Jivraj Narayan Mehta, Doctor, Politician
Doctor, Politician

Jivraj Narayan Mehta

Born 29 August 1887 · Gujarat — Died 7 November 1978

First Chief Minister of Gujarat from 1960 to 1963 after the state's formation.

Jivraj Narayan Mehta was an Indian politician and the first Chief Minister of Gujarat. He also served as the first "Dewan" of the erstwhile Baroda state, and Indian high commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1963 to 1966.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Jivraj Narayan Mehta won seven out of eight academic prizes at Grant Medical College, sharing the eighth with his roommate, a feat unmatched by his peers in 1910.

The Story

1
🎓 In 1909, Jivraj Narayan Mehta sailed to London on a Tata Education Foundation fellowship, living there until 1915 while earning a gold medal in his MD exams at the University of London in 1914 and becoming a member of the Royal College of Physicians.
2
🏥 Returning to India, Mehta topped his medical class at Grant Medical College and served as the founding dean of Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in Mumbai for 17 years from 1925 to 1942.
3⚖️ Twice jailed during the Indian independence movement (1938 and 1942), Mehta also served as Mahatma Gandhi's personal physician, directly linking his medical expertise with the freedom struggle.
4🏛️ On 4 September 1948, he was sworn in as the Dewan (Prime Minister) of Baroda state, navigating the transition of princely states into independent India’s political fabric.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1956
Padma Bhushan
1967
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1914, Jivraj Mehta won a university gold medal for his MD thesis in London, a rare honor for an Indian medical student under British rule.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Amreli, Gujarat
Jivraj Narayan Mehta was born to Narayan and Jamakben Mehta in Amreli, Bombay Presidency, into the Kapol Bania community.
1887
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Education
Begins studies in London
Selected for a prestigious Tata Education Foundation fellowship, he moved to London for postgraduate medical studies until 1915.
1909
🌟
Other
Wins MD gold medal in London
Mehta earned a university gold medal for his MD examinations, becoming a member of the Royal College of Physicians.
1914
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Career
Becomes founding dean in Mumbai
Appointed first dean of Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, serving for 17 years.
1925
⚡
Career
First imprisonment during Satyagraha
Mehta was incarcerated by British authorities for his participation in Gandhi's Satyagraha movement.
1938
⚡
Career
Sworn in as Dewan of Baroda
He took office as the Dewan (Prime Minister) of Baroda state, helping integrate it into independent India.
1948
⚡
Career
Becomes first Chief Minister of Gujarat
Assumed office at Gujarat's formation, shaping early governance until September 1963.
1960
⚡
Career
Appointed High Commissioner to UK
Represented India in London during a critical post-colonial diplomatic period until 1966.
1963
🕊️
Death
Death
Jivraj Narayan Mehta passed away, leaving a legacy in medicine and politics.
1978
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He was briefly Mahatma Gandhi’s personal doctor, a unique intersection of medicine and politics during the independence movement.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Mehta was one of only two students awarded the Tata Education Foundation fellowship in 1909, out of many applicants across India.

03 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He served as Dewan of Baroda state starting 4 September 1948, playing a key administrative role in integrating the princely state post-independence.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Jivraj Narayan Mehta | Wikipedia audio article
·YouTube
More from this archive
Jivraj Narayan Mehta | Wikipedia audio article
01
Jivraj Narayan Mehta | Wikipedia audio article
YouTube
DevendraPatel on Dr Jivaraj Mehta's life story
02
DevendraPatel on Dr Jivaraj Mehta's life story
YouTube
Devendra Patel speaks about first CM Dr Jivaraj Mehta
03
Devendra Patel speaks about first CM Dr Jivaraj Mehta
YouTube
Dr. Jivraj Mehta | Chief Minister Series Of Gujarat | Parichay Talks
04
Dr. Jivraj Mehta | Chief Minister Series Of Gujarat | Parichay Talks
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Mehta’s tenure as dean of Mumbai’s premier medical college laid the groundwork for modern medical education emphasizing research in India. His political roles — from Dewan of Baroda to Gujarat’s first Chief Minister — helped integrate princely states and shape state governance during early independence. His diplomatic service in the UK further positioned India in a complex post-colonial world, influencing bilateral relations.

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