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Jayajirao Scindia (19 January 1835 - 20 June 1886) of the Scindia dynasty was the ruling Maharajah of Gwalior from 1843 to 1886 under the British rule.

Early life

Jayajirao was born as Bhagirath Shinde, son of Hanwant Rao on 19 January 1835. The erstwhile Maharaja of Gwalior, Jankojirao II, died in 1843 without leaving a heir leading his widow Tara Bai to adopt Bhagirath Rao. Bhagirath Shinde succeeded the Gwalior gaddi under the name of Jayajirao Sindhia on 22 February 1843. Mama Sahib, the maternal uncle of Jankojirao II, was chosen as regent.

Early reign and campaigns against the British

Dada Khasgiwale, the comptroller of the Shinde household overthrew Mama Sahib as the regent nearly leading to a civil war. The British East India Company decided to interfere by withdrawing their Resident Colonel Sleeman and demanding the surrender of Dada Khasgiwale was demanded. A British force under Sir Hugh Gough moved on Gwalior, and crossed the Chambal in December 1843. On December 29 followed the simultaneous battles of Panniar and Maharajpur, in which the Gwalior army was annihilated. Khasgiwale was arrested by English and was sent to Benaras Jail where he died in 1845.

A treaty was then made, under which certain lands to the value of 18 lakhs, including Chanderi District, were ceded for the upkeep of a contingent force, besides other lands for the liquidation of the expensed incurred in the war, the State army was reduced, and a Council of Regency was appointed during the minority, to act under the residents advice.

Overthrow and reinstatement

Jivajirao was overthrown in the Sepoy War of 1858, when his troops largely deserted him and joined the rebel army led by Tantya Tope and Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi. The rebels were approaching Gwalior seeking the assistance of the Maharaja but, possibly convinced that the British would win the war, Scindia lead his forces into battle against the rebels. When his troops deserted and joined the rebel forces, he fled to Agra (which, by then, was in British hands), returning to Gwalior after the defeat of Tantya Tope's forces and the death of Rani Lakshmibai by the army of Sir Hugh Rose.

In 1875 another battle was fought between Jivajirao Shinde and the British army.

Development work

In 1872, Jayajirao lent Rs. 75 lakhs for the construction of the Agra-Gwalior portion of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway, and a similar amount in 1873 for the Indore-Neemuch section of the Rajputana-Malwa railway. In 1882 land was ceded by the state for the Midland section of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway.

Jivajirao constructed many new buildings like Jaivilas Mahal, Kampoo Kothi, Victoriya Building, Gorkhi Dwar Gate and Daffrine Sarai. He reconstructed the Koteshwar Mandir and constructed about 69 Shiva temples across his state. He gave Rs. 15 lakhs for the reconstruction of Gwalior fort’s boundary wall and the broken parts of Man Mandir, Gujri Mahal and Johar Kund. In 1886 Gwalior fort and Morar cantonment, with some other villages, which had been held by British troops since 1858, were exchanged for Jhansi city.

Honours

In 1861, Jayajirao was created a Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India. His photos appeared in the London press and was regarded as the friend of the British Empire. In 1877, he became a Counsellor of the Empress and later on a GCB and CIE.

Family

Jayajirao married Chimnabai Kadam in 1843 and Laxmibai Gujar in 1852. Balwantrao Shinde was the his eldest son from Laxmibai. Jayajirao married his third wife Babuibai Sawant in 1873 and fourth wife Sakhyabai. Jayajirao and Sakhyabai had a son named Madhavrao.

Death

Jayajirao died in 1877 and was conferred a personal salute of 21 guns.

Full name and titles

His official full name was also His Highness General Maharajadhiraj Maharaja Shrimant Sir Jayaji Rao SHINDE Bahadur, Maharaja Scindia of Gwalior', GCB, GCSI, CIE, Kaiser-i-Hind.

References

• Hunter, William Wilson, Sir, et al (1908). Imperial Gazetteer of India, Volume 12. 1908-1931; Clarendon Press, Oxford.
• http://www.bluwiki.org/go/Alijah_Srinath
• http://www.bluwiki.org/go/Daulatrao_Scindia
• http://www.4dw.royalark.net/India/Gwalior4

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Chhatrapatis	Shivaji Sambhaji Rajaram I Tarabai Shahu I Rajaram II Shahu II Pratap Singh
Peshwas	Moropant Trimbak Pingle Moreshvar Pingale Ramchandra Pant Amatya Bahiroji Pingale Balaji Vishwanath Baji Rao I Balaji Baji Rao Madhavrao Ballal Narayan Rao Raghunathrao Sawai Madhavrao Baji Rao II Amrut Rao Nana Sahib Bhat family
Amatya & Pratinidhi	Ramchandra Pant Amatya Pralhad Niraji Parshuram Pant Pratinidhi (hereditary) Shripatrao Pant Pratinidhi Jagjivanrao Pant Pratinidhi
Women	Ahilyabai Holkar Anandibai Gopikabai Jankibai Jijabai Kashibai Lakshmibai Mastani Parvatibai Putalabai Ramabai Saibai Sakvarbai Soyarabai Umabai Dabhade Baka Bai Tulsi Bai Holkar
Maratha Confederacy	Bhonsle of Nagpur Gaekwad of Baroda Scindia of Gwalior Holkar of Indore Patwardhan dynasty
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Adversaries	Adil Shahi Qutb Shahi Mughal Empire Durrani Empire British Empire Portuguese Empire Nizam of Hyderabad Kingdom of Rohilkhand Mysore
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