Information

Dynasty

State

Saurashtra

Gun Salutes

11

Agency

Kathiawar Agency

Accession

15th February 1948

Area

2,652 Square Kilometers km²

Population

205,846 (1931)

Privy Purse

INR 800,000

Hindi Name

गोंडल

Last Updated

16th Mar, 2024

Present Head

HH Maharajah Shri HIMANSHUSINHJI JYOTENDRASINHJI Sahib, 17th Maharaja of Gondal (2022/-) (Naulakha Palace, Gondal, Gujarat, India), born , succeeded on the death of his father as Head of the Royal House of Gondal in December 2022, installed at the Navlakha Palace, Gondal, on 22nd January 2024. He married firstly (div. 2003) Rajkumari Hemangini Kumari, daughter of Maharaj Chandra Shekhar Singh of Chhatargarh (see Bikaner), by his wife, Rani Anasuya Devi. Member of The Vintage & Classic Car Club of India (VCCCI), Western India Automobile Association (WIAA), Indian Automotive Racing Club (IARC). He has issue, one son.
  • Yuvaraj Pratapsinh Himanshukumarsinhji
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History

Second Class State in Kathiawar founded in 1634, later it was raised from the 2nd class to a 1st class state in 1887.
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Genealogy

  • Thakore Shri KUMBHOJI I MEHRAMJI, Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1634/1679, son of Thakore Mehramji Vibhoji of Rajkot by his Chaudasama Rani, married and had issue. He died .
    • Thakore Shri Sagramji Khumbhoji Sahib (qv)
    • Thakore Shri Sangoji Khumbhoji Sahib, received six villages and was founder of Kotda-Sangani.
  • Thakore Shri SAGRAMJI I KHUMBHOJI Sahib, Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1679/1714, born , he moved his residence from Ardoi to Gondal in 1709, and made it his capital; married a daughter of a Jhala Rajput of Vaghasia in Jhalawad, and had issue. He died .
    • Thakore Shri Haloji Sagramji Sahib (qv)
    • Kumar Shri Nathuji Sagramji Sahib, received six villages as his share of the inheritance and was founder of Mengni.
    • Kumar Shri Hathiji Sagramji Sahib, received six villages as his share of the inheritance.
    • Kumar Shri Bharoji Sagramji Sahib, received six villages as his share of the inheritance.
  • Thakore Shri HALOJI SAGRAMJI Sahib, Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1714/1753, received a number of villages from the Nawab of Junagadh for his support, married a Jhala lady of Balala, and had issue, four sons and one daughter. He died .
    • Thakore Shri Kumbhoji Haloji Sahib (qv)
    • Kumar Shri Hamoji Haloji Sahib
    • Kumar Shri Pathoji Haloji Sahib
    • Kumar Shri Jethiji Haloji Sahib
  • Thakore Shri KUMBHOJI II HALOJI Sahib, Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1753/1790, born , an accomplished ruler, did much to further the prosperity of the state, married 1stly, Thakorani Naniba Sahiba, daughter of the Raizada of Soroder, married 2ndly, a daughter of a Bhayad of Limbdi, and had issue. He died .
    • Kumar Shri Sagramji Kumbhoji Sahib (by Naniba), born , married 1stly, Kumari Fuliba Sahiba, married 2ndly, Kumari Motiba Sahiba, and had issue. He died
      • Thakore Shri Muluji Sagramji Sahib [Malubhai Sahib] (by Thakorani Fuliba)(qv)
      • Thakore Shri Devaji Sagramji Sahib [Devabhai Sahib] (by Thakorani Fuliba)(qv)
      • Kumar Shri Hathibhai Sagramji Sahib (by Thakorani Fuliba)
      • Kumar Shri Bhavobhai Sagramji Sahib (by Thakorani Motiba)
      • Rani Kunkabai Sahiba, marrried Raj Sahib Raj Saheb Bharoji Kesarisinhji [Bhavaji] of Wankaner.
      • Rani Baijiba Sahiba, married Raj Sahib Raisinhji Jashwantsinhji of Dhrangadhra.
    • Kumar Shri Mokaji Kumbhoji (by second wife), he was granted the village of Analgadh and built the fort of Analgadh, later Jadeja's of Analgadh settled in two villages, Lunivav and Sindhavadar.
