Jamnagar, Jan 5 (Agencies) : Antiques worth over Rs 4 crore, including the much-adored cricket bat of Ranjitsinhji Maharaj, who played Test cricket for England, were stolen from the ancestral palace of the erstwhile rulers of Jamnagar state in Gujarat, police said. 

The incident came to light on Monday when security personnel of the Jam Bungalow informed the police about the missing items, especially those belonging to Ranjitsinhji, the first Indian to play Test cricket. According to the police, the theft might have taken place anytime during the last fortnight.

It is suspected that there could have been 3-4 thieves involved in the act, as food packets and snacks were found inside the bungalow during the inspection of the crime scene.
The robbers broke into the palace through the glass windows and carefully took away things, most of them belonging to Ranjitsinhji, police said, adding that the stolen antiques are estimated to be worth over Rs 4 crore. The first-class cricket tournament in India, the Ranji Trophy, has been named in Ranjitsinhji’s honour.

The palace premises have been sealed and further investigations are on, police said.
The owner of the bungalow, Jam Shatusaliaji, who is a descendant of Ranjitsinhji, lives in Mumbai and was on his way to Jamnagar, sources said.