Background
Ranchhodji was a son of Amarji Diwan, the chief minister of Junagadh state. Upon death of his father, he was appointed as the chief minister.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Ranchhodji Diwan
Edit ProfileCareer
Although a Nagar Brahmin by caste, he had mastered the profession of arms. He had fought battles with states of Jamnagar and Cutch. In 1805, British agent Colonel Walker met Nawab of Junagadh state and it became British protectorate under East India Company in 1807.
Thus Ranchhodji retired from battlefields and started writing poetry.
He assisted the state in abolishing the practices of Sati and female infanticide. Many allusions have been made to him by English writers like John Malcolm and Mariana Postans.
In Blackwood"s Magazine, the mention is made of his qualities. Postans, who saw him reposing under a vine-clad bower surrounded by a number of amanuenses, sitting on Persian carpets, says that,
..his large black eyes lustrous as burning lamps, were illumined by the fire of intellect within, and he was an acknowledged patron of poets, men of science and literary genius.
