Princely State of Palaj

The Princely State of Palaj was one of the well known native states of India that was managed and supervised by a native prince under the guidance of the British authorities. The princely state was under the indirect control of the British Empire in India. The state was scattered over a total area of 2 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 1,062 in the year 1921. The taluka of Palaj was situated in northern Gujarat and the territory consisted of 2 villages. Until the year 1877, the region was usually known as Katosan Bhadar, but after the jurisdiction of the estate was defined in the same year, the territory was formally known as Palaj Taluka. The Princely State of Palaj was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of the Western India States Agency. Later the territory was merged with the state of Gujarat. The state was also a part of the Sabar Kantha Agency; and the Sadra Division and Katosan Thana as well.

History of Princely State of Palaj
The Makwana Kolis were the ruling family of the princely state of Palaj. The succession of the royal throne or gadi of the state was not governed by the rule of male primogeniture, by which the first born or eldest child of the same parents the first born or eldest child of the same parents, to the exclusion of all others. The native state of Palaj was ranked as a Seventh Class state before the abolition of the class system in the year 1928. The native ruler of the state, who held the title of Thakor, exercised limited civil and criminal jurisdiction. The Thakors of Palaj state were never invested with jurisdictional authority, which were exercised by the thanadar of Katosan Thana. The native rulers of the state took charge of the administration of the state. The Resident of British India, also known as Political Agent, managed the relations of the state with the British administration and other native states. The princely state of Palaj paid tribute to the princely state of Baroda.

According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Palaj was attached to the princely state of Baroda in May 1940.

After the political withdrawal of the British Supremacy and the partition of India on 15th August 1947, the erstwhile princely state of Palaj was acceded to the independent formed Dominion of India, which was also known as Union of India. The former princely state was a part of the state of Gujarat.