Princely State of Manavav

The Princely State of Manavav was a one of the non salute states of India that existed during the reign of the British administration. The state was administered by the native rulers, also identified as Indian princes, under the indirect rule of the British Empire in India. The region was scattered over a total area of 5 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 484 in the year 1931. The taluka of Manavav was located in the Lakhapadar Thana. The territory consisted of only a single village that was located around 20 miles towards the southeastern region of the town of Amreli. The princely state of Manavav was bounded by the princely state of Dhasa in the north; by the princely state of Dahida in the northeast; and by the princely state of Amreli in the east, west and south.

History of Princely State of Manavav
The native ruler of the state held the title of Talukdar and was Hindu by religion. The Vala Kathis were the ruling family of Manavav state. The rule of male primogeniture, by which the first born or eldest child of the same parents had the right, by law or custom, to inherit the entire estate of one or both parents, to the exclusion of all others, was followed in the succession of the throne or gadi of the princely state.

Administration of Princely State of Manavav
The erstwhile princely state of Manavav 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 included as a part of the Western Kathiawar Agency and the Lakhapadar Thana as well. The Lakhapadar Thana, which covered a total area of 111 sq miles and comprised of a population of 13,155 in the year 1931, was located in southeastern Kathiawar region. Most of the 21 estates, which included 247 bhagdars and 41 talukdars in 1940, were bounded by the Amreli Division of Baroda. Some of the estates were also bordered by the talukas of Vala Kathi and the princely state of Junagadh. Lakhapadar thana also implemented jurisdiction over the princely state of Dhasa that belonged to the state of Rai Sankli. It also exercised jurisdiction over Bhayavadar which belonged to the territory of Kotda Pitha for more than 60 years.

Manavav state was primarily a non jurisdictionary princely state and it paid annual tribute to the princely state of Baroda and the princely state of Junagadh. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Manavav was attached to the princely state of Baroda.

Accession of Princely State of Manavav
The last native ruler of the princely state of Manavav 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 Union of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The monarch of the state decided to merge with the Republic of India. At present, the region is incorporated as a part of the Indian state in Gujarat state.