Meghrajji III of Dhrangadhra-Halvad
Encyclopedia
Maharaja Mayurdwajsinhji Meghrajji III (3 March 1923 - 1 August 2010) was the last ruling Maharaja
Maharaja
Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...

 of Dhrangadhra
Dhrangadhra
Dhrangadhra is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the state of Gujarat, India. During the period of the British Raj, the city was the capital of Dhrangadhra state, one of the eight first-class princely states of the Kathiawar Agency in the Bombay Presidency.-History:Dhrangadhra...

 Halvad
Halvad
Halvad is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.- Geography :Halvad is located at . It has an average elevation of 46 metres . Halvad sits on bank of Samatsar Pond...

. He was a well-known academic, politician, member of several distinguished academic bodies, and one of the last surviving rulers of the former princely state
Princely state
A Princely State was a nominally sovereign entitity of British rule in India that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule such as suzerainty or paramountcy.-British relationship with the Princely States:India under the British Raj ...

s of the Indian Empire. He was also the last surviving knight of the Order of the Indian Empire
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...

 and the last of either of the chivalric orders of British Indian Empire.

Early life

Maharaja Meghrajji III was born on 3 March 1923 at Sundar Villas, Dhrangadhra
Dhrangadhra
Dhrangadhra is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the state of Gujarat, India. During the period of the British Raj, the city was the capital of Dhrangadhra state, one of the eight first-class princely states of the Kathiawar Agency in the Bombay Presidency.-History:Dhrangadhra...

 as the second but eldest surviving son of Maharaja Sir Ghanshyamsinjhi Ajitsinhji Sahib Bahadur (1889–1942), the Maharaja of the 13-gun salute state
Salute state
A Salute state was a princely state in India during the time of British rule which had been granted a gun salute by the British Crown ; i.e., the protocollary privilege for its ruler to be greeted - originally by Royal Navy ships, later also on land - with a number of gun shots, as recognition of...

 of Dhrangadhra-Halvad and his third wife, Maharani Anand Kunverba Sahiba (1895–1979). He received his earliest education at a local school, then was sent to England, where he first attended Millfield School in Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...

 and then the Heath Mount School
Heath Mount School
Heath Mount School is a co-educational prep school near Watton-at-Stone, Hertfordshire. It was originally based in Hampstead, until the 1930s when it moved to rural Hertfordshire.-Notable former pupils:...

 in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...

. He then studied at Haileybury College in Hertfordshire before returning to India just prior to succeeding his father as Maharaja.

Maharaja of Dhrangadhra-Halvad

Upon the death of his father in 1942, Mehghrajji succeeded him as Maharaja. He continued his education at St. Joseph's Academy
St. Joseph's Academy, Dehradun
St. Joseph's Academy, Dehradun is a co-educational Indian Certificate of Secondary Education school in Dehradun, the capital of the state of Uttarakhand in India. Founded in 1934, the school is governed by the members of the Patrician Brothers' Institute. It celebrated the bicentenary of the...

 in Dehra Dun and at the Shivaji Military School in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...

. During his reign, he served as the Patron of Talukdari Girassia College and of the Bhandarkar oriental Research Institute. From 1945 to 1947, he was a member of the Standing Committee of the Chamber of Princes
Chamber of Princes
The Chamber of Princes was an institution established in 1920 by a royal proclamation of the King-Emperor to provide a forum in which the rulers of the Indian princely states could voice their needs and aspirations to the government of British India...

.

Meghrajji's reign proved to be a short one, as when independence came to India in 1947, Meghrajji signed an Instrument of Accession
Instrument of Accession
The Instrument of Accession was a legal document created in 1947 to enable each of the rulers of the princely states under British suzerainty to join one of the new dominions of India or Pakistan created by the Partition of British India.-Background:...

 to India. In that same year, he was knighted by being appointed a member of
the Order of the Indian Empire
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...

, one of the last. However, Meghrajji threw himself wholeheartedly into the cause for his new nation, serving as a member of the Constituent Assembly of India
Constituent Assembly of India
The Constituent Assembly of India was elected to write the Constitution of India, and following independence served as the nation's first Parliament.-Nature of the Assembly:...

 from 1947 to 1948. On 15 February 1948, the Maharaja merged Dhrangadhra-Halvad into the United State of Kathiawad and into the Union of Saurashtra just a month later.

