Saurashtra State
Encyclopedia
Saurashtra State also known as United State of Kathiawar was a separate State within Union of India from 1948 till 1956 with Rajkot as its Capital.
The Saurashtra State was earlier named as United State of Kathiawar. It was formed on 15 February 1948, out of approximately 200 large and small Princely States of Kathiawar Agency
of British era.
The name of State was given after the Kathiawar
and Saurahstra region both of which, generally denote to same geographical region of lands of peninsula of Gujarat.
It was largely due to efforts and statesmanship of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
and influence of Mahatma Gandhi
that most of the States of Kathiawar had agreed to join Union of India and sign Instrument of Accession
. The exercise took up a lot of time of Vallabhbhai Patel to meet and convince the local princes and petty suba
s, totaling 222 in Saurashtra region alone.
Among these Kathiawar Agency were 14 Salute Princely State, 17 Non-Salute Princely States, 191 petty Principalities and 46 Estates. Most of the Rulers of the Kathiawar States entered into a Covenant for the formation of the United States of Kathiawar on the 24th January 1948.
The large Kathiawar peninsula consisted of some prominent Princely States of India like the Baroda State
, Nawanagar State, Bhavnagar State, Wadhwan
, Porbandar
, Idar
, Dhrangadhra State, Rajpipla
, Cambay, Gondal
, Morvi
, Wankaner
, Baria
, Dharampur, Dhrol
, Limbdi
, Rajkot, Palitana
, Sachin and many others.
Among the States of Kathiawar, Baroda State
, which was third largest Princely State of India having its territories scattered over Dwarka
in West of Kathiawar to Bombay in South; did not sign Covenant for the formation of the United States of Kathiawar. But instead the erstwhile Maharaja of Baroda, Pratap Singh Gaekwad declared a full responsible Government on September 4, 1948, under Jivraj Narayan Mehta
, as Prime Minister of the State, as per scheme envisioned by Sardar Patel. The Baroda State later merged it self into Bombay State
on May 1, 1949.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel inaugurated the United State of Kathiawar on 15 February, 1948. On this occasion he paid tribute to Jam Sahib and the other rulers of erstwhile Princely States of Kathiawar, saying:-
The Jam Sahib
K. S. Digvijaysinhji of Nawanagar State one of the chief negotiator from the side of rulers of Kathiawar in his reply observed and said:-
Jawaharlal Nehru
described the event as a great step forward and one of the most notable in contemporary Indian history. He further commended the statesmanship of Sardar Patel and further wrote in his letter to provincial chief ministers on February 20, 1948:-
Upon formation of United State of Kathiawar, Lord Mountbatten also congratulated Sardar Patel, saying :-
However, it was sad that Mahatma Gandhi was not alive by that time to see his dream of whole of Kathiawar getting united under one umbrella.
Even after creation of United States of Kathiawar, there were some patches of lands in Kathiawar belonging to princely states of Junagadh
, Mangrol
, Manavadar
and others, which did not join the convention and were lingering over joining Pakistan
. It was later after integration of Junagadh in to Union of India that a referendum was held and Junagadh, Mangrol, Manavadar, Babariawad and others became a legal part of India. However, due to some technicalities, these territories even after referendum remained under an Executive Council of popular representatives of Junagadh lead by Samaldas Gandhi
, for some time, who assisted the administrator appointed by Government of India in managing affairs of these states.
In November 1948, the United State of Kathiawar was renamed the United State of Saurashtra or Saurashtra State, when a supplementary covenant was negotiated and executed by the Rulers of States merged into United State of Kathiawar. Once the Saurashtra Union came into existence, a second supplementary covenant was executed in January 1949, providing the integration of Junagadh with Saurashtra. A few days later on 20th February 1949, the administration of Junagadh State and also that of Mangrol
, Manavadar
, Babariawad
, Bantva
and Sardargarh
were officially handed over to Saurashtra Government.
of the State.
, Saurashtra State, Marathwada
& Vidarbha
, while a southern portion was excluded, which went to Karnataka
.
The Bombay State
was again dissolved on 1st May, 1960 to be carved in to two separate State of Maharashtra
& Gujarat created on linguistic basis. With it the area of Saurashtra State again became a geographically defined region Saurashtra within State of Gujarat.
History
Kathiawar Agency
The Kathiawar Agency, on the Kathiawar peninsula in the western part of the Indian subcontinent, was a political unit of some 200 small princely states under the suzerainty of the Bombay Presidency of British India. Soon after India's independence in 1947, all but one of them acceded to the new...
of British era.
