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.
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 Bhimsinghji 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 state of Santrampur, ruled by Puwar Rajputs.
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.[2] The 1901 census records that the population had a decrease of 28% in the previous decade, due to famine.[3][2]
Col. HH Maharaja Sri Virbhadrasinhji Ranjitsinjhi 1929/1986, born 8 June 1910 in Lunawada, invested with full ruling powers on 2 October 1930, Member of the Chamber of Princes, married Maharajkumari Manher Kunwari [HH Maharani Kusum Kunwari of Lunawada], daughter of Capt. HH Maharana Raj Saheb Shri Sir Amarsinhji Banesinhji (Gangubha) of Wankaner, and had issue. He died in 1986.
Rulers
The rulers had the title 'Rana' and were accorded a status of 9-gun salute by the British authorities.[4]
Ranas
1674 - 1711 Bir Singh (d. 1711)
1711 - 1735 Nar Singh (d. 1735)
1735 - 1757 Wakhat Singh (d. 1757)
1757 - 1782 Dip Singh (d. 1782)
1782 - 1786 Durjan Singh (d. 1786)
1786 Jagat Singh
1786 - 1818 Partab Singh
1818 - 1849 Fateh Singh (d. 1849)
1849 - 1851 Dalpat Singh (d. 1851)
1851 - 1852 interregnum
1852 - Jun 1867 Dalil Singh (d. 1867)
31 Oct 1867 – 27 Apr 1929 Wakhat Singh Dalil Singh (b. 1860 - d. 1929) (from 25 May 1889, Sir Wakhat Singh Dalil Singh)
27 Apr 1929 – 15 Aug 1947 Virbhadra Singh Ranjit Singh (b. 1910 - d. 1986)
