Raj Ratna (also Raj Ratan or Rajya Ratna; literally Gem of the Raj) was a title of high honour, a civilian award, which was prevalent in the princely states of India during the British Raj.[1][2]

History

Raj Ratna awards were given by rulers of the mostly Hindu princely states of India to distinguished citizens of their kingdoms. The title was bestowed with a gold coin medallion.[3][1][4]

The second-highest civilian award was the Raj Bhushan (literally Ornament of the Raj), which was given with a silver coin medallion.[3]

The titles and awards of Raj Ratna and Raj Bhushan came to an end around 1949, with the amalgamation of almost all of the princely states into the Dominion of India. The highest civilian award in modern India is the Bharat Ratna, followed by the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.

Notable people awarded the title of Raj Ratna

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's Who". Bennett, Coleman & Company. 1945. p. 1065. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  2. ↑ Tony McClenaghan (1996). Indian Princely Medals: A Record of the Orders, Decorations, and Medals of the Indian Princely States. Lancer Publishers. p. 56. ISBN 9781897829196. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 The Indian Co-operative Review. Vol. 8. 1942. p. 169. Rattanji Daboo, Dinshaw, Raj Ratna, B.A., Zamindar; b. 25th September, 1835; [...] Awarded 'Raj Bhusan' and a silver medal 1927; title of 'Raj Ratna' with a gold medal and 'Poshak' by the Baroda Government, 1936.
  4. ↑ "【お悩み】人工芝、継ぎ目がみえないように敷く方法がわかりません！ | 人工芝の「困ったあるある」解決サイト！【シバシバパニック】 | ...efforts of the late Maharaja of Porbandar, Shri Natavarsinhji, and Rajaratna Shri Manjibhai Kalidas Mehta and." kirtimandir.org. Archived from the original on 3 January 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
  5. ↑ "Founder profile". mehtagroup.com. Retrieved 8 September 2015. Nanjibhai was honoured during his lifetime by the British Government with the title of M.B.E. for his work in Uganda. His Highness Maharana Shri Natvarsinghji of Porbandar conferred on him the title of Raj Ratna.
  6. ↑ Jagannath Bhandari...Resumed law practice, 1922; appointed Dewan of Idar State, 1931. Given title of Ral Bahadur by Government in June 1933, and Raj Ratna by the Maharaja Sahib Bahadur, August 1933. World biography, Volume 1, 1948
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