Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju’s presence at the Raj Bhavan evokes a sense of institutional dignity not merely from his royal heritage but from his experience in democratic governance
In a historic moment for Goa, the appointment of Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju as the 20th Governor of the state marked the arrival of India’s first royal to occupy this constitutional position in Goa. His elevation is more than ceremonial—it is a symbolic bridge between India’s regal past and modern federal democracy. A descendant of the prestigious Pusapati royal family of Vizianagaram, Governor Ashok Gajapathi Raju embodies a legacy rooted in statesmanship, heritage, and public service. What he spoke after the swearing-in ceremony confirmed that he is a team leader and believes in making Goa and the Goans work unitedly as a team. The Pusapati dynasty belongs to the Suryavanshi (Solar Dynasty) Kshatriyas, tracing its lineage to the Sisodia branch of the Guhilot tribe of Udaipur and the Vasishta gotra. I informed Health Minister Vishwajit Rane about this lineage, who also traces his roots to Suryavanshi Kshatriyas.
As per traditional accounts, a brother of the Udaipur Maharana migrated to Oudh, and by 529 AD, his descendant Madhava Varma led four clans into the Deccan. They established a capital at Vijayanagar, later moved to Bezawada (now Vijayawada), and ruled for over 900 years. In the 16th century, after the Battle of Nandapur, the Pusapatis took the title ‘Gajapathi’, signifying their right of conquest. They were never tributaries to the Marathas or French, and their authority was affirmed by Emperor Aurangzeb, who appointed one of them as Subahdar of the Northern Circars and gifted a Zulfikar (two-edged sword)—still present in their family emblem. The dynasty built the city of Vizianagaram in 1713, naming it after Vijaya Rama Raju and choosing the «Z» spelling to distinguish it from the Vijayanagar dynasty of Hampi. Their influence extended across modern Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, parts of East Godavari, Srikakulam, and border areas of Odisha. Their ancestors, the Paricchedi Kings, ruled from 626 AD, with early capitals at Bezawada and Kollipaka. These rulers were known for their commitment to Hindu Dharma, contrasting with contemporary dynasties like the Chalukyas.
The Pusapatis’ close ties with the British crown earned them honours such as the 13-gun salute, the title “His Highness,” and inclusion among chiefs eligible for reciprocal visits with the Viceroy of India. They were celebrated for charitable works, temple endowments, and education. Their coat of arms and royal customs reflected a deep sense of history and self-respect. Despite political upheavals, their influence remained rooted in Andhra’s socio-cultural landscape. Into this storied legacy was born Ashok Gajapathi Raju on June 26, 1951, the younger son of Maharaja Pusapati Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju, the last titular ruler of Vizianagaram. Educated at the Scindia School (Gwalior), Hyderabad Public School, and V S Krishna College, Visakhapatnam, he entered public life early, winning his first Assembly seat from Vizianagaram in 1978 as a Janata Party candidate. He later joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and went on to serve in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for over 25 years. He held several key portfolios, including Finance, Excise, Revenue, and Legislative Affairs, and served as Union Minister for Civil Aviation from 2014 to 2018 in the NDA Government. As a Cabinet Minister, he was admired for his simplicity—standing in queues and refusing VIP privileges, setting a quiet example of democratic humility.
Governor Raju’s contributions extend beyond politics. As president of the Andhra Cricket Association, he championed sports infrastructure and training centres in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Vizianagaram. He chaired the Maharaja Alak Narayana Society of Arts and Sciences (MANSAS), which runs numerous educational institutions. He has taken keen interest in urban planning, public health, water conservation, and housing schemes. His international visits to study town planning reflect his commitment to modern governance informed by heritage values. Even within his family, public service continues. His daughter, Pusapati Aditi Vijayalakshmi, is currently an elected MLA from Vizianagaram, continuing the dynasty’s democratic participation into a new generation. In July 2025, Ashok Gajapathi Raju resigned from the TDP to accept the appointment as Governor of Goa by the President of India. Sworn in on July 26, 2025, he now serves as Goa’s first royal Governor, bringing with him a rare blend of legacy and administrative acumen.
Goa itself has had a complex political journey—from its ancient kingdoms to Portuguese rule and eventual statehood. In this setting, the arrival of a Governor who represents continuity between India’s past and present is both timely and meaningful. His deep understanding of governance, history, and human development can serve as a steadying influence in the state’s constitutional life. Governor Raju’s presence at Raj Bhavan evokes a sense of institutional dignity not merely from his royal heritage but from his lived experience in democratic governance. His career reflects the ability to uphold values across eras—where kings once ruled, citizens now govern, and royalty finds relevance not in command, but in service. As Goa welcomes His Excellency Governor Ashok Gajapathi Raju, it also welcomes a chapter where history and modernity meet in harmony. His tenure offers the promise of wisdom guided by experience, of authority shaped by humility, and of leadership rooted in both tradition and transformation.
(Nandkumar M Kamat, who has a doctorate in microbiology, is a scientist and science writer)
