Bhadarwa (Princely State)

Information

Dynasty	Baghela
State	Gujarat
Accession	10^th June 1948
Revenue	₹ 108,271
Area	70 km²
Population	11,048
Privy Purse	₹ 29,300
Religion	Hinduism
Hindi Name	भदरवा
Last Updated	26^th Jun, 2024

Present Head/Ruler

Vacant

Short History

The Thakore, who was a Baghela Rajput, claimed descent from Karan, the last Baghela ruler of Gujarat. The founder of the house was Bagela Lunkaranji, who captured Angadh near the bank of the river Mahi from the Kolis and became the ruler of 120 villages in Samvat year 1335 (A.D. 1279). Subsequently, in Samvat year 1579 (A.D. 1523), the headquarters were shifted from Angadh to Jashpur, and later to Bahidhara in Samvat year 1733 (A.D. 1677). During the Mughal and Maratha invasions, many villages were taken away from the Thakores, some were given as Jiwai to Bhayats, and only a few were preserved as belonging to the state.

Predecessors

Lunkaranji. He once proceeded with his retinue on a pilgrimage to the sacred River Rewaji (Narmada). On his way there, he lay encamped near Vasad, on the bank of the Mahi. While resting, he heard a Brahmin, residing in the neighboring village of Angadh, then held by the Kolis, crying out, “Help! They are killing me!.” He called the Brahmin to his presence and asked him to narrate his account. With tears in his eyes, the Brahmin said, “Sire, you are the protector of cows and Brahmins. I have come to seek your protection against the oppression of the Koli chiefs of Angadh. I have a fair daughter, who is pronounced to be a Padmini, and a Koli named Bhikhamal wants to marry her against my wishes. Our honour and lives are now in your hands.” Brahmin placed his head at the Baghela’s feet, who consoled him by assuring him that the sword of a Kshatriya would never remain sheathed when required to protect the life and honour of a Brahmin. He asked him to return to his village and find a suitable husband for his daughter from their own caste. Under the pretext that he was willing to give his daughter to Bhikhamal, he should lay a trap. He would then follow in the morning and do what was necessary. Brahmin, glad at heart, returned to Angadh and made all preparations for the marriage. Bhikhamal was asked to proceed to the bride’s house the next morning with his friends and relations. At the appointed hour, Lunkaranji, with his comrades, entered Angadh. They killed Bhikhamal and 250 of his associates, then married the Brahmin’s daughter to a groom from her own community. Lunkaranji retained possession of Angadh and, by building a strong wall around the village, extended his conquest to the neighboring villages. He established an independent principality with Angadh as his capital.
Lagadhirji
Pragji
Prathamsinhji
Seshamalji
Jodhaji
Gajsinhji
Vijaypalji
Hamirji
Gangji,
Arjunji
Udaibhanji
Bharmalji I
Bhojrajji
Mirji
Kesarisinhji
Karanji
Vajesinhji
Sarangji
Sakhraji
Sultanji I
Bharmalji II
Bhupalji
Akheraji
Bhikharji
- Ajoji
  - Sarangji, died childless during his father’s life-time.
  - Khetaji
    - Kikoji. He embraced Islam at the insistence of the Emperor, who granted him a rich appanage, allowing him to retain possession of Angadh.
    - Prathamsinhji. He removed his seat of government to Jaspur, a village a few miles south of Angadh. He erected a fortification and began ruling there from the year 1483.
      - Jaisinhji
        
        Pragji
        
        Adesinhji, died 1565.
        
        Prithviraj I
        
        Sultanji II
        
        Gajsinhji
        
        Dalpatsinhji
        
        Prithviraj II. In 1677, he proceeded to Bahidhara, where he erected a strong fortress on a naturally elevated site, overlooking the high banks of the river Mahi. Under the protection of this stronghold, he safeguarded his small kingdom until his death in 1720.
        
        Sardarsinhji, died 1732.
        
        Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri Adesinhji (qv)
        
        Jaisinhji, granted a maintenance allowance from the village of Jashpur
        
        Jaswantsinhji
        
        Chandoji
        
        Hathiji
        
        Meloji
        
        Makanji
        
        Malji, received 400 bighas of soil from the village of Jashpur
        
        Ranchhodji, obtained several tracts of land, lying about the villages of Vadsar, Makarpura, Samiyala, Naugamu and Virode
        
        Karansinhji
        
        Chhangji, had issue, three sons, who obtained for their maintenance thirty bighas of land from Bhadarva, 24 bighas from the village of Jashpur and twelve from Namisara. They were also granted some lands in Bill, Karali and Chansad, together with ten Chikasi ‘coins, then current, which were awarded to each of them for their subsistence.
        
        Tejsinhji
        
        Agoji
        
        Rupoji, granted a maintenance allowance from the village of Lasundra
        
        Jagtoji
        
        Sur Dasji
        
        Viramji
        
        Ratansinhji, received villages of Amla, Sejakuvo and Itola for his maintenance
        
        Samarsinhji
        
        Raghav Dasji
        
        Ramsinhji
        
        Govid Dasji, obtained the village of Poicha in perpetual grant to cover the expenses of his living
        
        Krishna Dasji, received only fixed annual charges for his maintenance
        
        Kalyan Malji, received only fixed annual charges for his maintenance
        
        Har Dasji, received only fixed annual charges for his maintenance
        
        Asaji, obtained for his maintenance the village of Undera
  - Vinchhij
    - Jhanjanji, obtained 18 villages, including Sherkhi, for the maintenance of himself and his descendants.
- Hingolji, obtained from his brother Ajoji 18 villages for his maintenance.
Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri ADESINHJI, Thakore Saheb of Bhadarwa, ascended the gadi in 1732, quarreled with his mother, and shifted the Gadi to Bhadarwa. He died 1781.
- Shrimant Meherban Rana Shri Dalpatsinhji Adesinhji (qv)
Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri DALPATSINHJI ADESINHJI, Thakore Saheb of Bhadarwa, ascended the gadi in 1781. He died 1783.
- Shrimant Meherban Rana Pratapsinhji Dalpatsinhji (qv)
Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri PRATAPSINHJI ADESINHJI, Thakore Saheb of Bhadarwa, married (i) Thakorani Takhatba, (ii) Thakorani Surajba. He died in Samvat 1881, A.D. 1825, without leaving any male issue, and hence a dispute about succession arose between Jamalsinhji and Sardarsinhji, the two adopted son of the widows of the deceased Thakore.
- (A) Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri Jamalsinhji (adopted by Thakorani Takhatba) (qv)
- (A) Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri Sardarsinhji (adopted by Thakorani Surajba) (qv)
Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri JAMALSINHJI, Thakore Saheb of Bhadarwa. Thakorani Takhatba, who had adopted Jamalsinhji, sought protection under the Baroda Government. Taking advantage of the situation, the Baroda Government secured additional rights regarding tribute and recognized Jamalsinhji as the rightful claimant to the Gadi. During the period of the quarrel between him and Sardarsinhji, the tribute payable to the Baroda Government had fallen in arrears, and as a consequence, the state was taken under management by the Baroda Government. He married and had adoptive issue. He died in 1840 AD.
- (A) Vajesinhji. He fought for succession, but the British government did not recognize him and declared Sardarsinhji as the rightful claimant.
  - Pratapsinhji
Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri SARDARSINHJI, Thakore Saheb of Bhadarwa, born 1812. When Sardarsinhji secured Bhadarwa with the assistance of the Baroda Government, he went into outlawry with large bands of followers. He successfully besieged the village of Vankaner but was compelled to lift the siege due to the timely arrival of British troops. Afterwards, he concealed himself in the inaccessible ravines on the banks of the Mahi. From this hiding place, he occasionally surprised the nearby villages and plundered the ryots. He continued this conflict until finally, in 1833-34, the two rival contenders referred their disputes to arbitration, and the estate of Bhadarva was divided between them. According to the arbitration, Bhadarwa remained in the possession of Jalamsinhji, while Sardarsinhji received the estate of Vankaner. After Jamalsinhji died, the British government recognized and declared Sardarsingji as the rightful claimant to the gadi of Bhadarwa, thereby making him the sole ruler of the entire state. However, the attachment on the state by the Baroda government due to arrears of tribute remained in force and was later lifted only under pressure from the British government. The administration of the state, however, continued under the British government for some time due to the outstanding tribute arrears. He married and had issue. He died in the year 1879.
- Shrimant Meherban Rana Shri Adesinhji Sardarsinhji (qv)
- Shrimant Meherban Rana Shri Fatehsinhji Sardarsinhji (qv)
- Shrimant Meherban Rana Shri Amarsinhji Sardarsinhji (qv)
Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri ADESINHJI SARDARSINHJI, Thakore Saheb of Bhadarwa 1879/1888.
Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri FATEHSINHJI SARDARSINHJI, Thakore Saheb of Bhadarwa 1888/1912, born 29^th October 1847, succeeded 26^th January 1888, married and had issue. He enjoyed first-class magisterial powers, which entitled him to impose punishments of up to two years’ rigorous imprisonment and fines of up to 1,000 rupees. In civil suits, his powers were unlimited. He died in the year 1912.
- HH Maharani Vijay Kunwarba Sahiba, born 1890, married 1909 (separated 1912), Major HH Maharana Shri Maharaja Shri Raj Sir Ghanshyamsinhji Ajitsinhji Sahib Bahadur of Dhrangadhra. She died 1963.
Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri AMARSINHJI SARDARSINHJI, Thakore Saheb of Bhadarwa 1912/1918, regularly installed on the Gadi by the Political Agent. He died soon after his investiture of the full powers of the State.
- Shivsinhji Fatehsinhji alias Bapu Saheb
- Shrimant Meherban Rana Shri Ranjitsinhji Fatehsinhji (qv)
Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri RANJITSINHJI AMARSINHJI, Thakore Saheb of Bhadarwa 1918/1935, born 2^nd October 1875, succeeded 14^th December 1917; married and had issue.
- Shrimant Rana Shri Natwarsinhji Ranjitsinhji (qv)
- SAVRUPSINHJI RANJITSINHJI, born 27^th December 1908, educated at Talukdari School at Godhra
  - MAHIPALSINHJI SAVRUPSINHJI
    - BHAGVATSINHJI MAHIPALSINHJI
      - JASPALSINHJI BHAGVATSINHJI
      - BHARGAVSINHJI BHAGVATSINHJI
    - SUKHADEVSINHJI MAHIPALSINHJI
Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri NATWARSINHJI RANJITSINHJI, Thakore Saheb of Bhadarwa 1935/1950, born 19^th November 1903, succeeded to the gadi 26^th April 1935, educated at the Rajkumar College at Rajkot, married Jijiraj Kunverba and had issue. He died 7^th October 1950.
- Shrimant Thakore Saheb Rana Shri Samarvijaysinhji Natwarsinhji (qv)
Shrimant Meherban Namdar Rana Shri SAMARVIJAYSINHJI NATWARSINHJI, Thakore Saheb of Bhadarwa 1950/-, born 21^st October 1942, succeeded to the gadi 8^th October 1950,, married and has issue.
- Kumari Reena Kumari, married Kunwar Dhrupad Singh of Nawalgarh – Pana 3, and has issue, two daughters.
  - Baiji Lal Hershini Kumari
  - Baiji Lal Darshini Kumari

Other Members

Kumar Shri Jhalamsinhji Pratapsinhji, married and had issue.
- Kumar Shri Takhatsinhji Jhalamsinhji, married and had issue.
  - Kumari Shri Majirajba Sahiba, married 1871, Yuvaraj Jaswantsinhi Mansinhji of Dhrangadhra.
- HH Rani Baijiba Sahiba [Rup Kunwarba], married 1851, HH Raj Sahib Mansinhji II Ranmalsinhji of Dhrangadhra, and had issue.
Kumar Shri Jagdevji Kanaksinhji, educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot (1964).
HH Rani Baiji Kunwarba Sahiba, married (as his second wife), HH Raj Sahib Mansinhji II Ranmalsinhji of Dhrangadhra.
Rani Karniba Sahiba, married (as his ninth wife), Raj Sahib Pratapsinhji Jaswantsinhji of Dhrangadhra.