[1][2][3][4] He earned a name as a progressive ruler and continued the modernisation and development programmes instituted by his father Sir Takhatsinhji.

As a part of famine relief measures, he waived all uncollected taxes and distributed tagari allowances as free gifts.

[3][4] Further, he started first Harijan School in 1912 for the upliftment of Dalit people of his State, and also instituted scholarships for further studies in England, America and Japan, particularly in the fields of medicine and science.

[3] As a measure of famine relief works, he founded the Bhavnagar Darbar Bank in 1902 to dispense loans to farmers, merchants and traders, and began a co-operative movement.

[9] The introduction of the Tonic Sol-fa system of notation into Indian music was largely due to his efforts.