Kathiawar Agency

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Kathiawar (1909, Barodas possessions in yellow)

The 60,488 km² Kathiawar Agency was an administrative grouping of Indian princely states at the time of colonial rule on the peninsula of the same name . It bordered the Palanpur Agency , Rewa Kantha Agency and Baroda to the east . The administrative structure was characterized by the fact that there were a large number of very small rulers whose territories were often still fragmented. The population was in 1872: 2,318,642, 1881: 2,343,899, 1891: 2,752,404, after the devastating famine it decreased in the following decade to 2,329,196 (−16%), to 3½- by the time of independence in 1947. 4 million to grow.

history

The Marathas rule in Gujarat began in 1705 and was consolidated in a period of small wars until 1760. The Maharajas of Baroda and the Peshwa , as elsewhere, regularly sent an army to collect tributes ( mulk-giri ). In 1803, some princes sought protection from the British for the first time. After a military campaign in 1807/8, the English Colonel Walker pushed through a settlement in which the rulers undertook to keep peace among themselves and, on the other hand, to pay a certain tribute without this being driven by armed men.

The "independence" of the individual areas was defined by their obligations to pay tribute , fight pirates and the suppression of infanticide of girls, which had been specified in the "Walker Settlement". Tributes were given to the British, the Gaekwar , i.e. the Maharaja of Baroda, Junagadh (= Junagarh) or, in individual cases, other states. In 1817 the claims of the Peshwa passed to the East India Company, two years later they also took over the collection of tributes in the name of Barodas. In 1820, the states undertook to buy and sell only British monopoly opium.

Of the "sovereign" territories that existed in 1807, about 80 were merged into others by 1876, and more new ones were formed due to the division of inheritance common among the Rajputs , so that 418 units can be assumed for the year. Even the areas of the more important states were divided into several patches of land, such as Nawanagar 9, Gondal 18 and Junagadh 24 particles. Baroda also had numerous exclaves. Overall, the larger princely states owned 3/4 of the area. The Portuguese possession Diu , which was occupied by India in 1961, was on an offshore island . The lowest classes were called Girassia, who had received their lands from a ruler in return for military successes . Bhayad were territories that passed through inheritance to younger sons of Rajput princes.

The agency was formed in 1924 as part of the Western India States Agency from the Kathiawar, Kutch and Palanpur Agencies. This then merged with the Baroda, Western India and Gujarat Agency . At that time Kathiawar comprised only 134 tiny states with their own jurisdiction. At the time of independence there were 449 “sovereign” administrative units, including 13 princely states entitled to salute, 107 (? 113) states with certain classes of jurisdiction and 329 domains ( estate ) without jurisdiction.

On Feb. 16, 1948, the United State of Kathiawar ( Saurashtra State ) was established. The rulers ceded their sovereign rights to the Indian Union and became constitutional masters. They remained politically represented in the five-member Presidium of Rulers, to which the Rajas of Nawanagar and Bhavnagar automatically belonged. At the same time a constituent assembly was created. This state became part of the state of Bombay in 1956 and became part of Gujarat when it was divided in 1960.

organization

From 1822 the area was under a political agent. Administratively, the area was under the government of the Bombay Presidency . Originally Kathiawar was divided into ten districts ( prant ). In 1863 the states, at that time still 188, were divided into seven classes, which essentially differed in the extent to which the respective gentleman was allowed to exercise jurisdiction. Up until now the agent was only a diplomat as a political advisor, but since 1831 there was a higher court for capital crimes subordinate to him. In the same year, the number of districts in four has been reduced, in the main town now each a political agent with deputies ( deputy ) was stationed. These now also had the function of judges of the lower level. There was also a Superintendent of Managed Estates, who with his assistants also belonged to the Indian Civil Service (ICS). A special court, the Rajasthanik Court , which existed from 1873 to 1899 , regulated questions of princely succession, tribute, land and tax disputes. The salt tax was not levied in Kathiawar; there was an external customs border with British India from 1905–1917 ( Viragam Line ). The states of Junagarh (after 1893 only copper coins were struck) and some others had the coin rack.

