Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Sir Khengarji III Sawai Bahadur (23 August 1866 – 15 January 1942) was a progressive and one of the longest ruling monarchs and also the longest ruling king of the Princely State of Kutch from 1875 to 1942.

Life

He ascended the throne in 1875 after his father Maharao Shri Pragmalji II died on 19 December 1875. He ascended the throne on 3 January 1876 and reigned under a Council of Regency until he came of age, 11 August 1884 and was invested with full ruling powers on 14 November 1884. In 1892, during his reign Cutch was raised to 17-gun salute. He appointed Shri Seth Ranmalsha Askaran Sisodia of Anjar as Diwan of Cutch state. At the pinnacle of the Jadeja clan of Rajputs, he advanced his state drastically over the sixty-six years of his reign, modernising it and bringing it forth into the 20th century. During the latter part of Queen Victoria's reign, Sir Khengarji came to be appointed as an aide de camp to the Queen-Empress in her declining years, which excited some jealousy amongst the officials of the Government of India. He often travelled abroad to Europe and was noted for his personal relations with the members of the ruling houses there. Khengarji III was one of the very few Indian monarchs to attend all three Delhi Durbars – in 1877, 1903 and 1911. He was raised to the hereditary titles of Sawai Bahadur on 2 March 1885 and Maharao on 1 January 1918 by British. In 1919, he was granted a local salute of 19-guns, and represented India at a League of Nations conference in Geneva in 1921 and also attended the Imperial Conference in London 1921. In year 1921, he also held the post of Vice-President of British Empire League. He was granted the Freedom of the Cities of London and Bath in 1921. Sir Khengarji died in 1942, aged 75, and was succeeded by his son Vijayaraji. Some of the highlights of his reign and attributes:

Monuments

Titles

Honours

Political office