Bhagvatsingh of Gondal
Encyclopedia
Maharaja Bhagvatsingh Sahib (24 October 1865 – 9 March 1944) was the ruling Maharaja
of the princely state of Gondal from 1869 till his death in 1944, in whose reign the state was raised to 11-gun salute state. He is regarded as a progressive and enlightened ruler and was the only Maharaja to take a medical degree and also awarded other degrees: L.L.D, M.B.C.-M & M.R.C.P,
D.C.L, M.D, F.R.C.P, F.R.S.E.&C.
dynasty.
and subsequently in the latest scientific and technological developments, continuing and in many ways exceeding his father's efforts. After succeeding to his majority in 1884, he immediately worked on reforming Gondal. He reformed the state administration, developed its resources, erected schools, colleges and hospitals, provided free and compulsory education for both men and women through university, built technical schools for engineers and training facilities for labourers. As well, Bhagvatsingh improved the regional livestock through modern animal husbandry, built dams and irrigation networks and introduced sewage, plumbing, rail systems, telegraphs, telephone cables and electricity, becoming also a champion for women's rights-unprecedented for the time.
Amazingly, he was so effective as a ruler that his subjects did not need to pay any taxes whatsoever, as he succeeded in improving land revenues and the state income tenfold. He provided free and compulsory education for the non-academically minded in the form of training facilities for engineers, mechanics, carpenters, joiners, surveyors, painters, and levellers. Irrigation networks and dams helped boost agriculture and cultivated wasteland.
Bhagvatsingh took a deep interest in medicine at an early age, striving his hardest to alleviate disease and suffering. To do so he enrolled first at Rajkumar College, Rajkot
, followed by the University of Edinburgh
in 1892 and studied for his degree, graduated as a medical doctor in 1895 and went on to earn his place as Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh-the only princely ruler ever to do so. In 1894, he became the President of the Organising Committee of the 8th International Congress of Hygiene and Demography at Budapest. Upon returning to Gondal, he ministered to his subjects throughout his life, working late into the night five days a week, and taking a daily tour of inspection around the capital before finally retiring to his bed. He later rose to become Vice-President of the Indian Medical Association
.
Not only a scientist, but a devoted scholar as well, Bhagvatsingh later published the first ever dictionary of Gujarati
and a Gujarati encyclopedia, the "Bhagavadgomandal
." in 1928.
Immensely enlightened for the era, Bhagvatsingh educated all his family, including his wife and daughters, one of whom was sent to Edinburgh to study art. His four surviving sons were all educated abroad-his heir apparent, Bhojirajsingh, at Eton School and Balliol College, Oxford
, where he took an engineering degree. His second, Bhupatsingh,educated at Harrow School
and at Trinity College, Cambridge
, became a doctor like his father, going on to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine at the University of London, becoming a DTM, MRCS and LRCP. After returning to Gondal, Bhupatsingh became its chief medical officer. The youngest two sons, Kiritsingh and Natwarsingh, both educated at Edinburgh, became directors of the state railways.
Only four years after his formal accession in 1888, Gondal was raised to the rank of a first-class state with an 11-gun salute; in 1887, Bhagvatsingh became "Sir Bhagvatsingh" after he was knighted that year.
(Although Bhagvatsingh married three other wives, they do not seem to have provided him with children)
system for women, but 'Zananas' or restricted women's wing were no longer built in subsequent palaces.
By 1918, Gondal was the only state in the Western India States Agency
to have compulsory education for girls in all villages In October 1934, on the 50th anniversary of his accession to the throne he gave to his weight in gold to charity. In the following years, Bhagvatsingh himself became renowned beyond India, and continued working for the benefit of his people through his old age. Bhagvatsingh died on 9 March 1944 in his eightieth year after a 75 year reign, cementing his reputation as one of the most progressive monarchs in Indian history.
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 the princely state of Gondal from 1869 till his death in 1944, in whose reign the state was raised to 11-gun salute state. He is regarded as a progressive and enlightened ruler and was the only Maharaja to take a medical degree and also awarded other degrees: L.L.D, M.B.C.-M & M.R.C.P,
D.C.L, M.D, F.R.C.P, F.R.S.E.&C.