By 1900 there were 193 states with jurisdiction, of which 146 were talukas that were controlled by 12 lower-ranking officials the thanadars . Of the 193, 12 did not pay tribute to anyone, 105 paid to the British (1903/4: Rs 700,000; B), 79 to Baroda (Rs 290,000; G) and 134 to Junagarh (Rs 92,400; J). For the smallest Talukas grouped in Thana Circles , not even the otherwise very precise statistical records of the colonial rulers provide further information.

The British Indian Army had a regiment stationed in Rajkot, the larger states often kept a bodyguard called an "army" for the Raja, they also provided some mounted Imperial Service Troops. In 1903 there were just under 1,000 police officers paid by the Agency, and the states maintained a further, 5378.

In 1858 there were 59 schools with 1,909 students, this number rose to 1,200 by 1903, of which 224 were private, 42 middle schools and 11 high schools, with over 80,000 students, 10,000 of them girls. The number of residents who could read and write was 9.7% in 1903, a value that was above average at the time. The Keatinge Rajkumar College in Rajkot and the Gondal Girasia School took care of the sons and daughters of the princes.

Districts

Administrative structure after the reorganization in 1873, with population size 1901:

Tahna Circles

The 12 Thana Circles (area in km²) were: Babra (771), Songadh (211.5), Chamardi (186), Chok (268), Lodhika (684), Dharfa (537), Wadhwan thana (508), Chotila (949), Bhoika (462), Paliyad (586), Lakhapadar (353), Bagasra (230).

Civil Stations

The British leased three civil stations, which they used as trading centers (residents 1901): Wadhwan CS (11,255), Rajkot CS (8,992), Jetalsar CS (4.63).

Note: The lists are incomplete. Diacritical marks are not given.

Gohelwar Prant, 10,862 km²

Country (class) Area (km²) Population (thousand) Taxes (thousand Rs .; tribute to) Ruler title
notes
flag Bhavnagar (1st)
(= Bhaunagar) 		7,669 1941: 575 395 (B, G, J)
Coat of arms (1893)
Thakur Sahib, Salut: 13; 1918: Mahraja. see main article.
Palitana (2.) 745 1891: 49, 1941: 62.1 1903: 641 (G, J), 1941: 821 Thakur, Salut: 9; Near the capital is an important Jain sanctuary , Mount Satrunjaya.
Jasdan (3.) 730 1891: 29; 1901: 25.7; 1941: 36.6 123 (> 10 B, G) Darbar Śri. 1890-1900 12% starved to death. Another 33.5 km² were not subject to jurisdiction. Own postage stamps 1942. See main article.
Vala (3rd)
(= Wala, = Vallabhipur) 		281 (? 1941: 492) 1891: 17; 1901: 13.2; 1921: 11.4 225 (G, J) Thakur. 23% starved from 1891-1901.
Lāthi (4.) 108 1891: 6.8; 1901: 8.8; 1941: 9.4 1903: 137 (G, J); 1941: 162 Thakur. Founded around 1260. Colonial rulers: 1) Lakhaji Jijibawa, r. 1750- ?, 2) Dajiraji Lakhaji, 3) Takhtsimhji Lakhaji, r.?-1878, 4) Sursimhji Takhtsimhji, * 1875, r. 1878, † 1900, whose 5-year-old son Saliwahan was adopted in 1891 as ruler of Jaisalmer ; 5) Pratapsimhji Sursimhji, * 1891, r. June 10, 1900, † October 4, 1918, 6) Prahladsinhji Pratapsimhji, * 1912, r. October 14, 1918 - 1947, †?
Bhadli (6.) 16 villages 3 16 (B, J)
Itaria (6.) 2 villages 0.5 3 (B, J)
Kotra Pitha (6.) 13 villages 6.7 70 (B, J)
Vankia (6.) 3 villages 0.95 5 (B, J)
Kariana (7.) 9 villages 2.26 approx. 20 (B, J)

