Varsoda
Varsoda is a small village located in Mansa, Gujarat, on the bank of the Sabarmati River, formerly seat of an eponymous petty Rajput princely state. It is approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Gandhinagar, the state capital of Gujarat.
History
Varsoda (or Varsora) was a petty Hindu princely state in Mahi Kantha of 28 Square Kilometers km2 (11 square mikes) before Indian Independence (1947) which had a population of 4,051 in 1892, 3,656 in 1901, yielding 18,871 Rupees sate revenue (1903-4, mainly from land), paying 1,583 Rupees tribute to the Gaekwar Baroda State. It comprised five villages and was ruled by Thakore (Shri)s of the Chavda dynasty (one of the major Rajput clan of Gujarat) under the British raj, who were awarded a privy purse of 12,500 Rupees.
The Chavda Rajputs first established kingdom at Anhilpur Patan (at present a district in northern Gujarat) in around 745 AD. Anhilpur Patan remained capital of Gujarat for many centuries. The Chavda Rajputs ruled lasted around 200 years at Patan. They gradually moved from Patan and established their kingdom at other locations such as Mehsana, Mansa and Varsoda. The Royal family of Chavda worship as their Kuldevi the Hindu goddess Chamunda devi, whose temple is in Varsoda.
Ruling Thakurs
Varsoda state was established by Thakur Surajmalji. After fourteen generations (including Thakore Shri Kishansinhji) succeeded :
- Thakur Gambhirsinhji
- his brother Thakur Motisinhji -/1858
- his son Thakur Kishorsinhji Motisinhji, born 15 October 1840, succeeded 4 March 1858, died 18 July 1919
- his grandon, the last ruler, Thakur Joravarsinhji, born 17 April 1914 and succeeded 18 July 1919. The state ceased to exist on 10 June 1948 by accession to Bombay State.
