Saba Ali Khan Pataudi, born on May 1, 1976, is a distinguished member of the Pataudi royal family who has forged a unique path distinct from her famous relatives. As the daughter of cricket legend Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and actress Sharmila Tagore, and sister to Bollywood actors Saif and Soha Ali Khan, Saba has embraced her heritage while building a multifaceted career in jewellery design, photography, and spiritual guidance. Her most significant role is as the Mutawalli(Chief Trustee) of the Auqaf-e-Shahi, a centuries-old Islamic charitable trust.
Saba’s primary profession is jewellery design, a field she entered after studying at the Delhi College of Art and earning a diploma in Gemmology. She is known for creating customised, artistic pieces and has launched a signature diamond collection in partnership with the luxury brand Opulence. She also runs her own independent brand, specialising in sterling silver jewellery.
Beyond design, Saba is a passionate photographer, serving as the unofficial chronicler of the Pataudi family. Her Instagram account is a celebrated archive of rare and candid family moments. A lesser-known aspect of her life is her work as a tarot card reader and spiritual healer, where she offers guidance to clients, reflecting a deep spiritual inclination that has defined much of her life’s work.
The Royal Custodian
Saba’s most profound responsibility is her leadership of the Auqaf-e-Shahi (Royal Trust), an Islamic endowment with assets valued at over Rs 1,200 crore. This portfolio includes mosques, shrines, and other properties in Bhopal, Raisen, and Sehore, as well as crucial guesthouses (Rubats) in Makkah and Madinah that provide free lodging for approximately 300 Hajj pilgrims annually.
Her father, recognising her spiritual nature and believing her siblings’ film careers might conflict with the role’s religious sensitivities, appointed her as his deputy. Following his death in 2011, Saba became the Mutawalli, making her the first woman to head the trust since the end of India’s princely era. Her appointment was officially recognised by both the Indian and Saudi Arabian governments. She has since implemented administrative reforms, including the formation of an executive board, to effectively manage the trust’s vast responsibilities and charitable activities.
Saba Ali Khan Pataudi embodies a modern royal who balances creative expression with a profound sense of duty. She quietly preserves a significant ancestral legacy while making her own mark as a professional and a spiritual guide.