HRH Samarjitsinh Gaekwad: Owner of the Largest Private Residence | - Times of India (2024)

Do you know who the

largest private residence

in the world belongs to? It is owned by HRH Samarjitsinh Gaekwad.

HRH Samarjitsinh Gaekwad

is a renowned cricket administrator and former first-class cricketer, who holds the title of the king of the

princely state of Baroda

in India. In 2013, he inherited a significant portion of the family's fortune, consolidating his position as a key figure in the royal family.
His royal residence, "

Laxmi Vilas Palace

," sprawls over 500 acres and serves as the private abode for the

Gaekwad royal family

, making it the largest private residence in the world as of now.

This opulent palace is often likened to

Buckingham Palace

, being approximately four times its size.

Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, born in the 1960s, is the only son of

Ranjithsinh Gaekwad

and Shubhanginiraje. Educated at The Doon School in Dehradun, he assumed the title of

Maharaja of Baroda

upon his father's passing in May 2012. Despite a prolonged inheritance dispute with his uncle, Gaekwad emerged victorious and became the sole proprietor of Laxmi Vilas Palace. In 2012, he married Radhikaraje, a member of the royal family of Wankaner State, and together they have two daughters.

Samarjitsinh's cricket career includes representing Baroda in the

Ranji Trophy

as a top-order batsman, participating in six first-class matches. Additionally, he served as the president of the

Baroda Cricket Association

. Beyond cricket, his interests extend to golf, as evidenced by the establishment of a 10-hole golf course at the Laxmi Vilas Palace clubhouse.

Apart from sports, Samarjitsinh holds influence over 17 temples as the chief of the trust overseeing these religious sites in Banaras and Gujarat. Despite briefly joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014, his political activity dwindled after 2017. Currently, he remains a prominent figure, managing his diverse responsibilities with grace and authority.

Among other big mansions in the world are the official residence of the British monarch, Buckingham Palace; The official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Istana Nurul Iman; and Fairfield Pond.