Later Years
By the 20th century, Gondal boasted among the finest medical services and the finest municipal works system in the subcontinent. During his reign, he abolished all rates, taxes, customs, octroi, and export duties in the state making Gondal the only state to be tax-free. He not just removed the purdah system for women, but 'Zananas' or restricted women's wing were no longer built in subsequent palaces.
By 1918, Gondal was the only state in the Western India States Agency to have compulsory education for girls in all villages In October 1934, on the 50th anniversary of his accession to the throne he gave his weight in gold to charity. In the following years, Bhagvatsingh himself became renowned beyond India, and continued working for the benefit of his people through his old age. Bhagvatsingh died on 9 March 1944 in his eightieth year after a 75 year reign, cementing his reputation as one of the most progressive monarchs in Indian history.
Read more about this topic: Bhagvat Singh
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