Conventional Long Name: | Lunavada State |
Common Name: | Lunavada |
Year Start: | 1434 |
Year End: | 1948 |
Event End: | Accession to the Union of India |
S1: | India |
Flag S1: | Flag of India.svg |
Image Map Caption: | Lunavada State (violet) within Rewa Kantha Agency, Indian Empire |
Stat Area1: | 1005 |
Stat Year1: | 1901 |
Stat Pop1: | 63,967 |
Capital: | Lunavada |
Lunavada State, also known as Lunawada State, was a princely state in India during the time of the British Raj. Its last ruler acceded to the Union of India on 10 June 1948.
Lunavada State had an area of 1,005 km2[1] and fell under the Rewa Kantha Agency of the Bombay Presidency, later integrated into the Baroda and Gujarat States Agency. Its capital was located in Lunavada town in present-day Gujarat state, India.
During the Rebellion of 1857, The Kolis of Khanpur in Lunawara State revolted against Rana of Lunawada under their Koli chieftain Suralmal of Khanpur. Because of Koli rebellion, Rana sought help from British government and British troops under Major Buckle attacked at Koli rebels and suppressed the rebellions.[2] In 1870, The Kolis again raised and breakdown the peace in the state and British controlled Territories.[3]
According to tradition the predecessor state was established in 1225 by descendants of Sidhraj, Raja of Anhilwara Patan, as the state of Virpur. In 1434, Rana Bhim Sinhji moved the capital to Lunavada on the other side of the Mahi river. Before the town was established, the area was controlled by the princely Sant State.
In 1826 Lunavada State became a British protectorate and was a second class state in the Rewa Kantha Agency. The capital was Lunavada town, said to have been founded in 1434.[4] The 1901 census records that the population had a decrease of 28% in the previous decade, due to famine.[5] [4]
Col. HH Maharana Sir Virbhadrasinhji Ranjitsinhji 1929/1986, born 8 June 1910 in Lunawada, invested with full ruling powers on 2 October 1930, Member of the Chamber of Princes, married Manhar Kunwarba [HH Maharani Kusum Kunwarba of Lunawada], daughter of Capt. HH Maharana Raj Saheb Shri Sir Amarsinhji Banesinhji (Gangubha) of Wankaner State, and had issue. He died in the year 1986 and was succeeded by his son Maharana Bhupendra Sinhji.
The rulers had the title 'Rana' and were accorded a status of 9-gun salute by the British authorities.[6]