Porbandar State

Porbandar State
પોરબંદર રિયાસત
Princely State of British India
1193–1948

Flag

Porbandar in a map of the Bombay Presidency
History
  Established 1193
  merged into India 1948
Area
  1931 1,647 km2 (636 sq mi)
Population
  1931 115,673 
Density 70.2 /km2  (181.9 /sq mi)
Public Domain This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 
Merchant flag of Porbandar adopted by the Jethwa rulers of the kingdom showing the image of Hanuman from whom the Jethwas claim their descent.
Huzoor Palace built by last ruler of Princely State of Probandar, Rana Natwarsinhji, in early 20th century, stands near sear the shore at the Marine Drive in the city.

Porbandar State was a princely state during the British Raj. It was one of the few princely states with a coastline.

The capital of state was the harbour town of Porbandar.[1] Some other important towns of state were Bhanvad, Chhaya, Ranpar and Shrinagar. Earlier Ghumli served as the capital of Jethwas, which was lost to Jadejas, however, architectural heritage built by them still stands at Ghumli.[2] During the British Raj, the state covered[3] an area of 1,663 square kilometres (642 sq mi), encompassing 106 villages and a population, in 1921, of over 100,000 people. It enjoyed a revenue of Rs. 21,00,000/-.

History

In 1193 Porbandar State was founded by an ancestral ruler expelled from Morvi State. In 1307 the state was renamed 'Ranpur' and in 1574 it was renamed 'Chhaya'. Finally in 1785 the state reverted to the name Porbandar. On 5 December 1809 it became a British protectorate and between 1886 and 15 September 1900 the state was administered by Bombay Province.[4]

In 1888, during the reign of Vikramatji Khimojiraj, the State started metre-gauge railway called Porbandar State Railway, which after independence was merged in to Saurashtra Railway.[5]

Upon the Independence of India in 1947, the state acceded unto the dominion of India. It was merged with the 'United State of Kathiawar', effective from 15 February 1948 and eventually came to form part of the present-day state of Gujarat.[1]

Porbandar was the birthplace of Nationalist leader Mahatma Gandhi in 1869, whose ancestors served as Dewan (Prime Minister) to the State[6]

Rulers

Porbandar State was ruled by the Jethwa dynasty of Rajputs.[7] By 1947, the rulers held the style of "Highness" and the title of "Maharaj Rana Sahib";[1] they were entitled to a salute of 13 guns as a hereditary distinction.

Ranas

Maharaja Rana Sahib Shri

Administrators

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "PORBANDAR". www.royalark.net. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  2. Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, Volume 8, 1884
  3. "Porbandar (Princely State)". www.maheronline.org. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  4. Princely States of India
  5. "Porbandar railway".
  6. "Porbandar". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  7. Rajput Provinces of India – Porbandar State (Princely State)

External links

Coordinates: 21°37′48″N 69°36′00″E / 21.63000°N 69.60000°E / 21.63000; 69.60000

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, October 08, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.