Princely State of Gotardi

The Princely State of Gotardi was one of the renowned 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 taluka was covered a total area of 3 sq miles and is a part of the Indian state of Gujarat. The region comprised of a total population of 569 in the year 1941. The erstwhile princely state of Gotardi was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of the Western India States Agency. Later the region was merged with the state of Gujarat. The state of Gotardi was one of the 26 states which formed up the Pandu Mehvassi, which was under the administrative control of the erstwhile Rewa Kantha Agency. The Princely State of Gotardi was bounded by Chhaliar in the north, by the princely state of Sihora in the south, west and east.

History of Princely State of Gotardi
The princely state of Gotardi was claimed by more than one native prince, who were formally addressed as shareholders. There are 2 such shareholders in Gotardi state. Gotardi was one of the Baria Koli estates of the Pandu Mehvassi. The succession of the throne or gadi of the state was governed by the rule of male primogeniture, by 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. The Kolis were the earliest of the ruling elites of Gujarat and with other tribal groups like the Naikras and the Bhils, were the earliest inhabitants of the territory. The Koli tribe was an unstructured and large community, such as the Bhil tribe, who settled in the northern and central Gujarat. The Kolis practiced little agriculture; and rather depended significantly on raids and attacks on villages, during the late 18th century and early 19th century.

The shareholders of the state held the title of Thakor. The Thakors of Gotardi state were illiterate and were poor and impoverished. They shared their kharbari with the neighbouring estate of Mevli. The Princely State of Gotardi was a non- jurisdictionary native state. Gotardi State paid annual tribute to the princely state of Baroda. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Gotardi was attached to the princely state of Baroda.

After the political withdrawal of the British Supremacy and the partition of India on 15th August 1947, the erstwhile princely state of Gotardi was acceded to the independent formed Dominion of India, which was also known as Union of India. The erstwhile princely state was a part of the state of Gujarat.