Raj Ratna / Raj Ratan / Rajya Ratna (literally Gem of the Raj

Raj

Raj and Rajya mean "royalty" or "kingdom" in many Sanskrit and Hindu languages, and may refer to:- Indian history :*British Raj, the British Empire in India...

), was a highest title of honor or civilian award, which was prevalent in Princely India during British Raj

British Raj

British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...

. Such title were given by rulers of mostly Hindu

Hindu

Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...

 Princely States of India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

 to distinguished citizens of their kingdom. The title was bestowed upon with a Gold coin medallion.

Another, title or civilian award, second in order, was Raj Bhushan (literally Ornament of the Raj

Raj

Raj and Rajya mean "royalty" or "kingdom" in many Sanskrit and Hindu languages, and may refer to:- Indian history :*British Raj, the British Empire in India...

) was also prevalent, which was given with a Silver coin medallion.

The title and awards of Raj Ratna & Raj Bhushan came to an end by year 1949 with the amalgamation of Princely States in to India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

 and formation of the Republic of India but the legacy, spirit and essence of these awards are being carried forward in India, by similar other prestigious awards like Bharat Ratna

Bharat Ratna

Bharat Ratna is the Republic of India's highest civilian award, awarded for the highest degrees of national service. This service includes artistic, literary, and scientific achievements, as well as "recognition of public service of the highest order." Unlike knights, holders of the Bharat Ratna...

, Padma Vibhushan

Padma Vibhushan

The Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...

, Padma Bhushan

Padma Bhushan

The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...

 and Padma Shri

Padma Shri

Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...

.

Names of some persons awarded title Raj Ratna

• Nanji Kalidas Mehta
  Nanji Kalidas Mehta
  Nanji Kalidas Mehta was an Industrialist and Philanthropist from Gujarat. He was founded the Mehta Group of Industries in Uganda, now having its head office in India.-Lifesketch:...
  
  , M.B.E. - awarded Raj Ratna by Princely State of Porbandar
  Porbandar
  Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
  
  
• Jagan Nath Bhandari, Rai Bahadur, the Dewan
  Dewan
  The originally Persian title of dewan has, at various points in Islamic history, designated various differing though similar functions.-Etymology:...
  
   of Idar State - awarded Raj Ratan by Princely State of Idar
  Idar (princely state)
  Idar State or Edar, was a native state of India, which formed part of the Mahi Kantha agency, within the Gujarat Division of Bombay. It has an area of 1669 m²., and a population of 168,557, showing a decrease of 44% in the decade as the result of famine. Estimated gross revenue, £29,000; tribute...
  
  .
• Rattanji Daboo Dinshaw, awarded Raj Ratna by Princely State of Baroda
  Baroda State
  Baroda State was an Indian princely state in present-day Gujarat, ruled by the Gaekwad dynasty from its formation in 1721 until 1947 when it succeed to newly formed, India. With the city of Baroda as its capital, during the British Raj it was part of the Baroda Residency...
  
  . was also awarded Raj Bhushan earlier before elevated to Raj Ratna Status.
• Sj. Chimanlal Giridharlal awarded Raj Ratan by HH the Gaekwar
  Gaekwad
  The Gaekwad or Gaikwad was a Maratha dynasty that ruled the princely state of Baroda in western India from the mid-18th century until 1947...
  
   of Baroda
  Baroda State
  Baroda State was an Indian princely state in present-day Gujarat, ruled by the Gaekwad dynasty from its formation in 1721 until 1947 when it succeed to newly formed, India. With the city of Baroda as its capital, during the British Raj it was part of the Baroda Residency...
  
  .
• Sheth
  Sheth
  Sheth was a title of honor, generally prefixed to the name of big businessmen, money lenders or rich persons of town in India. The title is still used but less often. In older days another title Nagar Seth was used to denote richest person of the town....
  
   Zaverchand Laxmichand awarded Raj Ratna by Baroda State.
• Shri Harish Chandra - Rajya Ratna of Jodhpur State.