Princely State of Gadhia

The Princely State of Gadhia was one of the well known 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 region covered a total area of 11 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 747 in the year 1931. The taluka of Gadhia was located in the Thana of Lakhapadar and consisted of 2 villages, namely Patla and Gadhia. The native state of Gadhia state was an enclave in southern Amreli. The Thana of Lakhapadar, which covered a total area of 111 sq miles and had a population 13,155 in the year 1931, was located in southeastern Kathiawar. The majority of the 21 estates in the region that included 41 talukdars and 247 bhagdars, were bounded by the Amreli Division of Baroda, even though some of them were bordered by the princely state of Junagadh and Vala Kathi talukas.

Lakhapadar thana also exercised jurisdiction over Dhasa, which belonged to the state of Rai Sankli. The Princely State of Gadhia was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of the Western India States Agency. It was also a part of the Western Kathiawar Agency and the Thana of Lakhapadar. Later Gadhia became a part of the state of Gujarat.

The Princely State of Gadhia was not ruled by a single monarch but was shared by several monarchs, who held the title estateholders. The shareholders of the state of Gadhia were Vala Kathis. The former native state was a non- jurisdictionary state. The shareholders of the princely state of Gadhia paid annual tribute to the princely state of Junagadh and the princely state of Baroda. Under the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Gadhia was attached to Baroda.

In the year 1948, the last native ruler of Gadhia state acceded the princely state to the Dominion of India, also known as Union of India, after the country gained independence from the British Government on 15th August 1947. At present, the territory of Gadhia is a located in the Indian state of Gujarat.