Raj Ratna Explained

Raj Ratna (also Raj Ratan or Rajya Ratna; literally Gem of the Raj) was a title of high honour, a civilian award, which was prevalent in the princely states of India during the British Raj.

History

Raj Ratna awards were given by rulers of the mostly Hindu princely states of India to distinguished citizens of their kingdoms. The title was bestowed with a gold coin medallion.

The second-highest civilian award was the Raj Bhushan (literally Ornament of the Raj), which was given with a silver coin medallion.

The titles and awards of Raj Ratna and Raj Bhushan came to an end around 1949, with the amalgamation of almost all of the princely states into the Dominion of India. The highest civilian award in modern India is the Bharat Ratna, followed by the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.

Notable people awarded the title of Raj Ratna

• Nanji Kalidas Mehta, M.B.E. - awarded by Porbandar State
• Dinshaw Ratanji Daboo, member of the Baroda Legislative Council - awarded by Baroda State, 1936
• Jagannath Bhandari, lawyer and Dewan of Idar - awarded by Idar State, 1933
• Chhotalal Heerachand Contractor, Empire of 12 grand Bungalows in Ambawadi, Ahmedabad - awarded by Ahmedabad State

See also

• Navaratnas

References

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Notes and References

1. Book: The Indian Co-operative Review . 8 . 1942 . 169 . Rattanji Daboo, Dinshaw, Raj Ratna, B.A., Zamindar; b. 25th September, 1835; [...] Awarded 'Raj Bhusan' and a silver medal 1927; title of 'Raj Ratna' with a gold medal and 'Poshak' by the Baroda Government, 1936..
2. Web site: Founder profile . Nanjibhai was honoured during his lifetime by the British Government with the title of M.B.E. for his work in Uganda. His Highness Maharana Shri Natvarsinghji of Porbandar conferred on him the title of Raj Ratna. . mehtagroup.com . 2015-09-08.
3. Web site: The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's Who . Bennett, Coleman & Company . 1945 . 32 . 1065 . 2020-01-24.
4. Web site: 【お悩み】人工芝、継ぎ目がみえないように敷く方法がわかりません！ | 人工芝の「困ったあるある」解決サイト！【シバシバパニック】 | ...efforts of the late Maharaja of Porbandar, Shri Natavarsinhji, and Rajaratna Shri Manjibhai Kalidas Mehta and.. . kirtimandir.org . 2015-09-08 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150103163201/http://www.kirtimandir.org/aboutkirtimandir.html . 2015-01-03.
5. Book: Tony McClenaghan . Indian Princely Medals: A Record of the Orders, Decorations, and Medals of the Indian Princely States . 1996 . Lancer Publishers . 9781897829196 . 56 . 2017-08-23.
6. Jagannath Bhandari...Resumed law practice, 1922; appointed Dewan of Idar State, 1931. Given title of Ral Bahadur by Government in June 1933, and Raj Ratna by the Maharaja Sahib Bahadur, August 1933. World biography, Volume 1, 1948
7. Chhotalal Contractor also nouned as Sheth Shree RajRatna Chhotalal Heerachand Contractor. There is a square (chowk) and a street named after him which is located in Ambawadi area. There is still a railway station named after him. His father's name was Hirachand and sister's name was Hira. That local area has been named Heerabaug. the baug means garden. There are 12 Grand and Giant bungalows in the Heerabaug. (by Heli Suraj Contractor)