Jam Saheb Ajay Jadeja Hails From Nawanagar Royal Family: Here's Everything About The Family History

Former Indian cricketer, Ajay Jadeja made a huge contribution to Indian cricket. Ajay, who belongs to the royal family of Nawanagar (Now Jamnagar), contributed to a total of 15 Tests and 196 ODIs for India from 1992 to 2000. Not only this, he also played a key role when India won the 1995 Asia Cup. Well, later, BCCI forbade him for five years from cricket for his alleged involvement in match-fixing. While he never played cricket ever again, he remained in close touch with the same by several means. 

A look at the new Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, Ajay Jadeja's royal family and their legacy in cricket

Ajay Jadeja recently made it to the headlines when he was announced as the New Jam Saheb of Nawanagar (Now Jamnagar) on the auspicious day of Vijayadashami. He was declared as a successor of his uncle and former Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, Shatrusalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji Jadeja. In a letter, Shatrusalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji Jadeja declared his nephew, Ajay Jadeja, as the new heir to Jamnagar's throne. So, today, we will have a look at the royal ties of the former Indian cricketer and the new Jam Saheb, Ajay Jadeja.

Before India gained its independence, the Nawanagar state of Jamnagar used to be a princely state, whose capital city was Nawanagar, which is currently named Jamnagar. Jamnagar was ruled by 'Jam Saheb' who belonged to the same ancestral line of the Jadeja Rajput dynasty. Jamnagar's royal family also had a close connection to cricket as well. Ajay Jadeja's grandfather, Digvijaysinhji Jadeja, was also a cricketer, and not only this, he was also one of the presidents of BCCI from 1937 to 1938. Digvijaysinhji Jadeja got the title of Jam Sahib back in 1933, and ahead of the same, he played one first-class match for Saurashtra in the same year.

Ajay Jadeja's parents were Daulatsinghji Jadeja and Gyanba Jadeja. Ajay's father, Daulatsinghji Jadeja belonged to the royal Jadeja family, and he was a three-time MP from Jamnagar (1971-1984), and during this time, he represented Jamnagar in the Lok Sabha Constituency. Daulatsinghji Jadeja was also an MLA in the Gujarat State Assembly. He was a cousin brother to Shatrusalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji Jadeja, the former Jaam Sahib of Nawanagar, who declared Ajay Jadeja as the new heir of the Jamnagar throne.

Talking about Shatrusalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji Jadeja, the former Jam Saheb, was born to Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja and got the title back in 1966. Shatrusalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji Jadeja also showcased his cricket skills when he played a first-class cricket match for Saurashtra while captaining the team at the Ranjhi trophy (1966-1967). He also served as the head of the Saurashtra Cricket Association and played 29 matches. In total, this right-handed batsman and off-spinner scored 1061 runs and took 36 wickets.

Not only this, Ajay Jadeja is related to Sir Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji Jadeja, after whom the Ranji Trophy was named. Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji Jadeja was known as the 'Father Of Indian Cricket', and he ruled Jamnagar from 1907 to 1933. Apart from that, Ajay Jadeja was also related to Duleepsinhji, who played cricket in the 1930s. The domestic first-class cricket tournament, The Duleep Trophy, was named after Duleepsinhji.

Two lesser-known facts about the Royal family of Jamnagar

For the unversed, the royal family of Jamnagar and the holders of the title Jam Saheb were known for their vast jewellery collection. It was even said that Jam Saheb Ranjitsinhji had such an Emerald collection that was unmatched in the world, either by its quantity or by its quality. Another lesser-known fact about the royal family is that Jam Saheb, Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, had the tag of 'Good Maharaja', and he earned this through his generosity during the Second World War.

Ajay Jadeja's personal life, Bollywood connection and net worth

Talking about Ajay Jadeja's personal life, he is married to Aditi Jaitly. Aditi Jaitly is the daughter of  Indian politician and activist, Jaya Jaitley. Ajay and Aditi have two kids, Aiman Jadeja and Ameera Jadeja. After he left cricket, Ajay Jadega appeared in a handful of movies such as Khel, Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat. He also had a small apperance in Kai Po Che. 

Apart from that, Ajay was seen in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. It was earlier reported by Times Now that Ajay Jadeja holds a net worth of Rs. 250 crore. According to the most recent report in Free Press Journal, Ajay's net worth had increased after he succeeded Shatrusalyasinhji Jadeja as the new Jam Saheb, and it's now around Rs. 1,450 crore. 

Well, what do you think about the royal ties of the new Jam Saheb of Nawanagar and former Indian cricketer, Ajay Jadeja's royal family?

Also Read: Meet Uddhav Thackeray's Wife, Rashmi: Love Story, Worked In LIC, Raj Thackeray's Sister Played Cupid

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