Background
Madansinhji was born as Meghraji and was the eldest son of the Maharao Shri Vijayaraji and Maharani Shri Padmakunwar Ba Sahiba. He was married to Maharani Rajendra Kunverba, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Umdae Rajhae Buland Makan Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Sir Madan Singh Bahadur of Kishangarh in 1930, and had issue.
He became heir apparent with the title of Yuvraj Sahib Meghraji on 15 January 1942, when his father succeeded to the throne of Princely State of Cutch upon demise of his grandfather Maharao Shri Khengarji III.
Education
He was called and named as Yuvraj Sahib Meghraji and was educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot.
Career
He was an amateur tennis player in the 1930s. He was left to administer the state, whenever, his father Maharao Sri Vijayaraji Khengarji was away. In 1947, upon independence of India, it was he who, on behalf of his father, Maharao Shri Vijayraji (who was away for medical treatment at London), signed the Instrument of Accession of Kutch, on 16 August 1947, on his behalf, as Heir Apparent for the Princely State of Kutch.
He was President of Cutch State Council from 1943-1948.
He acceded to the throne, upon death of his father of 26 January 1948 under the new name and style of Madansinji and ruled for a short period of till 4 May 1948, when the administration of Princely State was completely merged in to Union of India. Madansinhji belonged to a new breed of Royalty, who placed their education, contacts and skills at the disposal of the new India.
As the last ruler of Kutch, he was very close to Jawaharlal Nehru. He joined Indian Foreign Service in 1953, served as Honorary Minister-Counselor at London 1953-1956, Ambassador to Norway 1957-1960, and Chile 1960-1961.
On 1 January 1977, Maharao Madansinhji, the last ruler of Kutch, founded “Maharao of Kutch Aina Mahal Trust”.
Madansinhji Museum was made under this trust. This museum has two parts. One part is the Kala Atari Picture Gallery and another part is a marvelous old palace called Aina Mahal.
There were some disputes leading to court case, which started during his lifetime and continued after his death towards his estate worth millions.
Titles and styles 1942 - 1948: Maharajkumar Shri Meghraji, Yuvraj Sahib of Cutch 1948 - 1949: Honorable Colonel, Cutch State Infantry 1948 - 1991: Colonel His Highness Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri Madansinhji Vijayraji Sawai Bahadur, Maharao of Cutch.
