An Indian king, 650 Polish children fleeing the horrors of World War II, and an act of kindness that has endured for nearly eight decades.
The story of the “Good Maharaja” continues to hold a special place in Poland’s national memory, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk recalling the Indian ruler’s legacy on Thursday.
During World War II, thousands of Poles were sent to the Caucasus as refugees after being released from Soviet gulags. They travelled overland to Iran’s Tehran, but conditions there proved inadequate. India was among the few countries that responded to an appeal for assistance from the Polish government-in-exile. Several people helped run the camp. Father Pluta provided spiritual guidance, while Colonel Jeffrey Clark managed its administration. Dr Amrutlal Ashani, pharmacist Anant Joshi and chief nurse Cathy helped look after the children’s health. Seven Goan cooks prepared their meals, with expenses covered from the Jam Saheb’s personal funds. Eight prestigious schools in Poland were also named after him following a popular vote among students, parents and faculty members. Modi paid homage at the memorial to the Good Maharaja. The connection also continues through educational exchanges. The Rajkumar College in Rajkot, the Jam Saheb’s alma mater, has an active exchange programme with the Maharaja Independent High School, Bednarska, in Warsaw.
In 2016, Poland’s lower house of parliament unanimously passed a resolution honouring him on the 50th anniversary of his death. The story received renewed attention during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Poland in 2024, the first by an Indian prime minister since 1979.
In 2024, 12 students and a teacher from Rajkumar College spent two weeks in Warsaw as part of a family homestay programme. Polish students are expected to make a return visit in November and travel to the historic Balachadi campsite for a wreath-laying ceremony.
