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Tollit referrentur contentiones an sed. Ius tacimates defini tione, quoprimatum dicunt labitur te. Te debet tibique.
What are you most grateful for in your life?
Reading Time: 7 minutes | Age Limit: 9-12 | Country Origin: Poland
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“Maharaja Digvijaysinhji: A Haven for Hope”
Meet the humanitarian:
This heartwarming true story follows Maharaja Digvijaysinhji of Nawanagar, an Indian ruler who, during the horrors of World War II, opened his doors to a thousand orphaned Polish children when no one else would. Defying colonial resistance, he provided them with a home, schools, celebrations, and the chance to reclaim their childhood. Decades later, Poland continues to honor his extraordinary act of compassion. A powerful tale of courage, kindness, and lasting gratitude.
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The Good Maharaja
What are you most grateful for in your life?
In the city of Warsaw, the capital of Poland, there are eight secondary and primary school named after a maharaja, or ruler of an erstwhile princely state on the western coast of India. There is also a square, and a park in Warsaw’s Ochota district that is named after the same maharaja, who is fondly remembered in Poland as ‘The Good Maharaja’—a friend to children who had lost everything.
In 1942, during World War II, 1,000 Polish children were sent far away from their homes. They had lost their parents and were escaping the cold, harsh land of Siberia. These children had been orphaned, and displaced by the death and destruction unleashed by World War II.
The children traveled on a ship, hoping to find a safe place. But country after country—Turkey, Iran, Seychelles, even British-ruled India—refused to let them in.
When the Maharaja of Nawanagar, India, heard about the children, he was deeply moved. Though the British said no, the Maharaja bravely said yes. He ordered the ship to dock at the Rosi port in his own state of Nawanagar.
He brought the children to his own state and told them, “Do not consider yourself orphans. You are now citizens of Nawanagar, and I am Bapu, father to all the people of Nawanagar. So, now, I am also your father.”
Why do you think the people of Poland still remember and are grateful to ‘the good maharaja’?
The Maharaja put up the refugees in tents while he set about building schools, medical facilities and opportunities for rest and recreation at the Polish children’s camp at Balachadi. He built them a safe new home with schools, doctors, games, music, and even a chapel.
The thoughtful ruler made sure that Polish teachers taught the children in the Polish language so that the children would be conversant with their own mother tongue. He arranged for theology priests to give the children religious instruction in their own faith.
The thoughtful ruler made sure that Polish teachers taught the children in the Polish language so that the children would be conversant with their own mother tongue. He arranged for theology priests to give the children religious instruction in their own faith.
When the British raised severe objections because the maharaja had taken in foreign refugees, Jam Sahib, brushed these aside bravely, saying that the children he was sheltering were part of his own family! The Polish flag was raised at the Balachadi settlement, and the preservation of Polish culture and tradition was prioritized. Holidays like Christmas were celebrated with joy—once, Santa even arrived on a camel! The maharaja gave the children a happy life, full of care and kindness.
In this settlement, in a foreign land far away from their homeland, the Polish children played, studied, and followed their own religion. They were happy and carefree. They got back a part of their lost childhood. When the war ended, many children returned home. Some stayed back. The Maharaja even adopted 200 of them so they could keep looking for their families.
In this settlement, in a foreign land far away from their homeland, the Polish children played, studied, and followed their own religion. They were happy and carefree. They got back a part of their lost childhood. When the war ended, many children returned home. Some stayed back. The Maharaja even adopted 200 of them so they could keep looking for their families.
After the revival of their own country from the damages of World War II, in March 2016, fifty years after the demise of Jam Saheb, the parliament of Poland adopted a resolution to the commemorate the ‘good maharaja’ and honour his help to Polish children and refugees. The people of Poland were very grateful to their benefactor, Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, the ‘dobry’ (meaning good in the Polish language) maharaja.
What did you learn from Poland’s gratitude for The Good Maharaja?
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“Maharaja Digvijaysinhji: The Good Maharaja’s Legacy”
Meet the legend:
Maharaja Digvijaysinhji of Nawanagar, revered as the Good Maharaja, saved numerous Polish children during World War II. His compassionate legacy is honored in Poland, where the 'Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial' was unveiled in Warsaw’s Ochota district in October 2014, and his story is taught as part of the nation’s history. In December 2011, he was posthumously awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit for his extraordinary service to Poland. His unparalleled compassion, leadership, and humanity remain a enduring symbol of generosity during one of history’s darkest times.
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