Shrimant Maharaja Sir Pratap Singh Rao Gaekwad, belonging to the Gaekwad dynasty of the Marathas, was the last ruling Maharaja of Baroda. He succeeded to the throne upon the death of his grandfather Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1939. Shrimant Maharaja Sir Pratap Singh Rao Gaekwad (29 June 1908 – 19 July 1968), belonging to the Gaekwad dynasty of the Marathas, was the last ruling Maharaja of Baroda. He succeeded to the throne upon the death of his grandfather Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1939. In 1947, British India was partitioned into two independent dominions, and Pratapsinh acceded his state to the Dominion of India. By 1949, Baroda had been merged into India. Pratapsinh retained his title and certain privileges, but in 1951 he was deposed by the government of India for allegedly irresponsible behavior. He then retired to Europe with his second wife, a woman of notorious reputation, and settled in Monaco. He died in 1968 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Fatehsinghrao Gaekwad, who had been officiating as Maharaja since 1951.Pratapsinh founded the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in 1949, as per the wishes of his grandfather, Sayajirao, and settled the "Sir Sayajirao Diamond Jubilee and Memorial Trust", which still exists, providing for the educational and other needs of the people of the former Baroda State.

Born: 29 June 1908, Vadodara

Died: 19 July 1968

Partner: Sita Devi

Children: Sangramsinh Gaekwad, Ranjitsinh Pratapsinh Gaekwad, Fatehsinghrao aekwad, Mrunalini Devi Puar

Grandchildren: Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, Priyadarshini Raje Scindia

Great grandchildren: Mahanaryaman Scindia, Ananya Raje Scindia