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The period of Bejanji Damri’s stewardship as mukhia karbhari (chief secretary) was considered a golden era. His services were requisitioned by the maharajas of different states in Kathiawar and the British Political Agent valued his loyalty,  earning him the title of Khan Bahadur. Gondol pros­­pered and became a model for the rest of Kathiawar. The British Government bestowed a number of titles on the Maharaja and elevated Gondol to a Class I state. In turn, a grateful maharaja promoted Bejanji to dewan or chief minister.  My great-great-grandfather from my father’s side, Bejanji  was born in 1843 in Surat. His father, Mehrwanji,......