Princely State of Sardargardh Bantva

The Princely state of Sardargardh Bantva, also known as Bantva Sardargardh State, was one of the most prominent states that existed during the rule of the British Empire in India. The territory was assigned as one of the princely states under the indirect rule of the British administration during the early 19th century. The princely state of Sardargardh Bantva founded in the year 1760 on the Kathiawar peninsula in present day Indian state of Gujarat. The region was extended over a total area of approximately 186 sq km and comprised of a total population of 10,133 in the year 1931. The state comprised of 13 Muslim villages.

History of Princely state of Sardargardh Bantva
Sardargardh Bantva state was Fifth Class non salute state of British India. It included the Bhayati Estate of Pajod that was spread over a total area of 11.65 sq km and had a total population of 1,000 in 1931. The native state also included a share in the taluka of Bantwa Bara Majmu. The princely state bordered by the largest block of territory of the princely state of Gondal in the north and by the princely state of Junagadh in all other sides. After the division of the state of Bantva into the territories of Manavadar and Bantva in the year 1760, Zaman Khan Babi was granted the region of Bantva. After his death the state was again divided equally amongst his 2 sons; and Mukhtiar Khan was granted with the territory of Gidad, which was later known as Sardargarh. This was again spilt into Pajod and Sultanpur. Both the territories were subordinate to the state of Sardargarh.

The native ruler of the princely state of Sardargardh Bantva held the title of Khan Sahib or Khan Shri. The ruler took charge of the administration of the state and managed the internal issues of the territory. Khan Shri Ghulam Moinuddin Khanji Husainyawar Khanji was the last native ruler of Sardargardh Bantva, also known as Bantva Sardargardh State. He was born on 11th June 1919 and shared the joint descent with the Nawab of the princely state of Junagadh.

Accession of Princely State of Sardargardh Bantva
After the country attained independence from the rule of the British authorities on 15th August 1947, the native rulers of the Indian princely states were provided with an option of acceding to either the newly formed Union of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The native ruler of the princely state of Sardargardh Bantva decided to accede to the Dominion of Pakistan in September 1947. The native ruler later cancelled the accession to Pakistan and eventually re-accedeed to the Union of India on 15th February 1948.

Rulers of Princely State of Sardargardh Bantva
The chronology of the native rulers of the princely state of Sardargardh Bantva is mentioned as follows-
* Khan Shri Mukhtyarkhanji Sherjamakhanji
* Khan Shri Nathukhanji Salabatkhanji
* Khan Shri Samatkhanji Nathukhanji
* Khan Shri Husain Yawarkhanji Samatkhanji
* Khan Shri Ghulam Moinuddinkhanji Husainyawarkhanji