In this district the following Talukas had no jurisdiction (inhabitants 1901): Akadia (102), Alampur (497), Babra (7,417), Bhandaria (449), Bildi (388), Bhojavadar (764), Boda-no-nes (138 ), Chamardi (2168), Chiroda (247), Chitravav (246), Chok (1213), Datha (9425, 24 villages, 178 km²), Dedara (783), Derdi-Janbai (492), Dhola (261), Gadhali (1537), Gadhula (306), Gandhol (137), Javej (979), Jalia-Amaraji (444), Jalia-Manaji (236), Juna-Padar (143), Kamadhia (496), Kanjarda (313) , Katodia (347), Khijadia (391), Khijadia Dosaji (361), Limbda (2194, 4 villages), Morchopna (375), Nilvala (457), Pachhegam (3,655, 3 villages), Pah (273), Panchavada ( 287), Rajpara (552), Ramanka (470), Randhia (693), Ranigam (708), Ratanpur-Dharmaka (631), Robisala (411), Samadhiala (617), Samadhiala-Chabharia (1,273), Samadhiala-Charan (195), Sanala (416), Sata no nes (240), Shevdivadar (177), Songadh (2,031, 1 place), Toda Todi (380, 2 villages), Vadal (320), Vadod (814), Vanggadhra ( 582), Vavdi-Dharvala (2.007, 4 Villages), Vavdi-Vacchani (490, 3 villages), Vija no nes (193).

Halar Prant, 19,291 km²

Country (class) Area (km²) Population (thousand) Taxes (thousand Rs .; tribute to) Ruler title
notes
Gondal (2nd; 1888: 1st) 2,641 km² 1901: 163; 1941: 205 1903: 1.5 million (B, J)
1941: State revenue 5 million
Gondal coat of arms
Thakur Sahib, Salut: 11th dynasty of the same name founded by Kumbhoji I in 1634. In 1941 the state was free of taxes, duties, customs duties and excise duties. School attendance is also compulsory for girls. see main article
flag Morvi (1st) 2.118 1891: 90, 1901: 141 (B, G)
1941: 123 		1903: 710; 1941: 5.8 million Thakur Sahib, Salut: 11.
Nawanagar (1st) 9,771 1891: 316, 1941: 409 1903: 2.48 million (B, G, J);
1941: 9.7 million 		Jam Sahib, Salut: 15th submission, 1812
Dhrol (2.) 730 22nd 107 (G, J) Thakur Sahib, Salut: 9.
Rajkot (2.) 722 1872: 36.7, 1881: 46,
1891, 1901: 50, 1941: 75 		1891: approx. 300; 1903: 360 (21 B, J) Thakur Sahib, Salut: 9
flag Wankaner (2.) 1,068 1891: 30, 1931: 44 1903: 218 (B, J); 1941: 727 Ruler Descendants of Raisinhji, the founder of Dharanga.
Kotda Sangani
(= Kotra Sangani; 4th) 		191 1891: 8.6; 1901: 8.8 91 (B, J) Thakur.
Malia (4.) 266 1891: 11.2; 1901: 9 156 (1.3 G, J)
Virpur (4.) 171 1891: 5.3; 1901: 6.1;
1921: 6.7 		65 (B, J) Descendants of a younger son of Jam Vibhaji I of Nawanagar. 16 generations until 1947. Ruler during colonial times: Suraji II Surtanji (* 1846, r.1864, 4 sons, 2 daughters); Hamirsinhji Suraji (* 1876, r. Oct. 18, 1918, 1 son); Dilipsinhji Hamirsinhji († June 1945); Narendrasinhji Dilipsinhji (r. 1945-1947). Not to be confused with Vasan Virpur (Rewa Kantha Agency).
Gadhka (5th) 75 6.1 12.6 (B, J)
Gavridad (5.) 69⅔ 1891: 2.3; 1901: 1.9 24 (B, J)
Jalia Devani (5th) 93 2.44 16.3 (G)
Kotharia (5.) 6 villages 2.15 25.9 (BJ)
Mengni (5.) 90 3.3 29.8 (B) 8 villages
Pal (5.) 56 1.3 17.8 (B, J) 5 villages
Bhadva (6.) 4 villages 1.05 15.5 (B, J)
Rajpara (6.) 9 villages 1.88 13.6 (B, J)
Shahpur (6.) 4 villages 1.1 15.2 (B, J)
Khirasa (7.) 13 villages 3.1 15 (B, J)
Lodhika (7.) 12 villages 4.5 35 (B, J)
Vadali (7.) 1 village 0.4 6.4 (B, J)

