Meet 'Ashwa Magadhira': Raja Bhaiya's New Horse Whose Price Tag Could Get You A Noida Villa
Meet 'Ashwa Magadhira': Raja Bhaiya's New Horse Whose Price Tag Could Get You A Noida Villa Published By, Edited By Last Updated: May 28, 2026
Meet 'Ashwa Magadhira': Raja Bhaiya's New Horse Whose Price Tag Could Get You A Noida Villa Published By, Edited By Last Updated: May 28, 2026, 08:49 IST Ashwa Magadhira was gifted to Raja Bhaiya by a close associate — and what's more, this is reportedly the lower end of what this breed can cost. Scroll on for the number. Raghuraj Pratap Singh, 58, is the MLA from Kunda constituency in Pratapgarh district — and he has held that seat continuously since 1993. If you thought gifting someone a luxury watch or a fancy car was extravagant, meet Raghuraj Pratap Singh — the man his followers simply call Raja Bhaiya — who just received a thoroughbred horse worth Rs 2.5 crore as a present. And no, it wasn’t just led into a stable quietly. It got a tilak, an aarti, and a crowd that showed up just to catch a glimpse. Welcome to the world of Raja Bhaiya. Where even the horses get a royal welcome. First, Who Exactly Is Raja Bhaiya? If you’re not from Uttar Pradesh, here’s your crash course. Raghuraj Pratap Singh, 58, is the MLA from Kunda constituency in Pratapgarh district — and he has held that seat continuously since 1993. That’s over three decades without losing a single election, in a state where political fortunes can collapse overnight. He is the national president of his own party, Jansatta Dal, and is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and feared politicians in all of UP.
He is old-school bahubali in the truest sense — a feudal strongman with a loyal base, a palace, a stable full of horses, and a larger-than-life personality that makes him impossible to ignore. His ancestral home, the Beti Mahal in Kunda, is practically a fortress. The Indian state has tried — and largely failed — to clip his wings. The POTA Years — When He Was Jailed And Still Won Raja Bhaiya’s most dramatic chapter came in 2002, when the Mayawati government slapped him with charges under POTA — the Prevention of Terrorism Act — in connection with the alleged killing of a DSP. He was arrested and sent to jail. Most politicians would have crumbled. Raja Bhaiya? He contested elections from prison, and his supporters still voted for him in droves. The charges were eventually dropped, and he walked out with his political career not just intact but stronger. He later served as the Jail Minister and Food Minister in the Samajwadi Party government under Akhilesh Yadav — yes, the man once jailed under POTA became the minister in charge of jails. Back To The Horse — And What A Horse It Is The new arrival at the Beti Mahal is named Ashwa Magadhira — a thoroughbred, which is widely considered the finest racing breed in the world. Originally developed in 18th-century England, thoroughbreds are bred for speed, stamina, and spirit.
Depending on age, racing record, and physical build, a thoroughbred can cost anywhere between Rs 2.5 crore and Rs 15 crore. Ashwa Magadhira reportedly came in at the lower end of that range — Rs 2.5 crore — gifted by a close associate of Raja Bhaiya. This is not the first time he has received a horse as a gift, by the way. A previous horse was also gifted to him by admirers. When Ashwa Magadhira arrived at the Beti Mahal in Kunda on Tuesday, Raja Bhaiya personally came out to receive it. In a video that quickly went viral, he can be seen gently stroking the horse, applying a tilak on its forehead, performing an aarti, and feeding it something sweet — a traditional gesture of welcome. Only after this little ceremony was the horse led into the royal stable. Crowds of supporters gathered just to see the horse. Because in Kunda, even a horse’s arrival is an event. A Man With A Stable Full Of Horses — And Stories Raja Bhaiya’s love for horses is well known across UP. He is an avid rider, and his stable at the Beti Mahal already houses more than a dozen horses, each with its own distinct pedigree and story. Beyond horses, he is also known for his love of luxury cars, bikes, and watches — a lifestyle that sits comfortably alongside his feudal, old-money image.
But what makes Raja Bhaiya genuinely fascinating is the contradiction he embodies. On one hand, he is fiercely loved by the people of Kunda — often described as a protector figure who solves local disputes the way courts cannot or will not. On the other hand, he has faced serious criminal cases over the years, which his supporters have always dismissed as political vendetta. In UP’s complex political ecosystem, Raja Bhaiya occupies a space that no other politician quite does — part feudal lord, part elected representative, part living legend. And now, part horse whisperer. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 28, 2026, 08:49 IST News cities lucknow-news Meet 'Ashwa Magadhira': Raja Bhaiya's New Horse Whose Price Tag Could Get You A Noida Villa Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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