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{{Short description|Last ruling Maharana of Wankaner from 1881–1948}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2019}}
Captain '''H.H. [[Maharana]] Raj [[Shri]] [[Sir]] Amarsinhji Banesinhji [[Sahib]]''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|KCSI|KCIE}} (4 January 1879 – 25 June 1954) was the last '''Maharana Raj Sahib of Wankaner''' belonging to '''[[Jhala (clan)|Jhala]]''' dynasty, who ascended the throne of [[Wankaner State|princely state of Wankaner]] on 12 June 1881 and ruled until his state was merged into [[India]] on 15 February 1948. He continued to be officially Maharana Sahib of Wankaner till his death on 28 June 1954.<ref name="a">{{cite book|title=Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey By Somerset Playne, R. V. Solomon, J. W. Bond|date=1922|pages=752–53|isbn=9788120619654|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=47sfj8DUwNgC&q=amarsinhji+wankaner&pg=PA752|accessdate=6 October 2016|last1=Solomon|first1=R. V.|last2=Bond|first2=J. W.}}</ref>

He was installed on the throne upon the death of his father [[Banesinhji Jaswantsinhji|Maharana Banesinhji Jaswantsinhji]] on 25 June 1881 at age of two years, and the State was placed under administration of government.<ref name=a/> He joined [[Rajkumar College, Rajkot]] for education. After his education was complete, he was given rein of State on 18 March 1889.<ref name=a/>

He served during the [[Great War]] with the Kathiawar Motor Ambulance Corps 1915-1916. A well-educated and progressive ruler, he took an interest in improving the welfare of his subjects. He established the first Farmers' Co-operative Bank in [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] to provide finance to farmers, promoted agriculture, as well as the dairy and textile industries. He also introduced village self-government schemes, the first pensions for state employees, reformed the public services and a strong and effective police force.{{cn|date=June 2020}}

A gifted sportsmen, he excelled in badminton, cricket and marksmanship. He also took an interest in motoring, aircraft and architecture, building several palaces and public buildings in Wankaner and [[Wankaner House]] in [[Bombay]]. He celebrated his Golden Jubilee on 31 May 1931.{{cn|date=June 2020}}

He signed the treaty of accession and merged his State with [[Dominion of India|Union of India]] forming part of [[United State of Kathiawar]] on 15 February 1948.{{cn|date=June 2020}}

In 1951, a cotton [[textile mill]] at [[Wankaner]], named Shree Amarsinhji Mills Limited,{{cn|date=June 2020}} named after him was founded by his son Pratapsinhji Jhala, which, however, has now been taken over by [[Kores (company)|Kores India]] in 1980.<ref>[http://kores.in/kores/milestones/ Kores India]</ref> His grandson, [[Digvijaysinh Jhala]] continues to serve the company as a director.{{cn|date=June 2020}}

His eldest son [[Pratapsinhji Amarsinhji]] succeeded to the title of Maharana of Wankaner upon his death on 28 June 1954.{{cn|date=June 2020}}

==Honours==
*[[Delhi Durbar Gold Medal]] – 1903 and 1911
*[[Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]] (KCIE) - 1911
*[[1914–15 Star]] - 1918
*[[British War Medal]] -1918
*[[Victory Medal (United Kingdom)|Allied Victory Medal]] - 1918
*[[King George V Silver Jubilee Medal]] – 1935
*[[Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India]] (KCSI) – 1936
*[[King George VI Coronation Medal]] – 1937
*[[Indian Independence Medal]] – 1947

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1879 births]]
[[Category:1954 deaths]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]]
[[Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India]]
[[Category:Indian royalty]]
[[Category:People from Rajkot district]]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:Indian businesspeople in textiles]]
[[Category:Maharajas of Wankaner]]

Amarsinhji Banesinhji - Revision history

Bot at 06:13, 5 March 2022