>JJMC89 bot III at 20:48, 11 April 2021

2021-04-11T20:48:27Z

New page

{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name = [[Maharajadhiraj]] [[Mirza]] [[Maharao]]<br>Sir Khengarji III
| title = [[Sawai (title)|Sawai]] [[Baghatur|Bahadur]]''', [[Order of the Star of India|GCSI]], [[Order of the Indian Empire|GCIE]]
| titletext =
| more =
| type =
| image = Khengarji III.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Maharao Shri Khengarji III of Cutch
| succession = [[Rao of Cutch|Maharaja of Kutch]]
| moretext =
| reign = 19 December 1875 - 15 January 1942
| reign-type =
| coronation =
| cor-type =
| predecessor = [[Pragmalji II]]
| pre-type =
| successor = [[Vijayaraji]]
| suc-type =
| regent =
| reg-type =

| succession3 =
| moretext3 =
| reign3 =
| reign-type3 =
| coronation3 =
| cor-type3 =
| predecessor3 =
| pre-type3 =
| successor3 =
| suc-type3 =
| regent3 =
| reg-type3 =

| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1866|8|23|df=y}}
| birth_place =
| death_date = {{death date and age|1942|01|15|1866|8|23|df=y}}
| death_place =
| burial_date =
| burial_place =
| spouse =
| spouse-type = Spouse
| consort =
| issue = [[Vijayaraji]]
| issue-link =
| issue-pipe =
| issue-type =
| full name =
| era name =
| era dates =
| regnal name =
| posthumous name =
| temple name =
| house = [[Jadeja]] [[Rajput]]
| house-type = Dynasty
| father = [[Pragmalji II]]
| mother =
| religion =
| occupation =
| signature_type =
| signature =
}}
'''[[Maharajadhiraj]] [[Mirza]] [[Maharao]] [[Sir]] Khengarji III [[Sawai (title)|Sawai]] [[Baghatur|Bahadur]]''' {{postnominals|country=GBR|GCSI|GCIE}} (23 August 1866 – 15 January 1942) was a progressive and [[List of longest-reigning monarchs|one of the longest ruling monarchs of a dependent state]] and also the longest ruling king of the [[Princely State of Cutch]] from 1875 to 1942.<ref name=a>[http://uqconnect.net/~zzhsoszy/ips/k/kutch.html Kutch] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605032616/http://uqconnect.net/~zzhsoszy/ips/k/kutch.html |date= 5 June 2011 }}</ref><ref>[http://uqconnect.net/~zzhsoszy/ips/misc/kutch_tree.html Jadeja rulers of Kutch] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613165408/http://uqconnect.net/~zzhsoszy/ips/misc/kutch_tree.html |date=13 June 2011 }}</ref>

==Life==
He ascended the throne in 1875 after his father Maharao Shri [[Pragmalji II]] died on 19 December 1875. He ascended the throne on 3 January 1876 and reigned under a Council of Regency until he came of age, 11 August 1884 and was invested with full ruling powers on 14 November 1884.{{cn|date=June 2020}} In 1892, during his reign Cutch was raised to 17-gun salute. He appointed Shri Seth Ranmalsha Askaran Sisodia of Anjar as Diwan of Cutch state.

At the pinnacle of the [[Jadeja]] clan of [[Rajputs]], he advanced his state drastically over the sixty-six years of his reign, modernising it and bringing it forth into the 20th century. During the latter part of [[Queen Victoria]]'s reign, Sir Khengarji came to be appointed as an aide de camp to the Queen-Empress in her declining years, which excited some jealousy amongst the officials of the [[Government of India]]. He often travelled abroad to Europe and was noted for his personal relations with the members of the ruling houses there. Khengarji III was one of the very few Indian monarchs to attend all three [[Delhi Durbar]]s – in 1877, 1903 and 1911. He was raised to the hereditary titles of Sawai Bahadur on 2 March 1885 and Maharao on 1 January 1918 by British. In 1919, he was granted a local [[salute]] of 19-guns, and represented India at a [[League of Nations]] conference in Geneva in 1921 and also attended the [[Imperial Conference]] in London [[1921 Imperial Conference|1921]].<ref>[https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/conferencing-the-international/documents/india-office-guides/rtc2-biographical-notes.pdf]</ref> In year 1921, he also held the post of Vice-President of [[British Empire League]].{{cn|date=June 2020}} He was granted the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom of the Cities]] of London and [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] in 1921. Sir Khengarji died in 1942, aged 75, and was succeeded by his son [[Vijayaraji]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?ei=vxazTeb3NsimrAfVkYTIDQ&ct=result&id=jLfbAAAAMAAJ&dq=kutch+state+railway%2C+khengarji&q=+khengarji#search_anchor] The Vedanta kesari, Volume 80.</ref>

