Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
(1863-1939), Indian ruler and social reformerSitter in 21 portraits
The illiterate son of a village headman, he travelled from Kavlana with his family after widow Maharani Jamnabai, who had no male heir of her own, summoned the heads of the extended Gaekwad dynasty to present themselves and their boys to find a successor to the throne. When Gopalrao was quizzed about why he had come he replied 'I have come here to rule'. He was chosen as the next Maharaja of Baroda with the British Government's approval. Due to his young age of twelve, he was adopted by the Maharani and his name was changed to Sayajirao. After receiving an education he raised Baroda from chaos to a model state and was influential at the first and second Indian Round Table conferences. A frequent visitor to Britain, the Maharaja was referred to by Queen Victoria as the “empire's favourite son”. He listed among his hobbies billiards and tiger hunting.
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Unknown photographer
carbon print, published 1889
NPG Ax28670
Chimnabai II, Maharani of Baroda; Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Benjamin Stone
platinum print, 5 July 1905
On display in Room 24 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG x36466
Chimnabai II, Maharani of Baroda; Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Benjamin Stone
platinum print, 5 July 1905
NPG x36467
The Maharaja and Maharani of Baroda and party on the Terrace of the House of Commons
by Benjamin Stone
platinum print, 5 July 1905
NPG x135610
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Vandyk
glass negative, 21 June 1911
NPG x34593
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Vandyk
glass negative, 21 June 1911
NPG x34594
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Vandyk
12 x 10 inch glass plate negative, 21 June 1911
NPG x34592
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 18 November 1919
NPG x158483
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 18 November 1919
NPG x158484
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 18 November 1919
NPG x158485
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 18 November 1919
NPG x158486
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 18 November 1919
NPG x158487
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 18 November 1919
NPG x124391
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Walter Stoneman
bromide print, 1931
NPG x163913
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate film negative, 24 July 1934
NPG x151149
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate film negative, 24 July 1934
NPG x151150
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate film negative, 24 July 1934
NPG x151151
Sir Sayaji Rao III, Maharaja of Baroda
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate film negative, 24 July 1934
NPG x96788
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate film negative, 24 July 1934
NPG x96777
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate film negative, 24 July 1934
NPG x96778
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.