  • Thakore Shri MULUJI SAGRAMJI Sahib [Malubhai Sahib], Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1790/1792, born , a weak and ineffectual ruler who was under the influence of a court favourite, married 1stly, Thakorani Ajiba Sahiba, daughter of Thakor Sahib Akhairajji of Bhavnagar, married 2ndly, Thakorani Adiba Sahiba, daughter of the Raizad of Ghorvad, and had issue. He died .
    • Thakor Shri Dajibhai Muluji Sahib (by Thakorani Adiba)(qv)
    • Kumar Shri Babji Muluji Sahib (by Thakorani Adiba)
  • Thakore Shri DAJIBHAI MULUJI Sahib, Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1792/1800, born , a patron of letters and fond of poetry, he allowed his uncle to handle the administrative affairs of the state, married three wives (from Vaosavey, Sayla andPorbander), but died sp 1800.
  • Thakore Shri DEVAJI SAGRAMJI Sahib [Devabhai Sahib], Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1800/1812, born , he was the first ruler to discourage the practice of infanticide in his state, married 1stly, Thakorani Kasiba Sahiba, daughter of the Jhala Chief of Balala, married 2ndly, Thakorani Baijiba Sahiba, [daughter of Raj Sahib Jashwantsinhji Gajsinhji of Dhrangadhra, and his second wife, Rani Chandar Kunwarba Sahiba], and had issue, four sons by the second wife. He died .
    • Thakore Shri Nathuji Devaji Sahib [Nathubhai] (qv)
    • Thakore Shri Kanuji Devaji Sahib (qv)
    • Thakore Shri Chandrasinhji Devaji Sahib [Motibhai] (qv)
    • Thakore Shri Bhanabhai Devaji Sahib (qv)
  • Thakore Shri NATHUJI DEVAJI Sahib [Nathubhai Sahib], Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1812/1814, his short reign was uneventful, married and had issue. He died spm 1814.
    • Kumari Bai Sahiba, married into Dhrangadhra.
  • Thakor Shri KANUJI DEVAJI Sahib, Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1814/1821, he was fond of his drink and neglected affairs of the state, married 1stly, Thakorani Nanibaiba of Soderda, married 2ndly, a lady of Talaja, married 3rdly, Thakorani Motibaiba of Ganod. He died sp 1821.
  • Thakore Shri CHANDRASINHJI DEVAJI Sahib [Motibhai Sahib], Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1821/1841, he was a weak administrator and allowed the finances of the state to be depleted, married 1stly, Thakorani Sunderba of Narichana, married 2ndly, Thakorani Anopba of Vaniavadhar. He died spm 1841.
    • HH Rani Sundar Kunwarba Sahiba, married HH Raj Sahib Ranmalji Amarsinhji of Dhrangadhra.
  • Thakore Shri BHANABHAI DEVAJI Sahib, Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1841/1851, inherited a large debt from his predecessor, married 1stly, a Jhala lady of Gundala, died young sp, married 2ndly, Thakorani Shri Motiba Sahiba of Gundiali, and had issue. He died 1851.
    • HH Thakore Shri Sagramji Bhanabhai Sahib [Sagramji II] (by 2nd wife) (qv)
    • Kumar Shri Muluji Bhanabhai Sahib (by 2nd wife), married and had issue.
      • Kumar Shri Jalamsinhji Muluji, married and had issue.
        • Kumar Shri Balsinhji Jalamsinhji, married and had issue.
          • Kumar Shri Bhagwansinhji Balsinhji Jadeja, educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot (1946), married and had issue.
            • Kumar Shri Yadvendrasinhji Bhagwansinhji Jadeja, educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot.
          • Kumari Manhar Kumari Devi, she was adopted by HH Maharaja Shri Bhojrajjisinhji Bhagwatsinhji Sahib (see below).
