princely state · Indian princely states
Bhavnagar State
Origins
The Gohil Rajputs had ruled in southern Saurashtra since the 13th century from Sihor. In 1723 Bhavsinhji I founded the port of Bhavnagar on the Gulf of Khambhat and moved his capital there, giving the state its name. It was also known as Gohilwad after the ruling clan.
Rule and society
Bhavnagar grew rich from sea trade, especially cotton exported to Bombay, and cooperated with the British against piracy in the Gulf. Under rulers such as Takhtsinhji it built railways, colleges and hospitals and was regarded as one of the better-administered states of the Kathiawar Agency, with Prabhashankar Pattani as a noted diwan.
Decline and legacy
In January 1948 Krishnakumarsinhji announced the transfer of power to a popular government, and Bhavnagar was merged into the United State of Saurashtra in 1948; it has been in Gujarat since 1960. Krishnakumarsinhji later served as Governor of Madras.
Lineage
On the connections map
Open the full map →Connections (2)
- Bhavnagar State was a protectorate of Company rule in India1807 CE – 1858 CE
- Bhavnagar State was a protectorate of British Raj1858 CE – 1947 CE
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Cite this page
- APA
- The Epoch Institute. (2026). Bhavnagar State. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/bhavnagar-state
- MLA
- “Bhavnagar State.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/bhavnagar-state. Accessed .
- Chicago
- The Epoch Institute. “Bhavnagar State.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/bhavnagar-state.
- Harvard
- The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Bhavnagar State’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/bhavnagar-state (Accessed: ).
Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