Inside The Life Of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh, The Indian Ruler Who Built Versailles-Style Palace And Travelled With Dozens Of Louis Vuitton Trunks Wo...

Long before luxury brands came to India, Indian royalty, like Maharaja Jagatjit Singh, was already shaping European fashion houses in subtle yet powerful ways. His passion for refined travel changed how

luxury luggage was perceived across continents. His association with Louis Vuitton was not casual indulgence. It was loyalty, repetition, and scale that turned trunks into symbols of prestige rather than mere travel boxes. This is not just a story of wealth. It is a story of taste, timing, and how an Indian ruler helped elevate a European brand decades before globalisation became a buzzword.

Who was Maharaja Jagatjit Singh beyond his royal title?

Born in 1872, he became the Maharaja of Kapurthala at a young age and in no time gained a reputation as one of India’s most cosmopolitan rulers. He spoke French fluently and was also deeply influenced by European culture. Maharaja Jagatjit Singh was equally comfortable in Parisian salons and Punjabi durbars. He collected rare jewels, commissioned European chefs, patronised art and literature, and dressed in Savile Row suits as confidently as he wore turbans studded with precious stones.

Trivia: Maharaja Jagatjit Singh's personal library contained French classics, and his court etiquette often followed European norms.

What drew an Indian Maharaja to a French luggage maker?

At the turn of the 20th century, international travel was neither quick nor gentle. Steamships, trains, and horse-drawn carriages demanded luggage that could survive long journeys. Louis Vuitton trunks, with their flat tops and sturdy frames, solved a problem most aristocrats faced. For Jagatjit Singh, function came before fashion. Yet the craftsmanship, customisation, and understated luxury of Vuitton trunks appealed deeply to his disciplined sense of style. Each trunk was made to measure, designed around what he carried rather than how it looked on display.

When did Louis Vuitton first enter the Maharaja’s world?

Historical records suggest that Indian royals began ordering Louis Vuitton trunks in the early 1900s, nearly a century before the brand officially entered India in 1999. Jagatjit Singh was among the earliest and most consistent patrons. By this time, Vuitton had already earned recognition among European nobility. An Indian Maharaja placing repeated large orders gave the brand a new kind of global credibility. It quietly announced that luxury had crossed borders.

How many trunks did the Maharaja own, and what made them unique?

Jagatjit Singh is believed to have owned more than 60 customised Louis Vuitton trunks. Each one served a specific purpose. There were trunks for ceremonial uniforms, European suits, footwear, turbans, jewellery, swords, toiletries, and even writing material. A fascinating detail is that many trunks were internally labelled in French, showing how closely the Maharaja worked with the brand’s craftsmen. Compartments were measured to the inch. Nothing rattled, nothing creased, nothing wasted space.

Why did these trunks become symbols of power and modern royalty?

For Indian rulers, travel itself was a statement. Arriving in Europe with stacks of monogrammed trunks was visual proof of global stature. These trunks were not locked away. They were displayed, photographed, and noticed. The iconic LV monogram, introduced in 1896, became a marker of elite travel. When royalty like Jagatjit Singh repeatedly used and showcased these trunks, they moved from being practical objects to cultural symbols of authority, wealth, and worldliness.

Where did the Maharaja’s European influence show up most visibly?

Perhaps nowhere more dramatically than in Kapurthala itself. He was inspired by French architecture and wanted his palace to resemble the Palace of Versailles. The result was the stunning Kapurthala Palace. This same European influence extended to his travel habits. His Vuitton trunks moved seamlessly between Kapurthala, Monte Carlo, Paris, and London, carrying not just belongings but a distinct royal identity.

What would those trunks be worth in today’s money?

While exact prices from the early 1900s remain undocumented, modern Louis Vuitton trunks cost anywhere between Rs 49 lakh and Rs 99 lakh, depending on customisation. If valued conservatively, the Maharaja’s collection today would easily cross Rs 30 crore and possibly reach Rs 60 crore or more. This makes his luggage collection one of the most valuable personal travel assortments in history.

How did this royal patronage influence Louis Vuitton’s global image?

Jagatjit Singh was not a one-time buyer. He trusted the brand with every journey. He repeatedly bought LV trunks, and it helped the brand to position itself as the preferred luggage maker for royalty across the globe. It reinforced the idea that true luxury travelled well, lasted long, and belonged to those who moved confidently across borders.