Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji

Early life

Krishna Kumarsinhji was born in Bhavnagar on 19 May 1912, the eldest son and heir of Maharaja Bhavsinhji II of Bhavnagar (1875–1919, r. 1896–1919). Kumarsinhji succeeded his father upon his death in 1919; only seven years old, he ascended the Bhavnagar throne under a regency until 1931. He was educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot like his father and grandfather, who was the first student in 1870.

Reign

Kumarsinhji continued the progressive reforms of his father and grandfather, reforming the method of tax-collection in his state, introducing village councils and Bhavnagar's first legislature, the Dharasabha. Owing to his progressive reign, Kumarsinhji was knighted with the KCSI in 1938; however, he remained quietly committed to the cause of

Maharaja Shri Bhavsinhji Polytechnic Institute was established by him in commemoration of his father Late Sir Bhavsinhji II in 1932, which commenced functioning in 1949.^[1]

Personal life

In 1931, Kumarsinhji married Maharani Shri Vijayabakunverba Sahiba (19 June 1910 – 6 October 1990), the daughter of Maharaja Bhojirajsinhji of Gondal and granddaughter of Maharaja Bhagvatsinh of Gondal. The couple had two sons and three daughters:

1. Maharaja Shri Virbhadra Sinh Gohil (14 March 1932 – 26 July 1994) who succeeded as Maharaja of Bhavnagar. His son, Vijayrajsinhji Gohil, is the present Titular Maharaja of Bhavnagar
2. Maharajkumar Shivbhadra Sinh Gohel (b. 23 December 1933)
3. Maharajkumari Ba Shri Hansa Kunverba Sahiba (b. 25 July 1941) (now the Titular Rajmata Sahiba of
   Ajaygarh
   )
4. Maharajkumari Ba Shri Dilhar Kunverba Sahiba (b. 19 November 1942) (now the Titular Maharani Sahiba of Panna)
5. Maharajkumari Ba Shri Rohini Devi Sahiba (b. 8 October 1945) (now the Titular Maharani of
   Kutch
   )

Later years

In 1948, he worked as acting

• 1912-1919:
  Maharajkumar Shri Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Gohil, Yuvraj Sahib of Bhavnagar
• 1919-1937:
  Raol Shri Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib, Maharaja of Bhavnagar
• 1937-1938: Lieutenant His Highness Maharaja Raol Shri Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib, Maharaja of Bhavnagar
• 1938-1943: Lieutenant His Highness Maharaja Raol Shri Sir Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib, Maharaja of Bhavnagar, KCSI
• 1943-1945:
  Captain
  His Highness Maharaja Raol Shri Sir Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib, Maharaja of Bhavnagar, KCSI
• 1945-1946:
  Lieutenant-Colonel
  His Highness Maharaja Raol Shri Sir Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib, Maharaja of Bhavnagar, KCSI
• 1946-1948: Colonel His Highness Maharaja Raol Shri Sir Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib, Maharaja of Bhavnagar, KCSI
• 1948-1965: Commodore His Highness Maharaja Raol Shri Sir Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib, Maharaja of Bhavnagar, KCSI
• 1948-1952: Commodore His Excellency Shri Sir Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji Gohil, Governor of Madras State, KCSI

Honours

Decorations and medals

• King George V Silver Jubilee Medal-1935
• King George VI Coronation Medal-1937
• Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India
  (KCSI)-1938
• War Medal 1939-1945
  -1945
• Defence Medal-1945
• India Service Medal - 1945
• Indian Independence Medal-1947

Hon. military ranks

• Hon. Colonel, Indian Army - 18 January 1951^[2]
• Hon. Commodore, Indian Navy - 18 January 1951^[3]

University

Bhavnagar University is now known as the Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University

Bhavnagar Marketing yard also given the name of Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji.

Political office

References