Raghunathrao Shankarrao Pant Sachiv

Raghunathrao Shankarrao Pant Sachiv Gandekar
KCIE KGSJM KECM KGCM DD
Meherban Shrimant Raja (ruler of Bhor), Madar-ul-Maham (Most faithful ruler)[1][2]
11th Raja of Bhor
Reign 18 July 1922 – 8 March 1948
Predecessor Pant Sachiv Shankarao II Chimnajirao
Successor Sadashivrao Raghunathrao Gandekar (son)
Born 20 September 1878
Bhor, Bhor State, British India
Died 1951
Bhor Rajwada, Bhor, Maharashtra, India
Spouse
  • Gangutaisaheb (1 June 1893 - died. 1907)
  • Laxmibai Ranisaheb (1909 - )
Issue Raja Shrimant Sadashivrao Ragunathrao
Anandrao Raghunathrao
Narayanrao Raghunathrao
Vijayadevi
House Gandekar
Father Pant Sachiv Shankarao II Chimnajirao
Mother Jijibai
Religion Hinduism

Raja Sir Raghunathrao Shankarrao Pant Sachiv (also known as Raghunathrao Shankarrao Gandekar, Babasaheb Pandit Pant Sachiv) KCIE KGSJM KECM KGCM DD (20 September 1878 - 1951) was the 11th Raja of the princely state of Bhor of British Raj during the reign (1922 – 1951).[3] During his reign, he implemented many reforms such as abolition of untouchability, freedom of association and introduction of representative government.[4] He signed the accession to the Indian Union on 8 March 1948 which ended the separate existence of Bhor state.[5]

Early years

Raghunathrao Shankarrao was born to Pant Sachiv Shankarao II Chimnajirao (10th Raja of Bhor) and Jijibai Ranisaheb on 10 September 1878. His thread ceremony took place on 4th April 1887.[6][7]After the death of his father Shankarrao Chimnajirao Pant Sachiv, Raghunathrao succeeded as 11th Raja of Bhor on 18th July 1922 .[7]

Rajasaheb completed his school education in Poona Government High School, Poona in 1893 and from the same school he passed his matriculation examination of the University of Bombay in the year 1899.[6] He completed his higher education in Deccan college, Poona.[7] While at the college he also attended the Law lectures regularly till 1905. After leaving the college, he read the Civil, Criminal and Revenue laws with a celebrated Government Law lecturer and Public prosecutor at Poona to fit himself for the worthy and responsible post he was destined to occupy in future.[8] On the advice of the then Political agent of Bhor Mr. L. C. Swifte, Shrimant Rajasaheb used to attend the court of H. F. Carvalho the city magistrate of Poona in order to gain some knowledge of the practical working of Law in 1905. He took an intelligent interest in the proceedings of the court and also read through and studied several important cases that were placed at his disposal.

After the observation for a long time Mr. Carvalho wrote to Mr. Swifte that:

He was then recommended by Mr. Swifte for a seat on the bench of Megistrates in Poona to get practical knowledge in criminal matters and accordingly got the seat in 1906. In this capacity he worked incessantly and carefully for the next six years, deriving thereby good practices in the conduct of criminal business. He was appointed to bench megistracy in 1907.[9] While he was at Poona for education and even during the long period he worked there as Honorary bench megistrate, he had occasion to be associated with the high officials and the leading and liberal minded statesman of Poona, all of whom were ever pleased with the nobility and the affability of his mind and heart. The modesty and the gentility of his disposition and behavior had always won for him the good opinions of the successive Governor's of Bombay, the commissioners and the Political agents.[10]

Mr. W. D. Sheppard the political agent and the Collector of Poona wrote a letter addressing Shrimant Babasaheb to his father His Highness Shankarrao Raosaheb:

This extract speaks clearly and voluminously of the goodness of Shrimant Babasaheb's nature.[11]

Raja Ragunathrao received two coronation medals as Yuvaraja, the first at the time of Coronation Darbar of Majesty King Edward VII in 1903 and the second at the time of coronation darbar of Imperial Mejesty King George V in 1911.[12] In June 1903 Shrimant Babasaheb was honoured with a Silver Medal at the hands of Lord Northcote, the then Governor of Bombay. In 1912 he was honoured by the same silver medal by Mr. L. C. Swifte, the political agent of Bhor and Collector of Poona on the behalf of Government.[10]

As Yuvaraja Raghunathrao also administered Vichitragad taluka. As a Yuvaraja he is well prepared by the knowledge of law and it's procedure. Shrimant Babasaheb's father rightly thought it proper to entrust Babasaheb the management of Vichitragad taluka. Babasaheb conferred with the powers of Assistant Collector, Sub-divisional Magistrate and Assistant Judge in 1913.From thence till his accession he looked to the affairs of that taluka with great ability, interest and zeal.[11]

In the year 1916 the Honorable Mr. W. D. Sheppard, Member of the executive council in his speech before proceeding to England, observed with the reference to Shrimant Babasaheb as follows:

