Princely State of Khijadia

The Princely State of Khijadia, also known as Khijadia Sayedno, was a former native state that was under the indirect rule of the British Empire in India. During the early 19th century, the region was appointed as one of the princely states of India that was administered by native shareholders. The region covered a total area of 2 sq miles and was a part of the Indian state of Gujarat. The region comprised of a total population of 329 in the year 1931. The erstwhile princely state of Khijadia 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 Western Kathiawar Agency and Babra Thana as well.

The taluka of Khijadia was located in the Babra Thana region. It included only a single village, which was located in the south central Kathiawar. The state of Khijadia was situated a few miles towards the south of Babra. The territory was almost entirely surrounded within the princely state of Jetpur, excluding an undersized border towards the west with a remote block of land that belonged to Kotda Pitha.

Babra Thana covered a total area of 298 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 21,406 in the year 1931. The region included around 13 estates and almost all of the estates were held by Khachar Kathi and Vala shareholders, including talukdars and bhagdars. The territory also included the villages of Vavdi, situated 6 miles towards the southwest of Babra, and Kotda Pitha, which belonged to the 3 Bhoka Jaitani talukas and Kotda Pitha respectively. Babra Thana was generally bordered by the princely state of Jasdan in the north; by the princely state of Bhavnagar in the east; by the estate of Jetpur in the south; and by the princely state of Gondal in the west.

History of Princely State of Khijadia
The Princely State of Khijadia or Khijadia Sayedno was claimed by several native princes, who were formally addressed as shareholders. There were 3 such shareholders, including bhagdars and talukdars, in the state. The shareholders of Khijadia were Sayeds and were Muslims by religion. The 3 shareholders of the princely state of Khijadia Sayedno held the style of Vahivatdars. The estate holders of the Babra Thana were generally well learned and educated and were aware of the political scenario in the nation. Almost all of the shareholders possessed substantial financial resources which improved their status amongst the native rulers of other states.

Khijadia state was a non- jurisdictionary princely state and it paid an annual tribute to the princely state of Baroda. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Khijadia was attached to the princely state of Baroda.

In the year 1947, the nation attained independence from the rule of the British Government in India and it resulted in the Partition of India. The erstwhile princely states of India were given the option of acceding to either the newly formed Union of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The shareholders of the princely state of Khijadia Sayedno decided to accede to the Republic of India.