Iconography and Legacy
Bateman's work on cricket and the British Empire identifies Ranjitsinhji as an important figure in helping build "imperial cohesion", adding that his "cultural impact was immense". Bateman identifies in particular the use of Ranji's image during his era in advertising in England and Australia. This was a marked turnaround from the racism Ranji had faced early in his career, which he had tried to overcome with techniques, such as adopting the pseudonym, "Smith".
The popularity of an Indian playing cricket in England and for England was remarked upon during Ranjitsinhji's era. W. G. Grace directly linked Ranji's celebrity to "his extraordinary skill as a batsman and his nationality".
After his death, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) started the Ranji Trophy in 1934, with the first fixtures taking place in 1934–35. The trophy was donated by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, who also inaugurated it. Today it remains a domestic first-class cricket championship played in India between different city and state sides.
As a ruler, his legacy is more patchy. McLeod summarises his achievements at home as "remodelled his capital, constructed roads and railways, and built a great port with modern facilities".
Read more about this topic: K. S. Ranjitsinhji
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“What is popularly called fame is nothing but an empty name and a legacy from paganism.”
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