In 1918 Shrimant Babasaheb was appointed Assistant Recruiting Officer for the whole State and his vigorous and successful measures in obtaining recruits were highly appreciated by the Government of Bombay.[13]

Marriage

Rajasaheb married Gangutaisaheb, the daughter of Shrimant Balasaheb Vinchurkar on 1st June 1893. Raja had his first son Sadashivrao Raghunathrao Gandekar on 27th September 1904 with her.[6] His first wife died in the year 1907. The death of his wife was a heavy blow to Shrimant Babasaheb's kind heart. The dejection made him never to think of marriage again but at the Express and solicitous wish of his parents he married Laxmibai Ranisaheb, the daughter of Vasudeorao G. Puranik, a British pensioner and resident of Poona in 1909.[14] Rajasaheb had two sons and a daughter with Laxmibai Ranisaheb. They are Anandrao Raghunathrao Gandekar, Narayanrao Raghunathrao Gandekar and Vijayadevi. Rajasaheb's, second son Anandrao Raghunathrao Gandekar was born on 29th June 1922, the third son Narayanrao Raghunathrao Gandekar was born on 18th May 1924 and the daughter Vijayadevi was born on 4th January 1927.[15]

Reign

As a prince he is noted for his love of learning, progressive democratic views, Sociable nature and nobility of character. His accession to the gadi of Bhor State is said as new era in the history of State. At the very outset Rajasaheb removed the longstanding and legitimate grievences of his subjects by giving them the freedom of thought, speech and association and by abolishing certain invidious medieval type of taxes.The most outstanding feature during his reign is the rapid progress of the constitutional reforms.[7][16] He also established a Lokpaksh to resolve conflicts between the common-folk and the gentry of the State, with the help of Chandrashekhar Agashe, who had been appointed by his father, the 10th Raja, as chief justice to the royal court in 1920.[17]

He started independent high court scheme and inaugurated it in 1928. He made Primary Education free in 1921. He introduced Scholarships and Freeships for higher education. He built a Library in 1928 in Bhor. He also built Raghunathrao High School at Bhor in 1937.[18]

Constitutional Changes

In order to facilitate the speedy disposal of the routine work of the various departments and to derive the help and advantage of joint views and deliberations in deciding important matters, an Executive council or Cabinet of five members, including Shrimant Rajasaheb was created in 1925. This step was taken as an auspicious beginning to replace the old and Moribund System of aristocratic rule by Democratic System of Government to meet modern requirements in accordance with the assurance given by him at the time of his accession.[19]

The constitution of the Cabinet is as given below:

  1. President - The head of the council
  2. Diwan - General charge of all the departments (Vice - President)
  3. Nyayamantri (Judicial Officer) - in charge of the educational, jail and medical departments
  4. Daftardar (Chief Revenue Officer) - in charge of the revenue, the forest and P. W.Departments
  5. Private Secretary

From 1925 Shrimant Babasaheb has been conducting the administration with the aid of this council.

During his reign as Raja, Raghunathrao had the following diwans (prime ministers):

  1. G. V. Dhayagude
  2. Rao Sahib V. G. Ranade

The following are the Shaladikharis (education superintendents):

  1. V. N. Joshi

Educational Improvements

Ever since his accession, to eradicate illiteracy and ignorance among the masses Shrimant Rajasaheb has done utmost to advance the cause of education in his State. Rajasaheb had constructed primary and secondary schools in more than 56 villages with the population of 500 and more. Raja constructed a High School and a separate girls school in Bhor, the headquarter of the State.He also constructed many private schools, Public Libraries and he also constructed institutions like S. S. Gangutaisaheb Pant Sachiv Vachanalaya at Bhor, the Sarvajanik Vachanalaya at pali etc.[20] In order to facilitate poor and deserving students of the state for higher education Shrimant Rajasaheb has given a donation of Rs.10,000 to the willingdon college of the Deccan education society, in appreciation of which the society agreed to allow four students of the Bhor State to study as free students in the Willingdon College or Ferguson College every year. The liberal-minded ruler also set apart a sum of Rs.20,000 from his ancestral charitable fund, the interest on which is being utilised in giving scholarships to most promising but poorly circumstanced students of the State irrespective of consideration of caste, creed and religion, to enable them to pursue higher education.[21]

Titles

Raghunathrao Shankarrao was also known with his full name His Highness, Meherban, Shrimant, Madar-Ul-Maham, Raja Sir Raghunathrao Shankarrao Pandit Babasaheb Pant Sachiv, Raja of Bhor

The hereditaiy title of "Raja" was conferred on the Ruler in 1935. He was made a permanent Member of the Chamber of Princes in 1940 and a Knight Commander of the Indian Empire in 1941.[22]

During his life he acquired several titles and honorific-prefix names:

