Princely State of Dedan

The Princely State of Dedan 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 49.5 sq mile and comprised of a total population of 5,789 in the year 1941. The taluka of Dedan was located in the southeastern Kathiawar, in the northwest of Jafrabad. The region consisted of 2 distinctive blocks of territory. The northern block was surrounded by the princely state of Baroda in the north and the west; by the princely state of Bhavnagar in the east; and by the princely state of Junagadh and the princely state of Baroda in the south. The southern block was entirely bounded by Junagadh state.

History of Princely State of Dedan
The princely state of Dedan was claimed by more than one native prince who were formally addressed as shareholders. There were 4 main shareholders in the native state who represented 3 branches of the ruling family. The first branch comprised of the estate of Kotila Shri Unad Bhan, which was spread over an area of 24 sq miles and had a population of 1,778 in 1931, in 6 villages. The second branch comprised of the territory of Kotila Jaitmal Champraj, which covered an area of 12.25 sq miles and comprised of a population of 537 in the year 1921. The third branch was under Agency management. The shareholders of princely state of Dedan were Kotila Kathis and were descendants of Trikam Jani. The shareholders of the state were rather deprived. 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 Dedan state.

Administration of Princely State of Dedan
The Princely State of Dedan 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. It was also included as a part of the Western Kathiawar Agency. The state was supervised by an Agency thanadar and a semi-jurisdictional talukdar who exercised jurisdiction in the same state. Moreover there were 3 non jurisdictional talukdars as well. Dedan state paid annual tribute to the princely state of Baroda. Under to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Dedan was attached to the princely state of Baroda.

Accession of Princely State of Dedan
When the country achieved independence after the political withdrawal of the British Government of India on 15th August 1947, the nation was segregated between India and Pakistan through the Partition of India. The native rulers of the princely states of India were given the option of acceding to either the Union of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The native shareholders of the princely state of Dedan decided to accede his state to the newly formed Union of India. At present, the region is incorporated as a part of the Indian state in Gujarat state.