Khengarji III of Kutch
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Maharajdhiraj Mirza Maharao Sri Khengarji III Sawai Bahadur, GCSI, GCIE, Kaiser-i-Hind (23 August 1866-15 January 1942) was a progressive and enlightened Maharao of the Indian princely state of Kutch from 1875 to 1942. A member 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 became a personal friend of 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. In 1919, he was granted a local salute of 19-guns, and represented India at a League of Nations conference in Geneva in 1921. Sir Khengarji died in 1942, aged 75, and was succeeded by his son Vijayaraji.