Early life
Bhagvatsingh was born as Kumar Sri Bhagvatsinghji Sangramsinhji Sahib, Yuvaraja Sahib of Gondal, on 24 October 1865 at Dhoraji, the third and the youngest but only surviving son of Thakurani Bai Shri Monghiba Sahiba, daughter of Jhala Shri Rartansinhji Sahib of Minapur, the third wife of Thakore Sagramji II, the Thakore Sahib, or chieftain, of Gondal, a small third-class princely state that was an offshoot of the great JadejaJadeja
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...
dynasty.
Family
The Gondal branch of the dynasty had split off from the dynasty ruling Rajkot in the early 17th century. By the early 19th century, a succession of incompetent rulers had left Gondal in a sorry state. However, upon the accession of Sagramji II to the throne, conditions in Gondal under his reign markedly improved, with the establishment of modern schools, law courts and a police force; although still a third-class state, with its ruler not even ranking as a Raja (prince), by 1866, Gondal had become a minor salute state of 9-guns. In 1869, Sagramji II died, and Bhagvatsingh succeeded his father at the age of four.Dawn of a New Age
Reigning under a British regency until he came of age, Bhagvatsingh was educated at The Rajkumar College, RajkotRajkumar 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 subsequently in the latest scientific and technological developments, continuing and in many ways exceeding his father's efforts. After succeeding to his majority in 1884, he immediately worked on reforming Gondal. He reformed the state administration, developed its resources, erected schools, colleges and hospitals, provided free and compulsory education for both men and women through university, built technical schools for engineers and training facilities for labourers. As well, Bhagvatsingh improved the regional livestock through modern animal husbandry, built dams and irrigation networks and introduced sewage, plumbing, rail systems, telegraphs, telephone cables and electricity, becoming also a champion for women's rights-unprecedented for the time.
Amazingly, he was so effective as a ruler that his subjects did not need to pay any taxes whatsoever, as he succeeded in improving land revenues and the state income tenfold. He provided free and compulsory education for the non-academically minded in the form of training facilities for engineers, mechanics, carpenters, joiners, surveyors, painters, and levellers. Irrigation networks and dams helped boost agriculture and cultivated wasteland.
Bhagvatsingh took a deep interest in medicine at an early age, striving his hardest to alleviate disease and suffering. To do so he enrolled first at 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:...
, followed by the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1892 and studied for his degree, graduated as a medical doctor in 1895 and went on to earn his place as Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh-the only princely ruler ever to do so. In 1894, he became the President of the Organising Committee of the 8th International Congress of Hygiene and Demography at Budapest. Upon returning to Gondal, he ministered to his subjects throughout his life, working late into the night five days a week, and taking a daily tour of inspection around the capital before finally retiring to his bed. He later rose to become Vice-President of the Indian Medical Association
Indian Medical Association
The Indian Medical Association , the national organization of “Doctors of Modern Scientific System of Medicine”, was organized in 1928, and currently IMA has around 1,78,000 members belonging to different branches of medical profession and function through a network of more than 1700 local...
.
Not only a scientist, but a devoted scholar as well, Bhagvatsingh later published the first ever dictionary of Gujarati
Gujarati language
Gujarati is an Indo-Aryan language, and part of the greater Indo-European language family. It is derived from a language called Old Gujarati which is the ancestor language of the modern Gujarati and Rajasthani languages...
and a Gujarati encyclopedia, the "Bhagavadgomandal
Bhagavadgomandal
Bhagavadgomandal is a Gujarati Encyclopedia and Gujarati to Gujarati dictionary.Conceived by King Bhagvatsingh of Gondal in 1928, this dictionary spreads over 9500 pages in 9 volumes and includes the meaning and description of over a 281,377 words.-History:The motivation behind this Gujarati...
." in 1928.
Immensely enlightened for the era, Bhagvatsingh educated all his family, including his wife and daughters, one of whom was sent to Edinburgh to study art. His four surviving sons were all educated abroad-his heir apparent, Bhojirajsingh, at Eton School and Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
, where he took an engineering degree. His second, Bhupatsingh,educated at Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
and at Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, became a doctor like his father, going on to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine at the University of London, becoming a DTM, MRCS and LRCP. After returning to Gondal, Bhupatsingh became its chief medical officer. The youngest two sons, Kiritsingh and Natwarsingh, both educated at Edinburgh, became directors of the state railways.
Only four years after his formal accession in 1888, Gondal was raised to the rank of a first-class state with an 11-gun salute; in 1887, Bhagvatsingh became "Sir Bhagvatsingh" after he was knighted that year.
