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.
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]
History
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 Bhimsinghji 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.[citation needed]
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 Maharaja Sri 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 Manher Kunwari [HH Maharani Kusum Kunwari of Lunawada], daughter of Capt. HH Maharana Raj Saheb Shri Sir Amarsinhji Banesinhji (Gangubha) of Wankaner, and had issue. He died in 1986.
Rulers
The rulers had the title 'Rana' and were accorded a status of 9-gun salute by the British authorities.[6]
Ranas
1674–1711: Bir Singh (d. 1711)
1711–1735: Nar Singh (d. 1735)
1735–1757: Wakhat Singh (d. 1757)
1757–1782: Dip Singh (d. 1782)
1782–1786: Durjan Singh (d. 1786)
1786: Jagat Singh
1786–1818: Partab Singh
1818–1849: Fateh Singh (d. 1849)
1849–1851: Dalpat Singh (d. 1851)
1851–1852: interregnum
1852 – June 1867: Dalil Singh (d. 1867)
31 October 1867 – 27 Apr 1929: Wakhat Singh Dalil Singh (b. 1860 – d. 1929) (from 25 May 1889, Sir Wakhat Singh Dalil Singh)
27 Apr 1929 – 15 August 1947 Virbhadra Singh Ranjit Singh (b. 1910 – d. 1986)
^Gujarat (India) (1972). Gujarat State Gazetteers: Panchmahals. New Delhi, India: Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications, Gujarat State. pp. 130: Maliwads.