Virpur

Origin and Foundation of the Virpur Dynasty

The ruling family of Virpur belongs to the illustrious Jadeja clan of Rajputs, tracing their ancestry back to the historic house of Nawanagar (modern-day Jamnagar). The state of Nawanagar was founded by Jam Rawal in the 16^th century. The lineage of Virpur began when Jam Vibhaji I of Nawanagar allocated appanages (estates granted to younger sons of royalty) to his progeny. Jam Vibhaji I had four sons, among whom Bhanji (also known as Bhaniji), the second son, received the town of Kalawad along with eleven other villages as his Giras (hereditary land grant).

The Dispute and Alliance at Kharedi

According to historical accounts compiled by British administrator and historian Colonel J.W. Watson in the Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency (Vol VIII: Kathiawar), the village of Kharedi was originally intended to be part of Bhanji’s estate. However, a bitter dispute arose between Bhanji and the parent state of Nawanagar. Driven by principles and honor, Bhanji voluntarily renounced all his claims to the ancestral Giras of Kalawad.

Bhanji relocated to Kharedi, which was at the time under the jurisdiction of a Mughal/Mahomedan Thanadar (military commander). The region was heavily infested with marauding gangs of Kathis, who constantly looted and disrupted the local trade routes. Bhanji offered his military alliance to the Thanadar to suppress these freebooters. Due to Bhanji’s valor and strategic warfare, the Kathi raiders were successfully expelled. In gratitude for this invaluable service, the Thanadar granted Bhanji half of the lands of Kharedi, establishing a new power base for this branch of the Jadeja Rajputs.

Establishment of Virpur as the Capital

For several generations, the family ruled from Kharedi. However, during the mid-18^th century, Mokaji, the seventh in descent from the founder Bharoji (Bhanji), recognized the strategic and administrative limitations of Kharedi. Mokaji decided to shift the capital of the principality to the nearby town of Virpur. Upon arriving in Virpur, Mokaji repaired and heavily fortified the old local fort, turning it into an impregnable stronghold. From this point forward, the state came to be known as Virpur State.

British Colonial Period and Jurisdictional Status

During the British Raj, Virpur was recognized as a princely state under the Kathiawar Agency (which later merged into the Western India States Agency). To streamline administrative control over the hundreds of small states in the Kathiawar peninsula, the British authorities categorized them into classes based on their size, revenue, and historical importance. Virpur was designated as a Fourth Class State.

The state followed the strict rule of primogeniture, where the eldest son succeeded to the gadi (throne). Under the British administrative arrangement, the Talukdar (Ruler) of Virpur exercised independent civil and criminal jurisdictional powers within his territory, which were defined as follows:

• Criminal Jurisdiction: Power to award up to seven years' rigorous imprisonment and levy fines up to 10,000 Rupees.
• Civil Jurisdiction: Power to hear and decide cases involving values up to 20,000 Rupees.

Spiritual Legacy and Key Reformers

Unlike many contemporary states that were often plagued by internal strife, Virpur gained immense renown throughout India for its atmosphere of peace and spiritual patronage. The Jadeja rulers of Virpur were deeply religious and reform-minded, extending patronage to various spiritual movements.

The most defining chapter in Virpur's history is its association with the legendary saint Jalaram Bapa (1799–1881). Born in Virpur, Jalaram Bapa established a Sadavrat (a free kitchen providing food to pilgrims, sadhus, and the needy regardless of caste or religion). The ruling Jadejas of Virpur deeply respected the saint and provided him with land, protection, and material support to run his humanitarian initiatives. To this day, the legacy of Jalaram Bapa makes Virpur one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in western India.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following India's independence from British rule in August 1947, the last ruler of Virpur signed the Instrument of Accession, merging the state into the United State of Kathiawar (later known as Saurashtra State) in 1948. In 1956, Saurashtra was merged into the bilingual Bombay State, and following the Mahagujarat Movement in 1960, Virpur became a part of the newly formed state of Gujarat.

Today, Virpur is located in the Jetpur taluka of the Rajkot district. It has evolved from a historic princely seat into a bustling town, globally famous for the Jalaram Bapa Temple, which uniquely continues the saint's tradition of serving free meals to all visitors without accepting any monetary donations or offerings.