The princely states of India: 2016

Sunday, 14 August 2016

ICC in Delhi Darbar 1903

The Imperial Cadet Corps at the 1903 Delhi Darbar.

Saturday, 13 August 2016

Pilot Officer Rajkumar Pratapsinh Chintamanrao alias Balasaheb Patwardhan

B : 26th Nov. 1916

D : 22nd Aug. 1944

Pilot Officer Pratapsinh Chintamanrao Patwardhan, 2nd son of H.H. Chintamanrao II Patwardhan was born on 26th Nov 1916 and after completing his education, joined the Royal Air Force in 1941 as a Flying Officer. During 2nd World War, he was posted in Madras now Chennai. He was in the Unit # 1CDF and on 22th August 1942, along with 2 fellow officers, Pilot Officer Nasir-Uddin-Ahmed and Pilot Officer Khurshid Naaman went on flying in the Atlanta AW15 plane on routine training mission. Due to some technical failure, the plane crashed in the St. Thomas Mount near Chennai and all 3 officers were killed in that accident. Call a cruel twist of destiny, just 2 days before his death, his elder brother Yuvraj Madhavrao was blessed with a son Vijaysinh (the current Maharajasaheb) and the whole state of Sangli was in jubilant mood. His Highness was accepting the congratulations telegram sent by all over India then suddenly, he received another telegram informing the tragic death of his son.. The whole state of Sangli went in mourning hearing the death of their beloved Prince.

Unfortunate Atlanta AW15 Plane

Sunday, 10 July 2016

Baroda coins

Silver Rupee of H.H. Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwar of Baroda

Partition of India and indian princely families.

The Independence of India and Pakistan and the princely families affected by it.

Mayurbhanj

Flying Officer Dhurubendra Chandra Bhanj Deo

3rd son of H.H. Maharaja Shri Shriram Chandra Bhanj Deo of Mayurbhanj

B : 19th Sept 1908

D : 2nd August 1942.

Dajirajsinhji of Nawanagar

Lietunant Kumar Shri Dajirasinhji Jivansinhji of Sarodar

B : 5th December 1891.

Born in the Sarodar Branch of Nawanagar royal family, he completed his education from Girassia College Gondal, Rajkumar College Rajkot, and then joined ICC, Dehradun. He was commissioned as 2nd-Lieut. ILF on 11th Nov 1913, attached to the 27th Light Cavalry, IA as on 21st April 1914. He was promoted as Lieut. as on 11th Feb 1916 and the served in the First World War in France with Jodhpur Imperial Service Lancers in 1916. Awarded with Delhi Darbar Silver medal 1911, 1914 Star, British War Medal 1918 and allied victory Medal of 1918. He was survived by only son.

Killed in Action : 23rd Sept 1917 in France.

And Thus became the only Indian Prince who gave his life for British empire in the First World War.

Maharaja of Kishangarh in ICC uniform

Lieutenant-Colonel H.H. Maharaja Madan Singhji Bahadur, Maharaja of Kishangarh, KCSI 1900-1926 in the Imperial Cadet Corps uniform.

Maharaja of Coochbehar in ICC uniform

Hon Lieut. H.H. Sri Sri Maharaja Raj Rajendra Narayan Bhup Bahadur, Maharaja of Cooch-Behar (1911 -1913) in the Imperial Cadet Corps uniform.

Nawab of Sachin in ICC uniform

Major H.H. Mubariz ud-Daula, Muzaffar ul-Mulk, Nawab Sidi Ibrahim Muhammad Yakut Khan III Bahadur, Nusrat Jang, Nawab of Sachin in the ICC uniform