Some of the highlights of his reign and attributes :-
# Giving finishing touches to [[Prag Mahal]] in 1878–79, which was commissioned by his father Maharao Pragmalji in 1865–66.
# The [[Fergusson Museum]], now known as the Kutch Museum, was founded by him in 1877 AD to house the numerous wedding gifts he received. It is the oldest museum in [[Gujarat]].<ref>[http://www.bharathtravels.com/Bhuj.asp Bhuj] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905125241/http://www.bharathtravels.com/Bhuj.asp |date=5 September 2011 }}</ref>
# He was one of the early Indian members of the [[Bombay Natural History Society]].<ref>Khachar, Lavkumar (2008). "Obituary. [[Himmatsinhji M. K.|Himmatsinhji]] October 9, 1928, to February 22, 2008". J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 105 (1): 86.</ref>
# Promotion of [[Cutch State Railway]], a narrow gauge line owned & managed by Princely State of Cutch. The laying of railway tracks between [[Tuna Port]] and [[Anjar, India|Anjar]] started in 1900–01. Ostensibly the inaugural train carried the baraat (marriage entourage) of Yuvraj Vijayrajji. First train ran in year 1905. The line was extended to [[Bhuj]] from Anjar in 1908 and later to Bhimasar, Bhachau & Kandla.<ref name=Hughes>Hughes, Hugh 1994 ''Indian Locomotives Pt. 3, Narrow Gauge 1863–1940''. Continental Railway Circle.</ref><ref name=n>Nanji Bapa Ni Nondh-pothi, 1999 Pg. 90 '''Cutch State Railway''' Contracts done by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya or [[Mistris of Kutch]] : Details : Tuna to Anjar in 1900–01 (lines opened in 1905), Anjar to Bhuj in 1901–02 lines opened in 1908), Bhuj to Bhachau in 1915 (line opened in 1918), Varsamedi to Kandla in 1930 (lines opened in 1932) with names of Mistri Contractors.</ref>
# Ordered renovation of Suralbhit Jadeshwar Temple near [[Bhuj]] in 1914. Renovation work done by [[Mistris of Kutch|Mistri]]s of [[Madhapar]].<ref>[http://gorasia.net/KLP-Our%20Journey%20to%20the%20Prosperity%20_English.pdf Madhapar History. Madhapar founded by Madha Kanji Solanki. Suralbhit & Jadeshwar Madhadev Temple built by Mistris of Kutch.] Patel Community : Kutch PDF.</ref>
# Construction of [[Vijay Vilas Palace]] for his son & [[Yuvraj]] [[Vijayaraji]] at [[Mandvi]] in 1920 completed in 1929.
# Construction of Cutch Castle near Opera House at [[Bombay]] during decade of 1920 at behest & under supervision of [[Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan]] of [[Nagor]].<ref name=r>Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Community : A brief History & Glory: by Raja Pawan Jethwa. (2007) Calcutta.</ref><ref>Article on life and works of Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor published in Kutch Darpan Magazine,August 2009</ref>
# Sanctioned the Haji Pir (near Nara) Dargah complex in the Rann.
# Introduced Kutch into the electricity, automobile and aviation era, but preferred to keep his personal apartment at the Pragmahal Palace non-electrified.
# In 1930, he personally identified & selected the location for new port of [[Kandla]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=jXpzWlPpE1cC&pg=PA222&dq=khengarji+iii+of+kutch&hl=en&ei=RxSzTaOEO8bqrAfqptjIDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=khengarji%20iii%20of%20kutch&f=false Then in 1930, Maharao Khengarji III of Kutch opened new port at Kandla.] Sovereignty, power, control: politics in the State of Western India, 1916–1947 By John McLeod.</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=P7EHTBl_pyQC&pg=PA326&dq=khengarji+iii+of+kutch&hl=en&ei=RxSzTaOEO8bqrAfqptjIDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CEsQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=khengarji%20iii%20of%20kutch&f=false In recent times Kandla was developed as modern port begun by Maharao Khengarji III.] Gujarat–Daman–Diu: A Travel Guide By Ward</ref> The [[Cutch State Railway]] lines were extended from Anjar to Kandla.<ref name=n/><ref name=r/>
# Opening up of various state funded Schools & educational institutions, like Sanskrit Pathshala, [[Alfred High School, Bhuj|Alfred High School]], Library in Princely State of Kutch.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=g4oMAQAAMAAJ&q=khengarji+sanskrit&dq=khengarji+sanskrit&hl=en&ei=rRqzTezGKIbxrQf7hPXHDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEsQ6AEwBg] Gujarat by Smt. Hiralaxmi Navanitbhai Shah Dhanya Gurjari Kendra</ref>
# Built public Hospitals at Bhuj and Mandvi.
# Commissioned in 1940 Darya Mahal, his monumental residence at Napsean Sea Road in Mumbai.<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl2608/stories/20090424260806600.htm The 1930s was a period when members of the former princely states were building homes in Mumbai. It was only natural that they chose the prevalent style of the time. Darya Mahal, the home of the Maharao of Kutch, the Wankaner House of the erstwhile Wankaner state, and Dhanraj Mahal of the Maharaja of Dhanrajgir are a few examples of this style]</ref><ref>[http://www.suketumehta.com/excerpt.html Dariya Mahal. The palace belonged to the Maharao of Kutch. A family of Marwari industrialists bought the palace and its grounds; they chopped down the trees on the land, cleared the antiques out of the palace..] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224023552/http://www.suketumehta.com/excerpt.html |date=24 December 2011 }}</ref>
#Construction of Khengar Sagar dam at Chhasra over River Bhukhi in 1937<ref>{{cite book|title=Land and People of Indian States and Union Territories: In 36 ..., Volume 8 edited by S. C. Bhatt, Gopal K. Bhargava|date=2006|page=362|isbn=9788178353647|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eMGgb5Nd_cgC&q=khengar+sagar+year&pg=PA362}}</ref><ref>''The Black Hills: Kutch in History and Legend'' by [[Laurence Frederic Rushbrook Williams]] – 1958 – Page 18</ref>
# Throughout 66 years of his reign kept inflation in tight check.
# Interacted with Indian stalwarts, Swami Vivekanand, Mahatma Gandhi, Dadabhai Naoroji.
# Rare occurrence – saw five generation of Maharaos from Pragmalji II to Pragmalji III.
# Acknowledged as one of the finest rifle shots of his times. He purchased a 500/465 double rifle number 30379 from Holland and Holland in London in 1926. The rifle is now owned by William Battershill.
# Keen judge of horses.

