Thakor of Gondal 1911

GONDAL, HH THAKOR SAHEB OF
Neg. No: 7082
Neg. Size: 15"x12"
Neg. Date: 10-7-1911

Sitter: Thakor Saheb Sir Bhagwatsinghji Sagramji, Thakor of Gondal (1865-1944).

Thakor Saheb Sir Bhagwatsinghji Sagramji, Thakor of Gondal (1865-1944).

Biog: Maharaja Thakore Shri Sir Bhagwant Singhji Sagramji Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Gondal, GCSI (1.2.1937), GCIE (21.6.1897). b. at Dhoraji, 24th October 1865, third son of H.H. Thakore Shri Sagramji II Bhanabhai Sahib, Thakore Sahib of Gondal, by his third wife, H.H. Thakurani Bai Shri Monghiba Sahiba, daughter of Jhala Shri Rartansinhji Sahib of Minapur. Educ Rajkumar Coll., Rajkot and Edinburgh Univ. (MD, LL.D, FRCP, FRS), DCL (Oxon.), MRI (GB), FCP&S (Bombay). Fellow of Bombay Univ.

Succeeded on the death of his father, 14^th December 1869 and reigned under a Council of Regency until he came of age and was invested with full ruling powers, 25^th August 1884. Rcvd. Prince of WalesТs Medal (1875), KIH Medal (1877), Gold Durbar Medal (1903), Coronation Medal (and Durbar Bar 1911), Silver Jubilee Medal (1935), and Coronation Medal (1937).

Married four wives at the same ceremony at Gondal, 3^rd June 1881

	(firstly) H.H. Maharani Bai Shri Nand Kunverbaji Sahiba, CI (2.8.1892). (b. at Dharampur, 1867; d. at Bombay, 9th March 1936), Rcvd. Coronation (1911) and Silver Jubilee (1935) Medals, second daughter of H.H. Maharana Shri Narayandevji Ramdevji Rana Sahib, Raja of Dharampur, by his second wife, H.H. Chhasatia Rani Bai Shri Gulab Kunverba, daughter of Sardar Bhagubava Sahib of Dharampur.
	(secondly) H.H. Maharani Bai Shri ЕЕ. Kunverba Sahiba, a cousin of the Raja of Wankaner
	(thirdly) H.H. Maharani Bai Shri ЕЕ. Kunverba Sahiba (d. at Gondal, 3^rd August 1885), daughter of his maternal uncle, Jhala Shri Kiliansinhji of Minapur
	(fourthly) H.H. Maharani Bai Shri Rupaliba Kunverba Sahiba (d. at Gondal 26^th September 1919), daughter of Thakur Shri Becharsinhji Raisinhji Sahib of Chuda. He d. at Gondal, 9th March 1944 having had issue six sons and three daughters (succeeded by his eldest son).⁽¹⁾

Date: 10 July 1911.

Occasion: Visit to England for the Coronation of King George V.

Location: Lafayette studio, 179 New Bond Street, London.

Descr: FL standing.

Costume: Robes (see Orders etc. below) worn to the Coronation of King George V. "On top of his ceremonial robes, the Thakur wears a Gujurati-style turban. Around his waist is tied a length of fine silk woven with gold stripes. His robe is profusely decorated with sequins and raised gold embroidery."
Robe-maker: Ede & Ravenscroft [CK name & add address].
Orders, Decorations & Medals: Robes, collar, badge and star of a Knight Grand Commander of The Most Eminent Order the Indian Empire [G.C.I.E., cr. 22 June 1897]; Queen Victoria Jubilee Medal 1887 with 1897 bar; Delhi Darbar Medal 1903; unidentified medal.

Furniture & Props: Painted backdrop.

Photographer: Lafayette Ltd., 179 New Bond Street, London.

Evidence of photographer at work: -

Other images in this series:

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Provenance: Pinewood Studios; acquired 1989.

References:

Biog: Who's Who; The Times, June 7, 1911, p 7a, b & c; The Times, 13 March 1944, p 6d; Who's Who In India, Lucknow, 1911.

Occasion: India Office, Ref. L/P&S/7/247/430 (Minute Paper from Viceroy of India, dated 7 March 1911); The Times, 7 June 1911, p 7a.

Costume: India Office, Ref. L/P&S/7/247/4582 (Minute Paper dated 11 November 1911 from Lieut-Colonel J.R. Dunlop Smith, Political A.D.C. to the Secretary of State for India).

Robe-maker: Una Campbell, Robes of the Realm: 300 Years of Ceremonial Dress, London, 1989, p 78.

Orders, Decorations & Medals: (GCIE) A.R. Litherland & B.T. Simpkin, Spinks Standard Catalogue of British and Associated Orders, Decorations & Medals, London, 1990, p 37; (Jubilee Medal) Howard N. Cole, Coronation and Royal Commemorative Medals 1887-1977, London, 1977, pp 5-7; (Delhi Darbar Medal) A.R. Litherland, op cit, p 150.

Reproduced: -

Acknowledgements: (Costume) Rosemary Crill, Indian Department, V&A; (Biography) Christopher Buyers

1. Sir Bhagvantsinghji was born in 1865. He succeeded to the gadi in 1869 and was entrusted with full powers in 1884. He studied at the University of Edinburgh, where he took the degrees of M.D. and L.L.D. During the 26 years of his Highness's enlightened and efficient rule the State has made remarkable progress. His Highness is a great advocate of social reform, and her Highness, the Thakor Saheba was the first Rajput lady to break through the purdah system and visit Europe with her husband. She is the authoress of a volume describing her travels. His Highness is both a scholar and an author, and his work on the History of Aryan Medical Science was most favourably received. The Thakor Saheb holds a Sanad of adoption and is entitled to a sulute of 11 guns. (The Times, June 7, 1911, p 7a, b & c.)