Statue of Jam Sahib, who sheltered Jewish children, unveiled in Israel: Read the history of why Poland and Israel still remember the “Good Maharaja”

A statue of Jamsaheb Digvijaysinh Jadeja, the former Maharaja of Nawanagar (now Jamnagar), was recently unveiled in Nevatim, southern Israel. The statue honours the compassion and empathy Jamsaheb displayed in sheltering Polish children (including Jewish children) during World War II. An inscription below the statue of Jamsaheb is reads: During the Holocaust, he saved many Jewish children at HIs own expense and sheltered them in his home, providing them with care and love. A sentence from the Jewish scriptures is also quoted there, which reads – ‘Those who save one life save the whole world.’ An event was organised by the Indian Jewish Heritage Centre (IJHC) and the Cochin Jewish Heritage Centre (CJHC) to commemorate the Maharaja and to unveil his statue. The statue was supposed to be completed in September 2024, but its unveiling was repeatedly delayed due to Israel’s prolonged military conflict with Hamas. A moving tribute at Moshav Nevatim The statue of Maharaja Jam Saheb of Nawanagar (Gujarat) was unveiled in Nevatim honouring his exemplary compassion during World War-II. He adopted hundreds of Polish children including Jewish children and built a home for them in 1942… pic.twitter.com/MLKg9satnk— India in Israel (@indemtel) November 11, 2025 Indian Ambassador J.P. Singh, along with the Polish Ambassador and officials from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, was also present at the event. Who was Jamsaheb Digvijay Singh Jadeja? Maharaja Digvijaysinh Ranjitsinh Jadeja was the last ruler of Nawanagar state. He (like many rulers of that time) was known by the nickname “Bapusaheb.” The title reflected the people’s affection for the royal family. ‘May the people of my state prosper’– That alone was the jeevan mantra of such rulers. Be it Bhavnagar’s King Krishnakumarsinhji or Jamsaheb Digvijaysinh Jadeja, they were truly “Bapusahebs,” as they protected their subjects like a father. This is the reason that even after so many years, their names are remembered with respect and honour. Digvijaysinh not only protected the people of his kingdom but, during tough times, gave refuge to the citizens of a distant country like Poland, located six and a half thousand kilometres away. He followed his dharma without any expectations. So many years have passed, but countries like Poland and Israel still remember this Maharaja. Jamsaheb Digvijaysinh Jadeja was born in 1895. He went to Rajkumar College and then studied at University College, London. In 1919, he joined the British Army as a Second Lieutenant. After a military career spanning nearly two decades, he retired in 1931. However, he remained in the Indian Army in an honorary capacity until 1947. Two years after his retirement, in 1933, he was crowned as the Maharaja of Nawanagar, succeeding his uncle, Ranjitsinh Jadeja. Digvijaysinh remained Maharaja of Nawanagar until he died in 1966. However, after India’s independence in 1947, he merged his state, along with other states, into the Indian Union. Thus, he was the last Maharaja of Jamnagar. His son, Shatrushalyasinh Jadeja, is the current King of Jamnagar. Though princely states have become past now, traditions such as coronation and other royal ceremonies continue as before and people still hold their kings in the same deep respect. Polish children, many of whom were Jewish, were sheltered during World War II. During World War II, the Soviet Union and Germany invaded Poland in 1939. As a result, the Polish government collapsed, and the Polish rulers fled to London. Meanwhile, thousands of Polish citizens, including a large number of women and children, were deported to the Soviet Union. Many of them were disabled, and some were orphans. These people were kept in refugee camps and orphanages, where they died of disease and hunger. This continued for almost two years. These refugees lived in extremely difficult and miserable conditions. Finally, in 1941, they were all granted amnesty and ordered to leave the Soviet Union. Thus, thousands of citizens, especially children, were released, but they still had no place to go. Some of them took refuge in Mexico, a few went to New Zealand, and some others fled to other countries as refugees. Maharaja Digvijaysinh Jadeja was the Hindu representative in the British War Cabinet at that time. He was well aware of these global events and resultant tragedies. As soon as he learned about the Polish refugees, he immediately extended help. Negotiations ensued, and an agreement was reached to bring them to India. “Even though you have lost your parents, from today I am your father” said the ruler In 1942, the first batch of Polish children arrived in Nawanagar. It is said that the Maharaja himself was present to welcome them. He told the children, “You are no longer orphans. Even though you have lost your parents, from today I am your father. Now you are residents of Nawanagar, and I am your father.” Jam Sahib made arrangements,