  • HH Thakore Shri SAGRAMJI BHANABHAI Sahib [Sagramji II], Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1851/1869, born , his reign was a transitional period during which he built a court house, a jail and improved the police force; married 1stly, HH Thakorani Raiba Sahiba, died young, daughter of Thakore Panchaliji Jhala, married 2ndly, HH Thakorani Ramba Sahiba, daughter of Thakore Harisinghji Jhala of Gundiyadi, she died 1857, married 3rdly, 1857 HH Thakorani Monghiba Sahiba, daughter of Thakore Sartanji Jhala of Meenapur, and had issue. He died .
    • Kumar Shri Balubha Sagramji Sahib [Bhalsinhji Sagramsinhji] (ex Ramba Sahiba), he died at the age of two years.
    • Kumar Shri Pathubha Sagramji Sahib [Prithirajji Sagramsinhji], born , died sp 1862.
    • HH Maharaja Shri Sir Bhagwatsinhji Sagramsinhji Sahib (by Monghiba Sahiba) (qv)
    • Kumari Shri Majirajba Sahiba (ex Monghiba Sahiba), married in Bhavnagar.
  • HH Maharaja Shri Sir BHAGWATSINHJI SAGRAMSINHJI Sahib, Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1869/1944, born , G.C.I.E. [cr.1897], K.C.I.E. [cr.1887], LL.D.(Hon) [1887], D.C.L.(Hon) [1892], F.R.C.P. [1895], F.R.S.E., M.D. [1895], M.R.A.S., he succeeded to the gadi on 14th December 1869, educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot and Edinburgh University (M.B.), a Fellow of Bombay University, a great scholar and an author as well. He took great interest in education and built a large college on the boarding school system for the education of the sons of landholders. He also established a girls' High School in the state. He also was the first to start a travelling dispensary and an asylum for the maintenance of the poor. He was elected a patron of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade, Hindu Division, Bombay. He abolished some 40 dues during his long reign. Gondal State was singular in being free from rates, taxes, customs, octroi, and export duties. It was the only state in the Western India States Agency where female education was complusory. Gondal was noted for the number and excellence of its roads and was one of the pioneers of railway enterprise in Kathiawar. The number of public institutions and schools was a marked feature in the State. The Golden Jubliee of His Highness was celebrated in 1934. His Excellency, the Viceroy, visited Gondal on 18th January 1936. He attended the Viceroy of India's Durbar at Rajkot in November 1900, and also the Delhi Coronation Durbar on 1st January 1903. He attended the Coronation of Their Imperial Majesties, King George V and Queen Mary in England on the 22nd June 1911, and the Coronation Durbar at Delhi on 12th December 1911, married 1stly, 4th June 1881, HH Maharani Shri Nandkunverba Sahiba, daughter of HH Maharana Sahib Shri Narayandevji Ramdevji of Dharampur, born , died , C.I., married 2ndly, 4th April 1882, a cousin of the Raja Sahib of Wankaner, married 3rdly, 4th April 1882, Kumari Bashahiba Sahiba, his cousin, daughter of his own maternal uncle, Thakore Kalyansinhji Jhala of Minapur, married 4thly, HH Maharani Nanaba Sahiba, daughter of Thakore Shri Becharsinhji Raisinhji of Chuda, and had issue, eight children, all by the first wife. He died .
    • HH Maharajah Shri Bhojrajjisinhji Bhagwatsinhji Sahib (qv)
    • Maharaj Kumari Shri Bakuver Ba Sahiba, born in Gondal, died unmarried 1970 at Mumbai.
    • Maharajkumar Shri Bhupatsinhji Bhagwatsinhji Sahib, born , educated at Harrow 1901/1907
    • Maharaj Kumari Leila Ba Sahiba [later Rani Bai Shri Leila Ba Kunverba Sahiba of Jubbal] (by HH Maharani Shri Nandkunverba Sahiba), born in Gondal, married (as his second wife), 11th May 1919, Rana Bhagat Chandra of Jubbal, and had issue. She died at New Delhi.
    • Maharajkumar Shri Ranjitsinhji Bhagwatsinhji Sahib
    • Maharajkumar Shri Kiritsinhji Bhagwatsinhji Sahib, educated at Harrow 1908/1912
