Princely State of Itwad

The Princely State of Itwad, also known as Etwar or Itvad, was one of the renowned native states of India that was managed and supervised 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 6 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 2,033 in the year 1941. The territory 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. Itwad 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 Princely State of Itwad was bordered by British territories in the north, west and east. It was bounded by the branches of the territories of Varnoli Nani and Varnoli Moti.

The Princely State of Itwad was claimed by more than one sovereign, who were officially addressed as shareholders. There are 4 such shareholders in the state. Moat of the shareholders of the state were Rathor Rajputs. 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, was not followed in the succession of the throne or gadi of the native state of Itwad or Etwar. The Princely State of Itwad was a non- jurisdictionary native state. The state paid annual tribute to the princely state of Baroda. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Itwad was attached to the princely state of Baroda.

On 15th August 1947 the nation attained freedom from the dominion of the British Government in India and it resulted in the partition of India. The former native states of India were given the option of merging with the newly formed Union of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The last native ruler of the princely state of Itwad or Itvad acceded his state to the Republic of India.