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]
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.
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.
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.