Radhanpur State
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Radhanpur State
State m the Palanpur Agency, Bombay lying between 23 26' and 23 $8' N. and 71 28' and 72 3' E, with an area of 1,150 square miles. Including Sami and Munjpur, it is bounded on the north by the, petty States of Morvada and Tervada; on the east by Baroda; on the south by Ahmadabad Dis- trict and Jhinjhuvada in Kathiawar, and on the west by the petty State of Varahi under Palanpur.
The country is flat and open. Its rivers, three in number, rise near Mount Abu and the spurs of the Aravalli range, and fall into the Little Rann. They generally dry up during the hot season, when the inhabitants are dependent on wells for their supply. Water is found at a depth of from 10 to 30 feet, but is sweet only near the surface, owing to the proximity of the Rann. From April to July, and in October and November, the heat is excessive. If rain falls, August and September are pleasant months ; and from December to March the climate is cool and bracing. The prevailing disease is fever. The mean temperature is 41 in January and 115 in June.
Radhanpur, now held by a branch of the Babi family, who, since the reign of Humayun, have always been prominent in the annals of Gujarat, is said to have once belonged to the Vaghelas, and to have been called Lunavada, after Vaghela Lunaji of the Sardhara branch of that tribe. Subsequently it was held as a fief under the Sultans of Gujarat by Fateh Khan Baloch, and is said to have been named Radhanpur after Radhan Khan of that family.
The first Babi entered Hindustan in the company of Humayun. Bahadur Khan Babi was appointed faujdar of Tharad in the reign of Shah Jahan ; and his son Sher Khan Babi, on account of his local knowledge, was sent to aid prince Murad Bakhsh in the government of Gujarat. In 1693 his son Jafar Khan, by his ability and local influence, obtained the faujdari of Radhanpur, Sami, Munjpur, and Tervada, with the title of Safdar Khan. In 1704 he was made governor of Bijapur (in Gujarat), and in 1706 of Patan. His son Khan Jahan, also styled KhanjI Khan, received the title of Jawan Mard Khan, and was appointed governor of Radhanpur, Patan, Vadnagar, Visalnagar, Bijapur, Kheralu, &c. His son, again, Kamal- ud-dm Khan, usurped the governorship of Ahmadabad after the death of Aurangzeb, during the incursions of the Marathas and the sub-' sequent collapse of the imperial power. During his rule a branch of the family was able to establish itself at Junagarh and Balasinor. The founder of the Junagarh house, who was also the first Babi of Balasinor, was Muhammad Bahadur, otherwise known as Sher Khan. In 1753 Raghunath Rao Peshwa and Damajl Gaikwar suddenly appeared before Ahmadabad ; and Kamal-ud-dm Khan, after a bril- liant defence, was forced to surrender the city, but was confirmed as jaglrddr of Radhanpur, Sami, Munjpur, Patan, Visalnagar, Vadnagar,
Bijapur, Tharad, and Kheralu. It was agreed at the same time that the Marathas should give Kamal-ud-din Khan the sum of one lakh, besides presenting him with an elephant and other articles of value. Damaji Gaikwar, however, wrested from his successors all their dominions, excepting Radhanpur, Sami, and Munjpur
In 1813 Radhanpur, through Captain Carnac, then Resident at Baroda, concluded an engagement with the Gaikwar, whereby the latter, under the advice of the British authorities, was empowered to control the external relations of Radhanpur, and assist in defending it from foreign invasion. In 1819, on aid being sought of the British Government by Radhanpur against the Khosas, a predatory tribe from Sind, Colonel Barclay marched against them and expelled them from Gujarat. In 1820 Major Miles negotiated an agreement with the Nawab of Radhanpur. Under the terms of this agreement the Nawab bound himself not to harbour robbers, or enemies of the British Government ; to accompany the British troops with all his forces ; and to pay a tribute in proportion to his means On February 18, 1822, the tribute was fixed for five years at Rs 17,000. This^tnbute was, in 1825, remitted by the British Government, and has never again been imposed, the engagement of 1820 remaining in force in other respects. The Nawab is entitled to a salute of 1 1 guns. The family hold a sanad authorizing any succession that may be legitimate accord- ing to Muhammadan law, and follow the rule of primogeniture in point of succession. '
The population in 1901 was 61,548, compared with 98,017 in 1891. Hindus numbered 49,887 and Muhammadans 8,019. The State contains one town, RADHANPUR ; and 159 villages. The principal pro- ducts are cotton, wheat, and the common kinds of grain. Except vegetables, no irrigated crops are grown. The only manufacture of importance is the preparation of a fine description of saltpetre.
The chief has power to try his own subjects, even for capital offences, without permission from the Political Agent. In 1903-4 the gross revenue of the State amounted to nearly 4 lakhs, chiefly derived from land (2-7 lakhs) and customs (Rs. 79,000).
The State maintains a military force of 35 horse and 163 foot. The strength of the police in 1903-4 was 771 men. There are 24 schools attended by 711 pupils, including 94 girls, The State maintained six medical institutions in 1903-4, treating more than 13,400 patients. In the same year over 1,500 persons were vaccinated.
