Vijayasinhji Chhatrasinhji


Vijaysinhji Chhatrasinhji[Governor-General of India|] was the last Maharaja of the Rajpipla State, who ruled from 1915 to 1948. He was also a successful race horse owner, a socialite and an accomplished horseman and a polo player. He played a key role in the negotiations leading to the integration of several Princely state’s into the Indian Union. Some articles refer to him as Vijayasinhji instead of Vijaysinhji.

Biography

Born into an elite Gohil dynasty, he was the son of the ruler of
Rajpipla State, Chhatrasinhji Gambhirsinhji,
via his first wife, Princess Wankanerwala Maharani Shri Phool Kunverba Sahiba.
He was born in Chhatra Vilas Palace, Nandod. His father governed the kingdom from 1897 to 1915. As Crown prince, he was educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot, and subsequently became a member of the
Imperial Cadet Corps in Dehradun.
A keen equestrian enthusiast from a very young age, he was an accomplished rider who won his first horse race at the age of eight. Years later he would become the owner of one of the most notable horse stables in both India and England.
As his father's designated heir, he was expected to continue driving modernization within Rajpipla and maintain cordial relations with the Rewa Kantha Agency, and retain the kingdoms First-Class status within the Rewakantha Princely states of Gujarat. In 1911 he was a key participant of the Delhi Durbar, a lavish celebration to commemorate the reign of George V, Emperor of India.
During the World War I, the State of Rajpipla supported the dispatch of numerous recruits to the British Raj in preparation for war service. In recognition of this services to the British Raj during the war period, he was awarded the honorary rank of captain in the British Army. This was reported in The London Gazette in October 1919.
He became the 36th and last ruler of Rajpipla with full ruling powers on 10 December 1915 following the death of his father three months prior, and his elaborate investiture in Old Rajpipla. His Princely state was nominally sovereign, in that it was not directly governed by the British, but rather by him as a ruler under a form of indirect rule, subject to a subsidiary alliance and the suzerainty or paramountcy of the British crown.
Throughout the next decade he enacted a series of administrative reforms, modernising his state, and invested heavily in various public health and infrastructure projects in India, such as a power plant, an aqueduct for drinking water and for irrigation throughout his territories, as well as the first roads and rail links. Under his rule, free primary and affordable secondary education were introduced, as well as a
civil and criminal court and a pension system for public administrators.
Records of his trip to France in 1920 were kept by the India Office Records under “Proceedings and Consultations”, detailing his political associations. These papers are now held by the UK National Archives.
He achieved success on the racecourse, winning the first Indian Derby, then known as the Country Bred Derby with Tipster in 1919.
He was anointed the hereditary title of Maharaja, entitling him to a permanent salute of 13-guns from 1 January 1921 onwards. Rajpipla was now a Salute state.
In 1922 he embarked on a 15-day tour of the United States to study their financial system. He was accompanied by his uncle, prime minister and head of the army. He was notable for being the only Indian maharaja to meet President Warren G. Harding in Washington D.C.
By 1922 he was a highly popular socialite on an international level, as well as a racehorse owner. He spent his summers in England and then returned to India for the winter. He established the Rajpipla State polo field and a gymkhana field. He was the owner, sponsor and Captain of the
Rajpipla Polo Team. These facilities formed part of the Rajpipla Club, inaugurated by the
Viceroy and Governor-General of India, Lord Willingdon. He continued to invest heavily into the infrastructure and development of Rajpipla.

Personal life

He was a keen sportsman, with an avid interest in Cricket. He followed his father's footsteps with his passion for Motor vehicles. He had a stable of luxury vehicles consisting of twelve Rolls-Royces; from the 1913 Silver Ghost to the 1937 Phantom III.
He was able to marry multiple times in accordance with his cultural heritage. His final wife was the Scottish actress, socialite and model, Ella Atherton, who when they were introduced, was considered to be one of the most beautiful women in the British Isles.
His new companion retired from her profession, and by 1933 frequently accompanied him to society events.
A charismatic and likable personality widely known in a Royal circles in England, and a desired guest, London aristocrats craved tales from far away lands and he met their expectations. His entourage on occasions included an elephant.
Buckingham Palace afforded him much respect. His win at Epsom in 1934 served to enhance his status, and he was invited to the Coronation of George VI and Elizabeth in 1937.
By 1938, his new companion was now a successful horse breeder. Although they had yet to marry, she was already Ella A, of Rajpipla. She clearly welcomed his sponsorship and it cemented their relationship. As his unofficial consort hosting visiting dignitaries, she accompanied him on events overseas, such as the 1939 New York World's Fair.
During the 1930s his time spent in England increased. However, as a popular ruler, his annual visits to Rajpipla, extended over 5–6 months annually. A cherished pastime was to impress his visiting dignitaries with tales of his tiger hunting, in what is now the Satpura Tiger Reserve.
He eventually married Atherton, his long time companion at a ceremony on Devchhatra Hill an ancient fort in Rajpipla, on 5 January 1940.
This location was significant to him, since it was where his ancient Gohil Rajput dynasty began its 600-year in 1340. This area is now incorporated within the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. Atherton took the Hindu name of Maharini Ella Devi Sahiba. Eight months later, his son “Pippy”, Prince Rajsingh was born in 1940. A term of endearment had been inherited.
Prior to Indian independence, it was necessary for him to prove his marital status to the British authorities. These records dating from 1945 to 1946 are held by the UK National Archives.
After ceasing to be a ruler of a Princely state, he retained his titles at an honorary level from 1948, until his untimely death just three years later after a number of years of declining health. His personal wealth allowed him to continue to engage within European high society circles, attending racing days at Ascot and Epsom, and seasonal social events, including the summer circuit of charity events and gala evenings in the South of France; his last wife was photographed by paparazzi attending a gala evening at a casino in Deauville, France. He also travelled to the United States.
His daughter, Princess Premila of Rajpipla was born in 1949, and was subsequently educated at Heathfield School, Ascot. In her mothers footsteps she became a British fashion model, a businesswoman and a socialite.

Legacy

After his death in 1951, his widow, Ella Devi of Rajpipla continued his legacy as a quality breeder of racing horses.
A bronze statue on horseback in his honour has adorned the main square of Rajpipla since 1952. It was crafted by G. K. Mhatre, a pioneering sculptor of Pre-Independence India who attended Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy School of Art. Known as the Kala Ghoda circle, it remains a prominent landmark of the city. The square was restored with new railings in 2017, giving the statue greater prominence.
A silver statue about two feet long was crafted by Mappin & Webb, of London.
His son, Prince Rajsingh “Pippy”, educated at Westminster School, pursued a career in journalism. Having been introduced to the turf by his father at a very young age, he inherited a passion for horse racing.
His 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II has survived and forms part of the Arvind Singh Mewar’s royal cars collection at Udaipur, and was featured in Octopussy, a 1983 British spy film and the thirteenth in the James Bond series. His prized vehicle has also featured in The Jewel in the Crown, a 1984 British television serial about the final days of the British Raj during and after World War II, in the fourth episode, titled "Incidents at a Wedding".
His former residence in Mumbai, Palm Beach on Old Nepeansea Road is now a Consulate General of a foreign nation.
Success at Epsom and his pivotal moments as a horse breeder were published by his grandson Indra Vikram Singh in 2011.

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