Princely State of Nilvala was a former native state that was under the indirect rule of the British Empire in India. During the early 19th century, the region was appointed as one of the princely states of India that was administered by a native ruler. The region covered a total area of 2 sq miles and is presently a part of the Indian state of Gujarat. The region comprised of a total population of 545 in the year 1931. The erstwhile princely state of Nilvala 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 Western Kathiawar Agency and Babra Thana as well.
Location of Princely State of Nilvala
The taluka of Nilvala was located in the Babra Thana region. It included only a single village around 13 miles towards the north northwest of Lathi, which was located in the south central Kathiawar. The state of Nilvala was almost entirely square in form. It was bounded by the princely state of Bhadli in the north; by the princely state of Kariana in the east; by the state of Babra in the south; and by the territory of Kotda Pitha in the west.
Babra Thana covered a total area of 298 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 21,406 in the year 1931. The region included around 13 estates and almost all of the estates were held by Khachar Kathi and Vala shareholders, including talukdars and bhagdars. The territory also included the villages of Vavdi, situated 6 miles towards the southwest of Babra, and Kotda Pitha, which belonged to the 3 Bhoka Jaitani talukas and Kotda Pitha respectively. Babra Thana was generally bordered by the princely state of Jasdan in the north; by the princely state of Bhavnagar in the east; by the estate of Jetpur in the south; and by the princely state of Gondal in the west.
History of Princely State of Nilvala
The Princely State of Nilvala was initially ruled by the Khachar Kathis. The Nilvala state was claimed by several princes, who were formally addressed as shareholders. There are 5 such shareholders, including bhagdars and talukdars, in the state. The princely state of Jasdan also held interest in the territory. The shareholders of Nilvala were Khachar Kathis who seized the region from the Sarvaiya Rajputs. The estate holders of the Babra Thana were well learned and educated and were aware of the political scenario in the nation. Almost all of the shareholders possessed substantial financial resources which improved their status amongst the native rulers of other states.
Nilvala state was a non- jurisdictionary princely state and it paid an annual tribute to the princely state of Junagadh. According to the Attachment Scheme of 1943, the princely state of Nilvala was attached to the princely state of Baroda.
Accession of Princely State of Nilvala
In the year 1947, the last native ruler of the princely state of Nilvala acceded his state to the newly formed Union of India, also known as Dominion of India after the nation was divided into the Dominion of India and Pakistan. At present, Nilvala is included as a part of the Indian state of Gujarat.