Hapa

Origin and Lineage of Hapa State

The princely state of Hapa, located in the historic Mahi Kantha region of Gujarat, was ruled by the Parmar clan of Rajputs. The ruling family of Hapa traces its lineage back to the legendary Maharaja Vikramaditya of Malwa (Ujjain). Following the fragmentation of the Parmar empire in Malwa, branches of the clan migrated westward. A prominent branch established itself at Chandravati (near Mount Abu) and eventually pushed further south into the rugged and forested terrains of the Mahi Kantha region in northern Gujarat. Over generations, this branch established several offshoot principalities, including Hapa, Ranasan, Mohanpur, and Varagam.

British Period and Classification

During the era of the British Raj, Hapa was classified as a Sixth Class state within the Mahi Kantha Agency of the Bombay Presidency. Given its small geographical size and limited revenue, the state did not possess plenary jurisdictional powers. The Thakor (ruler) of Hapa exercised limited civil and criminal jurisdiction, while more serious judicial matters were referred to the court of the British Political Agent stationed at Sadra.

In the early 19^th century, along with other Mahi Kantha talukas, Hapa entered into security bonds and treaty relations with the British East India Company through the mediation of Major Ballantyne. Under these arrangements, the state agreed to pay a fixed annual tribute (known as Ghasdana) to the Gaekwad of Baroda, which was collected and administered under British supervision to maintain peace in the region.

The Attachment Scheme and Modern Integration

In the twilight years of the British Raj, Hapa became part of the Attachment Scheme of 1943. Under this administrative reform, smaller estates and talukas that lacked the resources to maintain modern administrative standards were attached to larger, neighboring princely states. Hapa was attached to the progressive state of Baroda, which took over its judicial and developmental administration.

Following India's independence in 1947, the ruling Thakor of Hapa signed the Instrument of Accession to merge with the Dominion of India. The state was formally integrated into the Bombay Province in 1948. Following the linguistic reorganization of Indian states in 1960, the territory of the former Hapa state became a part of the Sabarkantha district in the modern state of Gujarat.

References and Bibliography

• Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Cutch, Palanpur, and Mahi Kantha (Volume V), Government Central Press, 1880.
• Imperial Gazetteer of India, Oxford Clarendon Press.