Rewa Kantha was a political agency of British India, managing the relations (indirect rule) of the British government's Bombay Presidency with a collection of princely states. It stretched for about 150 miles between the plain of Gujarat and the hills of Malwa, from the Tapti River to the Mahi River crossing the Rewa (or Narmada) River, from which it takes its name.
The political agent, who was also District collector of the prant (British District) of the Panchmahal, resided at Godhra.
History
The native states came under British subsidiary alliances after the Third Anglo-Maratha War of the early 19th century.
The total surface was 4,971.75 square miles, comprising 3,412 villages, with a population of 479,055, yielding 2,072,026 Rupeese state revenue and paying 147,826 Rupees tribute (mostly to the Gaikwar Baroda State).
In 1937 the princely states of the Rewa Kantha Agency were merged with Baroda State in order to form the Baroda and Gujarat States Agency, which in turn merged in 1944 with the Western India States Agency as Baroda, Western India and Gujarat States Agency.
After the Independence of British India in 1947, split into India and Pakistan, the rulers of the states all agreed to accede to the Government of India and were integrated into Bombay State. Bombay state was split along linguistic lines in 1960, and Rewa Kantha became part of Gujarat, like Saurashtra State.
Princely States
The number of separate states was 61, mostly minor or petty states except for five. Many of them were under British influence; the largest one was Rajpipla.
The Agency also dealt with five first-class states named Chhota Udaipur State, Devgadh Bariya State, Santrampur, Lunawada State and Balasinor State. The total area of the states the agency related to was . In 1901 their population was 479,065. Many of the inhabitants were Bhils and Kolis.
Rewa Kantha division
(includes all the main states; in direct relations with the Political Agent at Godhra)
Salute states : Rajpipla (Nandod), First Class, title Maharaja, Hereditary salute of 13-guns Bari(y)a (Devgadh), Second Class, title Maharaol, Hereditary salute of 9-guns (11-guns personal) Lunavada, Second Class, title Maharana, Hereditary salute of 9-guns Balasinor, Second Class, title Nawab, Hereditary salute of 9-guns Sant (Sunth) (Rampur), Second Class, title Maharana, Hereditary salute of 9-guns
Chhota Udepur, First Class, title Maharaja Maharawal, Hereditary Salute of 11 - guns
Non-salute states : Kadana, Third Class Sanjeli, Third Class Jambughoda (Narukot), Third Class
Mehwas
Only non-salute states: two geographical groups of minor or petty rural (e)states
Sankheda
(near Narmada River)
Mandwa, Third Class (personal) / Fourth Class
Gad Boriad, Third Class (personal) / Fourth Class
Shanor, Fourth Class
Vajiria, Fourth Class
Vanmala, Fourth Class (personal) / Fifth Class
Nangam, Fifth Class
Naswadi, Gujarat, Uchad, Agar, Palasni, Khareda , Borkhad , Bhilodia : Motisinghji, Chhatarsinghji, Vasan Virpur, Vo(h)ra, Vasan Sewada, Alwa, Chorangla, Sindiapura, Bihora, Vadia (Virampura), Dudhpur, Rampura, Jiral Kamsoli, Chudesar, Pantalavdi : Akbar Khan, Kesar Khan, Regan, Nalia,
Pandu
(near Mahi River; all paying tribute to the Gaekwar Baroda State):
Bhadarwa, Third Class
Umetha, Third (personal) / Fourth Class
Sihora, Fourth Class
Pandu, Fifth Class
Chhaliar, Mevli, Kanoda , Poicha, Dhari, Itwad, Gotardi, Litter Gothda, Amrapur, Vakhtapur, Jesar, Moka Pagi nu Muvadu, Kalsa Pagi nu Muvadu, Rajpur, Moti Varnol, Jumkha, Nani Varnol, Varnolmal, Angadh,
the Dorka (e)states
Dorka, Angadh, Rayka (Raika),
Fiscal Stamps
In addition to those of Rewa Kantha Agency itself, revenue and/or court fee stamps were issued for the following native states : in the Rewa Kantha Division (all) Rajpipla Balasinor Baria Lunavada Sant Chhota Udaipur Jambughoda Kadana Sanjeli
in the Sankheda Mehwas (only these) Gad Boriad Naswadi Shanor Vajiria
in the Pandu Mehwas (only these) Bhadarva Pandu Mewas Umeta Bakrol (Boru)