Madansinhji

Madansinhji was born as Meghraji and was the eldest son of the Maharao Shri Vijayaraji and Maharani Shri Padmakunwar Ba Sahiba. He was called and named as Yuvraj Sahib Meghraji and was educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot. He was married to Maharani Rajendra Kunverba, daughter of Lt.-Col. Umdae Rajhae Buland Makan Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Sir Madan Singh Bahadur of Kishangarh in 1930, and had issue. He became heir apparent with the title of Yuvraj Sahib Meghraji on 15 January 1942, when his father succeeded to the throne of Princely State of Cutch upon demise of his grandfather Maharao Shri Khengarji III.[3][4]

He was left to administer the state, whenever, his father Maharao Sri Vijayaraji Khengarji was away. In 1947, upon independence of India, it was he who, on behalf of his father, Maharao Shri Vijayraji (who was away for medical treatment at London), signed the Instrument of Accession of Kutch, on 16 August 1947, on his behalf, as Heir Apparent for the Princely State of Kutch.[5]

He was President of Cutch State Council from 1943–1948. He acceded to the throne, upon death of his father on 26 January 1948 under the new name and style of Madansinji and ruled for a short period of till 4 May 1948, when the administration of Princely State was completely merged in to the Dominion of India.[2][5]

Madansinhji belonged to a new breed of royalty, who placed their education, contacts and skills at the disposal of the new India. As the last ruler of Kutch, he was very close to Jawaharlal Nehru. He joined Indian Foreign Service in 1953, served as Hon Minister-Counselor at London 1953–1956, Ambassador to Norway 1957–1960, and Chile 1960–1961. In 1962 his brother Himmatsinhji became the member of the Lok Sabha representing the Kutch community.[6]

On 1 January 1977, Maharao Madansinhji, the last ruler of Kutch, founded "Maharao of Kutch Aina Mahal Trust". Madansinhji Museum was made under this trust. This museum has two parts. One part is the Kala Atari Picture Gallery and another part is a marvelous old palace called Aina Mahal.[7]

He was a tennis player, who was active in the 1930s. He represented India at the Davis Cup in 1936. In 1937, in Wimbledon, he met Franjo Kukuljevic, with whom he played doubles and from that point, they became lifelong friends.[8]

He died on 21 June 1991 in London and his eldest son Pragmulji III inherited title in pretence as scion of Jadeja dynasty as Maharaja of Kutch. There were some disputes leading to court case, which started during his lifetime and continued after his death towards his estate worth millions.[9]