Politician and academic

From 1948 to 1952, Meghrajji served as Uprajpramukh (Deputy Rajpramukh
Rajpramukh
Rajpramukh was an administrative title in India which existed from India's independence in 1947 until 1956. Rajpramukhs were the appointed governors of certain of India's provinces and states....

) of the state of Saurashtra, also serving briefly (in 1949) as president of its state bank. In 1953, he attended the coronation of Elizabeth II. In 1967, he became a Member of the Gujarat State Assembly, representing Surendranagar. He then served as a Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...

 in the Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...

 for Jhalavad from 1967 to 1971. Working to keep the tradition of royal India's monarchies alive, Meghrajji simultaneously held the chair of Intendant-General for the Consultation of Rulers of Indian States in Concord for India until 1971.

In the 1950s, Meghrajji studied at Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...

, where he took a B.Litt in 1958. He also studied at the Ruskin School of Drawing and at the Institute for Social Anthropology at Oxford.

Personal life

In 1943, Meghrajji married Maharani Shrimati Sri Rajni Brijraj Kunverba Sahiba of Jodhpur (14 December 1930-). The couple had three sons:
  • 1. Patvi Namdar
    Namdar
    Namdar is an Iranian surname.Namdar was also an honorific title used by Indian Maharajas and Rajkumars before their name.-Surname:* Asieh Namdar, Iranian-American journalist* Cha Cha Namdar, Iranian-American soccer player...

     Jhalavrit Maharajkumar Shri Sodhsalji Shatrujitdev Sahib, Yuvaraja of Dhrangadhra-Halvad, who succeeded as HH Maharaja Sodhsalji Shatrujitdev Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja Raj Sahib of Dhrangadhra-Halvad. (22 March 1944-); educ. Oxford. Married on 6 May 1970 Yuvarani Savitri Devi Sahib (16 November 1941-8 September 1983). Married on 21 September 1986 Yuvarani Ayesha Devi Sahiba (1 December 1948-). He has three daughters by his first wife:
    • Rajkumari Baiji Lal Nisha Devi Jhala (5 July 1971-)
    • Rajkumari Baiji Lal Rama Devi Jhala (30 July 1972-)
    • Rajkumari Baiji Lal Rohina Nitya Devi Jhala (4 February 1978-). Married July 2002 Liam F. McLaughlin.
  • 2. Maharajkumar Shri Dr. Jayasinhji Jawahirdev Sahib, PhD, MSc (13 October 1948-). Associate Professor of Social Anthropology at Temple University
    Temple University
    Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...

    , USA. Married 6 September 1977 Maharajkumari Shri Raya Devi Sahiba (31 August 1949-). He has two daughters:
    • Baiji Lal Angma Devi Sahib (26 April 1978-)
    • Baiji Lal Lila Devi Sahib (28 August 1979-)
  • 3. Maharajkumar Shri Siddhrajsinhji Gautama Deo Sahib (11 May 1950-). Artist and furniture maker. Married 14 June 1974 (divorced 1984) Aruna Devi; married 29 April 1985 Kavrani Kanchande Devi Sahiba (13 January 1957-). He has two daughters by his second wife:
    • Baiji Lal Amba Suhasini Sahiba (14 March 1986-)
    • Baiji Lal Sukanya Devika Sahib (4 November 1987-)

Later life

Since 1966, he had served as the President of Rajkumar College, Rajkot
Rajkumar College, Rajkot
The Rajkumar College in Rajkot is one of the oldest K-12 institutions in India. RKC has a 26 acre campus located in the heart of Rajkot city.-History:...

 and of the Sri Rajaram Educational Foundation. He was also a life member of the Millfield Society, the Indian Council of World Affairs, the Indian Parliamentary Group, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, previously known as the Empire Parliamentary Association, is an organisation, of British origin, which works to support good governance, democracy and human rights...

