In a moving ceremony in southern Israel, a statue of Maharaja Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji, the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, was unveiled at Moshav Nevatim. This tribute honored a forgotten but extraordinary humanitarian chapter from World War II, when the Indian ruler sheltered nearly 1,000 Polish children, including Jewish orphans, during one of the darkest periods in history. Organized by the Indian Jewish Heritage Centre (IJHC) and the Cochini Jewish Heritage Centre (CJHC), the event celebrated a king whose kindness rose above borders, religion, war, and politics.

The Good Maharaja: A Symbol of Compassion During WWII

In 1942, when Europe was torn apart by Nazi violence and mass displacement, thousands of Polish families were desperately searching for safety. Amid this chaos, Maharaja Digvijaysinhji opened his heart and his kingdom to children who had nowhere else to go. He established the Polish Children’s Camp in Balachadi, near Jamnagar in Gujarat, where the young refugees received food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and education. For children traumatized by war, Balachadi became a haven of dignity and hope. Polish survivors would later remember him not as a faraway ruler, but as a father figure. They called him the “Dobry Maharadża,” the Good Maharaja.

A Ceremonial Tribute that Echoed Through History

India’s Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh, described the Maharaja’s actions as a ray of hope reminding us that humanity rises above all boundaries. Polish Ambassador Maciej Hunia called the unveiling “a deeply emotional moment,” sharing a story that still moves hearts today.  Today, not only a street but also a square in Warsaw, a monument, and even a tram honor his memory. Poland also posthumously awarded him the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit. The statue unveiled in Israel, donated by Jerry Klinger and sculpted by Sam Philips, stands as a reminder of a rare moment when humanity won over hatred.

From Soldier to Humanitarian King: A Life of Service

Born on 18 September 1895 in Sadodar, Gujarat, Digvijaysinhji grew up in the illustrious Jadeja royal lineage. Educated at Rajkumar College (Rajkot), Malvern College, and University College London, he developed both intellectual depth and global vision. He began his career as a soldier, commissioned into the British Indian Army in 1919. He served in Egypt and Waziristan, rising to the rank of Captain before retiring in 1931. He later received honorary promotions, eventually holding the rank of Lieutenant-General. In 1933, he succeeded his uncle, the legendary cricketer Maharaja Ranjitsinhji, and became the Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar. Despite his royal status, his greatest achievement would come not from power, but from empathy.

Little Poland in India

When thousands of Polish children were evacuated from the Soviet Union during WWII, global doors were closing. Many countries refused to accept refugees. But the Maharaja intervened. As a member of the British war cabinet and Red Cross partner, he personally arranged transportation for the children to India. 

At Balachadi, he told the children, “Do not consider yourselves orphans. You are now my children.” 

For the next four years, the camp gave the children not just shelter but a childhood—one filled with sports, school, festivals, and dreams. Many Polish survivors, now elderly, still speak of India as their second home. A documentary titled “Little Poland in India” tells their story of survival and love.

A Legacy Carved in Three Nations

After India gained independence, the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession in 1947 and later served as the Rajpramukh of the United State of Kathiawar. He also represented India on the global stage at the League of Nations, the United Nations, and committees dealing with Korean rehabilitation after the Korean War. But it is his wartime humanitarian act that remains his most luminous legacy. 

For children who lost their families, the Maharaja became their protector. For Poland, he became a national hero. For Israel, a guardian of Jewish memory. And for India, he stands as a symbol of the nation’s timeless values of compassion and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, “the world is one family.”

A Story That Still Inspires

The unveiling of his statue in Israel is not just an event; it is a reminder that even in the darkest times, one act of courage can illuminate the world. The Maharaja’s kindness crossed continents, religions, and cultures, proving that humanity is stronger than war. As dignitaries stood before the bronze statue in Nevatim, one emotion filled the air: gratitude. Gratitude for a king who chose love over indifference. Gratitude for a country that embraced strangers as its own. Gratitude for a legacy that still guides our moral compass. The Good Maharaja’s kindness continues to inspire India, Israel, and Poland. It stands as a powerful lesson: humanity is the greatest act of courage.