Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji

Maharaja of Porbandar
Personal information
Batting style Right-handed batsman
Bowling style n/a
International information
National side Indian
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 6
Runs scored 42
Batting average 6.00
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 22
Balls bowled 0
Wickets 0
Bowling average n/a
5 wickets in innings 0
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling n/a
Catches/stumpings 6/0
Source: [[1],[2]],

Lieutenant-Colonel H.H. Maharaja Rana Shri Sir Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, KCSI (born 30 June 1901, Porbandar, Gujarat – died 4 October 1979, Porbandar) was the Maharaja of Porbandar belonging to Jethwa dynasty.[3][4]

Contents

Lifesketch

He was the only son of H.H. Maharaja Rana Shri Bhavsinhji Madhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, Rana Sahib of Porbandar, by his third wife, H.H. Maharani Bama Sahib Ramba Kunverba Sahiba.[4]

He was educated at the Rajkumar College at Rajkot and stood first in the diploma examination for all the Princes' colleges in India. He succeeded his father on his death on 1908-12-10 and ascended the throne on 26 January 1920 after he came of age.[4][3]

He married twice, but never had children. He first married Rupaliba Sahiba, MBE (1898–1943) of Limbdi in 1920 and after her death, to Anant Kunverba Annette da Silva (1911–1989) in 1954.[4]

He captained India in her first Test tour of England in 1932. He played in four matches but stood down from captaincy in favour of the more talented C.K. Nayudu for the Test against England. K. S. Ghanshyamsinhji, the elder brother of Rupaliba Sahiba, served as his vice captain.[4][1][2]

Natwarsinhji was an avid painter, author and musician; his literary works include "From the Flow of Life" (1967), "India's Problems: Reflections of an Ex-Ruler" (1970) and "International Solidarity" (1975). He also was joint composer the "Oriental Moon Waltz" in 1930.[4]

He was an able ruler and Porbandar progressed under his kingship. He gave land to Nanji Kalidas Mehta, to start Maharana Mills manufacturing textiles.[5] After independence of India, he merged his state into the United State of Kathiawar on 15th February 1948.[4] He also took active interest along with Nanji Kalidas Mehta to see that Kirti Mandir is being built in Porbandar, as a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi[6]

Maharaja Sir Natwarsinhji Jethwa of Porbandar died in 1979 after a 71 year reign, aged 78. Although he had adopted a son, Rajkumar Udaibhansinhji Jethwa, in 1941, he died in 1977 with no issue; therefore, the headship of the dynasty is still uncertain after three decades.[4]

Titles[4]

Honours[4]

Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji
Born: 30 June 1901 Died: 4 October 1979
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Bhavsinhji Madhavsinhji
(as Maharaja of Porbandar)		 Maharaja of Probandar
1901-1948		 Succeeded by
Monarchy abolished
(Merge within the Republic of India)
Titles in pretence
Preceded by
None		 — TITULAR —
Maharaja of Porbandar
1948-79
Reason for succession failure:
Monarchy abolished in 1948		 Succeeded by
None

References

  1. ^ a b CricketArchive
  2. ^ a b Obituary in Indian Cricket 1980
  3. ^ a b Indian Princely States : Genealogy of the rulers of Porbandar
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j PORBANDAR
  5. ^ The Maharana Mills was opened by Nanji Kalidas. His Highness gave him the land at one rupee per square yard. The aim was to lead the city and its subjects to prosperity. Journeys to freedom: Dalit narratives By Fernando Franco, Jyotsna Macwan, Suguna Ramanathan
  6. ^ At the time when Gandhiji was released for the last time from the Agakhan palace by the British Government, residential public of Porbandar had decided to construct an ideal memorial on the birth palace of Mahatmaji. At that time, organization of the project was accomplished by the intensive efforts of the late Maharaja of Porbandar, Shri Natavarsinhji, and Rajaratna Shri Manjibhai Kalidas Mehta and his wife, Smt. Santokbehn.