Princely State of Dadhalia

The Princely State of Dadhalia, formally known as Dadhaliya, was one of the prominent princely states of India that was administered by a native prince under the guidance of the British authorities. The princely state was under the indirect control of the British Empire in India. The state was scattered over a total area of 28 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 4,062 in the year 1931. During this period, it was under Mahi Kantha division. The state of Dadhalia was situated in the farthest east of the Sadra Division, which is currently located in the district of Rewar, formerly known as Rehwar.

The territory of Princely State of Dadhalia consisted of 15 villages. Dadhalia state was surrounded by the princely state of Idar in the north and east; by British India in the south; and by the territories of Bolundra and Mohanpur in the west. 

The Sisodia Rajputs were the ruling family of the princely state of Dadhalia. The Sisodia Rajputs were directly related to the native rulers of the princely state of Udaipur. Sisodiya Vahaji who left Mewar in search of a fortune, founded the state of Dadhalia. He was granted around 42 villages in the pargana of Bayad by the native ruler of the princely state of Idar. After he requested for more lands, Vikaji was granted the state of Dadhalia and 6 other villages in the year 1674.

Later in 1731, when the native princes Anand Singh and Rai Singh of the princely state of Jodhpur took charge of the administration over Idar state, the native rulers of the state of Dadhalia declined to serve under the princes of Jaipur. Bayad Pargana was seized from the Raja Sahib of Dadhalia and only Dadhalia was left to him. A distant relative of the princes of Jaipur named Jaswant Singhji was made the ruler of Bayad Pargana in his place. Later, the territory of Bayad was resumed by the rulers of Dadhalia.

The princely state of Dadhalia or Dadhaliya 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. Initially under Mahi Kantha division, the state was later deprived of its jurisdiction as taluka due to maladministration and placed under Sabar Kantha Agency and the Sadra Division as well.

The native chief of the princely state of Dadhalia held the title of Raja Sahib. Dadhalia state was amongst the progressive princely states of India. The Raja Sahib of Dadhalia took several measures for the development of the taluka and the betterment of his subjects. The ruler exercised limited civil and criminal jurisdiction as the state was under the indirect control of British Government.

The state of Dadhalia was a Fifth-Class state until the classes were abolished in the year 1928. Dadhalia state paid annual tribute to the princely state of Baroda and the princely state of Idar. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Dadhalia was attached to the princely state of Idar.

Here is a list all the rulers of Dadhalia who took the title of Raja Sahib:

·       Amarsinhji Sisodiya (1925 – 1935)

·       Takhatsinhji Sisodiya (1935 – 1964)

·       Virbhadrasinhji Sisodiya (1965 – 2021)

·       Hanumantsinhji Sisodiya (2021 – Present)

·       The future successor is Jayadityasinhji Sisodiya

Following the withdrawal of British rule and the independence of India on 15th August 1947, the native ruler of the princely state chose to accede to the newly formed Union of India, then officially known as the Dominion of India. This accession marked a significant transition in the political landscape of the region, as numerous princely states integrated with independent India to form a unified nation. Over time, administrative and territorial reorganizations led to the incorporation of the erstwhile princely state into the present-day Indian state of Gujarat. Today, the region stands as an integral part of Gujarat, reflecting both its historical legacy and its role in modern India.