Shrimant Maharaja Sir Khanderao II Gaekwad, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur, GCSI (1828–1870) was the Maharaja of Baroda State from 12th December 1856 to 20th November 1870. He was the second son of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad II and succeeded to the throne, when his eldest brother and the king Maharaja Ganpatrao Gaekwad passed away in the year 1856.
This king was particularly popular among the masses because of his powerful physique (can be clearly seen in the life size marble statue outside the Khanderao Market) and his love for wrestling. He was knighted as GCSI (Knight Grand Commander) in 1861, on account of his unwavering support to the British during the Mutiny of 1857.
Reforms :
He proved by far the most liberal ruler of the Baroda State. He reformed the administration, the administration of Justice, inaugurated a revenue survey of the land, introduced a revenue system based on the British style and planned many public works. He got constructed a portion of the ‘Gaekwar’s Baroda State Railways’ that branched out from Miyagam to Dabhoi in the Baroda district.
Anxious to provide the city with clean drinking water, he envisioned a waterway from Narmada River to Baroda at an expense of 36 lakh. This project was later abandoned, finding the scheme un-viable, and the money was diverted for the construction of Makarpura Palace and to provide for a magnificent sports arena for the people.
Royalty :
Khanderao’s love of chase almost amounted to a passion. For this purpose, he built the magnificent Makarpura Palace, where a vast deer reserve was maintained in the neighborhood for hunting activities.
Apart from this the Maharaja had an unprecedented love for jewels, some of his most precious possessions included the massive 129 carat diamond called “Star of the South” and the “English Dresden” diamond weighing almost 79 carat. Another most precious possessions of the Gaekwads coming from the reign of Khanderao were the Pearl Canopy and the Pearl Carpet, parts of a 5 piece set commissioned to send to Medina as an offering to the Prophet’s tomb. It is said that the carpet was made on a base fine silk base set with precious stones, diamonds and about 15 lakh pearls.
Successor :
His reign was cut short, when he suddenly passed away in 1870 and was succeeded by his younger brother Malharrao Gaekwad, as he left behind no heir. But Malharrao was later deposed by British and widow of Kanderao II, Maharani Jamnabai Sahib Gaekwad, later adopted a boy from the a distant relative of the family, who became the next and the most visionary ruler of Baroda State – Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.
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