Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal to sell ICONIC Lutyens’ Delhi Bungalow for Rs 1,000 crore? Inside the royal estate, buyer buzz and historic legacy

In the rarefied lanes of Lutyens’ Delhi, where trees arch like cathedral ceilings and bungalows sit back from the road as though conscious of their pedigree, real estate is not merely bought or sold; it changes hands like heirlooms in a living museum. Deals here are whispered long before they are signed, and when a property linked to royalty enters the market, it sends ripples through political, business and heritage circles alike. The latest buzz centres on the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal, Manujendra Shah, whose sprawling Delhi estate is reportedly poised for a jaw-dropping Rs 1,000 crore sale. If confirmed, it would not just be another property transaction but a moment that blends aristocratic legacy, urban power networks and India’s obsession with trophy addresses. According to a report by The Economic Times, the potential buyer is said to be a Delhi-based entrepreneur with deep roots in the food and beverage industry, though his identity remains officially undisclosed. In a city where land tells stories older than governments, this particular plot may be among the most talkative of them all.

The estate sits at Plot No. 5, Block No. 159, now known as 5, Bhagwan Das Road, right in the heart of the capital’s prestigious Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone. This enclave, designed during the British Raj by architect Edwin Lutyens, is widely regarded as India’s most exclusive residential district. Properties here rarely enter the market, and when they do, they are usually snapped up by industrialists, diplomats or institutions rather than ordinary buyers.

What Makes The Estate So Valuable?

Spread across roughly 3.2 acres, or about 12,950 square metres, the property exemplifies the architectural grammar of Lutyens’ Delhi: expansive lawns, generous setbacks, and a residence built to breathe rather than merely stand. Such plots are almost impossible to replicate today because zoning rules and heritage protections keep the area frozen in time. Real estate experts often call these “once-in-a-generation assets”, a phrase that signals both scarcity and status.

The bungalow is not just a house; it is a physical extension of the Tehri Garhwal royal lineage. The family traces its ancestry to the Panwar Rajputs, whose dynasty began with Kanak Pal, credited with unifying the small Garhwal kingdoms around 823 AD. Their rule endured for nearly a millennium until the Gorkha invasion of 1803 disrupted the kingdom’s continuity.

How Did The Royal Family Regain Power After The Invasion?

History took a decisive turn after the Anglo-Nepalese War ended in 1815. Sudarshan Shah, a descendant of the dynasty, regained control of western Garhwal and established the princely state known as Tehri Riyasat. As British influence expanded across India, royal families often acquired properties in major cities for administrative access and diplomatic visibility. This Delhi estate became one such strategic foothold.

Which Rulers Strengthened The Delhi Connection?

Successive rulers, including Pratap Shah and Narendra Shah, shifted capitals within the Tehri region but maintained strong ties with Delhi. Residences like this bungalow were used for ceremonial visits, political meetings and seasonal stays. In effect, they served as northern outposts of Himalayan royalty.

What Happened To The Property After Independence?

When India gained independence and princely states were integrated into the Union, Tehri merged into Uttar Pradesh in 1949. Despite political changes, the house continued to symbolise the family’s heritage and social standing. Today, it remains associated with Maharaja Manujendra Shah, the seventh and current head of the Tehri Garhwal royal family, who assumed the titular position on 7 January 2007.

The residence is known to be the home of Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament from Tehri Garhwal and a member of the royal family. Properties like this often remain within extended royal households, functioning as both residences and heritage landmarks.

Reports indicate that negotiations are in their final stages with a Delhi-based businessman who already owns property in the Lutyens’ zone. Interestingly, The Economic Times notes that the same buyer had earlier signed an agreement to purchase former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s historic residence on Motilal Nehru Road for over Rs 1,100 crore. A legal notice from a prominent law firm representing the buyer has confirmed interest in acquiring the Tehri estate, although the businessman’s name has not been made public.

Why Are Such Homes Called “Trophy Estates”?

In real estate parlance, a trophy property is one purchased as much for prestige as for utility. Lutyens’ Delhi homes qualify because they are limited in number, architecturally distinctive and steeped in political and historical associations. Owning one is often seen as joining an informal club of India’s most powerful families.

What Makes Lutyens’ Delhi So Special?

Trivia worth noting: the zone covers barely a few square kilometres yet houses embassies, ministerial residences and some of the country’s most influential figures. Strict regulations control construction height, façade alterations and subdivision, which means supply will always remain limited. That scarcity is precisely why prices here can cross four-digit crore figures.

Why Does This Sale Matter Beyond Real Estate?

If the deal closes near the reported Rs 1,000 crore mark, it would underscore the extraordinary premium attached to legacy properties in India’s capital. It also reflects a broader trend: historic residences once held by royals or political dynasties are gradually moving into private entrepreneurial hands, signalling a quiet shift in who owns India’s most symbolic addresses.

In Delhi, history rarely leaves; it merely changes landlords. And if this transaction goes through, Tehri Garhwal House will join that long list of storied addresses where the past still lingers in the corridors, even as new keys turn in the gate.