Wyatt Mason 
During his academic journey, he interned at the Ministry of Finance under the late Arun Jaitley, gaining firsthand exposure to policy and governance.
If someone has the title “Yuvraj” before their name and the surname “Scindia” after it, it’s easy to guess they come from a royal and wealthy background. Mahanaaryaman Rao Scindia, heir to the Gwalior royal family, lives in the grand Jai Vilas Palace — reportedly worth Rs. 40,000 crore — and his family has assets worth billions. With that kind of legacy, you’d expect a lavish and effortless lifestyle. But Aryaman chose a different path. While many royals enjoy a life of luxury without worrying about careers or businesses, Mahanaaryaman wanted to make his own name. Rather than entering politics like his father, Jyotiraditya Scindia, he chose a startup route. Some people even mocked him, saying, “A prince selling vegetables?” But he stayed focused on his goal.
Mahanaaryaman had already made up his mind during his school days at Doon School — he wanted to achieve something on his own. In 2021, along with a friend, he co-founded a startup called MyMandi. The idea was simple: bring fresh fruits and vegetables directly from the market to people through an app. In the beginning, Mahanaaryaman himself would visit the local mandis early in the morning to buy the produce and ensure quality.
Aryaman’s education qualification
Mahanaaryaman Scindia completed his schooling at the prestigious Doon School and later pursued a degree in Economics and Political Science from Yale University. During his academic journey, he interned at the Ministry of Finance under the late Arun Jaitley, gaining firsthand exposure to policy and governance. His interest in culture and history also led him to an internship at Christie’s, where he learned how to research and catalogue art.
Professionally, Aryaman has worked as an associate at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Mumbai, one of the world’s leading management consulting firms. He also spent time in Bhutan, immersing himself in the concept of Gross National Happiness and exploring how well-being can shape a nation’s development.
About Jai Vilas Palace
Mahanaaryaman lives with his family in the grand Jai Vilas Palace, built in 1874. The palace is filled with jaw-dropping details — from a 3,500 kg chandelier (one of the world’s heaviest) to gold-decorated interiors using over 560 kg of gold. In fact, before the chandelier was installed, engineers tested the ceiling’s strength by letting ten elephants walk across it for ten days!
There’s also a dining room that showcases royal luxury like no other — it has a silver toy train that moves on tracks laid out on the table to serve food. Meals are often served in gold and silver dishes, and the palace includes a private gym, polo ground, swimming pool, and other lavish facilities for staff and residents.
The palace occupies nearly 15 acres in the centre of Gwalior and acts as both a visual and symbolic anchor for the city. A major part of the palace is a museum, which opened in 1964 and is dedicated to showcasing the life and times of the Marathas of Gwalior.
The royal who sells fruits & veggies
Mahanaaryaman started MyMandi in 2021 with his friend Suryansh Rana. Today, their business operates in five cities and is gradually expanding. Mahanaaryaman once shared in an interview that he’s so passionate about the business that he often goes to the market early in the morning to handpick the produce himself. To avoid recognition, he covers his face during these visits.
So far, MyMandi has completed three funding rounds. In September 2023, the startup raised funds at a valuation of USD 1.2 million. Mahanaaryaman is now working toward securing Rs. 8 crore in investments, with the company’s estimated valuation around Rs. 150 crore. Even legendary industrialist Ratan Tata has invested in their venture.
