Jam Saheb Of Jamnagar — The Big-Hearted Maharaja Who Connected India and Poland During WWII
During World War II, Maharaja Jam Saheb offered refuge to nearly 1,000 Polish refugees, including children orphaned by the war. His compassionate act forged a lasting friendship between India & Poland
Modi In Poland: In the annals of history, there are stories of compassion that shine brightly even in the darkest of times. One such tale connects India and Poland — two nations separated by thousands of miles — through a poignant act of kindness by Maharaja Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji of Navanagar (now Jamnagar, Gujarat) during the chaos of World War II.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches the Polish capital of Warsaw, becoming the first Indian PM in 45 years to visit the European country, his home state Gujarat fondly remembers the connection it shares with Poland.
What Connects Jamnagar To Poland — A WWII Link
As World War II raged across Europe, Poland bore the brunt of Nazi Germany’s invasion in September 1939. The conflict forced millions of Poles into unimaginable hardships. Amidst this chaos, thousands of Polish civilians — children and elderly among them — began a perilous journey to escape the horrors of war. By 1942, a group of about 1,000 Polish refugees found themselves aboard two ships sailing from Soviet territories, desperately seeking asylum. They travelled from port to port, rejected by several nations, until they finally arrived at the bustling shores of Mumbai.
At that time, India was under British colonial rule, and the British authorities refused to offer refuge. However, their fate took a different turn when Maharaja Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji, the ruler of Navanagar who was in Mumbai at the time, heard of their plight. The Maharaja ordered both ships to be brought to Bedi port in Jamnagar. His actions would not only save these refugees but also forge an enduring friendship between India and Poland.
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The Maharaja’s Compassionate Decision
Maharaja Jam Saheb was renowned for his humanitarian spirit. Despite the challenges of the time, including India’s own struggle for independence, he took a bold and generous step. He offered the Polish children refuge at Balachadi, a coastal estate located approximately 30 km from the Jamnagar city. The children, aged between 2 and 15 years, had either been orphaned or separated from their families during the war. The Maharaja ensured that they were well taken care of, providing them with shelter, education, and medical care. He even brought in Polish cooks to ensure that the children had familiar meals.
The Balachadi camp, where a Sainik School currently stands, became a home away from home for these young refugees. They were not just provided with the essentials but were also given emotional support and a sense of belonging. The Maharaja, whom the children affectionately called “Bapu” (meaning ‘father’), visited them regularly, bringing sweets and gifts. Festivals, both Indian and Polish, were celebrated with equal enthusiasm. This nurturing environment allowed the children to heal from the trauma of war and experience a semblance of normalcy.
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A Friendship Cast in Bronze
The legacy of Maharaja Jam Saheb’s kindness continues to be honoured in Poland.
In Warsaw’s Royal Łazienki Park, a statue of the Maharaja stands tall, a symbol of the enduring bond between India and Poland. The inscription on the statue reads: “To the Maharaja of Navanagar, who in 1942 gave shelter to Polish children in his kingdom.” The road leading to this statue is also named in his honour. These tributes are reminders of how one man’s empathy bridged continents and brought solace to those in need.
PM Modi visited the memorial Wednesday during his visit to Warsaw.
Humanity and compassion are vital foundations of a just and peaceful world. The Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial in Warsaw highlights the humanitarian contribution of Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, who ensured shelter as well as care to Polish children left homeless… pic.twitter.com/v4XrcCFipG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 21, 2024
An Enduring Legacy
The Polish refugees, particularly the children sheltered at Balachadi, gradually started to return to Poland after World War II ended in 1945. Some of the children stayed longer in India, depending on their circumstances and family reunification efforts. The last groups of Polish refugees left India by the late 1940s, according to reports.
The return was facilitated by coordinated efforts between the Polish government-in-exile and Indian authorities.
President Andrzej Duda of Poland shares a personal connection to this history. During his visit to India in 2017, he acknowledged that some of his family members were among those who found refuge in India during World War II. During his trip, President Duda visited the Maharaja’s descendants in Jamnagar and paid tribute to the compassion shown by the people of India. The bond formed during those difficult days continues to resonate in diplomatic relations between the two nations.
This report first appeared on ABP Asmita, and has been translated from Gujarati.
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