K. S. Digvijaysinhji, formally known as Maharaja Jam Sri Sir Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji, was an eminent ruler or Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, who succeeded his uncle Ranjitsinhji, a reputed Indian cricketer. He ruled over the territory from the year 1933 to 1947, when the country gained independence from the British East India Company. K. S. Digvijaysinhji was born on 18 September 1895 at Sarodar, as the 3rd son of Maharaj Sri Jawansinhji Jivansinhji, the younger brother of cricketer Maharaja K.S. Ranjitsinhji. Digvijaysinhji completed his education from Rajkumar College in Rajkot, Gujarat and later from Malvern College and University College London. K. S. Digvijaysinhji was appointed into the army and had a prominent military career before he succeeded Maharaja K.S. Ranjitsinhji and ascended the throne.
In the year 1933, his uncle adopted him as the heir. He became the longest serving President of Governing Council of the Rajkumar College in Rajkot, a position which he served from 1939 to 1966, when he died.
Rule of K. S. Digvijaysinhji
After the death of Ranjitsinhji, K. S. Digvijaysinhji ascended the throne and became the Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar in the year 1933. He continued the development policies and public service efforts implemented by his uncle fro the advancement of the princely state. Later in 1935, he was knighted and came to be known as Sir Digvijaysinhji and joined the Chamber of Princes and became President in 1937. He served the position till the year 1944. Maharaja Jam Sri Sir Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji served as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in the country in 1937- 1938. He was a member of various major sporting clubs as well. During World War II, the Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar served on the National Defense Council and the Imperial War Cabinet, with the Pacific War Council.
In the year 1942, Polish Children Camp was established for refugee Polish children in Jamnagar- Balachadi, under his reign. During the Second World War, the Polish children were brought out of the USSR. Later in 1945, the children were moved to Valivade and the camp was closed. Sir K. S. Digvijaysinhji was a strong supporter of Indian independence and was one of the foremost Indian Princes to sign the Instrument of Accession to the Dominion of India, after India achieved independence on 15th August 1947. In the year 1948, the state of Nawanagar was merged with the United State of Kathiawar; and he was appointed as the Rajpramukh. The position was later abolished by the Government of India in 1956.
Other Activities of K. S. Digvijaysinhji
In the year 1920, Maharaja Jam Sahib Sir K. S. Digvijaysinhji of Nawanagar became a delegate and represented the nation at the first session of the League of Nations. Moreover, he was the Deputy Leader of the Indian delegation to the UN. Digvijaysinhji led the UN Negotiating Committee and the UN Administration Tribunal on Korean Rehabilitation after the Korean War.
Personal Life of K. S. Digvijaysinhji
Sir Digvijaysinhji was married to Maharajkumari Baiji Raj Shri Kanchan Kunverba Sahiba at Sirohi, on 7th March 1935. She was the daughter of the Maharao of Sirohi, Maharajadhiraj Maharao Sri Sir Sarup Ram Singhji Bahadur. Later she was addressed as Her Highness Deoriji Maharani Shri Gulab Kunverba Sahiba. The royal couple had three daughters and one son.
K. S. Digvijaysinhji died at the age of 70 on 3rd February 1966 in Bombay, after a rule of 33 years. Y.S Shatrusalyasinhji, his only son, succeeded his father. He was a well known Indian cricketer, who played for the Jamnagar team of Gujarat.
Title of K. S. Digvijaysinhji
K. S. Digvijaysinhji held numerous titles and styles through out his reign over the princely state of Nawanagar. These are discussed as follows-
* Rajkumar Sri Digvijaysinhji Jawansinhji Jadeja (1895- 1913)
* Yuvaraja Sri Divijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja (1913- 1919)
* 2nd Lieutenant Yuvaraja Sri Divijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja (1919- 1921)
* Lieutenant Yuvaraja Sri Divijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja (1921- 1929)
* Captain Yuvaraja Sri Divijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja (1929- 1933)
* Captain His Highness Maharaja Jam Sri Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar (1933- 1935)
* Captain His Highness Maharaja Jam Sri Sir Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, KCSI (1935- 1936)
* Major His Highness Maharaja Jam Sri Sir Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, KCSI (15th February 1936- 23rd September 1936)
* Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Maharaja Jam Sri Sir Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, KCSI (1936- 1939)
* Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Maharaja Jam Sri Sir Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, GCIE, KCSI (1939- 1942)
* Colonel His Highness Maharaja Jam Sri Sir Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, GCIE, KCSI (1942- 1947)
* Lieutenant-General His Highness Maharaja Jam Sri Sir Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, GCSI, GCIE (1947- 1966)
Honours of K. S. Digvijaysinhji
Sir Digvijaysinhji of Nawanagar was honoured many times, which are mentioned below-
* India General Service Medal- Wazirstan Clasp (1924)
* King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
* King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)
* Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire- GCIE (1939)
* 1939-1945 Star (1945)
* Africa Star (1945)
* Pacific Star (1945)
* British War Medal (1945)
* Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India- GCSI (1947) and KCSI (1935)
* India Service Medal (1945)
* Indian Independence Medal (1947)
* Commander`s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland