Vijayaraj I of Kutch

As Yuvraj, Sir Vijayrajaji worked closely with his father, Khengarji III, and often was left to administer the state during his father's frequent journeys abroad.

He was married on 6 March 1907 to HH Maharani Shri Padmakunwar Ba Sahiba, daughter of HH Maharao Kesari Singhji Bahadur of Sirohi and had several issues. A total of 22 dams, mostly earthen, were constructed during his reign of six years, which even today stand to test of time. Sir Vijayrajaji was a botanist and ornithologist. In years 1942–45, he funded and facilitated Salim Ali's survey of the birds of Kutch. He enjoyed cricket, football, tennis, sculling and loved going on shikar.

He preferred to live in the Vijay Vilas Palace at Mandvi, which was built during reign of his father Maharaja Kehngarji, for him in year 1929 and was named after him.

He was awarded Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by British in 1945.

In year 1947, upon advice of Mahatma Gandhi, of land was donated by Shri Vijayrajji for re-settlement of refugee Hindu Sindhi community, who had migrated across the border into Kutch from Sindh area of Pakistan upon partition of India. The towns of Gandhidham and Adipur were developed on this land donated by him.

He acceded the Princely State of Cutch to the Dominion of India on 16 August 1947, which thus became the first princely state to accede into India. As he was in London at the time India gained independence, he took a decision from there only and the Instrument of Accession of Kutch was signed on his behalf by his heir & son Meghraji, on his behalf. He died on 26 January 1948, aged 62 and was succeeded by his eldest son and Yuvraj, Meghraji. His youngest son, Himmatsinhji, was also noted and earned a name as ornithologist and served as member of 3rd Lok Sabha for Kutch constituency.

The Chhatri of Vijayarajaji, his cenotaph, is located within campus of Vijaya Vilas Palace at Mandavi.

Titles

1885-1942: Maharajkumar Shri Vijayrajsinhji Khengarji, Yuvraj Sahib of Cutch 1942-1945: Colonel His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri Vijayarajji Sawai Bahadur, Maharao of Cutch 1945-1948: Colonel His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri Sir Vijayarajji Sawai Bahadur, Maharao of Cutch, GBE

Honours

Delhi Durbar Medal (Silver) - 1911 King George V Silver Jubilee Medal, 1935 King George VI Coronation Medal, 1937 Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE), 1945 Indian Independence Medal, 1947

Political Office