2022-03-02 Wed

Sayajirao Gaekwad III was the Maharaja of Baroda between 1875 and 1939. He belonged to the royal Gaekwad dynasty of the Marathas, which ruled parts of present-day Gujarat.

Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III was adopted son of Maharani Jamnabai. He was born in as Gopalrao Gaekwad, in a Maratha family in Kashirao Bhikajirao Dada Sahib Gaekwad (1832–1877) and Ummabai. Maharani Jamnabai adopted him, renamed his name to Sayajirao Gaekwad III, and made him sit on the throne of the Maratha Empire. When Sir Khanderao Gaekwad, a Maharaja of Baroda, died in 1870, Sayajirao Gaekwad sat on the throne of Baroda. As he was minor to sit on the throne, he reigned under a Council of Regency until he came of age and was invested with full ruling powers on 28 December 1881.

After sitting on the throne of Baroda Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III brought a number of reforms. He introduces socio-economic reforms in his state. He was the first Indian Ruler to introduce, in 1906, compulsory and free primary education in his State. He is also remembered for his work in education, upliftment of the down-trodden, judicial, agricultural and social reforms, building a network of railways, ban on child marriage, legislation of divorce, removal of untouchability, development of Sanskrit and Ideological Studies, religious education, encouragement of fine arts.

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