The Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal, Manujendra Shah, is in the final stages of talks to sell his family’s estate in Delhi’s posh Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone for an estimated ₹1,000 crore. Reports suggest that a prominent Delhi-based entrepreneur with keen interests in the food and beverage industry is keen on acquiring the bungalow. Notably, the same buyer is also believed to be interested in the purchase of Jawaharlal Nehru’s former residence.
Situated at 5, Bhagwan Das Road (Plot No. 5, Block 159), the Tehri Garhwal property lies within the historic Lutyens’ Delhi enclave. It’s a district designed during the British era by architect Edwin Lutyens and recognised as India’s most exclusive residential zone, where luxury real estate seldom enters the market. However, as per reports, when they do, they are usually acquired by industrialists, diplomats, or institutional buyers rather than ordinary individuals.
About The Tehri Garhwal Estate
Spread across roughly 3.2 acres (about 12,950 square metres), the plush estate stands as a legacy property of the Tehri Garhwal royal family. Its expansive layout, lawns and stately bungalow reflect the scale and architectural grandeur, signifying the character of residential buildings in the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone. The property traces its lineage to the historic Tehri Garhwal dynasty of Uttarakhand, rooted in the Panwar Rajput lineage established by Kanak Pal in the 9th century. He unified Garhwal’s small kingdoms around 823 AD, building a dynasty that lasted until the Gorkha invasions of 1803.
After the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1815, the restored portions of Garhwal were returned to royal control under Sudarshan Shah. The family gradually established a presence in Delhi to maintain a vital urban base amid growing British influence. Successors such as Pratap Shah and Narendra Shah relocated capitals within Tehri yet maintained strong links to Delhi properties for administrative and ceremonial needs. Over generations, even as capitals shifted within Tehri, the Delhi estate remained a symbolic and strategic anchor for the family.
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Who Resides In The Tehri Property?
The residence is currently associated with Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Member of Parliament from Tehri Garhwal and a member of the royal household. Such estates often continue to function both as private residences and heritage markers of lineage.
Why Are These Bungalows Called “Trophy Estates”?
In real estate terminology, properties like this are often described as “trophy assets”, prized as much for their symbolic prestige as for their functional value. Lutyens’ Delhi homes are exceptionally scarce, architecturally unique, and deeply linked with political and historical narratives, making ownership a marker of influence and legacy.
What is The Deal Status?
Reports indicate that negotiations are nearing closure. If finalised, this would mark the buyer’s second major acquisition of a historic Lutyens’ property, following an earlier agreement linked to a residence connected to Jawaharlal Nehru. While the identity of the prospective buyer remains undisclosed, legal representatives have formally expressed interest in the transaction, as per reports.
