Raj Ratna (alsoRaj Ratan[citation needed] orRajya Ratna;[citation needed] literallyGem of theRaj) was a title of high honour, acivilian award, which was prevalent in theprincely states of India during theBritish Raj.[1][2]
Raj Ratna awards were given by rulers of the mostlyHinduprincely states of India to distinguished citizens of their kingdoms. The title was bestowed with a gold coin medallion.[3][1][4]
The second-highest civilian award was theRaj Bhushan (literallyOrnament of theRaj), which was given with a silver coin medallion.[3]
The titles and awards ofRaj Ratna andRaj Bhushan came to an end around 1949, with the amalgamation of almost all of the princely states into theDominion of India. The highest civilian award in modern India is theBharat Ratna, followed by thePadma Vibhushan,Padma Bhushan, andPadma Shri.
Rattanji Daboo, Dinshaw, Raj Ratna, B.A., Zamindar; b. 25th September, 1835; [...] Awarded 'Raj Bhusan' and a silver medal 1927; title of 'Raj Ratna' with a gold medal and 'Poshak' by the Baroda Government, 1936.
Nanjibhai was honoured during his lifetime by the British Government with the title of M.B.E. for his work in Uganda. His Highness Maharana Shri Natvarsinghji of Porbandar conferred on him the title of Raj Ratna.