Maharaja of Jamnagar

अतिथि देवो भवः।(Atithi Devo Bhava). From the ages, you and I cannot imagine, Indians are known for their generosity and hospitality. There has been a lot of popular mentions in history regarding the same. However, I want to focus on the most underrated incidents.

During the Second World War(1939), Poland was invaded by the Nazis and Soviet. Fearing the genocide, 640 Polish women and children were put on a ship which sailed hoping for a safe place.

A Ship of Polish Refugees arrives in Iran. Source: Wikimedia Commons and Indian Express

The ship was denied entry in Iran which further sailed towards Bombay(Mumbai). When the ship reached Bombay port, Bombay was under the British rule and the Governor clearly turned down the refugees. When Maharaja of Jamnagar (Jam Saheb) heard about this, he immediately invited the ship to his Rosi port. He warmly welcomed all the refugees into his kingdom.

Lorry convoy with Polish children arriving in India. (Source: Kresy-Siberia Foundation website and Indian Express)

Maharaja built a refugee camp called Balchandi beside his summer palace 25 km away from his capital city Jamnagar where he provided the children not only shelter but also education and medical assistance.

Polish Children in Bandra(currently in Mumbai). (Source: Kresy-Siberia Foundation website)

Jam Saheb with the Polish Children(The children of Jamnagar) (Source: Youtube)

The treasure of Poland as called by the first Prime Minister and Commander in Chief of Poland had also written a letter to Winston Churchill to save the starving children. When the whole world turned down the Polish refugees fearing the consequences of providing shelter to the Jews or just ignored the refugees as they were already in chaos, a Maharaja from a small province withheld the humanity.

Monument at the ‘Square of the Good Maharaja’ (Skwer Dobrego Maharadży) in Warsaw

The Polish still visit the camp which is a 25-acre military school now. Poland honored the 50th anniversary of his death, posthumously awarding the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic Poland. It has also named a park Square of the Good Maharaja (Skwer Dobrego Maharadży).

Atithi Devo Bhava as followed by some of us. (Source: Google)

If you reached till here and if you are thinking about why I ruined the climax by posting this picture, just to say Please stop doing this! If you have not done it, Good! Please spread the message.

Mic Drop!