Khengarji III of Kutch
Encyclopedia
Maharajadhiraj Mirza
Maharao
Sri
Sir
Khengarji III Sawai
Bahadur
, GCSI
, GCIE
, KIH
(23 August 1866-15 January 1942) was a progressive and one of the longest ruling, Maharao of the Princely State of Cutch from 1875 to 1942.
He ascended the throne in 1875 after demise of his father Maharao Shri Pragmalji II of Kutch
died on 19 December 1875. He ascended the throne on 3 January 1876 and reigned under a Council of Regency until he came of age, 11 August 1884 and was invested with full ruling powers, 14 November 1884.
At the pinnacle of the Jadeja
clan of Rajputs, he advanced his state drastically over the sixty-six years of his reign, modernizing it and bringing it forth into the 20th century. During the latter part of Queen Victoria's reign, Sir Khengarji came to be appointed as an aide de camp to the Queen-Empress in her declining years, which excited some jealousy amongst the officials of the Government of India
. He often traveled abroad to Europe, and was noted for his personal relations with the members of the ruling houses there. Khengarji III was one of the very few Indian monarchs to attend all three Delhi Durbars - in 1877,1903 and 1911. In 1919, he was granted a local salute
of 19-guns, and represented India at a League of Nations
conference in Geneva in 1921. Sir Khengarji died in 1942, aged 75, and was succeeded by his son Vijayaraji
.
Some of the highlights of his reign and attributes :-
Mirza
Mirza , is of Persian origin, denoting the rank of a high nobleman or Prince. It is usually translated into English as a royal or imperial Prince of the Blood...
Maharao
Maharao
Maharao is a variation on the Indian royal title Maharaja, also meaning 'Great king' in Hindi. It is composed of Maha- 'great' and the royal title Rao, a variation on Raja.-Salute states :...
Sri
Sri
Sri , also transliterated as Shri or Shree or shre is a word of Sanskrit origin, used in the Indian subcontinent as polite form of address equivalent to the English "Mr." in written and spoken language, or as a title of veneration for deities .-Etymology:Sri has the root meaning of radiance, or...
Sir
Sir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Khengarji III Sawai
Sawai
Sawai in India, may refer to Honorary title generally used with Bahadur, for example Sawai Bahadur. Sawai literally means a quarter over one .Sawai may also refer to:*Sawai, a language*Sawai, a tropical tree...
Bahadur
Rao Bahadur
Rao Bahadur was a title of honour issued in British India to individuals who had performed great service to the nation....
, GCSI
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
, GCIE
Order of the Indian Empire
The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1878. The Order includes members of three classes:#Knight Grand Commander #Knight Commander #Companion...
, KIH
Kaiser-i-Hind
The Kaisar-i-Hind was a medal awarded by the British monarch between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj....
(23 August 1866-15 January 1942) was a progressive and one of the longest ruling, Maharao of the Princely State of Cutch from 1875 to 1942.
He ascended the throne in 1875 after demise of his father Maharao Shri Pragmalji II of Kutch
Pragmalji II of Kutch
Maharao Pragmalji II was the Rao of Princely State of Cutch, a ruler of Jadeja dynasty who ascended the throne upon death of his father & king Rao Deshalji II on 26th July, 1860 and ruled till his death on 19th December, 1875. He was a progressive King and the Gadh of Mandvi, Mundra were...
died on 19 December 1875. He ascended the throne on 3 January 1876 and reigned under a Council of Regency until he came of age, 11 August 1884 and was invested with full ruling powers, 14 November 1884.
At the pinnacle of the Jadeja
Jadeja
Jadeja belong to the Yaduvanshi rajputs or Chandravanshi rajputs. They are one of the 36 royal dynasties of old tracing their origins to Lord Krishna...
clan of Rajputs, he advanced his state drastically over the sixty-six years of his reign, modernizing it and bringing it forth into the 20th century. During the latter part of Queen Victoria's reign, Sir Khengarji came to be appointed as an aide de camp to the Queen-Empress in her declining years, which excited some jealousy amongst the officials of the Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
. He often traveled abroad to Europe, and was noted for his personal relations with the members of the ruling houses there. Khengarji III was one of the very few Indian monarchs to attend all three Delhi Durbars - in 1877,1903 and 1911. In 1919, he was granted a local salute
Salute
A salute is a gesture or other action used to display respect. Salutes are primarily associated with armed forces, but other organizations and civil people also use salutes.-Military salutes:...
of 19-guns, and represented India at a League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
conference in Geneva in 1921. Sir Khengarji died in 1942, aged 75, and was succeeded by his son Vijayaraji
Vijayaraji
H.H. Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Sri Vijayaraji Khengarji Sawai Bahadur was the ruling Maharao of the princely state of Kutch from 1942 to his death in 1948....
.
