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The Princely State of Kaner was amongst the well known erstwhile princely states of India during the rule of the British Empire in India. During the early 19th century, the region was appointed as one of the princely states of India under the indirect rule of the British administration. The region was scattered over a total area of 2 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 266 in the year 1931. The taluka of Kaner was located in the Lakhapadar Thana. The territory consisted of only a single village. Kaner state was boredered by the state of Garmali Nani in the north; by the territory of Lakhapadar in the southeast; and by Vaghvadi in the southwest. Along with the states of Lakhapadar, Vaghvadi and Garmali Nani, the region formed a group of states, which were entirely surrounded Amreli, located towards the north of the princely state of Gadhia.
The erstwhile princely state of Kaner was under the administrative control of the Baroda Agency, which was incorporated as a part of the Western India States Agency. Later the territory was merged with the state of Gujarat. The state was also a included as a part of the Western Kathiawar Agency and the Lakhapadar Thana as well.
The Lakhapadar Thana, which covered a total area of 111 sq miles and comprised of a population of 13,155 in the year 1931, was located in southeastern Kathiawar region. Most of the 21 estates, which included 247 bhagdars and 41 talukdars in 1940, were bounded by the Amreli Division of Baroda. Some of the estates were also bordered by the talukas of Vala Kathi and the princely state of Junagadh. Lakhapadar thana also implemented jurisdiction over the princely state of Dhasa that belonged to the state of Rai Sankli. It also exercised jurisdiction over Bhayavadar which belonged to the territory of Kotda Pitha for more than 60 years.
The Vala Kathis were the ruling family of the princely state of Kaner. The natuve ruler of the state held the title of Talukdar and took charge of the administration of the state. He also supervised the internal affairs of the state. The Political Agent, also known as Resident of British India, managed the associations of the state with the British administration and other native states. Kaner state was primarily a non- jurisdictionary princely state and it paid annual tribute to the princely state of Baroda. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Kaner was attached to the princely state of Baroda.
The last native ruler of the princely state of Kaner acceded the territory 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 of the states were given the choice of acceding to either the Dominion of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The monarchs of the state decided to merge with the Republic of India. At present, the region is incorporated as a part of the Dhari Taluk in the district of Amreli in Gujarat state, India.
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