Princely State of Bhoika

The Princely State of Bhoika was amongst main states 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 30 sq miles and is a part of the Indian state of Gujarat. The region comprised of a total population of 3,365 in the year 1931. The state of Bhoika was located in Bhoika Thana and consisted of 3 villages in three distinctive blocks of territory. These were usually situated between the princely state of Limbdi in the north and the state of Chuda in the west. The village of Bhoika state, which lied in the largest and central district, was located around 15 miles towards east of the region of Chuda town.

The former princely state of Bhoika 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 part of the Eastern Kathiawar Agency and the Bhoika Thana as well. Bhoika Thana was a corridor of small estates which detached the princely state of Limbdi to the west from Chuda and Wadhwan to the east. The region was bordered by the British district of Ahmedabad in the south. Almost all of the 18 estates, excluding one estate, were branches of Limbdi state. Later the region was merged with the District Thana of Wadhwan after the year 1935, in order to create the new Thana of Wadhwan Bhoika. It included around 35 estates that covered a total area of 347 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 38,719 in the year 1931.

The Princely State of Bhoika was a non- jurisdictionary native state. The region was claimed by more that one native rulers, who were officially recognized as shareholders. The shareholders of the princely state of Bhoika were Jhala Rajputs, bhayats of Limbdi. The estateholders of Bhoika Thana were primarily individuals of substance, well educated and were politically aware, unlike the shareholders of other Kathiawar Thanas. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Bhoika was attached to the princely state of Limbdi. Bhoika state paid an annual tribute to the princely state of Junagadh. It was amongst of the 29 units that were attached in the first stage of the scheme which followed the lead of Ghodasar and Bhadwa in declining to recognize the power and authority of the attaching of princely states.

After the independence of India in the year 1947, the erstwhile native state was acceded to the newly formed Union of India, also known as Dominion of India. The princely state is currently a part of the state of Gujarat.