| Krishna Kumarsinhji | |
|---|---|
| Colonel Maharaja Raol Sir | |
 | |
| Reign | 1919 to 1948 |
| Successor | Virbhadrasinhji Krishna Kumarsinhji |
| Born | 19 May 1912 Bhavnagar |
| Died | 2 April 1965 (aged 52) |
| Spouse | Maharani Vijayabakunverba Sahiba |
| Governor of Madras | |
| In office 7 September 1948 – 12 March 1952 | |
| Preceded by | Archibald Nye |
| Succeeded by | Sri Prakasa |
Colonel Maharaja Raol Sir Krishna Kumarsinhji KCSI (19 May 1912 – 2 April 1965) was an Indian king and politician, the last ruling Maharaja of the Gohil dynasty, who ruled Bhavnagar State from 1919 to 1948 and also served as the first Indian Governor of Madras from 1948 to 1952. After the handover of rule of the Bhavnagar State as part of the Indian Union, Bhavnagar became the first state which joined the Indian Union.[1]
Krishna Kumarsinhji was born in Bhavnagar on 19 May 1912, the eldest son and heir of Maharaja Bhavsinhji II of Bhavnagar (1875–1919, r. 1896–1919). Kumarsinhji succeeded his father upon his death in 1919; only seven years old, he ascended the Bhavnagar throne under a regency until 1931. He was educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot like his father and grandfather, who was the first student in 1870.
Kumarsinhji continued the progressive reforms of his father and grandfather, reforming the method of tax-collection in his state, introducing village councils and Bhavnagar's first legislature, the Dharasabha. Owing to his progressive reign, Kumarsinhji was knighted with the KCSI in 1938; however, he remained quietly committed to the cause of Indian independence. Therefore, upon Independence in 1947, Kumarsinhji became among the first of the Indian monarchs to accede to the Dominion of India in 1947. He merged Bhavnagar into the state of Kathiawad in 1948.
Maharaja Shri Bhavsinhji Polytechnic Institute was established by him in commemoration of his father Late Sir Bhavsinhji II in 1932, which commenced functioning in 1949.[2]
In 1931, Kumarsinhji married Maharani Shri Vijayabakunverba Sahiba (19 June 1910 – 6 October 1990), the daughter of Maharaja Bhojirajsinhji of Gondal and granddaughter of Maharaja Bhagvatsinh of Gondal. The couple had two sons and three daughters:
In 1948, he worked as acting Rajpramukh of United State of Kathiawar for a brief period. Later, in 1948, Kumarsinhji became the first Indian Governor of Madras, serving until 1952. Also, in that year Kumarsinhji was made an honorary Commodore in the Royal Indian Navy. From 1948 until 1952, Kumarsinhji also served as the President of the Shree Nandkunverba Kshatriya Kanya Vidhyalaya and as Vice-Patron of the United Service Institution of India. Krishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji died at Bhavnagar on 2 April 1965, aged 52 after a reign of 46 years . He was succeeded as Maharaja of Bhavnagar by his eldest son, Virbhadrasinhji Krishna Kumarsinhji.
(ribbon bar, as it would look today)
Bhavnagar University is now known as the Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University
Bhavnagar Marketing yard also given the name of Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji.
