Princely State of Mangrol

The Princely State of Mangrol was one of the former princely states of India 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 was scattered over a total area of 144sq miles and comprised of a total population of 26,103 in the year 1931. The state of Mangrol was located on the southwestern coast of Kathiawar, which was bordered by the princely state of Junagadh and the princely state of Porbandar. The territory consisted of around 43 villages. The former princely state of Mangrol 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 region was also a part of the Western Kathiawar Agency.

History of Princely State of Mangrol
The ruling family of the princely state of Mangrol gained supremacy in the region during 1360. A triumphant rebellion was led by Sheikh Mian against the Maratha forces and eventually he became an autonomous ruler in the year 1748. Later in the year 1767, Sheikh Mian became a vassal of the state of Junagadh and from that period the region was a subordinate of Junagadh. The Princely State of Mangrol had an exceptional constitutional designation and was protected by the British government of India, in that the native ruler, who held the title of Sheikh Saheb, was a vassal of the Nawab of Junagadh with respect of 21 villages. But it was not of the majority of the native state, which included the town of Mangrol itself. The Sheikh Saheb of Mangrol State exercised substantial civil and criminal jurisdiction.

The Princely State of Mangrol was a second class native state and exercised full authority. There were around 5 classes of courts that were established in the territory. The native ruler of the princely state took charge of the administration of the state and supervised the internal affairs of Mangrol. He took several progressive measures for the development of the state and for the betterment of his subjects. The resident of British India, also known as the British political agent, managed the associations of the state with the British administration and other princely states. Mangrol was reasonably respected in Kathiawar for the vigorous financial conditions of the state.

In the year 1947, the last Sheikh Saheb of the princely state of Mangrol acceded his state to the newly formed Union of India, also known as Dominion of India after the Indian independence. The Government of India had ruled that the former princely state of Junagadh required the consent of Mangrol for its accession to either successor state. After the Indian independence, the Indian Government encouraged the 9th Sheikh Saheb to revive his claims to independence and accepted it in return for a document supposedly reflecting the accession of Mangrol to the Republic of India. Later the family of the Sheikh and officials of the state persuaded him to retract his initial accession to India and instead accede to the dominion of Pakistan. Then Junagadh temporarily seized Mangrol until the troops of Indian Army moved into the region on November 1, 1947.

At present, Mangrol is a municipality and a city in the district of Junagadh in Gujarat state, India.