Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji

Colonel Maharaja Raol Sir Shri Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji KCSI (19 May 1912 – 2 April 1965) was an Indian monarch and politician, the last Maharaja of Gohil dynasty, who ruled Bhavnagar State from 1919 to 1948 and also served as the first Indian Governor of Madras from 1948 to 1952.[1][2]

Early life

Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji was born at Bhavnagar on 19 May 1912, the eldest son and heir of Maharaja Bhavsinhji II of Bhavnagar (1875–1919, r. 1896–1919). Kumarsinhji succeeded his father upon his death in 1919; only seven years old, he ascended the Bhavnagar throne under a regency until 1931.

Reign

Kumarsinhji continued the progressive reforms of his father and grandfather, reforming the method of tax-collection in his state, introducing village councils and Bhavnagar's first legislature, the Dharasabha. Owing to his progressive reign, Kumarsinhji was knighted with the KCSI in 1938; however, he remained quietly committed to the cause of Indian independence. Therefore, upon Independence in 1947, Kumarsinhji became among the first of the Indian monarchs to accede to the Dominion of India in 1947. He merged Bhavnagar into the state of Kathiawad in 1948.

Sir Bhavsinhji Polytechnic Institute was established by him in commemoration of his father Late Sir Bhavsinhji II in 1932, which commenced functioning in 1949.[3]

Personal life

In 1931, Kumarsinhji married Maharani Shri Vijayabakunverba Sahiba (19 June 1910 – 6 October 1990), the daughter of Maharaja Bhojirajsinhji of Gondal and granddaughter of Maharaja Bhagvatsingh of Gondal. The couple had two sons and three daughters:

  1. Virbhadrasinhji Krishna Kumarsinhji (14 March 1932 – 26 July 1994) who succeeded as Maharaja of Bhavnagar. Now his son Vijayrajsinhji Gohil as Maharaja Of Bhavnagar (29 April 1968)
  2. Maharajkumar Shivbhadrasinhji Krishna Kumarsinhji (23 December 1933–)
  3. Maharajkumari Maharaj Kumari Ba Shri Hansa Kunverba Sahiba (25 July 1941–) (now Rajmata Shiba of Ajaygarh)
  4. Maharajkumari Ba Shri Dilhar Kunverba Sahiba (19 November 1942–) (now Maharani Sahiba of Panna)
  5. Maharajkumari Ba Shri Rohini Devi Sahiba (8 October 1945) (now Kuvrani Sahiba of Kutch)

Later years

In 1948, he worked as acting Rajpramukh of United State of Kathiawar for a brief period. Later, in 1948, Kumarsinhji became the first Indian Governor of Madras, serving until 1952. Also, in that year Kumarsinhji was made an honorary Commodore in the Royal Indian Navy. From 1948 until 1952, Kumarsinhji also served as the President of the Shree Nandkunverba Kshatriya Kanya Vidhyalaya and as Vice-Patron of the United Service Institution of India. Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji died at Bhavnagar on 2 April 1965, aged 52 after a reign of 46 years . He was succeeded as Maharaja of Bhavnagar by his eldest son, Virbhadrasinhji Krishna Kumarsinhji.

Titles

Honours

(ribbon bar, as it would look today)

Government offices

Government offices
Preceded by
Archibald Nye		 Governor of Madras State
1948–1952 		Succeeded by
Sri Prakasa

Political office

Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji
Born: 19 May 1912 Died: 2 April 1965
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Bhavsinhji II		 Maharaja of Bhavnagar
1919-1948 		Succeeded by
Monarchy abolished
(Merge within the Republic of India)
Titles in pretence
Preceded by
none		 — TITULAR —
Maharaja of Bhavnagar
1948-65		 Succeeded by
Virbhadrasinhji

References

  1. ↑ Indian states since 1947, (Worldstatesmen, September 16, 2008)
  2. ↑ Governors of Tamil Nadu since 1946, (Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, September 15, 2008)
  3. ↑ Sir Bhavsinhji Polytechnic Institute - History
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