Lalit Khambhayata
On December 1947, Birla House in Delhi, the country got independence. Despite the bitter cold of December, there was no heat in the country's politics. In between, Gandhiji's hill became an important camp for visitors. Gandhi ji instructed Manubehan, 'Now a visitor is coming, welcome him properly and take him inside. Make sure they don't have to wait.' Manubehan was surprised, who would be the visitor? Because even if the Viceroy comes, whose calamity is spreading over the entire Indian continent, there is no such preparation to welcome him. After a while the car stopped at the door. Two dignitaries landed. One of the visitors was dressed in the royal attire of a surwal, a long coat with a closed neck, a black cap on his head. Another dignitary stood out a bit because of the white fanta. On arrival, Gandhiji was consuming honey-hot water. He dropped it and stood up to welcome the visitors. They folded their hands and sat down. Manubehan was surprised again. Whether the Viceroy comes or the Prime Minister comes… it was not Gandhi's tradition to stand up and salute. Of course, after seeing the faces of the visitors, Manubehan's astonishment would have subsided and a glow of pride would have flooded her face. Fifteen minutes later the visitors left. Gandhi rose from his seat, went to the door to turn away the visitors, bid them farewell. * * * The dignitary who came as a visitor was Naresh Krishnakumar of Bhavnagar. Along with him was Dewan Anantarai Pattani. Placing Pattani in another room, Prajavatsal Rajvi Krishnakumar discussed with the Mahatma how to offer Bhavnagar Raj to the nation. The essence of the discussion was that Bhavnagar would rule as Gandhiji said. He who gives will receive alms. Raj would not put any conditions while holding the nation under his feet, because nothing was more important to that royal mind than 'my people should be happy'. This is the occasion when the princely states were united after the independence of the country. In the first chapter of Gambhir Singh Gohil's book 'Prajavatsal Rajvi', which tells the glorious story of Krishna Kumar Singh and Bhavnagar Rajvi, the meeting of Maharaja is described in the first chapter. Why did Gandhiji, who reached the Buckingham Palace wearing a dhoti to meet the British king whose sun was hot in Navkhand earth, stand in front of the king here? Why did you go back? Why notice of reception? When Gandhiji asked those questions to Bhavnagar Raj's own Mahuva Manubhe, she replied: 'I studied in Shamaldas College of Bhavnagar. So he is my king? I must respect that.' As a king, Gandhiji was respected as well as a Prajavatsal royal, he was entitled to respect, even today. A great personality like him is difficult to find among the hundreds of kings of that era. * * * Maharaja Krishnakumar is invariably remembered when it comes to Rajput unity or the convention of princely heirs in Gujarat. Even have to do. The works done by him are such that they cannot be forgotten. * * * Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) is counted among the best educational institutes in India. It may be surprising to say that Bhavnagar Maharaj's misogyny is the reason behind its establishment, but in fact it is so. Bhavnagar Raj started a study abroad scholarship for students a century ago in 1923. A number of students availed the scholarship and studied abroad and later went on to make a name for themselves in their respective fields. One such student is Dr. Anant Pandya. One of the organizations which played an important role in the formation of the country after independence is the Planning Commission. Dr. became a member of the commission. Pandya. Dr. Pandya explained to Jawaharlal that increasing the number of engineering colleges would not be of much benefit. Institutions like Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) should be created instead. Jawaharlal was taken aback. The work progressed and in 1951 the country got its first IIT (Kharagpur). After that four other IITs were also established. Good luck to Bhavnagar Raj's bad luck! * * * The Maharajas belonged to eighteen Varnas. There was a boat race of Kharvas on the sea shore of Chanchna. The competition is over. The Maharaja approached the boat, took the hull in hand and made some inquiries. And after a while the boat slipped from there.. The Maharaja himself left alone with the boat. Even Kharwa, who was a skilled boatman, was stunned to see the way Maharaja steered the boat. Maharaja came back after circling for a short distance. On the bank of that chanch stands a bungalow made of Rajula stones, a model that rivals modern architecture. Maharaja was very interested in architecture. He prepared a book named 'Grihabidhan', giving guidance on construction. The book became so popular that a Hindi version was also published. The book reached Vadodara Naresh, who was impressed. The Vadodara royal issued an order that every official of the construction department should read the book compulsorily. The book and the architectural work was handled by Virendrarai Chandrashankar (VC) Mehta, an engineer who had served in the Gondal Raj. After serving the Bhavnagar Raj for a decade or so, Mehta's knowledge was taken advantage of by the Government of India. Govind Vallabh Pant also commissioned the town planning of Kanpur to him. He was also active in the formation of cities like Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack etc. * * * Maharaja went to Chanch Bungalow to spend his holiday. Very few people get up early in the morning. King's driver Deepubha Jasang Jadeja is also right. When Jadeja wakes up, the first tea is served. In the dim atmosphere of the early morning, it was not clear who to ask for tea. Someone appeared there in the daylight. Deepubha said, brother give me a cup of tea. After a while Maharaja himself came with tea. Deepubha now realizes that it was the Maharaja himself to whom Bachubhai Manin had ordered the tea. Deepubha was appalled, but the Maharaja introduced the magnanimity in a single sentence: You serve me so much, when will I get a chance to serve you? * * * Bhavnagar Maharaja had a large class of Devanshi (conquerable). It was a time when Maharaja used to spend his retired life in Neelambagh Palace. A laborer named Dalit Kana living in front of Bhavnagar railway station got cancer. The doctors ruled that it was not the case. The aura broke on the poor family. At that time someone advised me to believe Maharaja's belief. The family agreed. Kana's wife immediately faced the direction of the Maharaja's palace, believing that if Kano would recover from his illness, she would visit the Maharaja's house and drink milk. After three months the ear was healed. Instead of being bedridden, he went to work. Now it was time to finish Manta, but why tell Maharaja to come to our house! Following his elder's advice, Kano reached Neelambagh Palace. Kana spoke as the Maharaja paid a visit. After hearing the matter, Maharaja said that this is all the grace of God, He alone has done all the good things, but still if you have faith in me, I will definitely come to your house. You will come that day. Kano went home satisfied, prepared, Maharaja came and also drank milk. Devanshi means to be part of God. What is the king like? That was the best example of that. Maharaja himself did not believe in such superstitions, but his mantra was that my people should be happy. Do what is required for that mantra.}
I wish to see all the farmers of my state unencumbered as I am unencumbered when I sit on the throne. – Krishnakumar Singh made his point of view clear by saying this at the age of 19. It is not surprising that farmers today remember that Maharaja. Krishnakumar was very fond of agriculture. The glorious story that the Bij of Bhavnagar's Gir cows reached Brazil and raised a whole breed of cows is known, but the Maharaja himself used to drive a tractor. He used to get off the throne and sit on the seat of the tractor.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