    • Maharajkumar Shri Natwarsinhji Bhagwatsinhji Sahib
    • Maharajkumari Tara Ba Sahiba, born in Gondal, died in Gondal.
  • HH Maharajah Shri BHOJRAJJISINHJI BHAGWATSINHJI Sahib, Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1944/1952, born , married HH Maharani Raj Kunverba Saheb, died on , and had issue, two sons and five daughters, as well as adoptive issue. He died .
    • Maharaj Kumari Sita Ba Sahiba [later HH Maharani Bai Shri Sita Ba Kunverba Sahiba of Palitana], married 2nd December 1919, HH Maharaja Shri Bahadursinhji of Palitana.
    • Maharaj Kumari Kamlaba Sahiba, married (as his second wife), HH Saramad-i-Rajha-i-Bundelkhand Maharaja Mahendra Sawai Shri Sir Vir Singh Ju Deo Bahadu, Maharaja of Orchha, and had issue.
    • HH Maharani Vijayba Sahiba, born , married HH Maharaja Shri Sir Krishnakumarsinhji Gohil of Bhavnagar. She died .
    • HH Maharajah Shri Vikramsinhji Bhojrajjisinhji Sahib (qv)
    • Maharaj Kumari Jayaba Sahiba [HH Thakorani Sahiba Jayaba Sahiba of Wadhwan], born , married HH Thakore Sahib Shri Surendrasinhji Jorawarsinhji of Wadhwan, and had issue. She died at Bangalore.
    • Maharaj Kumar Shivrajsinhji Bhojrajjisinhji Sahib, born , married and had issue, two sons. He died .
      • Rajkumar Giri Raj Sinhji Shivrajsinhji Sahib, born , educated at Rajkumar College, Rajkot (1964); married 21st November 1972, Kumari Bhuvaneshwari Kumari, daughter of Kanwar Jagat Bahadur Singh of Sirmur, and has issue.
        • Kunwar Akhairaj Sinh Jadeja
      • Rajkumar Upendra Sinhji Shivrajsinhji Sahib, married and has issue.
        • Kunwar Padmanav Sinh Jadeja, married 25th January 2011 in Kishangarh, Maharaj Kumari Vaishnavi Kumari, daughter of HH Umdae Rajhae Buland Makan Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Brajraj Singh Bahadur of Kishangarh, and his wife, HH Maharani Meenakshi Devi.
    • (A) Maharaj Kumari Manhar Kumari Devi, daughter of Thakore Sahib Balsinhji Jalamsinhji (see above), married at the Darbargadh, Gondal, Patayat Bhoopendra Singh Deo of Seraikella, and has issue.
  • HH Maharajah Shri VIKRAMSINHJI BHOJRAJJISINHJI Sahib, Thakore Saheb of Gondal 1952/1969, born , married 12th May 1937, Kumari Shri Nainkunwarba [HH Maharani Shri Nainkunwarba Sahiba], sister of Thakur Sahib Shri Hari Singhji of Achrol in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and had issue. He died .
    • HH Maharajah Shri Jyotendrasinhji Vikramsinhji Sahib (qv)
    • HH Maharani Prakash Kumari [Princess Pinkie], born O ctober 1941, married 20th February 1960, HH Maharajadhiraj Shri Rajendra Singhji Saheb of Idar and has issue.
    • Maharajkumari Aditya Kumari, born .
    • Maharajkumar Ghanadityasinhji Vikramsinhji Sahib, born at Gondal, educated at the Doon School, Dehra Dun, a keen sports car racer in his younger days, having participated in various races, both in India and abroad. He died in Mumbai. (Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)
  • HH Maharajah Shri JYOTENDRASINHJI VIKRAMSINHJI Sahib, 16th Maharaja of Gondal (1969/2022), born , educated at the Doon School, Dehra Dun and at St. Stephen's College, New Delhi,and passed out in 1958, a keen sports car racer in his younger days, having participated in various races, both in India and abroad, married HH Maharani Kumud Kumari, daughter of Maharaj Dharamkumarsinhji Bhavsinhji of Bhavnagar, and has issue.
    • Yuvarajkumar Himanshusinhji Jyotendrasinhji Sahib (qv)
  • HH Maharajah Shri HIMANSHUSINHJI JYOTENDRASINHJI Sahib, Maharaja Saheb of Gondal (see above)
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Gondal map
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