The following Talukas had no jurisdiction in this district (residents 1901): Bhalgam Baldhoi (617), Drafa (8456, 24 villages), Kanksiali (224), Kanpar Ishwaria (1,365), Kotda Nayani (approx. 1,000), Mowa (247) , Mulila Deri (2,350, 7 villages), Satodad-Vavdi (2,790), Sisang Chandli (1756), Virvao (193).

Jhalawar Prant, 10,263 km²

Country (class) Area (km²) Population (thousand) Taxes (thousand Rs .; tribute to) Ruler title
notes
Dhrangadhra (1st) 2,982 about 100 443 (B, J) Raj Sahib (from 1918: Maharaja), Salut: 11 (from 1877: 15). State of Jhalawad founded in 1190 (alternatively: Kuwa, Halwad, Halwad-Dhrangadhra). Renamed Dhrangadhra to establish the new capital in 1735. The former Maharaja Mayurdwajsinhji Meghrajji was the last living Indian bearer of the Order of the Indian Empire .
Limbdi (= Limri; 2.) 887 43 (10% Muslims) 202 (B, J) Thakur Sahib, Salut: 9. Ruler Descendants of Raisinhji, the founder of Dharanga.
flag Wadhwan (2nd) 609 km² 1881: 43, 1891: 42, 1901: 35 (−18%) 375 (B, J) Not to be confused with the dwarf state of the same name in the Dangs . Own post and stamps until 1893. Ruler Descendants of Raisinhji, the founder of Dharanga.
Chuda (= Chura; 3rd) 201¼ 12.5 395 (B, J) Ruler Descendants of Raisinhji, the founder of Dharanga.
Lakhtar (3.) 640 15th 70 (B, J)
Sayla (3.) 572 11.6 66 (15.5 B, J) Ruler Descendants of Raisinhji, the founder of Dharanga. Thakurs since founding in 1751: Sheshmalji Raisinhji I (r. 1751–1794), 2) Vakhatsinhji Sheshmalji (r. 1794–1813), 3) Madarsinhji Vakhatsinhji I (r. 1813–1837) followed by 2nd son, 4) Sheshmalji Madarsinhji Ii, 5) Kesrisinhji Sheshmalji (r. 1839-1881, from 1884 Thakur Sahib ), 5) Vakhatsinhji Kesrisinhji (* July 10, 1845, r. Oct. 4, 1881, † Jan. 25, 1924) daughter 1884 one of the women des Rao von Kutch , 6) Madarsinhji Vakhatsinhji II, CSI (* May 28, 1868, r. 1924, † 1938), 7) Karansinhji Madarsinhji (* May 11, 1891, r. 1938–1947, † 1962).
Bajana (4.) 472 10.3 71 (B, J)
Muli (4.) 343 15.1 approx. 80 (B, J)
Patdi (4.) 100 2.2 88.2 (B) (The tax burden in 1901, including 85,000 property tax, appears extremely high, but the population is plausible.)
Vanod (5.) 147 3911 30.9 (B, J)
Anandpur (6.) 34 villages 5.06 31.9 (B, J, Sukhdi)
Bhoika (6.) 3 villages 3 approx. 20 (B, J)
Chotila (6.) 32 villages 6.6 41 (B, Sukhdi)
Dasada (6.) 310 km² 10.94 208.3 (B, Sukhdi)
Rai-Sankli (6.) 2 villages 0.427 6.6 (B, G)
Rajpur (6.) 3 villages 1.7 26.8 (B, J) Not to be confused with numerous other places with the same name.
Sanosa (6.) 3 villages 0.67 <5 (B, J, Sukhdi)
Vadod (6.) 3 villages 1.26 12 (B, J)
Zainabad 78 km² 3.4 (1931) Malek