Personal life
On 3 June 1881, Bhagvatsingh married Her Highness Maharani Shri Nand Kunverbaiji Sahiba, CI (1867-9 March 1936). The couple had six sons and three daughters:- 1.Yuvraj Sahib Bhojirajsinhji Bhagvatsinhji (8 January 1883-31 July 1952, r. 1944–1952), who succeeded as Maharaja of Gondal
- 2.Maharajkumari Bai Shri Nanba Kunverba Sahiba (1884–?)
- 3.Rajkumar Shri Ajitsinhji Bhagvatsinghji Sahib (January–May 1887)
- 4.Rajkumar Shri Ranjitsinhji Bhagvatsinghji Sahib (16 September 1887–1890)
- 5.Maharajkumar Shri Dr. Bhupatsinhji Bhagvatsinghji Sahib, LRCP, MRCS, DTM (25 May 1888–1945?)
- 6.Maharajkumari Bai Shri Leilaba Kunverba Sahiba, later the Rani of Jubbal (14 February 1891-7 March 1975); had issue.
- 7.Maharajkumar Shri Kiritsinhji Bhagvatsinghji Sahib (13 February 1894–?)
- 8.Maharajkumar Shri Natwarsinhji Bhagvatsinghji Sahib (29 May 1895-28 October 1937) (mauled by an Asiatic lion at Junagadh)
- 9.Maharajkumari Bai Shri Taraba Kunverba Sahiba (4 March 1900–1958)
(Although Bhagvatsingh married three other wives, they do not seem to have provided him with children)
Later years
By the 20th century, Gondal boasted among the finest medical services and the finest municipal works system in the subcontinent. During his reign, he abolished all rates, taxes, customs, octroi, and export duties in the state making Gondal the only state to be tax-free. He not just removed the purdahPurdah
Purdah or pardeh is the practice of concealing women from men. According to one definition:This takes two forms: physical segregation of the sexes, and the requirement for women to cover their bodies and conceal their form....
system for women, but 'Zananas' or restricted women's wing were no longer built in subsequent palaces.
By 1918, Gondal was the only state in the Western India States Agency
Western India States Agency
The Western India States Agency was one of the agencies of the princely states of British India. This agency was formed on October 10, 1924 as a part of the implementation of the Montague Chelmsford report on constitutional reforms. It was formed by merging the areas under the erstwhile Kathiawar,...
to have compulsory education for girls in all villages In October 1934, on the 50th anniversary of his accession to the throne he gave to his weight in gold to charity. In the following years, Bhagvatsingh himself became renowned beyond India, and continued working for the benefit of his people through his old age. Bhagvatsingh died on 9 March 1944 in his eightieth year after a 75 year reign, cementing his reputation as one of the most progressive monarchs in Indian history.
Titles
- 1865–1869: KumarKumarKumār OR Kunwar is a title, a given name or a family name native to India.In many Indian languages, Kumar literally means prince or a young/unmarried male....
Shri Bhagvatsingh Sangramsinhji 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...
, Yuvaraja Sahib of Gondal - 1869–1877: His Highness ThakoreThakoreThe Thakore are Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India. They also known as Patanwadia, Dharedas or Baria.-History and origin:The Thakore of Gujarat claim to have originated in Maharashtra in the distant past. They are found in the districts of Mehsana, Ahmedabad, Banaskantha,...
Shri Bhagvatsingh Sahib, Thakore Sahib of Gondal - 1877–1887: His Highness Thakore Shri Bhagvatsingh Sahib, Thakore Sahib of Gondal, 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....
- 1887–1888: His Highness Thakore 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...
Bhagvatsingh Sahib, Thakore Sahib of Gondal, KCIEOrder of the Indian EmpireThe 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 - 1888–1892: His Highness MaharajaMaharajaMahārāja 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...
Thakore Shri Sir Bhagvatsingh Sahib, MaharajaMaharajaMahārāja 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...
Thakore Sahib of Gondal, KCIE, KIH - 1892–1894: His Highness Maharaja Thakore Shri Sir Bhagvatsingh Sahib, Maharaja Thakore Sahib of Gondal, KCIE, KIH, MRCPERoyal College of Physicians of EdinburghThe Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh was established in the 17th century. While the RCPE is based in Edinburgh, it is by no means just a Scottish professional body - more than half of its 7,700 Fellows, Members, Associates and Affiliates live and practice medicine outside Scotland, in 86...
