Rajkot
Rajkot Princely state was a part of Kathiawar Agency of the Bombay Province. It was entitled to 9 gun salutes by the British authority. The capital city, Rajkot was located in the Halar region of Kathiawar on the banks of Aji River. It was ruled by different rulers in different eras. It also played an important role in the India’s independence struggle. It was also home town of ‘Father of Nation’, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
Presently, Rajkot is the 26th largest city of the India and the 22nd fastest growing town in the world as per to City Mayor World’s statistics.
The origin of rulers is traced from Kumar Shri Vibhoji Ajoji, grandson of Jam Shri Satarsal [Sataji] Vibhaji Sahib of Jadeja clan of Rajput who ruled at Jamnagar. He was taken to Delhi prison after his father’s death in the Battle of Bhuchar Mori. There, he was guarded under the guardianship of Jodhaji Soda who was the maternal uncle of Akbar’s wife.
Later, he joined the Mughal army and became a part of Shah Jahan’s force in expelling the Vaghelas from Sardhar. He then got married to the daughter of the Vaghela chief. He received land grants of Ardoi, Rib, Ribda and Kalipat from Mughals. His son continued to render service in Mughal force and also received numerous grants.
The third descendent of Vibhoji, Thakore Bamanioji seized Rajkot and surrounding areas of Babis of Junagadh. He was succeeded by his younger son, Mheramanji II. He was killed in a battle against the Deputy Faujdar of Junagadh and so, he did not hold the throne for a longer period. He left seven sons and was succeeded by his eldest son, Lakhoji I in 1746.