Bhavsinhji II

Colonel Maharaja Raol Sir Shri Bhavsinhji II Takhtsinhji, KCSI (26 April 1875 – 16 July 1919) was the Maharaja of Gohil dynasty, who ruled Bhavnagar State from 1896 to 1919.[1]

Early life

He was eldest son of Sir Takhtsinhji born on 26 April 1875. He was educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot[1]

He was attached 2nd Bombay Lancers and was Colonel of Bhavnagar State Forces 1894-1896 promoted Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel in 1918.[2]

Marriage

Bhavsinhji was first married to Devkunvarba of Deogarh Baria and had a daughter from the marriage.[3] After her death, he married Nanadkunvarba of Khirasara. From his second marriage, they had a son Krishnakumarsinhji born in 1912, who later succeeded him to throne.[3][4]

Accession

He was installed on the gadi (throne), at the Darvargadh Palace, Bhavnagar, 10 February 1896.[1][4][2][3]

Reign

He earned name as a progressive ruler and continued the modernisation and development programmes of instituted by his father Sir Takhatsinhji.[5] During early part of his reign, his State faced the great famine of 1900 and he issued a famine code and personally visited the affected parts of his kingdom. As a part of famine relief measure, he remitted all uncollected revenue and distributed tagari allowances as free gifts. Also started construction of five filter-beds and a large service reservoir for future calamities.[4]

He was one of the first princely states to start self-governance to people and instituted People's Representative Assembly, comprising farmers, tradesmen, municipal representatives and landholders.[3][4]

Further, he started first Harijan School in 1912 for the upliftment of Dalit people of his State, and also instituted scholarships for further studies in England, America and Japan, particularly in the fields of medicine and science.[3]

As a measure of famine relief works, he founded the Bhavnagar Darbar Bank in 1902 to dispense loans to farmers, merchants and traders, and began a co-operative movement. This bank founded by him and Prime Mister of Bhavnagar, Prabhashankar Pattani later grew in to State Bank of Saurashtra.[6]

He was made Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India in 1904.[4]

An army of Bhavnagar was sent to assist British army in First World War. Bhavsinhji and his wife raised a private Bhavnagar War Hospital in 1916 from their personal funds, for treatment of the injured soldiers serving British army in First World War and also instituted a State war medal for the soldiers.[7]

Scholar

He distinguished scholar of varied interests. He composed four parts of the Sangeet Mala, a treatise on the medicinal properties of Indian plants. He also published the Manual of Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacy.[2] Further, he published translation of Homer's Iliad, a musical composition of Macaulay's Horatius.[2] He was also member of management committee of Rajkumar College of Rajkot and authored The Forty Years of the Rajkumar College in seven volumes (1911).[8]

The introduction of the Tonic Sol-fa system of notation into Indian music was largely due to his efforts.[2]

Death

He died on 16 July 1919 and his son, Krishna Kumarasingh Bhavasingh, succeeded him to throne of Bhavnagar State.[3][4]

Honors

Memorials

Sir Bhavsinhji Polytechnic Institute was established in commemoration of Bhavsinhji II by his son and successor Sir Krishnakumarsinhji in 1932, which commenced functioning in 1949.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 The Royal Coronation Number and Who's who in India, Burma and Ceylon by Thomas Peter - 1937 pp:54.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Life Sketch of H. H. Sir Bhavsinhji II, K.C.S.I., Maharaja of Bhavanagar - Bhavnagar (Princely State) 1911
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Rajputs of Saurashtra By Virbhadra Singhji. 1994. p. 41-42.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey edited by Arnold Wright. 1922. p. 353-354.
  5. ↑ Shahu Chhatrapati: A Royal Revolutionary. Popular Prakashan. 1976. p. 373.
  6. ↑ The evolution of the State Bank of India: The era from 1995 to 1980, Volume 4 By Abhik Ray, A. K. Chakraborty, Suman Das, J. S. Mathai. p. 930.
  7. ↑ Indian Princely Medals: A Record of the Orders, Decorations, and Medals of ... By Tony McClenaghan 1996: pp:75.
  8. ↑ Life Sketch of H. H. Sir Bhavsinhji II, K.C.S.I., Maharaja of Bhavanagar by 1911 - Bhavnagar (Princely State).
  9. ↑ Sir Bhavsinhji Polytechnic Institute - History
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