Incredible real-life Indian story !!

 

When Hitler invaded Poland and started the World War II, 500 Polish women and 200 children were put on a Ship to save them from the Germans.

The Ship was left in the sea by the Polish Army. The captain was told to take them to any country where they can get shelter. The last thing they heard from their families was, “if we are alive or survive, we will meet again!”

The ship filled with 500 refugee Polish women and 200 children were refused entry by many European and Asian countries. The ship continued to sail and somehow reached the port of Iran (Yes, so far away). but Iran too denied them permission and threw them out.

Finally, the ship wandering in the sea reached India. They arrived at the port of Bombay. The British Governor refused the ship.

The news soon reached the ears of the Maharaja of Jamnagar, “Jam Saheb” Digvijay Singh. He got concerned when he came to know about the ship full of people looking for refuge.

He ordered the ship carrying the Polish refugees to dock at a port called Rosi. He set-up tents in a town called ‘Balachadi’ in Jamnagar district near his summer palace.

The Maharaj made sure that the Polish refugees felt at home in an otherwise foregin country as a community. He helped a total of 640 refugees, which included both women and children. He also ensured that essentials, from food to a bed, were provided to them. He not only gave shelter to 500 women but also gave their children free education in Army school.

These refugees stayed in Jamnagar for nine years till WW2 lasted. They were well taken care of by Jam Saheb who regularly visited them and was called ‘Bapu’ by them.

As recalled by one of the members of the camp is quoted as, "We never liked the spinach that was cooked in the camp, and so we decided to go on a spinach strike. When Bapu heard of this, he immediately ordered for the cooks not to make it anymore."

Later these refugees returned to their own country. One of these refugees later became Prime Minister of Poland. Even today the descendants of those refugees come to Jamnagar every year and remember their ancestors.

In Poland, the name of many roads in the capital of Warsaw are named after Maharaj Jam Saheb. There are many schemes in his name even today. Every year, Polish newspaper print articles about Maharaja Jam Saheb Digvijay Singh.

A group called 'Survivors of Balachadi' fondly remembers him and is forever indebted to him to save their lives during World War. As a tribute, a square in Warsaw was named after the king. A park was made in the area called 'Square of the Good Maharaja' in 2014. A memorial was erected in his honor that the locals visit even today.

A documentary titled "Little Poland in India" was made in collaboration of both Indian and Polish governments to honour the efforts of Maharaja Jam Sahib.