  • 1903-1922 Rajkumar Raghunathrao Shankarrao Pant Sachiv
  • 1922-1935 Meherban, Madar-Ul-Maham Raghunathrao Shankarrao, Pant Sachiv of Bhor
  • 1935-1941 His Highness Shrimant Meherban, Madar-Ul-Maham, Raja Raghunathrao Shankarrao Pandit Pant Sachiv, Raja of Bhor
  • 1941-1948 His Highness Shrimant Meherban, Madar-Ul-Maham,Raja, Sir Raghunathrao Shankarrao Pandit Pant Sachiv, Raja of Bhor, KCIE

Honours

(Ribbon bar, as it would look today; UK decorations only)

Books

The books written by Rajasaheb are:

  • Twentyone weeks in Europe (1930)[26]
  • Annual Administration Report of the Bhor State for 1924-25.[27]
  • Royal Coronation and my second trip to Europe, 1937.[28]

Biography of Rajasaheb
The biography of the Raja is written by his Dewan V. G. Ranade and the book is:

  • Life of His Highness Raja Shreemant Sir Raghunathrao S.: Alias Babasaheb Pandit Pant Sachiv, K.C.I.E., Raja of Bhor by V. G. Ranade.

Other books
Dewan V. G. Ranade along with Shaladikhari V. N. Joshi wrote a book on the progress, sacrifices of the Rajas right from the establishment by Shankaraji Narayan Sacheev Gandekar to the Last ruler Raghunathrao Shankarrao Gandekar, the book is:

  • A short history of the Bhor state .[29]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 McClenaghan 1996, p. 80.
  2. ↑ Who's who in India, Burma & Ceylon. Great Britain. India Office. 1940. p. 29.
  3. ↑ Tagore 1987, p. ix.
  4. ↑ Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare (1948). Historical Grammar of Apabhraṁśa. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 978-81-208-0290-2.
  5. ↑ WorldStatesmen - India - Princely States A-J
  6. 1 2 3 Ranade 1930, p. 51.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Tagore 1987, p. x.
  8. 1 2 Ranade 1930, p. 52.
  9. ↑ Ranade 1930, p. 52-53.
  10. 1 2 Ranade 1930, p. 55.
  11. 1 2 3 Ranade 1930, p. 56.
  12. ↑ V. G. Ranade (Rao Sahib (1951). Life of His Highness Raja Shreemant Sir Raghunathrao S.: Alias Babasaheb Pandit Pant Sachiv, K.C.I.E., Raja of Bhor. p. cdxxxviii.
  13. ↑ Ranade 1930, p. 57.
  14. ↑ Ranade 1930, p. 53.
  15. ↑ GOI 1931, p. 38.
  16. ↑ Whos Who Among Indian Princes And Chiefs. Internet Archive. p. 1115.
  17. ↑ Karandikar, Shakuntala (1992). Viśvasta [The Trusted One] (in Marathi) (1st ed.). Pune: Śrī Prakāśana (published July 1992). pp. 10–12. ISBN 9781532345012. LCCN 2017322865. OCLC 992168228.
  18. ↑ Who's who in India, Burma & Ceylon. Who's Who Publishers (India) Limited. 1940. p. 30.
  19. ↑ Ranade 1930, p. 73.
  20. ↑ Ranade 1930, p. 67.
  21. ↑ Ranade 1930, p. 68.
  22. ↑ The Indian Year Book, Volume 29. Bennett, Coleman & Company. 1942. p. 81.
  23. ↑ Bhargava 1991, p. 61.
  24. ↑ The India Office and Burma Office List for. Great Britain. India Office. 1945. p. 62.
  25. ↑ V. G. Ranade (Rao Sahib (1951). Life of His Highness Raja Shreemant Sir Raghunathrao S.: Alias Babasaheb Pandit Pant Sachiv, K.C.I.E., Raja of Bhor. p. 386.
  26. ↑ Raja Raghunathrao Shankarrao Pandit Pant Sachiv (1937). Twentyone weeks in Europe (1930).
  27. ↑ Raja Raghunathrao Shankarrao Pandit Pant Sachiv (1925). "Annual Administration Report of the Bhor State for 1924-25" (PDF).
  28. ↑ Raja Raghunathrao Shankarrao Gandekar (1942). Royal Coronation and my second trip to Europe (1937). Bhor.
  29. ↑ A Short history of Bhor State

Bibliography

  • McClenaghan, Tony (1996). Indian Princely Medals: A Record of the Orders, Decorations, and Medals of the Indian Princely States. Lancer Publishers.
  • Tagare, Ganesh Vasudeo (1987). Historical Grammar of Apabhraṁśa. Motilal Banarsidass Publications.
  • Bhargava, R. P. (1991). The Chamber of Princes. Northern Book Centre.
  • Ranade, V. G. (1930). A Short history of the Bhor State. Bhor.
  • GOI, Central (1931). List Of Ruling Princes And Chiefs In Political Relations With The Government Of Bombay And Their Leading Officials Nobles And Personages.
Raghunathrao Shankarrao Pant Sachiv
Born: c. 20 September 1878 Died: 1951
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Shankarao II Chimnajirao Pant Sachiv		 Raja of Bhor
1922 – 1951		 Succeeded by
Monarchy abolished, Bhor merged into Republic of India
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