The Princely State of Mandwa was a native state which existed during the rule of the British Empire in India. During the early 19th century, the region was appointed as one of the princely states of India under the indirect rule of the British administration. The region covered a total area of 16.50 sq miles and is a part of the Indian state of Gujarat. The region comprised of a total population of 27,529 in the year 1941. The territory of Mandwa was one of the 27 states which formed up the Sankheda Mehvassi, located on the banks of the Narbada (Narmada) River, in eastern Gujarat. It was incorporated as a part of the erstwhile Rewa Kantha Agency. The region consisted of a single separate block of land in the western portion of the Sankheda Mehvassi. The princely state was bounded by the princely state of Rajpipla in the south; by Nangam in the east; by the princely state of Baroda in the west; and by Shanor in the north.
The Princely State of Mandwa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency. Later the region became a part of the Indian state of Gujarat.
History of Princely State of Mandwa
The Chauhan Rajputs were the original rulers of the princely state of Mandwa. The native rulers of the state, who held the title of Thakors, descended from the last Rajput king of Delhi and were related to the ruling families of Chhota Udaipur and Baria. The ruling family initially settled in Nanderi, but later moved to the territory of Chadod, and later to Mandwa. Sabal Sinhji and Kanji Sinhji, two brothers, founded the branches of Shanor and Mandwa respectively during the latter half of the 17th century. The succession of the throne was governed by the rule of male primogeniture. The Chandod village was considered as a religious pilgrimage center and a key source of revenue for the native ruler. Although Mandwa had full revenue rights over the village, but civil and criminal jurisdiction was exercised by Baroda. As a result of this, several disputes occurred between the Baroda durbar and the Thakor of Mandwa.
The Princely State of Mandwa was a jurisdictionary native state of the fifth class, before the abolition of the classes in the year 1928. The native ruler of the territory exercised limited jurisdictional authority. The native chiefs who exercised jurisdictional powers were formally addressed as Meherban. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Mandwa was attached to Baroda.
After the nation achieved independence from the rule of the British Government of India on 15th August 1947, the last native ruler of Mandwa, acceded his state to the newly formed Union of India, also known as the Dominion of India.