His Highness Maharajah Bhagwatsinhji who ruled Gondal (a state with an area of 1,024 square miles and a population of 2,55,846 with Hindus, Muslims, Jains and others) is a role model. He ruled Gondal from 1884 till his death in1944. He was pragmatic, progressive and loved by his subjects beyond call of duty. It was a trend for Maharajahs to indulge in inane and extravagant hedonism at the cost of tax payer’s money. But Maharajah Bhagwatsinhji lived a very frugal life and insisted such thrifty lifestyle on Princes, top ministers as well as all the staff. Princes were educated and staffed as servants of state on fixed salary. Under the reign of Maharajah, annual income of Gondal rose from Rs 140,000 to 790,000 yet he did not ask for increase in his remuneration. He encouraged women’s education by awarding Rs 500 to girls passing Metric examination, uniform style of schools, conservation of environment, 24 hour availability of drinking water to all villages, underground cables to supply electricity, care to see that no humans and/or animals starved during famine, built strong embankments along rivers to stop flooding etc. He met persons who intended to present report or complaint.
Besides his duties as Maharajah, he compiled dictionary of colloquial Gujarati under title of Bhagwadgomandal. He travelled to many countries and compiled his reactions from perspective of Indian patriotism and dignity. He studied Medicine at Glasgow, acquired degree of M.D. Later he got fellowship of Royal Society of England. This showed his scholastic ability. His administrative skill was displayed by personal supervision of construction of roads and public buildings like schools, hospitals etc. Wide road, tree lined avenues and trendy massive buildings survived for many years, thanks to the farsightedness of the Maharajah.
He was stern with any shirkers and even towards Princes who indicated profligacy or disloyalty. Yet his philanthropy knew no bounds. He donated to disaster areas as far as Quetta, Orissa and Africa. He planned to avoid imposing new taxes, reduce existing ones or abolishing burdensome ones. He expressed joy if monies remained in homes of citizens rather than in state kitty.
He donated funds to educational institutes in England. He donated funds to Ferguson College of Puna against seats reserved for 10 students from Gondal to study without paying fees; invested in trams running in Bombay and audited accounts every year.
He was conferred G.C.I.E. by Queen Victoria. His spending acumen did not spare British officials, Governor General and Viceroy, to whom he sent bills towards their stay beyond period of invitation or agenda of meeting. He deducted money from salary of Prince who discarded his present and got dress stitched on personal preference. His administrative skill moulded himself and also citizens to get best results from his endeavours. This skill cannot be instilled but had been and will be innate in heart of any leader. Maharajah proved this via best results via interaction with ministers and public.
Amratlal Kataria