Some of the highlights of his reign and attributes :-
- Giving finishing touches to Prag MahalPrag MahalThe Prag Mahal is a 19th-century palace located next to the Aina Mahal in Bhuj, Gujarat, India. It was commissioned by Rao Pragmalji II, and construction began in 1865. It was designed by Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins in the Italian Gothic style, and many Italian artisans were involved in its...
in 1878-79, which was commissioned by his father Maharao Pragmalji in 1865-66. - The Fergusson Museum, now known as the Kutch Museum, was founded by him in 1877 AD to house the numerous wedding gifts he received. It is the oldest museum in Gujarat.
- Promotion of Cutch State RailwayCutch State RailwayThe Cutch State Railway also spelled as Kutch State Railway was an isolated Indian narrow gauge railway in Princely State of Cutch.The railway ran north from the port of Tuna towards Anjar in the Kutch. The railway was financed by the Maharao Khengarji Bawa of Cutch, and the initial section to...
, a narrow gauge line owned & managed by Princely State of Cutch. The laying of railway tracks between Tuna PortTuna PortTuna Port is a port-cum-town in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India.-History:Tuna Port was developed during mid-eighteenth century by Kingdom of Kutch, later known as Princely State of Cutch....
and AnjarAnjar, IndiaAnjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
started in 1900-01. Ostensibly the inaugural train carried the baraat (marriage entourage) of Yuvraj Vijayrajji. First train ran in year 1905. The line was extended to BhujBhujBhuj is a city and a municipality in Kachchh district in the state of Gujarat, India.-History:It was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the state capital by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital laid formally on Vikram Samvat 1604 Maagha 5th...
from Anjar in 1908 and later to Bhimasar, Bhachau & Kandla. - Ordered renovation of Suralbhit Jadeshwar Temple near BhujBhujBhuj is a city and a municipality in Kachchh district in the state of Gujarat, India.-History:It was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the state capital by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital laid formally on Vikram Samvat 1604 Maagha 5th...
in 1914. Renovation work done by Mistris of MadhaparMadhaparMadhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists... - Sanctioned the Haji Pir (near Nara) Dargah complex in the Rann.
- Introduced Kutch into the Electricity, Automobile and Aviation era, but preferred to keep his personal apartment at the Pragmahal Palace unelectrified.
- In 1930 he personally identified & selected the location for new port of KandlaKandlaKandla is a seaport in Kutch District of Gujarat state in western India. Located on the Gulf of Kutch, it is one of major ports on west coast. Kandla was constructed in the 1950s as the chief seaport serving western India, after the partition of India from Pakistan left the port of Karachi in...
. The Cutch State RailwayCutch State RailwayThe Cutch State Railway also spelled as Kutch State Railway was an isolated Indian narrow gauge railway in Princely State of Cutch.The railway ran north from the port of Tuna towards Anjar in the Kutch. The railway was financed by the Maharao Khengarji Bawa of Cutch, and the initial section to...
lines were extended from Anjar to Kandla. - Opening up of various state funded Schools & educational institutions, like Sanskrit Pathshala, Alfred High SchoolAlfred High School, BhujAlfred High School in Bhuj, Kutch is one of the oldest educational institution of Gujarat and first high school of Kutch. It was founded by Rao of Cutch, Pragmalji II in year 1870 at cost of Rs, 1,50000/-...
, Library in Princely State of Kutch. - Built public Hospitals at Bhuj and Mandvi.
- Commissioned in 1940 Darya Mahal, his monumental residence in Mumbai.
- Throughout 66 years of his reign kept inflation in tight check.
- Interacted with Indian stalwarts, Swami Vivekanand, Mahatma Gandhi, Dadabhoy Naoroji.
- Rare occurrence - saw five generation of Maharaos from Pragmulji II to Pragmulji III.
- Acknowledged as one of the finest rifle shots of his times.
- Keen judge of horses.
- # Much after independence Khengar park was established in Bhuj perpetuating his memory. Present Maharao Pragmulji III instrumental to put up his bust (statue) at the Port Trust New Kandla.
Titles
- 1866-1875: Maharajkumar Shri Khengarji Pragmulji, YuvrajYuvrajYuvraj, Yuvaraja, or Yuvaraj is an Indian title for "Crown Prince", i.e., heir apparent to the throne of an Indian Princely State or former Hindu kingdom ruling the India before Indian independence...
SahibSahibSahib is an Urdu term which literally translates to "Owner" or "Proprietor". The primary Arabic meaning of Sahib is "associate, companion, comrade, friend" though it also includes "Sahib is an Urdu term which literally translates to "Owner" or "Proprietor". The primary Arabic meaning of Sahib...
of Kutch - 1875-1877: His Highness Maharajadhiraj MirzaMirzaMirza , is of Persian origin, denoting the rank of a high nobleman or Prince. It is usually translated into English as a royal or imperial Prince of the Blood...
MaharaoMaharaoMaharao is a variation on the Indian royal title Maharaja, also meaning 'Great king' in Hindi. It is composed of Maha- 'great' and the royal title Rao, a variation on Raja.-Salute states :...
