India’s great families

Political · Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh

The Nehru–Gandhi Family

Few families have shaped independent India's political landscape as profoundly. Beginning with Motilal Nehru — a prominent lawyer and freedom fighter — the family produced India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and later Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Their influence spans constitutional development, foreign policy, education, science and democratic institutions.

Known for: Politics and public service

Notable figures: Motilal Nehru · Jawaharlal Nehru · Indira Gandhi · Rajiv Gandhi · Rahul & Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

Matriarchs: Kamala Nehru · Indira Gandhi · Sonia Gandhi

Business · Navsari, Gujarat

The Tata Family

The Tatas helped establish modern Indian industry — steel, hospitality, aviation, automobiles, software, healthcare and education. Their philanthropic trusts have funded universities, hospitals, scientific research and social development for more than a century.

Known for: Industry, philanthropy, education

Notable figures: Jamsetji Tata · Sir Dorabji Tata · J. R. D. Tata · Ratan Tata

Business · Pilani, Rajasthan

The Birla Family

From a merchant family in Rajasthan, the Birlas became one of India's largest industrial dynasties. Their contributions extend to education, philanthropy, manufacturing and the independence movement — G.D. Birla was a close confidant of Mahatma Gandhi.

Known for: Cement, metals, financial services, telecom, textiles, education

Notable figures: Baldeodas Birla · Ghanshyam Das Birla · Basant Kumar Birla · Aditya Vikram Birla · Kumar Mangalam Birla

Royal · Mysuru, Karnataka

The Wadiyar Dynasty of Mysore

Founded in the late 14th century, the Wadiyars transformed Mysore into one of India's most progressive princely states, investing heavily in education, engineering, public infrastructure, hydroelectric power and the arts — including the founding institutions that would become IISc.

Known for: Progressive princely state — education, engineering, arts

Notable figures: Yaduraya Wodeyar · Raja Wadiyar I · Krishnaraja Wadiyar III · Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV · Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar

Royal / Political · Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

The Scindia Family

The Scindias rose under the Maratha Confederacy and, at their peak, held sway from Gwalior across large parts of northern and central India. In the modern era they have played prominent roles in politics, education and public administration.

Known for: Maratha empire military leadership, modern Indian politics

Notable figures: Ranoji Scindia · Mahadji Scindia · Jivajirao Scindia · Madhavrao Scindia · Jyotiraditya Scindia

Matriarchs: Vijaya Raje Scindia

Royal · Indore, Madhya Pradesh

The Holkar Dynasty

Ahilyabai Holkar is remembered as one of India's most admired rulers — she rebuilt temples, roads, pilgrim centers and charitable institutions across India while promoting justice and good governance from her seat at Maheshwar.

Known for: Just governance, temple rebuilding, women's leadership

Notable figures: Malhar Rao Holkar · Ahilyabai Holkar · Tukojirao Holkar II · Yashwant Rao Holkar II

Matriarchs: Ahilyabai Holkar

Royal · Vadodara, Gujarat

The Gaekwad Family

The Gaekwads modernised Baroda through universal education, libraries, public parks, museums and social reforms — many later adopted across India. Maharaja Sayajirao III founded what would become Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

Known for: Social reform, universal education, museums, libraries

Notable figures: Pilaji Rao Gaekwad · Sayajirao Gaekwad III · Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad · Ranjitsinh Pratapsinh Gaekwad · Samarjitsinh Gaekwad

Cultural · Jorasanko, Kolkata, West Bengal

The Tagore Family

The Tagores became synonymous with the Bengal Renaissance, producing influential poets, artists, musicians, educators and reformers whose work reshaped Indian literature and culture. Rabindranath Tagore was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1913).

Known for: Literature, art, music, education

Notable figures: Dwarkanath Tagore · Debendranath Tagore · Rabindranath Tagore · Abanindranath Tagore

Business · Mumbai, Maharashtra

The Godrej Family

The Godrej family established one of India's most trusted business groups, known for engineering excellence — from the first locks made in India to environmental stewardship of the vast Godrej mangrove in Mumbai's Vikhroli.

Known for: Consumer goods, real estate, agriculture, appliances

Notable figures: Ardeshir Godrej · Pirojsha Burjorji Godrej · Naval Godrej · Adi Godrej · Nadir Godrej · Jamshyd Godrej

Business · Rajasthan → Wardha, Maharashtra

The Bajaj Family

Closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi — who called Jamnalal his fifth son — the Bajaj family built a diversified industrial group while supporting education, rural development and philanthropy from Wardha to the world.

Known for: Automobiles, financial services, rural philanthropy

Notable figures: Jamnalal Bajaj · Kamalnayan Bajaj · Rahul Bajaj · Rajiv Bajaj · Sanjiv Bajaj · Niraj Bajaj

Matriarchs: Jankidevi Bajaj