, celebrated cricketer and Maharaja of Nawanagar.Nawanagar (present day
Jamnagar) was founded in 1540 by
Jam Sri Rawalji, a descendant of the
Jadeja ruler of
Kutch, and was thereafter in an almost constant state of war with its neighbours and with the
Mughal Empire. Two such major wars were the
Battle of Mithoi and
Battle of Bhuchar Mori fought in 1591. During the Reign of
Shah Jahan, the ruler of Nawanagar paid tribute and maintained obedience to the
Mughal government. The "Walker Treaty of 1807" brought peace to the Kathiawar states for the first time in several generations. Nawanagar came under British protection on 22 February 1812. K. S.
Ranjitsinhji was one of the world's greatest cricket players and, later, became Jam Saheb in 1907 until 1933. The inclusive circle of eight players promoted excellence in cricket, both in the county and domestic games. After his death,
Ranji Trophy, a domestic first-class cricket championship played in India between different city and state sides, was started in 1934 by
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Jam Saheb Shri Sir Ranjitsinhji remained the chancellor of the
Chamber of Princes (1931–1933). After his death, in 1933, he was succeeded by his nephew
Jam Saheb Shri Sir Digvijaysinhji, who became its chancellor (1937–1944) and continued to promote the octet circle in excellence in cricket, academics and welfare. In 1942 the Maharaja set up a refugee camp for Polish children in
Balachadi. Nawanagar (present day
Jamnagar) was one of the first princely states to sign the
Instrument of Accession in 1948 after
Indian independence. Afterwards, the late ruler, Digvijaysinhji, served as the first
Rajpramukh of Kathiawad, then represented his country at the
United Nations. In 1949, the princely states of Nawanagar and
Dhrol, Jalia Dewani in Kathiawar merged into the new state of
Saurashtra. On 19 June 1959, the boundaries of the district were enlarged by the inclusion of the adjoining
Okha mandal, and the district was renamed
Jamnagar. This district became part of the new state of
Gujarat on the division of the
State of Bombay on 1 May 1960.
Bhanji Dal Jadeja commanded Jam Sataji's force during the
Mughal attack on
Junagadh State and defeated the attack. ==Rulers (Jam Saheb)==