Sayajirao Gaekwad III
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Sayajirao Gaekwad III | |
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Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja Sir, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur GCIE, KIH | |
Maharaja of Baroda | |
Reign | 10 April 1875 – 6 February 1939 |
Coronation | 10 April 1875 (in Baroda) |
Predecessor | Malhar Rao Gaekwad Madhav Rao Thanjavurkar (de facto) |
Successor | Pratap Singh Rao Gaekwad |
Born | 11 March 1863 |
Died | 6 February 1939[1] | (aged 75)
Consort | Chimnabai I Chimnabai II |
Issue |
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Dynasty | Gaekwad |
Father | Kashirao Gaekwad |
Religion | Hinduism |
Signature |
Sayajirao Gaekwad III (born as Shrimant Gopalrao Gaekwad; 11 March 1863 – 6 February 1939) was the
Early life
Sayajirao was born into a
Matters of succession
Following the death of Sir
Malharrao spent money liberally, nearly emptying the Baroda coffers (he commissioned a pair of solid gold cannon and a carpet of pearls, among other expenses) and soon reports reached the
Ascending the Throne
With the throne of Baroda now vacant, Maharani Jamnabai called upon the heads of the various branches of the dynasty to come to Baroda and present themselves and their sons in order to decide upon a successor. Kashirao and his three sons, Anandrao (1857–1917), Gopalrao (1863–1939) and Sampatrao (1865–1934) walked to Baroda from Kavlana -a distance of some 600 kilometers- to present themselves to Jamnabai. It is reported that when each son was asked the purported reason for presenting themselves at Baroda, Gopalrao unhesitatingly stated: "I have come here to rule".
Gopalrao was selected by the British as successor and was accordingly adopted by Maharani Jamnabai, on 27 May 1875. He was also given a new name, Sayajirao. He ascended the gadi at Baroda on 16 June 1875 but, being a minor, reigned under a Council of Regency until he came of age. He was invested with full ruling powers on 28 December 1881. During his minority he was extensively tutored in administrative skills by Raja Sir T. Madhava Rao who groomed his young protégé into a person with foresight and with a will to provide welfare to his people. In this period Madhava Rao restored the state to its normal conditions following the chaos in which it had been left by Malharrao.
Rule and modernization
On assuming the reins of government, some of his first tasks included education of his subjects, uplifting of the downtrodden, and judicial, agricultural and social reforms. He played a key role in the development of Baroda's textile industry, and his educational and social reforms included among others, a ban on child marriage, legislation of divorce, removal of untouchability, spread of education, development of Sanskrit, ideological studies and religious education as well as the encouragement of the fine arts.[2]
His economic development initiatives included the establishment of a railway (see below) and the founding in 1908 of the Bank of Baroda, which still exists and is one of India's leading banks, with numerous operations abroad in support of the Gujarati diaspora.[3]
Fully aware of the fact that he was a Maratha ruler of Gujarat, he identified himself with the people and shaped their cosmopolitan attitude and progressive, reformist zeal. His rich library became the nucleus of today's Central Library of Baroda with a network of libraries in all the towns and villages in his state. He was the first Indian ruler to introduce, in 1906, compulsory and free primary education in his state, placing his territory far in advance of contemporary British India.[2]
To commemorate his vision and administrative skills, Baroda Management Association has instituted Sayaji Ratna Award in 2013, named after him.
Heritage and views
Though a prince of a native state, he guarded his rights and status even as this brought him into dispute with the British government. Sayajirao was often in conflict with them on matters of principle and governance, having continuous and longstanding verbal and written disputes with the Residents as well as with the Viceroy and officials in the Government of India. He was granted the title of Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia ("Favoured Son of the English Nation") on 29 December 1876. He attended the Delhi Durbars of 1877, 1903 and 1911; it was at the 1911 Delhi Durbar that an incident occurred that proved to have far-reaching ramifications for Sayajirao's relations with the Raj.
Delhi Durbar 1911
At the grand and historic Delhi Durbar of 1911, attended by
As the third-most prestigious Indian ruler, Sayajirao was third in line to approach the King-Emperor; already, he had caused consternation among the British officials by refusing to wear his full regalia of jewels and honours (it was expected that the rulers on formal occasions would present themselves in full regalia). While some accounts state that he refused to bow, Sayajirao actually did bow, albeit perfunctorily and only once before turning his back on the King-Emperor.[2] According to his granddaughter Gayatri Devi, she states in her autobiography that due to some reason he had been unable to attend the rehearsals and didn't know how to greet The King-Emperor. Other eyewitness reports state he walked away "laughing".[5]
For several years already, Sayajirao had angered the British by his open support for the Indian National Congress and its leaders; the incident before the King-Emperor proved to be the last straw. The British never fully trusted Sayajirao again, although he was openly forgiven when he was awarded a GCIE in 1919.[2]
He gave donation for the establishment of Central Library in the Banaras Hindu University which is named after him as "Sayaji Rao Gaekwad Central Library".
