Shivaji IV

Shivaji IV (5 April 1863-25 December 1883) was a Raja of Kolhapur from 1871 to 1883. A distant relation of the main family line, he was born as Shrimant Narayanrao Dinkarrao Bhonsle, and was adopted at the age of eight by the widow of Rajaram I. Owing to his youth, he reigned under a regency until he had attained his majority. In 1875, he was presented with a sword of honour by the future Edward VII, and on New Year's Day, 1877, was knighted with the title of Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI), at the age of 13, the youngest knight ever of that honour. Later that same year, he also became the youngest recipient of the Kaiser-i-Hind.

However, by 1882, Sir Shivaji IV had become insane, and was placed under the "protection" of the British Government, with a Regent appointed for the state. Removed to Ahmednagar, Sir Shivaji IV died a year later on Christmas Day at the age of 20 from a beating received by his military guardian, one Private Green. He was succeeded by Shahu IV. [http://www.4dw.net/royalark/India/kolhap3.htm] .

His full name was "His Highness Shrimant Rajashri Sir Shivaji IV Chhatrapati Maharaj Sahib Bahadur, KCSI, Kaiser-i-Hind."

ources

* [http://www.4dw.net/royalark/India/kolhap3.htm A detailed biography]