Sayaji

Sayaji is a masculine given name in India, often a shortened form of Sayajirao. It is most widely associated with Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the ruler of Baroda State in western India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As ruler, he pursued modernization and reform, expanding education, public health, administration, and economic development. He founded and patronized several institutions and undertook public works that helped transform Baroda into a cultural and administrative center. His most enduring legacy in education is the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, established in his name after independence.

In modern usage, the name Sayaji appears in various Indian entities and ventures that honor the maharaja’s legacy. Notably, Sayaji Hotels is a hospitality brand named after the historical figure and operating hotels in multiple Indian cities. The name also appears as a personal given name for contemporary individuals.