The following talukas had no jurisdiction in this district (inhabitants 1901): Ankevalia (1,497, 3 villages), Bamanbore (847, 4 villages), Bhadyana (400), Bhalala (265), Bhalgamba (1,588), Bharejda (421), Bhathan (405), Bhimora (1,204, 11 villages), Chachana (459), Chhalala (557), Chobari (280, 3 villages), Darod (131; taxes 3,000 Rs.!), Devlia (494), Dudhrej (2,026) , Gedi (574), Gundiali (1,463), Jakhan (441), Jamar (289), Jhampodad (451), Jhinjhuvada with Rozva (11,732, 18 villages), Kamalpur (670), Kantharia (1573), Karmad (405) , Karol (981), Kesira (146), Khambhlav (852), Khandia (627), Kherali (1,638), Laliyad (753), Matra Timbla (352), Mevasa (619, 6 villages), Munjpur (436), Palali (320), Paliyad (6,970, 17 villages), Ramparda (299), Sahuka (801), Samla (916), Sejakpur (864, 4 villages), Sudamda-Dhandalpur (5,359, 27 villages), Talsana (1,691, 7 villages), Tavi (509), Untdi (240), Vana (2,749, 3 villages), Vanala (311), Vithalgadi (1,174, 67 km², 6 villages).

Sorat Prant, 13,460 km²

Country (class) Area (km²) Population (thousand) Taxes (thousand Rs .; tribute to) Ruler title
notes
flag Bhavnagar
(= Bhaunagar; 1.) 		7,669 1901: 412, 1941: 575 395000 (B, G, J) Thakur Sahib, Salut: 13, 1918: Maharaja. see main article
Junagarh (= Junagadh; 1.) 8,460 1891: 388; 1901: 395
1947: 545 		1901: 2.62 million (B, G); 1941: approx. 10 million Nawab, Salut: 11. Gegr. 1748, Protectorate 1807. Post sovereignty. Coin shelf, occasional copper impressions. [7] Last refuge of the Indian lion.
flag Porbandar (1.) 1,640 1891: 71, 1941: 139 1901: 947 (B, G, J); 1941: approx. 2.5 million Rana, Salut 11. 1808 Agreement to combat pirates. In the following year British control of the three ports. The last two Maharajas were both excellent cricketers and very active in the Chamber of Prices .
Jafarabad (part of Janjira; 1.) Janjira: 836
(of which 42 km² Jafarabad) 		1,891 Janjira: 76.3 (14 Muslims);
1901: 12.1 (Jafarabad only) 		61 (no tribute) Nawab, Salut: 9th ruling family comes from Abyssinian captains ( Habshi ) in the service of the ruler of Bijapur (around 1489), who had served Aurangzeb since 1670 .
Bantva Manavada (3rd) 1901: 232, 1941: 145 1901: 14.5, 1941: 7.83 1940: ø 240 Khan Śri.
Jetpur (3rd - 7th) total 1,867 107 929 (B, G, J) The rule was usually exercised by several, sometimes again only over individual domains; the division of the estate resulted in more and more fragmentation. Their common ancestor was Naja Desa, whose two sons Viro and Jeto founded the Virani and Jethani lines . Around 1900 there were 20 Talukdars, the most important were those of Jetpur-Devli (3rd class, 242 km², 1901 11,568 inhabitants in 21 villages), Jetpur-Vadia (1901: 185 km², 17 villages, 1940: 233 km²), Jetpur -Mulu Surag (4th grade; 1901: 6,708 in 16 villages), Jetpur-Naja Kala (= Bilkha, 4th; 186 km²). In 1921 there were 28 talukdars, in 1940 25, some sub-states and domains (around 1940): Champraj Jasa, 102 km²; Bhabhabhai Unad, 36 km²; Ebhal Vajsur 18 km²; Suryapratapgadh (= Jetpur-Punja) 60 km², Anida split off; Pithadia, 264 km².
Bantva Gidad (5th) 340.5 24.3 59 (B) Khan.
Dedan (5.) 129 4.4 59 (G, unamamuli)
Vasavad (5.) 44 5.14 18 (B) 4 villages
Bagasra (5.) 17 villages 17.34 120 (G, J)
Cuba (6.) 8th 0.414 3.3 (no tribute) 1 village
Vinchhavad (6.) 2 villages 1.52 4.1 (no tribute)

