Raj Ratna awards were given by rulers of the mostly Hinduprincely states of India to distinguished citizens of their kingdoms. The title was bestowed with a gold coin medallion.[3][1][4]
The second-highest civilian award was the Raj Bhushan (literally Ornament of the Raj), which was given with a silver coin medallion.[3]
The titles and awards of Raj Ratna and Raj Bhushan came to an end around 1949, with the amalgamation of almost all of the princely states into the Dominion of India. The highest civilian award in modern India is the Bharat Ratna, followed by the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
^ abcThe Indian Co-operative Review. Vol. 8. 1942. p. 169. Rattanji Daboo, Dinshaw, Raj Ratna, B.A., Zamindar; b. 25th September, 1835; [...] Awarded 'Raj Bhusan' and a silver medal 1927; title of 'Raj Ratna' with a gold medal and 'Poshak' by the Baroda Government, 1936.
^"Founder profile". mehtagroup.com. Retrieved 8 September 2015. Nanjibhai was honoured during his lifetime by the British Government with the title of M.B.E. for his work in Uganda. His Highness Maharana Shri Natvarsinghji of Porbandar conferred on him the title of Raj Ratna.
^Jagannath Bhandari...Resumed law practice, 1922; appointed Dewan of Idar State, 1931. Given title of Ral Bahadur by Government in June 1933, and Raj Ratna by the Maharaja Sahib Bahadur, August 1933. World biography, Volume 1, 1948
^Chhotalal Contractor also nouned as Sheth Shree RajRatna Chhotalal Heerachand Contractor. There is a square (chowk) and a street named after him which is located in Ambawadi area. There is still a railway station named after him. His father's name was Hirachand and sister's name was Hira. That local area has been named Heerabaug. the baug means garden. There are 12 Grand and Giant bungalows in the Heerabaug.
(by Heli Suraj Contractor)