Princely State of Chobari

The Princely State of Chobari was one of the prominent princely states of India that was administered by shareholders under the guidance of the British authorities. The princely state was under the indirect control of the British Empire in India. The territory covered a total area of 13 sq miles and had a total population of 472 in the year 1931. The taluka of Chobari was situated in the Chotila Thana and the territory consisted of around 3 villages. The state of Chobari was bounded by Sanosra in the north; by the princely state of Mevasa in the northeast; by a remote block of the territory of Nawanagar in the southeast; and by the princely state of Anandpur in the south. Another smaller block of territory, located towards the north, was squeezed in between the states of Sejakpur, Sundamda Dhandhalpur and Sayla.

Chotila Thana covered a total area of 224 sq miles and comprised a total population of 19,690 in the year 1931. The region included around 8 estates and around a total of 118 estateholders. Almost all of the estateholders were Khachar Kathis. Except for the taluka of Ramparda, all other estates in Chotila Thana were situated in a condensed area that was surrounded by the princely state of Wankanar and the princely state of Lakhtar in the north; by the princely state of Sayla and the estates of Nawanagar and Paliad Thana in the east; by the princely state of Rajkot and the princely state of Nawanagar in the west; and by the territories of Rajkot and Anandpur in the south.

The Princely State of Chobari was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control 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 Chotila Thana as well.

The princely state of Chobari was claimed by more than one native prince, who were formally addressed as shareholders. There are 13 such estateholders, including bhagdars and talukdars, in the state. The Khachar Kathis, branches of the House of Bhimora, were the shareholders the territory. Chobari state was a non- jurisdictionary princely state. The estates of Chotila Thana were all governed by the rule of partition. This rule of partition led to severe disintegration of the state and the consequential insolvency and impoverishment of the estateholders. The Princely State of Chobari paid annual tribute to the princely state of Junagadh. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Chobari was attached to the princely state of Nawanagar.

On 15th August 1947 the nation attained freedom from the dominion of the British Government in India and it resulted in the partition of India. The former native states of India were given the option of merging with the newly formed Union of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The princely state of Chobari was acceded to the Republic of India.