Khanderao II Gaekwad
Shrimant Maharaja Sir Khanderao II Gaekwad, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur[nb 1], GCSI (1828–1870) was the Maharaja of Baroda State from 1856 to 1870.[1]
| Khanderao II Gaekwad | |
|---|---|
| Maharaja of Baroda (more) | |
| Maharaja of Baroda | |
| Reign | 19 November 1856 - 28 November 1870 |
| Successor | Malhar Rao Gaekwad |
| Born | 1828 |
| Died | 28 November 1870 (aged 41–42) Makarpura Palace |
| Father | Sayajirao Gaekwad II |
Early life
He was born in 1828.
Reign
He was the third son of Shrimant Rajashri Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad II. He succeeded to the throne on the death of his eldest brother and the king Maharaja Ganpatrao Gaekwad on 19 November 1856 and reigned till his death on 28 November 1870.[1] He was knighted as GCSI in 1861.
He commissioned the Pearl Carpet of Baroda, which he intended to donate to Muhammad's Tomb in Medina, however he died before the donation could take place.
He died suddenly in 1870 and was succeeded by his brother Malharrao Gaekwad but Malharrao was later deposed by British and widow of Kanderao II, Maharani Jamnabai Sahib Gaekwad, later adopted a boy from the related family, who became the next ruler of Baroda State - Sayajirao Gaekwad III.[2]
During his reign, the Baroda State started the narrow gauge railway, known as Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway. It was started in the year 1862.[3]
Religious views
Although a Hindu himself, the Maharaja supposedly had an admiration of Islam, and that was the reason for his desire to gift the pearl carpet to Muhammad's tomb.
References
Notes
- Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur was a title used by Gaekwad rulers, which literally mean Leader of Army (Sena Khas Khel),Master of Sword and the Brave(Shamsher Bahadur)
Citations
- Indian States: A Biographical, Historical, and Administrative Survey by Arnold Wright - 1922 - Page 833
- Life of the Honourable Rajah, Sir Dinkar Rao: K.C.S.I., Musheer-i-khas Muntazim Bahadur, Prime Minister of Gwalior (1852 A.D.-59 A.D.) by Mukund Wamanrao Burway, Published by Tatua-Vivechaka, 1907 - Page 151
- A portable India by Jug Suraiya, Anurag Mathur - 1994.
Further reading
- L'Inde des Rajahs: Voyage Dans l'Inde Centrale (1875) - Viaje a la India de los Maharajas - Espasa Calpe 1954 Pags 23-54