The Pattani Family
The Pattani Family
Sir Prabhashankar Pattani played an instrumental role in shaping the social and political ethos of the princely state of Bhavnagar during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His association with Bhavnagar state began when he was appointed as the companion tutor to Prince Bhavsinhji II during his studies at Rajkumar College, Rajkot. He went on to become the Diwan when Bhavsinhji II was the ruler and served the state, country and British empire in different roles - an administrator, an advisor to the princely states of India, Member of the Governor Council as well as Secretary for State of India in England. While he earned the trust of the British government while being appointed to the India Council and the League of Nations, he was also closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi in his quest for Indian independence. In his capacity as an exemplary statesman of his time, his understanding of the qualities that constitute an outstanding administrator remains everlasting.
His sons Anantrai Pattani (1887-1958) and Batukrai Pattani (1895 – 1970) continued to contribute to the princely state of Bhavnagar, and others in their administrative capacity and community upliftment through various initiatives. Elder son Anantrai Pattani went on to serve Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji as the Diwan, while younger son Batukrai Pattani assisted the neighbouring princely states of Porbandar, Limbdi and others. Lady Pattani and his daughters-in-law, Yashomati Pattani and Savita Pattani, were the backbone of the family. They were not only astute at managing and running home affairs but also taking care of the relatives, their children and the well-being of the larger Prashnora Nagar community.
The Pattani family and trust continue to steer his legacy of philanthropy and intellectual thought. Restoration and revival of heritage papers is one such effort spearheaded by Sir Pattanis's great-great-granddaughter Avni Pattani.
Rama Pattani, daughter of RajVaidya of Morvi, Vishwanath Bhatt (youngest brother to renowned Ayurvedic doctor Zandu Bhattji), was married to Prabhashankar Pattani at a young age. She was Sir Pattani's steadfast support.
Prabhashankar Pattani was born in the Ahichchhatra sub-caste. That sub-caste is also known as the Prashnora caste. There are six sub-castes in the Nagar community. One of the six sub-castes is the Prashnora caste. The members of that caste are found mainly in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Saurashtra. That comparatively small caste was highly respected in the society as a peace-loving, noble, and virtuous caste committed to learning. The members of that sub-caste were considered pious and believed in selfless service to the community, and therefore, even if only one Prashnora family resided in a village, the village people treated the head of that family as a father figure for the entire village.
The great–great–grandfather of Prabhashankar, (grandfather of Prabhashankar’s grandfather) Rugnath Bhatt belonged to Porbandar. He was widely acclaimed as a scholar of Puranas and Shankar Vedanta, and therefore, he was used to being invited to hold Bhagavata Saptah (seven-day discourse on Shrimad Bhagavata) at the Dwarkadhish temple in Dwarka.