==Monuments==
# Much after independence Khengar Park was established in [[Bhuj]] perpetuating his memory.
#Present Maharao [[Pragmulji III]] was instrumental to put up his bust at the main office Port Trust of New Kandla, [[Kandla]], a port founded by him in 1930.
#A square has been named after him as Maharao Khengarji Chowk on [[Anjar, India|Anjar]] – [[Adipur]] Road, where his bust is also placed.
#Khengar Sagar Dam near [[Mundra]] is named after him.<ref>{{cite news|title=The best day of year for Kutch,water worries are over, Hamirsar, Khengarsagar overflow|url=http://deshgujarat.com/2013/09/27/the-best-day-of-year-for-kutchwater-worries-are-over-hamirsar-likely-to-overflow/|accessdate=5 March 2014|newspaper=Desh Gujarat|date=27 September 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Maharao Khengarji III.jpg|thumb|Maharao Khengarji III : painting]]

[[File:Khengarji III (2).jpg|thumb|A young King Khengarji III with his kill]]

==Titles==
*1866–1875: [[Maharajkumar]] [[Shri]] Khengarji Pragmulji, [[Yuvraj]] [[Sahib]] of [[Kutch]]
*1875–1877: [[His Highness]] [[Maharajadhiraj]] [[Mirza]] [[Raja|Rao]] Shri Khengarji III [[Sahib]] [[Rao Bahadur|Bahadur]], [[Raja|Rao]] of [[Cutch State|Kutch]]
*1877–1885: His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Rao Shri Khengarji III [[Sahib]] Bahadur, Rao of Kutch
*1885–1887: His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Rao Shri Khengarji III [[Sawai (title)|Sawai]] Bahadur, Rao of Kutch
*1887–1917: His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Rao Shri Sir Khengarji III Sawai Bahadur, Rao of Kutch, [[GCIE]]
*1917–1918: His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Rao Shri Sir Khengarji III Sawai Bahadur, Rao of Kutch, [[GCSI]], GCIE
*1918–1929: His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza [[Maharao]] Shri Sir Khengarji III Sawai Bahadur, [[Maharao]] of [[Cutch State|Kutch]], GCSI, GCIE
*1929–1942: [[Colonel]] His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri Sir Khengarji III Sawai Bahadur, Maharao of Kutch, GCSI, GCIE

==Honours==
*[[Empress of India Medal]] Gold-1877
*[[Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]] (GCIE)-1887
*[[Queen Victoria Golden Jubilee Medal]]-1887
*[[Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal]] Clasp-1897
*[[Delhi Durbar Medal 1903|Delhi Durbar Gold Medal]]-1903
*[[King George V Coronation Medal]]
*[[Delhi Durbar Medal 1911|Delhi Durbar Gold Medal & Clasp – 1911]]
*[[Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India]] (GCSI)-1917
*Freedom of the Cities of London and Bath-1921
*[[King George V Silver Jubilee Medal]]-1935
*[[King George VI Coronation Medal]]-1937

==Political Office==
{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[Jadeja|Jadeja Dynasty]]||23 August 1883||15 January 1942}}
{{s-reg|}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Pragmalji II]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Cutch State|Maharaja of Kutch]]|years=1875-1942}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Vijayaraji]]}}
{{s-end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Khengarji 03 Of Kutch}}
[[Category:Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal]]
[[Category:1866 births]]
[[Category:1942 deaths]]
[[Category:Maharajas of Kutch]]
[[Category:Hindu monarchs]]
[[Category:Founders of Indian schools and colleges]]
[[Category:Indian royalty]]
[[Category:Indian knights]]

Khengarji III - Revision history

>JJMC89 bot III at 20:48, 11 April 2021