The name of State was given after the Kathiawar
Kathiawar
Kathiawar or Kathiawad is a peninsula in western India, which is part of the Saurashtra region on the Arabian Sea coast of Gujarat state. It is bounded on the north by the great wetland of the Rann of Kutch, on the northwest by the Gulf of Kutch, on the west and south by the Arabian Sea, and on...
and Saurahstra region both of which, generally denote to same geographical region of lands of peninsula of Gujarat.
It was largely due to efforts and statesmanship of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel was an Indian barrister and statesman, one of the leaders of the Indian National Congress and one of the founding fathers of India...
and influence of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
that most of the States of Kathiawar had agreed to join Union of India and sign Instrument of Accession
Instrument of Accession
The Instrument of Accession was a legal document created in 1947 to enable each of the rulers of the princely states under British suzerainty to join one of the new dominions of India or Pakistan created by the Partition of British India.-Background:...
. The exercise took up a lot of time of Vallabhbhai Patel to meet and convince the local princes and petty suba
Suba
-Groups of people:*Suba , a people of Kenya**Suba language*Suba , a people of Tanzania-Individual people:*Suba , Mitar Subotić, a Serbian-Brazilian musician*Mihai Șubă, Romanian chess grandmaster-Places:...
s, totaling 222 in Saurashtra region alone.
Among these Kathiawar Agency were 14 Salute Princely State, 17 Non-Salute Princely States, 191 petty Principalities and 46 Estates. Most of the Rulers of the Kathiawar States entered into a Covenant for the formation of the United States of Kathiawar on the 24th January 1948.
The large Kathiawar peninsula consisted of some prominent Princely States of India like the Baroda State
Baroda State
Baroda State was an Indian princely state in present-day Gujarat, ruled by the Gaekwad dynasty from its formation in 1721 until 1947 when it succeed to newly formed, India. With the city of Baroda as its capital, during the British Raj it was part of the Baroda Residency...
, Nawanagar State, Bhavnagar State, Wadhwan
Wadhwan
Wadhwan is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.-Demographics: India census, Wadhwan had a population of 61,739. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Wadhwan has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of...
, Porbandar
Porbandar
Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
, Idar
Idar (princely state)
Idar State or Edar, was a native state of India, which formed part of the Mahi Kantha agency, within the Gujarat Division of Bombay. It has an area of 1669 m²., and a population of 168,557, showing a decrease of 44% in the decade as the result of famine. Estimated gross revenue, £29,000; tribute...
, Dhrangadhra State, Rajpipla
Rajpipla
Rajpipla is a city and a municipality in the Narmada district in the Indian state of Gujarat.It was the capital of the former Kingdom of Rajpipla.-Geography:Rajpipla is located at . It has an average elevation of 148 metres ....
, Cambay, Gondal
Gondal
Gondal is a city and a municipality in Rajkot district in the Indian state Gujarat. Gondal state was one of the eight first class princely states of Kathiawar Agency during Bombay Presidency...
, Morvi
Morvi
Morvi or Morbi is a city and a municipality in Rajkot district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was a Princely State ruled by Jadeja clan of Rajputs until Indian independence in 1947. It is situated on the Kathiawar peninsula. , the city's population was determined to be 73,327. Its chief...
, Wankaner
Wankaner
Wankaner is a city and a municipality in Rajkot district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Wankaner has thorny plantation in the area !-Geography:Wankaner is located at . It has an average elevation of 81 metres ....
, Baria
Baria
Devgadh Baria is a municipality in Dohad district in the state of Gujarat, India. It is a small town nestled in the foothills on the eastern border of Gujarat State. It was established in 1782. The state was ruled by Chauhan kings until it merger with the Union of India...
, Dharampur, Dhrol
Dhrol
Dhrol is a city and a municipality in Jamnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India.-History:Jadeja dynasty ruled over the Saurastra since 450 years above,the Hardhrolji and Jamravalji came from the Kutch. They spread huge Jadeja state in Saurastra. Dhrol was the second class state in...
, Limbdi
Limbdi
Limbdi is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Limbdi has a proud place in women's education. It is home to Lady Wellingdon Girls School, now Municipal school number 3. This school was established in Limbdi on 1 March 1859 when India had hardly any...
, Rajkot, Palitana
Palitana
Palitana is a city in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India. It is located 50 km southwest of Bhavnagar city and is a major pilgrimage centre for Jains.-History:...
, Sachin and many others.
Among the States of Kathiawar, Baroda State
Baroda State
Baroda State was an Indian princely state in present-day Gujarat, ruled by the Gaekwad dynasty from its formation in 1721 until 1947 when it succeed to newly formed, India. With the city of Baroda as its capital, during the British Raj it was part of the Baroda Residency...
, which was third largest Princely State of India having its territories scattered over Dwarka
Dwarka
Dwarka also spelled Dvarka, Dwaraka, and Dvaraka, is a city and a municipality of Jamnagar district in the Gujarat state in India. Dwarka , also known as Dwarawati in Sanskrit literature is rated as one of the seven most ancient cities in the country...
in West of Kathiawar to Bombay in South; did not sign Covenant for the formation of the United States of Kathiawar. But instead the erstwhile Maharaja of Baroda, Pratap Singh Gaekwad declared a full responsible Government on September 4, 1948, under Jivraj Narayan Mehta
Jivraj Narayan Mehta
Dr Jivraj Narayan Mehta was the first Chief Minister of Gujarat. He was born on 29 August 1887 to Narayan and Jamakben Mehta in Amreli in Bombay Presidency. He was son-in-law of Manubhai Mehta, then Dewan of Baroda state.-Early life and education:...
, as Prime Minister of the State, as per scheme envisioned by Sardar Patel. The Baroda State later merged it self into Bombay State
Bombay State
The Bombay State was a state of India, dissolved with the formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat states on May 1, 1960.-History:During British rule, portions of the western coast of India under direct British rule were part of the Bombay Presidency...
on May 1, 1949.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel inaugurated the United State of Kathiawar on 15 February, 1948. On this occasion he paid tribute to Jam Sahib and the other rulers of erstwhile Princely States of Kathiawar, saying:-
The Jam Sahib
Jam Sahib
Jam Sahib is the title of the ruling prince of Nawanagar, now known as Jamnagar, an Indian princely state. The Jam Sahibs were from the Jam Jadeja clan , who are a branch of Samma Rajput...
K. S. Digvijaysinhji of Nawanagar State one of the chief negotiator from the side of rulers of Kathiawar in his reply observed and said:-
Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru , often referred to with the epithet of Panditji, was an Indian statesman who became the first Prime Minister of independent India and became noted for his “neutralist” policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India’s independence movement in the...
described the event as a great step forward and one of the most notable in contemporary Indian history. He further commended the statesmanship of Sardar Patel and further wrote in his letter to provincial chief ministers on February 20, 1948:-
Upon formation of United State of Kathiawar, Lord Mountbatten also congratulated Sardar Patel, saying :-
However, it was sad that Mahatma Gandhi was not alive by that time to see his dream of whole of Kathiawar getting united under one umbrella.
Even after creation of United States of Kathiawar, there were some patches of lands in Kathiawar belonging to princely states of Junagadh
Junagadh
Junagadh is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat. The city is located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355 km south west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. The city is in western India. Literally translated,...
, Mangrol
Mangrol
Mangrol is a city and a municipality in Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat.-Geography:Mangrol is located at . It has an average elevation of 18 metres .-Demographics:...
, Manavadar
Manavadar
Manavadar is a city and a municipality in Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat.-Accession of Manavadar to India:*1733 Manavadar state founded.*1818 British protectorate....
and others, which did not join the convention and were lingering over joining Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. It was later after integration of Junagadh in to Union of India that a referendum was held and Junagadh, Mangrol, Manavadar, Babariawad and others became a legal part of India. However, due to some technicalities, these territories even after referendum remained under an Executive Council of popular representatives of Junagadh lead by Samaldas Gandhi
Samaldas Gandhi
Samaldas Gandhi was an Indian freedom fighter who headed the Aarzi Hukumat or Temporary Government of the erstwhile princely state of Junagadh.-Early life:...
, for some time, who assisted the administrator appointed by Government of India in managing affairs of these states.
In November 1948, the United State of Kathiawar was renamed the United State of Saurashtra or Saurashtra State, when a supplementary covenant was negotiated and executed by the Rulers of States merged into United State of Kathiawar. Once the Saurashtra Union came into existence, a second supplementary covenant was executed in January 1949, providing the integration of Junagadh with Saurashtra. A few days later on 20th February 1949, the administration of Junagadh State and also that of Mangrol
Mangrol
Mangrol is a city and a municipality in Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat.-Geography:Mangrol is located at . It has an average elevation of 18 metres .-Demographics:...
, Manavadar
Bantva Manavadar
Bantva-Manavadar was a princely state founded in 1760 on the Kathiawar peninsula in Gujarat, India. It had an area of approximately 574 km², and contained 26 primarily Muslim villages...
, Babariawad
Babariawad
Babariawad was a small principality under suzerainty of the Princely State of Junagadh. During British India, Babariawad, named after Babaria Rajputs, was the eastern most district of Princely State of Junagadh, in south central Kathiawar...
, Bantva
Bantva
Bantva, Bantwa is a small town in Kathiawar, a former district of the state of Gujarat in India.-Geography:Bantva is located at 21° 28' 60N and 70° 4' 60E, at an altitude of 20 meters. Nearby towns are Nanadiya, Limbuda, Manavadar, Vanthali, Junagadh, Keshod, Visavadar, Kutiyana, Dhoraji,...
and Sardargarh
Sardargarh Bantva
Sardargardh Bantva was a princely state founded in 1760 on the Kathiawar peninsula in Gujarat, India. It had an area of approximately 186 km², and contained 13 primarily Muslim villages. Upon independence in 1947, the princely states were forced to join either India or Pakistan...
were officially handed over to Saurashtra Government.
Rajpramukhs
The following persons served as RajpramukhRajpramukh
Rajpramukh was an administrative title in India which existed from India's independence in 1947 until 1956. Rajpramukhs were the appointed governors of certain of India's provinces and states....
of the State.
- Krishnakumarsinhji BhavsinhjiKrishna Kumarasingh BhavasinghKrishna Kumarsinhji Bhavsinhji was an Indian monarch and politician who ruled as the last Maharaja of Bhavnagar State from 1919 to 1948 and also served as the first Indian Governor of Madras from 1948 to 1952.-Early life:...
, the last ruler of Bhavnagar State was acting Rajpramukh from June 1948 till December 1948.
- He was succeded by Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, the Jam SahibJam SahibJam Sahib is the title of the ruling prince of Nawanagar, now known as Jamnagar, an Indian princely state. The Jam Sahibs were from the Jam Jadeja clan , who are a branch of Samma Rajput...
and last ruler of NawanagarNawanagarNavanagar was an Indian princely state, in Kathiawar region, situated on the south of the Gulf of Kutch. It was ruled by the Jadeja dynasty from its formation in c 1540 until 1948 when it succeed to newly formed, India. The district is now known as Jamnagar. It had an area of and a population...
, who worked as Rajpramukh from 1948 till 1956
- Mayurdwajsinhji Meghrajji III the last ruler of Dhrangadhra StateDhrangadhraDhrangadhra is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the state of Gujarat, India. During the period of the British Raj, the city was the capital of Dhrangadhra state, one of the eight first-class princely states of the Kathiawar Agency in the Bombay Presidency.-History:Dhrangadhra...
was appointed as Upa-Rajpramukh alias Deputy Rajapramukh, who served as acting Rajpramukh during absence of Rajpramukh. He worked as Uprajpramukh from 1948 till 1956.
Chief Minister
- Uchharangray Navalshankar DhebarU. N. DhebarUchharangrai Navalshankar Dhebar was active in India's struggle for Independence, and later served as Chief Minister of Saurashtra, and President of the Indian National Congress. As a freedom fighter and right hand to Gandhiji, Dhebar is one of the keys to helping India gain Independence from the...
acted as Chief Minister of State from 1948 till December 1954.
- Rasiklal Umedchand Parikh was second and last Chief Minister of State from December 1954 till 1956.
Dissolution
On 1st November, 1956, Saurashtra State ceased to exist as a State and became a part of Bombay State, territory of which was enlarged on that day to include Kutch StateKutch State
Kutch State was a state within the Republic of India from 1950 to 1956. Its capital was Bhuj.The state's territory now forms a district within the Indian state of Gujarat.-History:...
, Saurashtra State, Marathwada
Marathwada
The name Marathwada identifies one of the five regions in Maharashtra state of India. The region coincides with the Aurangabad Division.-Historical highlights:...
& Vidarbha
Vidarbha
Vidarbha is the eastern region of Maharashtra state made up of Nagpur Division and Amravati Division. Its former name is Berar . It occupies 31.6% of total area and holds 21.3% of total population of Maharashtra...
, while a southern portion was excluded, which went to Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
.
The Bombay State
Bombay State
The Bombay State was a state of India, dissolved with the formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat states on May 1, 1960.-History:During British rule, portions of the western coast of India under direct British rule were part of the Bombay Presidency...
was again dissolved on 1st May, 1960 to be carved in to two separate State of Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
& Gujarat created on linguistic basis. With it the area of Saurashtra State again became a geographically defined region Saurashtra within State of Gujarat.