The following Talukas had no jurisdiction in this district (residents 1901): Charkha (1,519), Dahida (915), Dholvara (460), Gadhia (528), Garmali-Moti (385), Garmali-Nani (340), Gigasaran (582 ), Halaria (1,268, 4 villages), Jamka (601), Kaner (261), Kathrota (138), Khijadia Najani (156), Lakhapadar (544), Manavav (400), Monvel (1,967), Silana (774) , Vaghvadi (109), Vekari (593).

literature

  • Sir Charles Umpherston Aitchison: A collection of treaties engagements, and sanads relating to India and neighboring countries. Revised and continued up to the is June 1906; Calcutta 1909; 13 vols. therein Vol. VI, pt. 1: "Containing the treaties, etc., relating to Bombay presidency." Part i, Treaties, engagements and sanads relating to the Peshwa, Kathiawar agency, Palanpur agency, Mahi Kantha agency, and the Rewa Kantha agency ...
  • Imperial Gazetteer Of India . Oxford 1908 ( full text of the index on archive.org ; tabular overview in Vol. XV, S 165ff)
  • G. le Grand Jacob: Report on the General Condition of the Province of Katteawar in 1842 ...; Bombay 1845 (contains a [complete?] List of all small towns)
  • John McLeod: Sovereignty, Power, Control: Politics in the States of Western India, 1916-1947 . Leiden 1999
  • Harald Tambs-Hyche: Power, Profit and Poetry: Traditional Society in Kathiawar, Western India . New Delhi 1997.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Treaty of Poona, June 13, 1817
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Table: Imperial Gazetteer of India; Oxford 1908, Vol. XV, pp. 165ff.
  3. ^ A b C. S. Hunter: Imperial Gazetteer of India . London 1885, Vol. IV ( archive.org )
  4. ↑ Barbara N. Ramusack: The Indian Princes and Their States . In: New Cambridge History of India , Vol. III, 6, p. 73
  5. ^ IS Jehu (Ed.): India and Pakistan Year Book 1948 . Bombay, pp. 418ff, States in India and Pakistan .
  6. ↑ a b c d e conversion factor 2.58 per mile²; rounded.
  7. ↑ a b c d rounded 1901 census. various volumes of the Imperial Gazetteer; otherwise with the year
  8. ↑ a b c d Financial year 1903/4: British = B, Baroda = G, Junagarh = J
  9. ↑ a b c d Lethbridge, Roper; Golden Book of India; 1893
  10. ↑ see: British Crown & the Indian States; (1929), pp. 77-82.
  11. ↑ not to be confused with the state of the same name in the Caribbean or Quba / Cuba in Armenia . (see Cuba in the English language Wikipedia)

See also