Rao Bahadur
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Rao Bahadur (also Raobahadur and Rai Bahadur [1]; abbreviated R.B.) was a title of honour issued in British India to individuals who had performed great service to the nation. Literally translated, "Rao" implies "prince", and "Bahadur" means "most honorable." It is the equivalent of an OBE. This title was awarded during the era of British rule to Indians, both Hindu and Christian. The equivalent title for Muslim and Parsi subjects was Khan Bahadur. For sikhs it was Sardar Bahadur. It is known as Roy Bahadur in Bengal. The title was accompanied by a medal.
Rao Sahib (also Raosahib and Rai Sahib was a lesser title of honour issued in India to individuals that performed great service in leadership to the nation. Literally translated, "Rao" implied "prince", and "sahib" means "leader".[1]
Diwan Bahadur was another title, awarded by British to Indians. Persons with the Rai Bahadur title could be elevated to Diwan Bahadur status.
In some cases, the British gave Indians titles that no Indian had previously been awarded. These were the hereditary Barony, Baron Sinha of Raipur and several Baronetcies e.g. Cowasjee Jehangir.
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[edit] Examples of people awarded the Rai/Rao/Sardar Bahadur title
- Rai Bahadur Chaudhary Dewan Chand Saini, MBE, Gurdaspur, Punjab
- Rai Bahadur Saligram, Pipal Mandi, Agra
- Sardar Bahadur Jagat Singh, Lyallpur, pre-partition Punjab
- Jagan Nath Bhandari, Rai Bahadur, Raj Ratan, Dewan of Idar State[2]
- Ray Bahadur Ranadaprasad Saha, philanthropist
- Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan - Industrialist & noted Railway Contractor
- Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji Chauhan - Industrialist
- Rai Bahadur Gujar Mal Modi - founder of Modi Group
- Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi - founder of Oberoi Group
- Rai Bahadur Bakshi Badri Nath Chhibber
- Rai Bahadur Chaudhary Dewan Chand Saini, MBE
- Rai Bahadur Tirath Singh Bakshi
[edit] Diwan Bahadur
- D. D. Thacker, Diwan Bahadur, of Jharia[3]
- Diwan Bahadur Ketoli Chengappa, Last Chief Commisioner (and the only one of native-origin; Englishmen held this position earlier) of Kodagu (Coorg)
[edit] Rai Saheb
- Rai Saheb Rekhchand Mohota - Industrialist[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b RoyalArk Glossary - India
- ^ BHANDARI JAGAN NATH, RAI BHADUR, RAJ RATAN M.A., L.L.B., Dewan Idar State.. The Times of India directory and year book including who's who, Volume 32, 1945
- ^ Proceedings of the Indian Science Congress, Volume 37
- ^ The Rai Saheb Rekhchand Mohota Spinning & Weaving Mills