 (all since 1967), the Linguistic Society of India, the Numismatic Society of India, the Heraldry Society of India and the World Wildlife Fund. As well, he was a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society
Royal Asiatic Society
The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland was established, according to its Royal Charter of 11 August 1824, to further "the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia." From its incorporation the Society...

 and of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland
Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland
The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland is the world's longest established anthropological organization, with a global membership. Since 1843, it has been at the forefront of new developments in anthropology and new means of communicating them to a broad audience...

. He was also a member of the Cricket Club of India
Cricket Club of India
Cricket Club of India is located on Dinsha Wacha Road, near Churchgate in Mumbai, India. It is one of the oldest and most well known cricket clubs in India...

 and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
Royal Historical Society
The Royal Historical Society was founded in 1868. The premier society in the United Kingdom which promotes and defends the scholarly study of the past, it is based at University College London...

.

Death

The Maharaja died of complications of old age at Dhrangadhra on 1 August 2010, aged 87. He was succeeded by his eldest son and heir as Maharaja of Dhrangadhra-Halvad..

Titles

  • 1923-1942: Patvi Namdar
    Namdar
    Namdar is an Iranian surname.Namdar was also an honorific title used by Indian Maharajas and Rajkumars before their name.-Surname:* Asieh Namdar, Iranian-American journalist* Cha Cha Namdar, Iranian-American soccer player...

     Jhalavrit Maharajkumar Shri Meghrajji Ghanshyamsinjhi Sahib
    Sahib
    Sahib 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...

    , Yuvraj
    Yuvraj
    Yuvraj, 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...

     of Dhrangadhra
    Dhrangadhra
    Dhrangadhra is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the state of Gujarat, India. During the period of the British Raj, the city was the capital of Dhrangadhra state, one of the eight first-class princely states of the Kathiawar Agency in the Bombay Presidency.-History:Dhrangadhra...

     Halvad
    Halvad
    Halvad is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.- Geography :Halvad is located at . It has an average elevation of 46 metres . Halvad sits on bank of Samatsar Pond...

  • 1942-1947: His Highness Shri Shaktimant Jhaladipati Mahamandleshwar Maharana
    Maharana
    Maharana 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 Rana, a variation on Raja.-Salute states :...

     Sriraj Maharaja
    Maharaja
    Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...

     Mayurdwajsinhji Meghrajji III Ghanshyamsinjhi Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja
    Maharaja
    Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...

     Raj Sahib of Dhrangadhra Halvad
  • 1947-2010: His Highness Shri Shaktimant Jhaladipati Mahamandleshwar Maharana Sriraj Maharaja 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...

     Mayurdwajsinhji Meghrajji III Ghanshyamsinjhi Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja Raj Sahib of Dhrangadhra Halvad, KCIE
    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...


Full Style

  • His Highness Shri Shaktimant Jhaladipati Mahamandleshwar Maharana
    Maharana
    Maharana 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 Rana, a variation on Raja.-Salute states :...

     Sriraj Maharaja
    Maharaja
    Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...

     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...

     Mayurdwajsinhji Meghrajji III Ghanshyamsinjhi Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja
    Maharaja
    Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...

     Raj Sahib of Dhrangadhra
    Dhrangadhra
    Dhrangadhra is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the state of Gujarat, India. During the period of the British Raj, the city was the capital of Dhrangadhra state, one of the eight first-class princely states of the Kathiawar Agency in the Bombay Presidency.-History:Dhrangadhra...

     Halvad
    Halvad
    Halvad is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.- Geography :Halvad is located at . It has an average elevation of 46 metres . Halvad sits on bank of Samatsar Pond...

    , KCIE
    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...

    , FRAS
    Royal Asiatic Society
    The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland was established, according to its Royal Charter of 11 August 1824, to further "the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia." From its incorporation the Society...

    , FRAI
    Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland
    The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland is the world's longest established anthropological organization, with a global membership. Since 1843, it has been at the forefront of new developments in anthropology and new means of communicating them to a broad audience...

    , FRHistS
    Royal Historical Society
    The Royal Historical Society was founded in 1868. The premier society in the United Kingdom which promotes and defends the scholarly study of the past, it is based at University College London...


Honours

  • King George VI Coronation Medal
    King George VI Coronation Medal
    The 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
  • Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE)-1947
  • Indian Independence Medal-1947
  • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
    Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
    The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.-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...

    -1953

External links

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