Shri Khengarji III SahibSahibSahib is an Urdu term which literally translates to "Owner" or "Proprietor". The primary Arabic meaning of Sahib is "associate, companion, comrade, friend" though it also includes "Sahib is an Urdu term which literally translates to "Owner" or "Proprietor". The primary Arabic meaning of Sahib...
BahadurRao BahadurRao Bahadur was a title of honour issued in British India to individuals who had performed great service to the nation....
, RaoRajaRaja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
of Kutch - 1877-1885: His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri Khengarji III SahibSahibSahib is an Urdu term which literally translates to "Owner" or "Proprietor". The primary Arabic meaning of Sahib is "associate, companion, comrade, friend" though it also includes "Sahib is an Urdu term which literally translates to "Owner" or "Proprietor". The primary Arabic meaning of Sahib...
Bahadur, Rao of Kutch, KIHKaiser-i-HindThe Kaisar-i-Hind was a medal awarded by the British monarch between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj.... - 1885-1887: His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri Khengarji III SawaiSawaiSawai in India, may refer to Honorary title generally used with Bahadur, for example Sawai Bahadur. Sawai literally means a quarter over one .Sawai may also refer to:*Sawai, a language*Sawai, a tropical tree...
Bahadur, Rao of Kutch, KIHKaiser-i-HindThe Kaisar-i-Hind was a medal awarded by the British monarch between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj.... - 1887-1917: His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Khengarji III SawaiSawaiSawai in India, may refer to Honorary title generally used with Bahadur, for example Sawai Bahadur. Sawai literally means a quarter over one .Sawai may also refer to:*Sawai, a language*Sawai, a tropical tree...
Bahadur, Rao of Kutch, GCIE, KIHKaiser-i-HindThe Kaisar-i-Hind was a medal awarded by the British monarch between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj.... - 1917-1918: His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Khengarji III SawaiSawaiSawai in India, may refer to Honorary title generally used with Bahadur, for example Sawai Bahadur. Sawai literally means a quarter over one .Sawai may also refer to:*Sawai, a language*Sawai, a tropical tree...
Bahadur, Rao of Kutch, GCSI, GCIE, KIHKaiser-i-HindThe Kaisar-i-Hind was a medal awarded by the British monarch between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj.... - 1918-1929: His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Khengarji III SawaiSawaiSawai in India, may refer to Honorary title generally used with Bahadur, for example Sawai Bahadur. Sawai literally means a quarter over one .Sawai may also refer to:*Sawai, a language*Sawai, a tropical tree...
Bahadur, Maharao of Kutch, GCSI, GCIE, KIHKaiser-i-HindThe Kaisar-i-Hind was a medal awarded by the British monarch between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj.... - 1929-1942: ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Khengarji III SawaiSawaiSawai in India, may refer to Honorary title generally used with Bahadur, for example Sawai Bahadur. Sawai literally means a quarter over one .Sawai may also refer to:*Sawai, a language*Sawai, a tropical tree...
Bahadur, Maharao of Kutch, GCSI, GCIE, KIHKaiser-i-HindThe Kaisar-i-Hind was a medal awarded by the British monarch between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj....
Honours
- Kaiser-i-HindKaiser-i-HindThe Kaisar-i-Hind was a medal awarded by the British monarch between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj....
gold medal (KIH)-1877 - Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE)-1887
- Queen Victoria Golden JubileeGolden JubileeA Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary.- In Thailand :King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, celebrated his Golden Jubilee on 9 June 1996.- In the Commonwealth Realms :...
Medal-1887 (Diamond JubileeDiamond JubileeA Diamond Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 60th anniversary in the case of a person or a 75th anniversary in the case of an event.- Thailand :...
Clasp-1897) - Delhi DurbarDelhi DurbarThe Delhi Durbar , meaning "Court of Delhi", was a mass assembly at Coronation Park, Delhi, India, to mark the coronation of a King and Queen of the United Kingdom. Also known as the Imperial Durbar, it was held three times, in 1877, 1903, and 1911, at the height of the British Empire. The 1911...
gold medal-1903 - King George V Coronation MedalKing George V Coronation MedalThe King George V Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made in 1911 to celebrate the coronation of George V.-Issue:This coronation medal was the first to be issued to people who were not in attendance at the coronation...
w/ Delhi Durbar Clasp-1911 - Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (GCSI)-1917
- Freedom of the Cities of London and Bath-1921
- King George V Silver Jubilee MedalKing George V Silver Jubilee MedalThe King George V Silver Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the coronation of King George V.-Issue:...
-1935 - King George VI Coronation MedalKing George VI Coronation MedalThe King George VI Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the coronation of King George VI.-Issue:For Coronation and Jubilee medals, the practice up until 1977 was that United Kingdom authorities decided on a total number to be produced, then allocated a proportion to each of...
-1937