The Princely State of Bhilodia was amongst the former princely states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century. The princely state was under the indirect control of the British Empire in India. The region was extended over a total area of 9 sq mile and comprised of a total population of 2,558 in the year 1941. The territory of Bhilodia was one of the 27 states which made up the Sankheda Mehvassi that was situated on the banks of the Narmada (Narbada) River, in eastern Gujarat. It was incorporated as a part of the erstwhile Rewa Kantha Agency. The estate consisted of only a single block of territory that was located in the western region of the Sankheda Mehvassi. The native state was bounded by the princely state of Rampura in the north, by the princely state of Bihora, princely state of Vora and princely state of Vasan Sawada in the east; by the princely state of Vajiria in the southeast; and princely state of Baroda in the south and the west.
History of Princely State of Bhilodia
The princely state of Bhilodia was claimed by more than one native prince who were formally addressed as shareholders. There were 2 such shareholders in the native state. The Chavda Rajputs were the ruling family of the state. The shareholders of the state were rather poor. The rule of male primogeniture, through which the first born or eldest child of the same parents inherited the entire estate of one or both parents, to the exclusion of all others, was not followed in the succession of the throne or gadi of Bhilodia state.
Administration of Princely State of Bhilodia
The Princely State of Bhilodia was amongst the most significant units in the Sankheda Mehvassi. The native state 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 territory was primarily a non jurisdictionary state and the Political Agent, also known as Resident of British India, supervised the relations of the native ruler and the state with the British administration and other Indian princely states.
The estate was mainly a non jurisdictionary princely state. The shareholders of the state exercised very limited personal jurisdictional authority over the territory. Bhilodia state paid annual tribute to the princely state of Baroda. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Bhilodia was attached to the princely state of Baroda.
Accession of Princely State of Bhilodia
The shareholders of the princely state of Bhilodia 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 Union of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The rulers of Bhilodia state decided to merge with the Republic of India. At present, the region is incorporated as a part of the Indian state in Gujarat state.