Princely State of Matra Timba

The Princely State of Matra Timba, also known as Matra, 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 estateholders, also identified as Indian princes, under the indirect rule of the British Empire in India. The region covered a total area of 6 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 470 in the year 1931. The Princely State of Matra Timba was located in the Paliad Thana and consisted of only a single village. The taluka was located around 10 miles towards the west of Paliad. The former princely state was bounded by the territory of Ahmedabad in the west, east and north and by the princely state of Jasdan in the south.

History of Princely State of Matra Timba
The princely state of Matra Timba or Matra was claimed by more than one native prince, who were formally addressed as shareholders. There were around 16 estateholders, including bhagdars and talukdars, in Matra Timba taluka. The shareholders of the state were Khachar Kathis. 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 Matra Timba
The erstwhile princely state of Matra Timba 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 state of Gujarat. It was also under the administrative control of Eastern Kathiawar Agency and was a part of the Paliad Thana.

Paliad Thana was scattered over a total area of 257 sq miles and comprised of a total population of population 18,371 in the year 1931. It comprised of a clustering of 5 talukas which were divided into a northern and a southern group by the constricted neck of the British district of Ahmedabad. Paliad Thana was bordered by the princely state of Sayla and by the princely state of Chuda in the north; by the territory of Ahmedabad in the east; by the princely state of Jasdan in the south; and the native states of Chotila Thana in the west. There were around 137 shareholders in the region and almpost all of them were Kathis, whether Bhamblas, Khavads or Khachars.

The territory was primarily a non jurisdictionary state. The native shareholders of Paliad Thana were rather poor and impoverished. The state was managed under the supervision of the Political agent, also known as the Resident of British India, as the estateholders lacked adequate education. The native paid annual tribute to the princely state of Junagadh. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Matra Timba or Matra was attached to the princely state of Jasdan in June 1943. However in December 1946, the territory was separated from Jasdan state and attached to the princely state of Bhavnagar.

Accession of Princely State of Matra Timba
After the departure of the British Government and the Partition of India in 1947, the former princely state was acceded to the newly independent Union of India, which also known as the Dominion of India, by the shareholders of Matra Timba state.