The Princely State of Vijayanagar, formerly known as Polo or Pol state, was amongst the major native states during the rule of the British Empire in India. During the early 19th century, the region was assigned as one of the princely states of India under the indirect rule of the British administration. The territory covered a total area of 135 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 13,942 in the year 1941. The territory was incorporated as a part of the Mahi Kantha Agency and included around 85 villages. Vijaynagar state was bordered by the territory of Udaipur in Rajputana in the northeast and northwest; and by the princely state of Idar in the southeast. Moreover a minor island of territory located towards the south was bounded by Idar state on all sides. The estate of Verabar was also associated with the native state of Vijaynagar.
History of Princely State of Vijayanagar
The native ruler of the princely state held the title of Rao. The Rathor Rajputs were the ruling family of the princely state of Vijayanagara. The family was descendants of the founder of the ruling family of the princely state of Idar, who was a brother of the branch of the ruling family of the princely state of Jodhpur. Idar state was seized by the Mughals in the year 1664, and the last Rathor monarch, Gopinath, was exiled. Chandra Singh, the grandson of Gopinath regained control in the native state of Vijaynagar or Pol around 1720 after assassinating the Parihar Rajput chiefs of the territory. The last Rao of Vijaynagar was the 26th of his line since Chandra Singh.
Administration of Princely State of Vijaynagar
The Princely State of Vijaynagar was under the administrative control of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency. Later the state became a part of the modern state of Gujarat, India. It was also incorporated as a part of the Mahi Kantha Agency. Vijayanagar was a non salute princely state and did not pay any annual tribute to any Indian princely state or the British Government of India. The Rao of Vijayanagar state exercised full and comprehensive civil and criminal jurisdiction, which was subject to the general restrictions related to capital offenses.
The Princely State of Vijayanagar was one of the original constituent members of the Chamber of Princes, which was a number of smaller states indirectly represented by 12 princes who were elected periodically by them. Under the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the taluka of Vijaynagar and Idar state were transferred to the Rajputana Agency after 1943. The erstwhile native state ranked 19th among the states of Western India before the transfer.
Accession of Princely State of Vijayanagar
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 Rao of the princely state of Vijayanagar 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.
