Lunavada State, also known as Lunawada State, was a princely state in India during the time of the British Raj. Its last ruler acceded to the Union of India on 10 June 1948.
During the Rebellion of 1857, The Kolis of Khanpur in Lunawara State revolted against Rana of Lunawada under their Koli chieftain Suralmal of Khanpur. Because of Koli rebellion, Rana sought help from British government and British troops under Major Buckle attacked at Koli rebels and suppressed the rebellions.[2] In 1870, The Kolis again raised and breakdown the peace in the state and British controlled Territories.[3]
History
According to tradition the predecessor state was established in 1225 by descendants of Sidhraj, Raja of Anhilwara Patan, as the state of Virpur. In 1434, Rana Bhim Sinhji moved the capital to Lunavada on the other side of the Mahi river. Before the town was established, the area was controlled by the princely Sant State.[citation needed]
In 1826 Lunavada State became a British protectorate and was a second class state in the Rewa Kantha Agency. The capital was Lunavada town, said to have been founded in 1434.[4] The 1901 census records that the population had a decrease of 28% in the previous decade, due to famine.[5][4]
Col. HH Maharana Sir Virbhadrasinhji Ranjitsinhji 1929/1986, born 8 June 1910 in Lunawada, invested with full ruling powers on 2 October 1930, Member of the Chamber of Princes, married Manhar Kunwarba [HH Maharani Kusum Kunwarba of Lunawada], daughter of Capt. HH Maharana Raj Saheb Shri Sir Amarsinhji Banesinhji (Gangubha) of Wankaner State, and had issue. He died in the year 1986 and was succeeded by his son Maharana Bhupendra Sinhji.
Rulers
The rulers had the title 'Rana' and were accorded a status of 9-gun salute by the British authorities.[6]
Ranas & Maharanas
Rana Prathampalji
Rana Vikram Sinhji
Rana Vitthal Sinhji
Rana Bhim Sinhji
Rana Dhandhalrajji
Rana Dhavaldevji
Rana Bhimdevji
Rana Virbal Sinhji
Rana Pratap Sinhji I
Rana Vir Sinhji I
Rana Viramdevji
Rana Raghavsenji
Rana Ganga Dasji
Rana Udairanji
Rana Vaghji
Rana Maldevji
Rana Vanvirji
Rana Akhairajji
Rana Kumbhaji
Rana Jit Sinhji
Rana Trilok Sinhji
1629 - 1637: Rana Dayal Dasji
1637 - 1674: Rana Chandra Sinhji
1674–1711: Rana Vir Sinhji II (d. 1711)
1711–1735: Rana Nar Sinhji (d. 1735)
1735–1757: Rana Wakhat Sinhji I (d. 1757)
1757–1782: Rana Dip Sinhji (d. 1782)
1782–1786: Rana Durjan Sinhji (d. 1786)
1786: Rana Jagat Sinhji
1786–1817: Rana Pratap Sinhji II
1817 - 1818: Rana Shiv Sinhji
1818–1849: Rana Fateh Sinhji (d. 1849)
1849–1851: Rana Dalpat Sinhji (d. 1851)
1851–1852: interregnum
1852 – June 1867: Maharana Dalel Sinhji (d. 1867)
31 October 1867 – 27 Apr 1929: HH Maharajadhiraj Maharana Sir Wakhat Sinhji II Dalel Sinhji (b. 1860 – d. 1929) (from 25 May 1889, Sir Wakhat Sinhji I Dalel Sinhjj)
27 Apr 1929 – 15 August 1947: HH Maharajadhiraj Maharana Sir Virbhadra Sinhji Ranjit Sinhjj (b. 1910 – d. 1986)
1986 - 15 November 2017: Maharana Bhupendra Sinhji Virbhadra Sinhji (b. 1934 - d. 2017)
^Gujarat (India) (1972). Gujarat State Gazetteers: Panchmahals. New Delhi, India: Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications, Gujarat State. pp. 130: Maliwads.
