Maharaja Of Alwar Who Used Rolls Royce To Collect Garbage From Streets
This story of Indian King Jai Singh, Maharaja of Alwar (Rajasthan) is one of the most interesting stories you will come across in Indian history. Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar was humiliated by the salesman of Rolls Royce showroom. Thus, he decided to take revenge from Rolls Royce and he bought all the cars from the showroom and then asked the municipality of Alwar to use them for collecting garbage on streets.
Maharaja Enters in The Showroom
In 1920, Maharaja of Alwar, Jai Singh was walking around the streets of Mayfair Area, London. He was in normal attire and he walked into a showroom of Rolls Royce. Then a British salesman ignored Maharaja Jai Singh because he thought he was just an ordinary poor Indian and asked him to leave the showroom.
Before the first world war, more than twenty thousand Rolls Royce were built and almost 20 per cent were shipped to India. At that time there were almost 230 Indian Kings (Maharajas) and on an average, there were around 2000 Rolls Royce in India. Indian Kings and Rolls Royce had a strong connection back then. Owning a Rolls Royce used to be the pride for an Indian King.
King Jai Singh returned to his hotel room without saying anything to the salesman. He then asked his servants to call the showroom and tell them that the King of Alwar city is going to buy a few of their cars.
After that, all the salesmen in the showroom were lined up to honour the King’s visit, a red carpet was rolled out in the showroom. Then the King visited the showroom with his royal appearance. At that time there were six cars present in the showroom, the King purchased all the six cars at a time. He paid the full amount including the delivery charges.
Rolls Royce Apologized
Once all the six Rolls Royce had been transported to India, the King ordered the Municipality to use these cars to sweep the streets of the city. He also asked them to use these cars to collect and transport garbage from every corner of the city. And in no time the news got spread all over the world and the number one car manufacturer Rolls Royce was in total shock.
Rolls Royce was the number one car manufacturer at that time in the world, was humiliated and upset about the Maharaja’s treatment of its cars. The reputation of the company suffered a lot because of this. It became a shame for a person who bought Rolls Royce because at that time whoever sees that car says “Oh, is it the same car used in India for carrying garbage” and it became a sentence associated with Rolls Royce.
Their reputation and revenue dropped rapidly. And finally, Rolls Royce sent a telegram apologizing for their behavior to the Indian King Jai Singh. They also offered six more brand new cars at free of cost. The king accepted their apology and then ordered the municipality and others to stop using the Rolls Royce for collecting garbage.
What do you think about this story? Some facts say that it is not a true story, but then images of Rolls Royce with the broom again began to question that statement if it is true the king of Alwar taught Rolls Royce a great lesson to never dishonor anyone.
Comment below to share your thoughts about the story.