Public works
Railways and waterworks
During his reign a large narrow gauge railway Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway network, which was started in 1862 was expanded further with Dabhoi at its focal point, a network that still is Asia's largest narrow gauge railway network.[6]
Sayajirao envisioned a water supply scheme for Baroda in 1892 at Ajwa that would use gravity to supply drinking water to the people of Baroda. To this day a large portion of Vadodara City gets its drinking water from this source.
Parks and universities
The large public park originally called Kamati Baug and now called Sayaji Baug was his gift to the city of Vadodara. On the Diamond Jubilee of his accession to the throne, he set apart large funds out of his personal and state funds for setting up a University in Vadodara for the benefit of students from the rural areas of his state – a task that was ultimately completed by his grandson Sir
Patronage
He recognised talent from among his people. He supported education and training of persons who in his opinion would shine in life. Those persons whom he patronised included
Sayajirao used to visit England every year to select outstanding young people to join his service and in one of such visits he met 20-year-old
In 1895 the Maharaja is claimed to have witnessed the successful flight of an unmanned aircraft constructed by S. B. Talpade, which happened eight years before the Wright brothers took to the skies.[8]
Cultural and material interests
The Maharaja was a noted patron of the arts. During his reign, Baroda became a hub for artists and scholars. The celebrated painter, Raja Ravi Varma, was among those who spent substantial periods of time at his court.
Science
Sayajirao commissioned and paid for research and its publication by James Hornell on Marine Biology, which to this day remains a key source of information.[9]
Jewellery
Sayajirao had a splendid collection of jewels and jewellery. This included the 128.48 carat, 25.696g "Star of the South" diamond, the "Akbar Shah" diamond and the "Princess Eugenie" diamond.
Classical music
Sayajirao was also a patron of Indian classical music. Ustad Moula Bux founded the Academy of Indian Music (Gayan Shala) under his patronage in 1886. This Academy later became the Music College and is now the Faculty of Performing Arts of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Vadodara. Apart from Ustad Moula Bux, Sayajirao's court boasted great artistes like Abdul Karim Khan, Inayat Khan and Ustad Faiyaz Khan. In 1916, the first All India Music Conference was held in Baroda.
Dance
The
Family
Maharaja Sayajirao initially married Shrimant Lakshmibai Mohite of
- 1. Shrimant Maharajkumari Bajubai Gaekwad (1881–1883)
- 2. Shrimant Maharajkumari Putlabai Gaekwad (1882–1885)
- 3. Lieutenant-Colonel Shrimant YuvarajaFatehsinhrao Gaekwad, Yuvaraj Sahib of Baroda (3 August 1883 – 14 September 1908). He died young, having had a son and two daughters, including:
- Pratap Singh Rao Gaekwad, who succeeded to the throne in 1939 as Maharaja of Baroda.
His first wife died young from
- 1. Shrimant Maharajkumar Jaisinghrao Gaekwad (12 May 1888 – 27 August 1923); no children
- 2. Shrimant Maharajkumar Shivajirao Gaekwad (31 July 1890 – 24 November 1919); had two sons and one daughter.
- 3. Maharani Indira Devi, Maharani and Maharani Regent of Cooch Behar (Indiraraje) (19 February 1892 – 6 September 1968). Married Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Bihar in 1911; had issue. Her descendants include the models Riya Sen and Raima Sen. She became a Maharani Regent of Cooch Behar and the mother of Gayatri Devi of Jaipur.
- 4. Lieutenant-Colonel Shrimant Maharajkumar Dhairyashilrao Gaekwad (31 August 1893 – 5 April 1940); had three sons and two daughters.
Other descendants of Sayajirao would wed the rulers of
Family tree
- Sayajirao Gaekwad III
- Bajubai Gaekwad (kanit) (1881–1883)
- Putlabai Gaekwad (1882–1885)
- Fatehsinhrao Gaekwad (1883–1908)
- Pratap Singh Rao Gaekwad and two daughters
- Fatehsinghrao Gaekwad (1930–1988)
- Mrunalini Devi Puar (1931–2015)
- a daughter
- Premila Raje Gaekwad (1933–)
- a son and a daughter
- Sarla Raje Gaekwad (1935–)
- a son and a daughter
- Vasundharadevi Raje Gaekwad (1936–)
- three sons and a daughter
- Ranjitsinh Pratapsinh Gaekwad (1938–2012)
- Lalitadevi Raje Gaekwad (1939–)
- Sangramsinhrao Gaekwad (1941–)
- Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad (1970–)
- Priyadarshini Raje Sahib Gaekwad (1975–)
- Sayajirao Gaekwad (1945–1985)
- Pratap Singh Rao Gaekwad and two daughters
- Jaisinghrao Gaekwad (1888–1923)
- Shivajirao Gaekwad (1890–1919)
- two sons and a daughter
- Indira Devi(Indiraraje) (1892–1968)
- Gayatri Devi and two other daughters and two sons
- Dhairyashilrao Gaekwad (1893–1940)
- three sons and two daughters
- Other descendants
Death
The Arjan Koli and Hari Koli were two Koli brothers from Dhari town. They saved the life of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda State from a lion during hunting in 1933. After that both brothers were respected in open court (Baroda state darbar) and their bronze statues were established in royal Sayaji Baug by Sayajirao Gaekwad.[10]
After a long and eventful reign of 63 years, Sayajirao Gaekwad III died on 6 February 1939, one month shy of 76. His grandson and heir, Pratap Singh Rao Gaekwad, became the next Maharaja of Baroda.
