Pratap Singh Gaekwad

Pratap Singh Gaekwad was the ruler or Maharaja of the princely state of Baroda who reigned from the year 1939 to 1951, for a period of 12 years. He was born on 29th June 1908 to father Yuvaraj Fatehsinghrao Gaekwad and mother Yuvarani Padmavati Bai Saheba. He succeeded Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, his grandfather, after his death in the year 1939 and aascended the throne of Baroda state. Pratap Singh Gaekwad was deposed by the Government of India and exiled to England. The Maharaja of Baroda was succeeded by Fatehsinghrao Gaekwad, his eldest son. In the year 1949, Pratap Singh established the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda on the behest of his grandfather Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. He also settled the Sir Sayajirao Diamond Jubilee and Memorial Trust and supported the development of education and other such advancements for the betterment of the people of the earlier princely state of Baroda.

Rule of Pratap Singh Gaekwad
Pratap Singh Gaekwad was an extravagant and hedonistic ruler and wasted the money of the state. In the year 1948, he went on a tour to the United States along with his 2nd wife. According to the audit prepared by the Indian Union, it was discovered that the Maharaja of Baroda took numerous inappropriate interest free loans from the treasury of the princely state of Baroda.

After the withdrawal of the British from India, the various independent Indian Princes were released from their subsidiary alliances and were left as a weak state. Due to increasing pressure from the Government of India, Pratap Singh was forced to accede his state. As India achieved independence from the British rule in the year 1947, Maharaja Pratap Singh Gaekwad of the princely state of Baroda acceded his state into the newly formed Union of India and signed the Instrument of Accession.

Personal Life of Pratap Singh Gaekwad
Pratap Singh Gaekwad was married twice. His first marriage was with Akhand Soubhagyavati Maharani Shanta Devi Sahib Gaekwad in 1929. She was the daughter of Meherban Shrimant Sardar Mansinhrao Subbarao Ghorpade, a Sardar of the princely state of Kolhapur. The royal couple had 3 sons and 5 daughters, namely Fatehsinghrao Gaekwad II, Maharajkumari Mrunalini Raje Gaekwad, Maharajkumari Premila Raje Gaekwad, Maharajkumari Sarla Raje Gaekwad, Maharajkumari Vasundharadevi Raje Gaekwad, Ranjitsinhrao Gaekwad, Maharajkumari Lalitadevi Raje Gaekwad and Maharajkumar Sangramsinhrao Gaekwad.

In the year 1943, Maharaja Pratap Singh was married for a second time to Her Highness Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda. The couple had a son, Maharajkumar Sayajirao Gaekwad, in the year 1945.

Pratap Singh Gaekwad, Maharaja of the princely state of Baroda, died on 19th July 1968 and was succeeded by his eldest son Fatehsinghrao Gaekwad II, who ascended the throne as the Maharaja of Baroda.

Titles of Pratap Singh Gaekwad
Pratap Singh Gaekwad held several titles through out his 12 year reign over the princely state of Baroda. These include-
* Shrimant Yuvaraja Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad, Yuvaraj Sahib of Baroda (1908- 1939)
* His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur, Maharaja of Baroda (1939- 1941)
* His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja Sir Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur, Maharaja of Baroda, GCIE (1941- 1943)
* Major His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja Sir Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur, Maharaja of Baroda, GCIE (1943- 1944)
* Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja Sir Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur, Maharaja of Baroda, GCIE (1944- 1945)
* Colonel His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja Sir Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur, Maharaja of Baroda, GCIE (1945- 1946)
* Major-General His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja Sir Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur, Maharaja of Baroda, GCIE (1946- 1968)

Honours of Pratap Singh Gaekwad
Maharaja Pratap Singh Gaekwad of Baroda received several honours, which are mentioned below-
* Baroda Golden Jubilee Medal (1926)
* King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
* Baroda Diamond Jubilee Medal (1936)
* King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
* Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire- GCIE (1941)
* Indian Independence Medal (1947)