- 1894–1895: His Highness Maharaja Thakore Shri Sir Bhagvatsingh Sahib, Maharaja Thakore Sahib of Gondal, KCIE, KIH, FRS, MRCPE
- 1895–1897: His Highness Maharaja Thakore Shri Sir Bhagvatsingh Sahib, Maharaja Thakore Sahib of Gondal, KCIE, KIH, FRS, FRCPE, MRASRoyal Asiatic SocietyThe 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...
, MRIRoyal InstitutionThe Royal Institution of Great Britain is an organization devoted to scientific education and research, based in London.-Overview:... - 1897–1909: His Highness Maharaja Thakore Shri Sir Bhagvatsingh Sahib, Maharaja Thakore Sahib of Gondal, GCIE, KIH, FRS, FRCPE, MRAS, MRI
- 1909–1913: His Highness Maharaja Thakore Shri Sir Bhagvatsingh Sahib, Maharaja Thakore Sahib of Gondal, GCIE, KIH, FRS, FRSE, FRCPE, MRAS, MRI, HPAC
- 1913–1937: His Highness Maharaja Thakore Shri Sir Bhagvatsingh Sahib, Maharaja Thakore Sahib of Gondal, GCIE, KIH, FRS, FRSE, FRCPE, FCP (Bombay), MRAS, MRI, HPAC
- 1937–1944: His Highness Maharaja Thakore Shri Sir Bhagvatsingh Sahib, Maharaja Thakore Sahib of Gondal, GCSI, GCIE, KIH, FRS, FRSE, FRCPE, FCP (Bombay), MRAS, MRI, HPAC
Honours
Maharaja Sir Dr. Bhagvatsingh received numerous prestigious honours, both academic and political, through his long reign, perhaps the highest of which was his election as a full Fellow of the Royal Society in 1894, thus making him the only Indian monarch to receive the title of FRS. Given here is a full list of his honours and academic degrees:Academic Degrees
- Bachelor of Medicine (Edin.) (MB)-1852
- Master of SurgeryMaster of SurgeryThe Master of Surgery is an advanced qualification in surgery. It is most commonly abbreviated Ch.M. or M.S., as well as M.Ch. and M.Chir. from its Latin name, Magister Chirurgiae or the English form of Master of Surgery....
(Edin.) (CM)-1892 - Medical Doctor (Edin.) (MD)-1895
Decorations
- Prince of WalesPrince of WalesPrince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
Gold Medal-1875 - 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)-1897 (KCIE-1887)
- Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee Medal-1887
- 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 - 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-1911 - 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...
-1911 - 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 - Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (GCSI)-1937
- 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
Honourary degrees
- Fellow of Bombay University-1885
- Hon. LLDLegum DoctorLegum Doctor is a doctorate-level academic degree in law, or an honorary doctorate, depending on the jurisdiction. The double L in the abbreviation refers to the early practice in the University of Cambridge to teach both Canon Law and Civil Law, the double L indicating the plural, Doctor of both...
(Edin.)-1887 - Hon DCLDCL- Organizations :* Detroit College of Law, now known as Michigan State University College of Law* Data Connection Ltd, see Metaswitch* Disney Cruise Line, a cruise line company * Distillers Company Limited, a producer of spirits...
(Oxon.)-1892 - Honorary Master of Surgery (SB-Bombay)-1913
Academic societies
- Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)-1894
- Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of EdinburghRoyal College of Physicians of EdinburghThe Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh was established in the 17th century. While the RCPE is based in Edinburgh, it is by no means just a Scottish professional body - more than half of its 7,700 Fellows, Members, Associates and Affiliates live and practice medicine outside Scotland, in 86...
(FRCPE)-1895 (MRCPE-1892) - Member of the Royal Asiatic SocietyRoyal Asiatic SocietyThe 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...
(MRAS) - Member of the Royal InstitutionRoyal InstitutionThe Royal Institution of Great Britain is an organization devoted to scientific education and research, based in London.-Overview:...
of Great Britain and Ireland (MRI) - Fellow of the Royal Society of EdinburghRoyal Society of EdinburghThe Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
(FRSE)-1909 - Fellow of the College of Physicians (FCP-Bombay)-1913
Works
- A Short history of Aryan Medical Science, by the Thakur Sahib of Gondal, 1896.
- BhagavadgomandalBhagavadgomandalBhagavadgomandal is a Gujarati Encyclopedia and Gujarati to Gujarati dictionary.Conceived by King Bhagvatsingh of Gondal in 1928, this dictionary spreads over 9500 pages in 9 volumes and includes the meaning and description of over a 281,377 words.-History:The motivation behind this Gujarati...
, 1928.