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Samaldas Parmananddas

Gen 3 - 1828-1884 CE (56 years)

Diwan Gaurishankar Oza, a visionary statesman, steered the State of Bhavnagar through a period of remarkable progress before ultimately renouncing worldly office to embrace the path of a sanyasi.

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In a decision marked by foresight, the Maharaja, in consultation with Oza, appointed Samaldas (pronounced Shamaldas), the youngest son of Parmananddas, as the next Diwan. Under his distinguished stewardship, Bhavnagar rose to even greater prominence and honour during the era of British India.

  • Scholar of Sanskrit, Brijbhasha and Persian

  • Began as revenue officer, then appointed magistrate under Maharaja Wajehsinhji in Bhavnagar State. His maternal uncle (mama), Gaurishankar Udayshankar (Gaga Oza), was the Diwan of the State from 1850-1879, who also helped establish Rajkumar College at Rajkot. 

  • As chief judge, Samaldas played a major role in establishment of civil and criminal courts

  • Appointed as Diwan by Maharaja Takhtsinhji, after Gaurishankar resigned to pursue Vedanta studies and eventually became a Sanyaasi

  • Stood his ground and turned back spurious accusations against Maharaja Jashwantsinhji by the Political Agents and Police Superintendent of Ahmedabad

  • Helped start the first school for girls alongwith his uncle Gaurishankar, the first-ever self-financed one by a Maharaja in British India

  • Helped establish railways in Kathiawad region, a hospital in Bhavnagar, and expansion of Rajkumar College in Rajkot

  • Opposed the Bombay Government for retaining control of the salt-works in Western India

  • Introduced significant reforms like the right of land ownership, improved land and sea-customs, and also built water-storage tanks in villages and towns of the State

  • The British Government declared Bhavnagar as "the best governed Native State in Western India."

  • Received the village of Jalalpur as a gift from the Maharaja

  • Samaldas College was founded in 1885 by Lallubhai, the younger son, under the patronage of Maharaja Takhtsinhji - honouring his close friend and Diwan. It became the third college in Western India, after Elphinstone College (Bombay) and Gujarat College (Ahmedabad). 
    Some notable alumni: Mohandas K. Gandhi, political leader and Harilal J. Kania - the first Chief Justice of India.

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