Rao Bahadur Explained

Rao Bahadur
Type:Civilian Honour
Presenter: Viceroy of India
Status:Discontinued
Eligibility:Hindu Indian
Higher:Dewan Bahadur
Lower:Rao Saheb

Rao Bahadur (in South India) and Rai Bahadur (in North India), R.B., was a title of honour bestowed during British rule in India to individuals for outstanding service or acts of public welfare to the Empire. From 1911, the title was accompanied by a medal called a Title Badge.[1] Translated, Rao means "King", and Bahadur means "Brave". Bestowed mainly on Hindus, the equivalent title for Muslim and Parsi subjects was Khan Bahadur. For Sikhs it was Sardar Bahadur.

The title was given to recognise and reward individuals who had made significant contributions in various fields such as public service, commerce, industry, and philanthropy.

Those awarded the Rao Bahadur title were usually drawn from the lower rank of Rai Sahib, both of which were below the rank of Dewan Bahadur.[2] These titles were subordinate to the two orders of knighthood: the Order of the Indian Empire and the higher Order of the Star of India. A holder of a Rai Sahib, Rai Bahadur or Dewan Bahadur title came lower in the order of precedence.[1]

Selected recipients awarded the Rao/Rai Bahadur title

Academics and education

Activists and politicians

Civil servants and government officials

Commerce and industry

Engineering, science and medicine

Law and justice

Literature and arts

Philanthropy, religion and charity

Police and emergency services

Other

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: H. Taprell Dorling.. Ribbons and Medals. 111. A.H.Baldwin & Sons, London. 1956.
  2. Web site: Jalan . Aditya . 2009 . Dewan Bahadur 1944–1954 . Quila House and the Jalan Collection: A Brief Introduction . 29 July 2018.
  3. https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.209992 Who's Who 1911 Coronation Edition
  4. Several sources:
    • Linsay Commission:
      • Mayhew . Arthur . The Commission on Christian Higher Education in India . International Review of Mission . October 1931 . 20 . 4 . 512–524 . 10.1111/j.1758-6631.1931.tb04099.x.
    • St Stephens, Cambridge University and the Mathematical Tripos, and general background:
  5. MM Thakur, Myself Surprised, pg 88, https://linguae.weebly.com/uploads/3/6/5/7/3657496/myself_surprised.pdf
  6. https://books.google.com/books?id=xacSAAAAIAAJ&q=Dewan++Idar Bhandari Jagan Nath Rai Bhadur, Raj Ratan, Dewan of Idar State
  7. Book: The Who's who in Madras: ... A Pictorial Who's who of Distinguished Personages, Princes, Zemindars and Noblemen in the Madras Presidency . 1939 . Pearl Press . en.
  8. https://archive.org/details/indianbiographic00raoc/page/27 The Indian biographical dictionary
  9. Web site: Caste and Capitalism in Colonial India.
  10. Web site: Jamnalal Bajaj . The Print . 11 February 2019 . 14 June 2020.
  11. News: Govindarajulu. Rajesh. 2015-07-03. Pioneers in textile. en-IN. The Hindu. 2021-01-23. 0971-751X.
  12. Book: Lewis . Sir Hawthorne . Speeches Delivered by His Excellency Sir Hawthorne Lewis, ..., Governor of Orissa, 1941-1946 . 1954 . Government of Orissa . 13,35 . 10 April 2024 . en.
  13. Book: Datta . K. K. . History of the Freedom Movement in Bihar (1942-1947) . 3 . 1958 . Government of Bihar . Patna, India . 237.
  14. 5197519. 1927. Sir Kailas Chandra Bose. The Indian Medical Gazette. 62. 4. 235–237.
  15. Web site: Biography of Ch. Ram Dhan Singh. Dr Ramd Dhan Singh.
  16. https://archive.org/details/indianbiographic00raoc/page/26 The Indian biographical dictionary
  17. Web site: Former District Judges since the Creation of the Judgeship . District Court in India | Official Website of District Court of India.
  18. Web site: Rao Bahadur N. S. Nanjundiah.
  19. London Gazette, Friday, 4th June, 1948
  20. Book: Channa. Subhadra Mitra. Gender in South Asia. Channa. Subhadra. 2013-09-05. Cambridge University Press. 978-1-107-04361-9. en.
  21. Book: Gupta, G. S.. Free Masonry in India . 1991 . en. G. S. Gupta (IAS) .
  22. Book: Supreme Court of India . Indian Factories & Labour Reports: Deputy Commissioner S. N. Mukherjee . 1963. Law Publishing House. en.