Lieutenant Colonel His Highness Maharaja Rana Shri Sir Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, KCSI was the last ruling Maharaja of Porbandar who belonged to Jethwa clan. He was born on 30 June 1901in Porbandar, Gujarat as the only son of His Highness Maharaja Rana Shri Bhavsinhji Madhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, Rana Sahib of Porbandar, and his third wife, Her Highness Maharani Bama Sahib Ramba Kunverba Sahiba. Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji received his education at the Rajkumar College, Rajkot and became first in the diploma examination for all Princes` colleges in the nation during the rule of the British Empire in India. After the death of his father Maharaja Rana Shri Bhavsinhji Madhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur in the year 1908. He ascended the royal throne of the state of Porbandar on 26 January 1920, after he reached the age of majority.
Rule of Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji
Lieutenant Colonel His Highness Maharaja Rana Shri Sir Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, KCSI was a renowned and competent ruler and the princely state of Porbandar thrived during his reign. He undertook several progressive reforms for the development of the administration of the state and for the betterment of his subjects. The Maharaja of Porbandar gave land to Nanji Kalidas Mehta to establish Maharana Mills manufacturing textiles.
After the country gained independence from the rule of the British Government of India, the native ruler of the Porbandar state acceded his state to the newly formed Union of India, also known as the Dominion of India. The region was merged with the United State of Kathiawar or the Saurashtra State on 15 February 1948.
Other Activities of Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji
Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur captained the Indian Cricket Team in the first Test tour of England in the year 1932. He participated in 4 matches but later gave up captaincy in favour of C.K. Nayudu for the Test match against England. He was also an enthusiastic musician, author and painter. Some of his literary works include India`s Problems: Reflections of an Ex-Ruler (1970) and International Solidarity (1975). Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji also co-composed the Oriental Moon Waltz in the year 1930.
Personal Life of Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji
His Highness Maharaja Rana Shri Sir Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji was married twice but did not have any issue. He was initially married to Rupaliba Sahiba, MBE of Limbdi in the year 1920. Later he was married to Anant Kunverba Annette Da Silva in 1954. Lieutenant Colonel His Highness Maharaja Rana Shri Sir Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, KCSI Jethwa of Porbandar died at the age of 78 in the year 1979, after a reign of 71 years. He adopted Rajkumar Udaibhansinhji Jethwa as his son in 1941, but he died in 1977 with no issue.
Titles of Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji
Maharaja Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji of Porbandar held several titles through out his reign which are discussed as follows-
* Patvi Namdar Maharajkumar Shri Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib (1901- 1908)
* His Highness Maharaja Rana Shri Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, Rana Sahib of Porbandar (1908- 1918)
* His Highness Maharaja Rana Shri Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja Rana Sahib of Porbandar (1918- 1929)
* His Highness Maharaja Rana Shri Sir Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja Rana Sahib of Porbandar, KCSI (1929- 1941)
* Captain His Highness Maharaja Rana Shri Sir Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja Rana Sahib of Porbandar, KCSI (1941- 1945)
* Major His Highness Maharaja Rana Shri Sir Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja Rana Sahib of Porbandar, KCSI (1945- 1946)
* Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Maharaja Rana Shri Sir Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja Rana Sahib of Porbandar, KCSI (1946- 1979)
Honours of Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji
Lieutenant Colonel His Highness Maharaja Rana Shri Sir Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Sahib Bahadur, KCSI was honoured several times. These are mentioned below-
* Delhi Durbar Gold Medal (1911)
* Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India- KCSI (1929)
* King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
* King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
* Indian Independence Medal (1947)