Titles
- 1863–1875: Shrimant Gopalrao Gaekwad
- 1875–1876: Baroda
- 1876–1887: His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja Sayajirao III Gaekwad, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur, Maharaja of Baroda
- 1887–1919: His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja GCSI
- 1919–1939: His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja Sir Sayajirao III Gaekwad, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur, Maharaja of Baroda, GCSI, GCIE
Honours
- Prince of Wales's Gold Medal-1875
- Empress of India Gold Medal-1877
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India(GCSI)-1887
- Delhi Durbar Gold Medal-1903
- Delhi Durbar Gold Medal-1911
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire(GCIE)-1919
- Hon. Benares Hindu University)-1924
- Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of St John(GCStJ)-1932
- King George V Silver Jubilee Medal-1935
- King George VI Coronation Medal-1937
See also
- Atlas the Barbary lion versus the Bengal tiger of Simla
- Bank of Baroda
- Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery
- Sayaji Rao Gaekwad Library (Central Library), BHU
- Princely State
- Maratha Empire
- Sayaji Ratna Award
References
- ^ His Highness Sayajirao Gaekwad III
- ^ a b c d e Lawson, Alastair (10 December 2011). "Indian maharajah's daring act of anti-colonial dissent". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
- ^ "Bank of Baroda Foundation Day". bankofbaroda.com. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ "Indian maharajah's daring act of anti-colonial dissent". news.bbc.co.uk. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
- ^ "Indian maharajah's daring act of anti-colonial dissent". BBC News. 10 December 2011.
- ^ "5 Narrow Gauge Rail Lines In Gujarat To Be Preserved For Tourism". NDTV.com. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ "Gayakwad- the king who assisted Ambedkar and others". 14 April 2014.
- ^ Hundred years after Orville Wright’s first flight, K R N SWAMY remembers Shivkur Bapuji Talpade, the Indian who flew an unmanned aircraft eight years before Wright from deccanherald.com
- ^ Report to the government of Baroda on the marine zoology of Okhamandal in Kattiawar.
- ^ "Know Your City: How Baroda's bronze statues will regain their black sheen in Rs 1.10 crore restoration project". The Indian Express. 18 February 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
Further reading
- F. A. H Elliot. The rulers of Baroda. Baroda State Press 1934. ASIN B0006C35QS.
- Gense, James. The Gaikwads of Baroda. D.B. Taraporevala Sons & Co 1942. ASIN B0007K1PL6.
- Kothekara, Santa. The Gaikwads of Baroda and the East India Company, 1770–1820. Nagpur University. ASIN B0006D2LAI.
- Gaekwad, Fatesinghrao * Biography of Maharaja Sayajirao III by Daji Nagesh Apte (1989). Sayajirao of Baroda: The Prince and the Man. Popular Prakashan. ISBN 978-0-86132-214-5.
- Gaekwar, Sayaji Rao. Speeches and addresses of Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja Gaekwar of Baroda. H. Milford 1933. ASIN B000855T0I.
- Rice, Stanley (1931). Life of Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda. Oxford university press 1931. ASIN B00085DDFG.
- Clair, Edward (1911). A Year with the Gaekwar of Baroda. D. Estes & co 1911. ASIN B0008BLVV8.
- MacLeod, John (1999). Sovereignty, Power, Control: Politics in the State of Western India, 1916–1947. Brill Academic Publishers. ISBN 978-90-04-11343-5.
- Kamerkar, Mani. British Paramountcy: British-Baroda Relations, 1818-1848. Popular Prakashan. ASIN B000JLZE6A.
- Kooiman, Dick (2002). Communalism and Indian Princely States: Travancore, Baroda and Hyderabad in the 1930s. Manohar Pubns. ISBN 978-81-7304-421-2.
- Desai, Govindbhai. Forty Years in Baroda: Being Reminiscences of Forty Years' Service in the Baroda State. Pustakalaya Sahayak Sahakari Mandal 1929. ASIN B0006E18R4.
- Maharaja of Baroda (1980). The Palaces of India. Viking Pr. ISBN 978-0-00-211678-7.
- Doshi, Saryu (1995). The royal bequest: Art treasures of the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery. India Book House. ISBN 978-81-7508-009-6.
- Moore, Lucy (2005). Maharanis; the extraordinary tale of four Indian queens and their journey from purdah to parliament. Viking Press. ISBN 978-0-670-03368-3.