The Princely State of Wadagam, formally known as Vadagam and Varagam, was one of the prominent princely states of India that was administered 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 28 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 3,938 in the year 1931. The state of Wadagam was situated on the banks of the Mazum River, in the district of Rehwar, located in the Sadra Division. The territory consisted of 23 villages. Wadagam state was surrounded by the princely state of Idar and Ranasan state in the north; by British India and Idar state in the west and east; and by the territories of Idar state and Ambliara in the south.
The princely state of Wadagam or Varagam was under the administrative control of the Baroda Agency, which was incorporated as a part 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 as well.
History of Princely State of Wadagam
The Rehwar Rajputs of the Indra clan were the ruling family of the princely state of Wadagam. The family descended from the same line as the family of Mohanpur. The region was established by Thakore Shri Keshavdasji Rajsinhji, the second son of Thakore Shri Rajsinhji who was the first thakor of Ranasan. Thakore Shri Keshavdasji Rajsinhji was the first Thakore Saheb of Wadagam state. The succession of the throne or gadi of Wadagam state was 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 ruler of the princely state of Wadagam held the title of Thakor and exercised very restricted civil and criminal jurisdiction. He ranked amongst the Fifth Class of Mahi Kantha chiefs, before the abolition of the classes in the year 1928.
The state of Wadagam did not pay any annual tribute to any other princely. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Wadagam was attached to the princely state of Idar. The territory was amongst of the 29 units that were attached in the initial phase of the scheme which followed the lead of Ghodasar and Bhadwa in declining to recognize the power and authority of the attaching of princely states.
After the withdrawal of the British supremacy and the Partition of India on 15th August 1947, the last native ruler of the princely state of Wadagam acceded his state to the newly formed Union of India, also known as Dominion of India after the Indian independence. Later the territory was included in the Indian state of Gujarat, India.
Rulers of Princely State of Wadagam
The chronology of the rulers of the princely state of Wadagam are discussed as follows-
* Thakore Shri Keshavdasji Rajsinhji
* Thakore Shri Umedsinhji
* Thakore Shri Gulabsinhji Umedsinhji
* Thakore Shri Rajsinhi
* Thakore Shri Kesrisinhji Pahadji
* Thakore Shri Gopalsinhji Kesrisinhji
* Thakore Shri Vakhatsinhji