The Princely State of Bardia, also known as Barra, was amongst the former native states during the rule of the British Empire in India. In the early 19th century, the region was established as one of the princely states of India under the indirect rule of the British Government. The territory covered a total area of 7 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 571 in the year 1911. The taluka of Bardia was located in the district of Shajapur in Gwalior. The erstwhile princely state was incorporated as a part of the Central India Agency and was also a part of the former Gwalior Agency. Bardia state consisted of the villages of Bardia, Baori Khera and Barkheri, which were seized from Gwalior. The villages that the state held were not guaranteed.

History of Princely State of Bardia
The Khichi Chauhan Rajputs were the ruling family of the Princely State of Bardia or Barra. The native rulers of the region were descendants of the ruling family of Nimrana in the princely state of Alwar. The ruling family of Bardia established themselves in the state since the latter half of the 14th century. The tankadars of Dabri and Bichraud belonged to the same branch of the ruling family; those of Lalgarh, to another. The native ruler of Bardia state held the title of Thakor received Selim Sahi as guaranteed tanka payments from the princely states of Indore, Gwalior and Dewas. The rulers were styled as Rao. The succession of the throne or gadi of the princely state of Bardia was governed by the rule of male primogeniture was followed, through which the eldest child inherited the entire estate of one or both parents, to the exclusion of all others.

The Thakor of Bardia was in charge of the proper administration of the state and he also supervised the internal affairs. The native ruler took several progressive steps for the over all development of the region and the betterment of the people. The Resident of British India, also known as Political Agent, managed the relations of the state with the British authorities and other native states.

The princely state was acceded to the newly independent Union of India after the political withdrawal of the British Government of India from the country on 15th August 1947. After the country was divided between India and Pakistan, the native rulers were given the choice of acceding to either the Dominion of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The native ruler of Bardia state decided to accede to the Republic of India.