Nasvadi

Origin and Foundation of Nasvadi

The state of Nasvadi (also spelled Naswadi) was a historic princely state located in the Rewa Kantha Agency of the Gujarat division during the British Raj. The ruling dynasty of Nasvadi belonged to the illustrious Solanki Rajput clan, who claim their ancestral descent from the legendary Chaulukya dynasty of Anhilwara Patan, which ruled over Gujarat during its golden medieval era. Following the fall of the Solanki empire to Delhi Sultanate incursions, branches of the royal clan migrated southward and eastward into the rugged terrains bordering the Narmada River, where they established various independent chieftainships, including Nasvadi.

Maratha Influence and the British Period

During the 18^th century, with the decline of the Mughal Empire, the Maratha Peshwas and later the Gaekwads of Baroda expanded their influence over the Gujarat region. Nasvadi was classified as one of the estates under the Sankheda Mehwas group. To protect themselves from continuous Maratha raids and exorbitant tribute demands, the Thakor of Nasvadi, along with other local chiefs, sought the protection of the British East India Company.

In 1825, under the mediation of British political officers, a settlement was brokered between the Gaekwad of Baroda and the Mehwas chiefs. Under this treaty, the British political agent in Rewa Kantha collected the tribute (known as Ghasdana or Jama) on behalf of Baroda, thereby securing the internal autonomy of the Nasvadi state. The state was classified as a non-salute state and remained under the political supervision of the Rewa Kantha Agency (which was later integrated into the Baroda, Western India, and Gujarat States Agency).

Governance and Key Reformers

The rulers of Nasvadi bore the title of Thakor Saheb. Despite the relatively small geographical area of the state—measuring approximately 19.5 square miles—the rulers focused heavily on maintaining agrarian stability and local judicial systems.

Among the key reformers of the family was Thakor Saheb Dharmasinhji, followed by his successors who worked towards introducing basic primary education, infrastructure development connecting the state to the neighboring Baroda State Railway, and reforming the land revenue administration. The state kept close social and matrimonial alliances with neighboring Rajput states of Rewa Kantha, including Chhota Udepur, Rajpipla, and Bhaderwa.

Post-Independence and the Modern Era

Following the independence of India in 1947, the last ruling Thakor signed the Instrument of Accession, merging the state of Nasvadi into the Dominion of India on June 10, 1948. Initially, it became part of the Bombay State.

With the linguistic reorganization of states in 1960, Nasvadi was integrated into the newly formed state of Gujarat. Today, Nasvadi is a vibrant taluka (sub-district) headquarter located within the Chhota Udepur district (formerly part of the Vadodara district). The descendants of the royal family continue to reside in the region, preserving their ancestral heritage and participating actively in local social and cultural affairs.

Historical References and Bibliography

• To explore detailed historical records on the Rewa Kantha Agency states, consult the Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Rewa Kantha, Cambay, and Surat States (Volume VI) available on the Internet Archive.
• For administrative records and tribute details of the Sankheda Mehwas states, refer to the Imperial Gazetteer of India hosted by the Digital South Asia Library at the University of Chicago.