Princely State of Karol

The Princely State of Karol was one of the princely states of India that was managed and supervised by a native prince under the indirect regulation of the British administration. The princely state was under the indirect control of the British Empire in India. The state was scattered over a total area of 11 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 1,085 in the year 1931. The taluka of Karol was situated in Bhoika Thana and the territory consisted of only 2 villages that were located in distinctive blocks of territory. The larger block was located towards the south, where the village of Karol was located. It was bordered by the princely state of Sahuka in the north; by the remote blocks of territory that belonged to the princely state of Limbdi in the southeast and northeast; by the princely state of Chuda in the south; and by the princely state of Laliad in the west. The smaller block was located towards the north. It was a virtual enclave in Limbdi state, even though the region shared a border to the west with the state of Talsana.

History of Princely State of Karol
The Princely State of Karol was claimed by more than one native monarch, who were formally described as shareholders. There were 2 such shareholders in the state. The estate holders of the region were predominantly Jhala Rajputs, who were bhayats of the state of Limbdi. The estate holders of the Bhoika Thana were individuals of substance and educated, unlike to the shareholders in other Kathiawar Thanas. They were much aware of the political situation in the country. Almost all of the shareholders possessed substantial financial resources which enhanced their position amongst the native princes of other princely states.

Administration of Princely State of Karol
The Princely State of Karol was a prominent part of the former Baroda Agency, which in turn was a under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency. The territory was also incorporated as a part of the state of Gujarat, India. Kamalpur state was also a part of the Eastern Kathiawar Agency and the territory of Bhoika Thana. Bhoika Thana was a corridor of minor estates which detached the princely state of Limbdi to the east from the princely states of Chuda and Wadhwan to the west. The area was bordered by the British district of Ahmedabad in the south. Almost all of the 18 estates in the region, excluding only one estate, were offshoots of Limbdi state. In 1935, the region was merged with the District Thana of Wadhwan in order to form the new territory of Wadhwan Bhoika Thana, for convenience purposes. The new territory included around 35 estates, which covered a total area of 347 sq miles and comprising a total population of 38,719 in the year 1931.

Karol state was a non jurisdictionary princely state. The state paid annual tribute to the princely state of Junagadh. In the year 1943, the princely state of Karol was attached to Limbdi state under the Attachment Scheme of 1943. It was amongst of the 29 units that were attached in the first stage of the scheme which followed the lead of Ghodasar and Bhadwa in declining to recognize the power and authority of the attaching of princely states.

Accession of Princely State of Karol
The princely state of Karol was acceded to the newly independent Union of India after the removal of the British Government of India from the political dominance in country on 15th August 1947. After the country was divided between India and Pakistan, the native rulers were given the choice of acceding to either the Union of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The shareholders of the state decided to merge with India and the state later became a part of Gujarat state.