The Princely State of Ranasan was one of the former princely states of India that were administered by native rulers or Indian princes under the indirect control of the British Government of India. The territory covered a total area of 30 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 5,956 according to the census of 1941. The erstwhile princely state of Ranasan included 22 villages that were located in northern Gujarat. After the independence of India in the year 1947, the native state was acceded to the newly formed Union of India, also known as the Dominion of India. The former state of Ranasan was bounded by the princely state of Mohanpur in the north; by the territories of British India, Mohanpur state and the princely state of Idar in the west and east; and by the princely state of Wadagam in the south.
History of Princely State of Ranasan
The native ruler of the princely state of Ranasan held the title of Thakor. The ruling family of the state was Rehwar Parmar Rajputs who belonged to the Indra clan. The ruling family of Ranasan settled in the region during the early 13th century. Jaspal was the founder of the ruling family who moved to Hadol in the Mahi Kantha from Chandravati. Later Thakor Pruthuraj went to Ghodvada, which he had received in grant. The Rehwar Parmar Rajputs were one of the most definite enemies of the Rathor rulers of the state of Idar. Rai Singh seized the region of Ranasan for 5 years and annexed 24 villages as punishment for the death of his brother Raja Anand Singh in a battle in 1742. The rule of male primogeniture, through which the first born or eldest child of the same parents inherited 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 Ranasan state.
Administration of Princely State of Ranasan
The native state was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency. Later the territory was merged with the state of Gujarat. The region was also a part of the Sabar Kantha Agency and the Sadra Division as well. The Thakor of Ranasan state was ranked in the Fourth Class of Mahi Kantha states before the class system was abolished in the year 1928. The native ruler exercised limited jurisdictional authority. The Princely State of Ranasan paid annual tribute to the princely state of Baroda and the princely state of Idar. The territory of Ranasan was attached to Idar state under the Attachment Scheme of 1943.
Accession of Princely State of Ranasan
The last native ruler of the princely state of Ranasan 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 Thakor of Ranasan 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.
Rulers of Princely State of Ranasan
The chronology of the native rulers of the princely state of Punadra is provided below-
* Thakor Shri Rajsinhji
* Thakor Shri Sursinhji Rajsinhji
* Thakor Shri Garibdasji Sursinhji
* Thakor Shri Adesinhji Garibdasji
* Thakor Shri Bharatsinhji Adesinhji
* Thakor Shri Khumansinhji Bharatsinhji
* Thakor Shri Makansinhji Khumansinhji
* Thakor Shri Raisinhji Makansinhji
* Thakor Shri Lalsinhji Narsinhji
* Thakor Shri Sartansinhji Karansinhji
* Thakor Shri Vajesinhji Sartansinhji
* Thakor Shri Hamirsinhji Vajesinhji
* Thakor Shri Kishorsinhi Hamirsinhji
* Thakor Shri Prathisinhji Fatehsinhji
* Thakor Shri Takhatsinhji Fatehsinhji
* Thakor Shri Jaswantsinhji Takhatsinhji
* Thakor Shri Jaidevsinhji
