Dholera

The estate of Dholera, situated in the Bhal region of Gujarat, was historically held by the Chudasama Rajputs, a branch of the venerable Chudasama dynasty of Junagadh who settled in the region following the fall of their sovereign kingdom in the late 15^th century. As local garasias (landholders), the Chudasamas of Dholera maintained territorial authority until the early 19^th century, when the British East India Company acquired administrative control over the port town through negotiations and treaties with the local talukdars, as detailed in the historical records of the Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency. Under British patronage, Dholera flourished as an essential maritime hub and became world-renowned for the export of premium "Dholera Cotton," transforming the quiet principality into a bustling commercial gateway. In the post-independence era, this historic Chudasama tract has evolved from its legacy as a prominent colonial port into a focal point of modern infrastructure, now recognized as a premier smart city and industrial hub under the Dholera Special Investment Region initiative.