Princely State of Vaktapur

The Princely State of Vaktapur was assigned as one of the former princely states of India during the early 19th century. The territory was under the indirect control of the British Empire in India. The erstwhile native state was scattered over a total area of 4 miles and had a total population of 2,330 in the year 1931. The taluka of Vaktapur comprised of around 4 villages and was segregated into 2 distinctive blocks of territory. The larger block was located around 5 miles towards the north of Himatnagar, which was the capital of Idar. The region was bordered by the princely state of Ilol in the west and by the princely state of Idar on the other 3 sides. The other smaller block included the village of Rangpur and was located about 10 miles towards west of the prime area and around 2 miles from the territory of Baroda. The village was bordered by other talukas that were held by the Makwana Kolis.

History of Princely State of Vaktapur
The native ruler of the princely state of Vaktapur held the title of Thakor. The ruling family of the state was Makwana Kolis who claimed to be descendants of Makwana Bhatti (Harpal), a Rajput who came into Mahi Kantha and got married to the daughter of a Koli Chief. He was the founder of the Jhala or Makwana family. Harpal was married for a second time to a Kathi woman and the couple had 9 sons. The eldest son named Khavadji was the base of the Khavadiya Kathis of Sudamda. Another son of Harpal named Bapuji converted to Islam. His descendants ruled over a number of minor native states like Hapa, Vaktapur, Derol, Kadoli, Prempur and others in Mahi Kantha. 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 of Vaktapur state.

Administration of Princely State of Vaktapur
The native state of Vaktapur was under the administrative control of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of the Western India States Agency. Later the territory was amalgamated with the Indian state of Gujarat. The princely state of Vaktapur was also incorporated as a part of the Sabar Kantha Agency and the Sadra Division as well. Until the class system was abolished in the year 1928, the Thakor of princely state of Vaktapur was ranked as a Sixth Class state of Mahi Kantha chiefs.

The Thakor of Vaktapur state exercised limited civil and criminal jurisdiction and the Political Agent, also known as Resident of British India, supervised the relations of the native ruler and the state with the British administration and other Indian princely states. The princely state of Vaktapur paid annual tribute to the princely state of Baroda and the princely state of Idar. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Vaktapur was attached to the princely state of Baroda.

Accession of Princely State of Vaktapur
When the country achieved independence after the political withdrawal of the British Government of India on 15th August 1947, the nation was divided between India and Pakistan. The native rulers of the princely states of India were given the option of acceding to either the Union of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The native Thakor of the princely state of Vaktapur decided to accede his state to the newly formed Union of India. At present, the region is incorporated as a part of the modern Indian state in Gujarat state.