to bring polo to a much wider audience.”

Quote: In 2024, we opened The Sarvato, a tasting menu restaurant and cocktail bar. In the same year, I co-founded the Jaipur Centre for Art, in partnership with Noelle Kadar. It’s a contemporary arts gallery in the City Palace. The inaugural exhibition brought together a diverse group of artists, including Tanya Goel, Anish Kapoor, Sean Scully, Dayanita Singh, and LN Tallur.”

Quote: “Polo’s relationship with India is historic. But in Jaipur, it isn’t just about the sport — it’s about the legacy of our family. As a member of the royal family of Jaipur, I carry a rich polo lineage. My grandfather, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, laid the foundation for polo in Jaipur. I was always fascinated by the game.