Rajkumari Kaul, known for her relationship with former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, lived a life filled with both love and familial duty. Her story is one of a complex relationship against a backdrop of significant historical events.
Biography/Wiki
Born on September 13, 1925, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, Rajkumari Kaul hailed from a Brahmin Kashmiri Pandit family with roots in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Affectionately called “Bibi” by her loved ones, she was a staunch supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Her connection with Atal Bihari Vajpayee reportedly began during their college days. She passed away on May 3, 2014, at the age of 88, following a cardiac arrest at AIIMS hospital in Delhi.
Boyfriend, Husband, Children & Family
Rajkumari Kaul and Atal Bihari Vajpayee shared a deep love. Their romance included an exchange of love letters, one of which Vajpayee unfortunately never received.
Family opposition prevented their marriage. Despite belonging to the same caste, her family’s perception of their superior status led to their disapproval. Rajkumari, demonstrating filial piety, prioritized her family’s wishes.
Born into a prominent family, her parents were Govind Narain Haksar and Manmohini Haksar. Padma Rani Haksar was her stepmother, and Chand Narain Haksar was her half-brother. Her father’s employment with the Scindia family’s education department in Madhya Pradesh played a role in her meeting Vajpayee.
Following the 1947 partition riots, her family relocated to Delhi. She later married B.N. Kaul, a teacher. The couple had two daughters: Nandita Nanda and Namita Bhattacharya. There are unconfirmed reports suggesting Namita Bhattacharya is the daughter of Rajkumari Kaul and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Remarkably, Rajkumari Kaul and her husband, Brij Mohan, lived with Atal Bihari Vajpayee as an extended family for over 50 years.
| Family Member | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Govind Narain Haksar | Father | Worked for Scindia family’s education department |
| Manmohini Haksar | Mother | |
| Padma Rani Haksar | Stepmother | |
| Chand Narain Haksar | Half-brother | |
| B.N. Kaul | Husband | Teacher by profession |
| Nandita Nanda | Daughter | |
| Namita Bhattacharya | Daughter | Allegedly also the daughter of Atal Bihari Vajpayee (unconfirmed) |
Education
Rajkumari Kaul completed her graduation. She met Atal Bihari Vajpayee while attending Maharani Laxmi Bai Government College of Excellence, Gwalior (formerly Victoria College).
Facts
- Rajkumari Kaul was a dedicated vegan.
- She was a second cousin of Indira Gandhi, a fact possibly unknown to Vajpayee when they first met.
- Her father’s employment with the Scindia family is considered a pivotal event in facilitating her relationship with Vajpayee.
