Princely State of Chorangla

The Princely State of Chorangla was one of the well known princely states of India that was administered by a native prince under the guidance of the British authorities. The princely state was under the indirect control of the British Empire in India. The region covered a total area of 16 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 3,203 in the year 1941. The region of Chorangla was one of the 27 states which created the Sankheda Mehvassi, located on the banks of the Narbada (Narmada) River, in eastern Gujarat. Chorangla state was incorporated as a part of the previous Rewa Kantha Agency. The territory was situated towards the north of the other parts of the Sankheda Mehvassi region and constituted of 2 separate blocks of territory. The major area, which included Chorangla, was enclaved in Baroda, located slightly to the east of the Sankheda city.

The other block was a remote island, which was located 2 miles to the east; and comprised of the Bhelpur village. The region was bordered by Chhota Udepur (Udaipur) in the east and by Baroda on all other sides. The Princely State of Chorangla was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of the Western India States Agency. After the Indian independence, the state was merged with the modern Indian state of Gujarat.

The Rathor (Rathod) Rajputs were the ruling family of the state of Chorangla. During the latter half of the 19th century, the region of Chorangla was segmented into 6 parts, namely Chorangla (included 8 villages); Sarsauda (included 3 villages); Bhelpur (included 1 village); Time (included 2 villages); Vardle (included 2 villages); and Deroli (included 1 village). The succession of the royal throne of Chorangla state was governed by the rule of male primogeniture.

The Princely State of Chorangla was a non- jurisdictionary native state. The native ruler of the area held the title of Thakor and was invested with restricted personal jurisdictional authority. The territory paid and even received some amounts from the princely state of Chhota Udaipur. Further more, the princely state of Chorangla paid annual tribute to Baroda. The state of Chorangla was attached to Baroda according the plans set under the Attachment Scheme of 1943.

After the withdrawal of the British and the independence of India on 15th August 1947, the last native ruler of Chorangla, acceded his state to the newly formed Union of India, also known as the Dominion of India.