Madansinhji
| Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Sri Madansinhji Vijayaraji | |
|---|---|
| Sawai Bahadur | |
| Maharaja of Kutch | |
| Reign | 26 January 1948 – 4 May 1948 |
| Predecessor | Vijayaraji |
| Successor | Monarchy abolished (state merged into India) |
| Titular Maharaja of Kutch | |
| Reign | 1948–1971 |
| Titular head of Jadeja dynasty | |
| Reign | 1971–1991 |
| Successor | Pragmulji III |
| Born | Meghraji 12 October 1909 Bhuj, Kutch |
| Died | 21 June 1991 (aged 81) London, England |
| Spouse | Rajendra Kunverba |
| Issue | Pragmulji III |
| Dynasty | Jadeja Rajput |
| Father | Vijayaraji |
| Mother | Padmakunwar Ba |
Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Sri Madansinhji Vijayaraji Sawai Bahadur (12 October 1909 – 21 June 1991) was the last official ruler of Princely State of Cutch from 26 February 1948 to 1 June 1948.[1][2]
Early life[]
Madansinhji was born as Meghraji and was the eldest son of the Maharao Sri Vijayaraji Khengarji and Maharani Shri Padmakunwar Ba Sahiba. He was called and named as Yuvraj Sahib Meghraji and was educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot.
He became heir apparent with the title of Yuvraj Sahib Meghraji on 15 January 1942, when his father succeeded to the throne of Princely State of Cutch upon the demise of his grandfather Maharao Shri Sir Khengarji III.[3][4]
He was left to administer the state, whenever, his father Vijayaraji was away. In 1947, upon independence of India, it was he who, on behalf of his father, Maharao Shri Vijayraji (who was away for medical treatment at London), signed the Instrument of Accession of Kutch, on 16 August 1947, on his behalf, as Heir Apparent for the Princely State of Kutch.[5]
Maharao of Cutch[]
He was President of from 1943–1948. He acceded to the throne, upon death of his father on 26 January 1948 under the new name and style of Madansinji and ruled for a short period of till 4 May 1948, when the administration of Princely State was completely merged in to the Dominion of India.[2][5]
Although the princely state of Cutch had been merged with India, he held the title until the entitlements were abolished by the Government of India through the in 1971.[6]
Diplomatic career[]
He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1953, served as Hon Minister-Counselor at London 1953–1956, Ambassador to Norway 1957–1960, and Chile 1960–1961.[citation needed] In 1962, his brother Himmatsinhji became the member of the Lok Sabha representing the Kutch community.[7]
On 1 January 1977, he founded "Maharao of Kutch Aina Mahal Trust". Madansinhji Museum was made under this trust. This museum has two parts. One part is the Kala Atari Picture Gallery and another part is a marvelous old palace called Aina Mahal.[8]
Sports career[]
He was a tennis player, who was active in the 1930s. He represented India at the Davis Cup in 1936. In 1937, in Wimbledon, he met Franjo Kukuljevic, with whom he played doubles and from that point, they became lifelong friends.[9]
Personal life[]
He was married to Maharani Rajendra Kunverba, daughter of Lt.-Col. Umdae Rajhae Buland Makan Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Sir Madan Singh Bahadur of Kishangarh in 1930, and had issue.
He died on 21 June 1991 in London and his eldest son Pragmulji III inherited title in pretence as scion of Jadeja dynasty as Maharaja of Kutch.[citation needed] There were some disputes leading to a court case, which started during his lifetime and continued after his death towards his estate worth millions of rupees.[10]
References[]
- ^ Jadeja Rulers of Kutch – Lineage Archived 2011-06-13 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Jump up to: a b Kutch Archived 2011-06-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ WEDDING OF MAHARAJ KUMAR SHRI MEGHRAJJI SHAEB OF KUTCH
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ Jump up to: a b [1] INTERNATIONAL LAW REPORTS VOLUME 50
- ^ Schmidt, Karl J. (1995). An atlas and survey of South Asian history. M.E. Sharpe. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-56324-334-9.
Although the Indian states were alternately requested or forced into union with either India or Pakistan, the real death of princely India came when the Twenty-sixth Amendment Act (1971) abolished the princes' titles, privileges, and privy purses.
- ^ "History -7".
- ^ Museums of Kutch
- ^ "Meghrajji Bahadur's GS Performance Timeline & Stats". db4tennis.com. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
- ^ The erstwhile ruler said in his will that Prithvirajsinhji would not get anything from his riches if he did not withdraw a court case filed by him in 1980 over the division of property. Kutch ruler's son cannot claim father's riches: Court.
- 1909 births
- 1991 deaths
- Maharajas of Kutch
- Indian royalty
- Ambassadors of India to Chile
- Ambassadors of India to Norway
- Indian male tennis players