Introduction

The Princely State of Hapa was one of the Indian princely states that were 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 was extended over a total area of 5 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 991 in the year 1931. The Princely State of Hapa incorporated two villages that were located around 5 miles from the region of Himatnagar, which was the capital of the Princely State of Idar at the time. The Princely State of Hapa was surrounded by the state of Palajpur (Bawishi Thana) in the north. In the east, the state was bordered by the territories of British India and Tajpuri bordered the regions of west and south. The native state 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. The state was also a part of the Sabar Kantha Agency and Sadra Division.

History of Princely State of Hapa

The native rulers of the princely state of Hapa were Makwana Kolis who claimed to be Parmar Rajputs. The ruling family of the state settled in the territory of Hapa during the late 15th century and continued to rule till India gained independence from colonial rule. The rule of inheritance or succession to the throne in Hapa was similar to majority of princely states of Indian during British rule. The first born or eldest child of the ruling male primogeniture was considered the most suitable for succession to the throne. Other children of the same parents were excluded from the succession of the throne or gadi of the princely state of Hapa

The rulers of Hapa state held the title of Thakor and were ranked in the 6th Class of Mahi Kantha rulers, before the abolition of class system in the year 1928. The Thakor of Hapa exercised very limited civil and criminal jurisdiction. He supervised the administration and the internal affairs of the state. The princely state of Hapa paid an annual tribute to the princely state of Baroda and the princely state of Idar. The princely state of Hapa was attached to the princely state of Baroda, under the Attachment Scheme of 1943.

The last native ruler of the princely state of Hapa acceded the territory to the newly independent Union of India after the political withdrawal of the British Government of India from the country on 15th August 1947. After the country was divided between India and Pakistan, the native rulers of the states were given the choice of acceding to either the Dominion of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The sovereign of the state decided to merge with the Republic of India.

Rulers of Hapa

All the rulers of Hapa, since it achieved the status of a Princely State in British India, are believed to be the descendants of King Vikramaditya of Malwa.

Thakore Madho Singhji was the first ruler of Hapa in record through his year of accession is unknown. Thakore Madho Singhji married Thakorani Suraj Bai and their son Thakore Wakhat Singhji became the next successor to the throne. Thakore Madho Singhji died around 1892.

Thakore Wakhat Singhji, popularly known as Thakore Saheb of Hapa, was born on 17th March 1875. He ascended the throne or gadi on 4th August 1889. He was blessed with two children Thakore Shri Himat Singhji Wakhat Singhji and Chandr Singh Wakhat Singhji. The younger son of Thakore Wakhat Singhji- Chandr Singh Wakhat Singhji had one son Bharat Singh Chandr Singhji whose son was Virbhadra Singh Bharat Singhji. Later Virbhadra Singh Bharat Singhji has one son named Dattraj Singh Virbhadra Singhji.

Thakore Shri Himat Singhji Wakhat Singhji was born in 21st August 1914. Being the eldest son of Thakore Wakhat Singhji, he ascended the throne of Hapa as Thakore Saheb in 1931. He studied at Scott College, Sadra, a reputed private boarding school in Gujarat founded by Colonel W. Scott, the then Political Agent of Mahi Kantha.

Thakore Shri Lakhdiraj Singhji Himatsinghji, son of Thakore Shri Himat Singhji Wakhat Singji, became the next Thakur Saheb of Hapa. He was born in 1936.

Thakore Shri Mahipal Singhji Lakhdiraj Singhji, son of Thakore Shri Lakhdiraj Singhji Himatsinghji, became the next Thakur Saheb of Hapa in independent India. Kunwar Rajveer Singhji Mahipal Singhji is the son of Thakore Shri Mahipal Singhji Lakhdiraj Singhji but he could not ascend the throne as the Princely State of Hapa was already merged to the Union of India during that time.

Here is a list of all the rulers of the Princely State of Hapa:

·       Thakore Madho Singhji

·       Thakore Wakhat Singhji

·       Thakore Shri Himat Singhji Wakhat Singhji

·       Thakore Shri Lakhdiraj Singhji Himatsinghji

·       Thakore Shri Mahipal Singhji Lakhdiraj Singhji

Hapa in Independent India

Hapa is a village situated in the Jamnagar taluka of Jamnagar district, within the state of Gujarat. Located approximately 8 kilometers east of the district headquarters and about 316 kilometers from the state capital, Gandhinagar, Hapa holds notable regional importance.

Over time, the village has evolved into a significant industrial hub, contributing to the economic landscape of the region. It is also home to a well-known railway junction that serves the Western Railway’s Rajkot Division, positioning Hapa as a vital transport link for both passenger travel and freight movement. Further strengthening its economic relevance, Hapa features a prominent APMC Market Yard, which plays a key role in agricultural trade. Its strategic location near the Jamnagar industrial corridor adds to its importance, making it a critical node in both commerce and connectivity within the region.