Idar State

Idar State in Gujarat was a native state of India. Idar State was formed as a part of the Mahi Kantha Agency, within the Gujarat Division of Mumbai (Bombay).

Idar State has an area of 1669 square miles and a population (1901) of 168,557, showing a decrease of 44% in the decade as the result of famine. In the year 1901, the ruler of Idar state and his posthumous son both died, and the succession devolved upon Pratap Singh of Idar, Jodhpur. The line of railway from Ahmedabad through Parantij runs mainly through this state.

Much of the territory of Idar State is held by kinsmen of the raja on feudal tenure. The products are grain, oil-seeds and sugar-cane. In 1941, the Idar State had a population of 307,798.

Idar was once ruled by Rajput kings. In 1924 it was made part of the Western India States Agency. Later Idar State was transferred to the Rajputana States in the early 1940s. In 1949 it was dissolved and split between Sabarkantha district and Mehsana district which were at that point in Bombay State. Both these districts were included in Gujarat when it was formed in 1960.

During British rule in India (which covers both the British East India Company rule and later the British Raj), the princely state of Idar was ruled by different people. Idar was considered the most important state of the Mahi Kantha Agency, within the Gujarat Division of Bombay Presidency. Given below are the rulers of Idar.

Shri Shivsinhji Anandsinhji Sahib Bahadur
Shri Shivsinhji Anandsinhji Sahib Bahadur was the Maharaja of Idar from 1742 to 1791.

Shri Bhawanisinhji Shivsinhji Sahib Bahadur
Shri Bhawanisinhji Shivsinhji Sahib Bahadur became the Maharaja of Idar in 1791 for a short period of 12 days.

Shri Gambhirsinhji Bhawanisinhji Sahib Bahadur
Shri Gambhirsinhji Bhawanisinhji Sahib Bahadur was the Maharaja of Idar from 1791 to 1833. He is known to provide aid to the son of the murdered Thakur of Ghodvada to regain the throne. After attacking Virahar, a cadet of the Pol family and the villages of Temba, Navargam and Berna, he demanded tribute from all of them. He attacked a number of Koli and Rajput villages post which there were demands from him of tributes again.

Shri Sir Jawansinhji Gambhirsinhji Sahib Bahadur
Shri Sir Jawansinhji Gambhirsinhji Sahib Bahadur was the Maharaja of Idar from 1833 to 1868.

Shri Sir Kesrisinhji Jawansinhji Sahib Bahadur
Shri Sir Kesrisinhji Jawansinhji Sahib Bahadur was the Maharaja of Idar from 1868 to 1901. He was granted a sanad of adoption. On 15th of February, 1887 he was created a Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India.

Shri Krishnasinhji Kesrisinhji Sahib Bahadur
Shri Krishnasinhji Kesrisinhji Sahib Bahadur was the Maharaja of Idar in 1901, more specifically from October 4th to November 30th.

Shri Sir Pratap Singh Sahib Bahadur
Shri Sir Pratap Singh Sahib Bahadur was the Maharaja of Idar from 1902 to 1911.

Shri Sir Daulat Singhji Sahib Bahadur
Shri Sir Daulat Singhji Sahib Bahadur was the Maharaja of Idar from 1911 to 1931. He formally occupied the throne or gadi on 21st of July, 1911, post the abdication of his predecessor. On 1st of January, 1918 the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel was given to him in recognition of his services during the World War I (WWI).

Shri Himmat Singhji Sahib Bahadur
Shri Himmat Singhji Sahib Bahadur was the Maharaja of Idar from 1931 to 1960. He occupied the throne on 11th of July, 1931. He is documented in the pages of Indian history as an accomplished sportsman. During his college days, he was one of the best polo players. After completing his education, he helped his father in the administration of the state.