Dhar State

Dhar was a princely state of India during the British Raj. Dhar began as one of the states during Maratha dominance in India about 1730. In 1941 it had an area of 1798 sqmi and a population of 253,210. Dhar was part of the Central India Agency. In 1948 it became part of Madhya Bharat. The state was ruled by the Pawar (or Puar) dynasty of the Marathas.

The Puar Rajputs, the ancestors of the last ruling family, were established in Dhar long before the Christian era. The celebrated Rajas Vikramaditya and Bhoj are said to have reigned in Dhar. Vikramaditya transferred his capital from Ujjain to Dhar. The present Dhar dynasty was founded in 1729 by Udaji Rao Panwar a distinguished soldier who received the territory as a grant from Peshwas. During the Pindhari raids, the state's territory was whittled away until it was restored in size in 1819 when it was taken under protection by the British. The name of the state was taken from old city of Dharlong famous as the capital of Parampara Rajputs. The state was confiscated for rebellion in 1857 but was restored in 1864 with the usual reduction in territory.

Dhar Thikanas
A separate department to superintend Thakurs and Bhumias, Entitled "Department of Thakurans, Bhumian and Thikanejat" was established in 1921, at which time there were 22 such estates in Dhar State.

The nobles of Dhar Holding jagir lands, all of whom paid tribute to the Darbar, were divided between Thakurs and Bhumias. The Thakurs with one exception were Rajput landholders whose estates were located in the North of the state. Locally, the Thakurs were styled Talukdars and their holdings, kothari. By caste there were 8 Rathor Rajputs, one Ponwar and one Kayasth.

The Bhumias or "Alloidal" chiefs were all Bhilalas, a clan claiming mixed Bhil and Rajput (Chauhan) decent. Their grants were originally obtained from the Darbar on the understanding that they kept the peace among the Bhils and other wild hill tribes. They paid yearly tribute to the Darbar, while some received cash allowances (Bhet-Ghugri), an ancient feudal custom which has its origins in Blackmail.

Thakurs
1 Multhan The estate consists of 29 villages in the Badnawar pargana.

The chief, Thakur Bharat Singh, who was born in 1893 and succeeded in 1901, was adopted from a Sailana family. He was a Rathor Rajput related to the Ratlam ruling family. The residence of the chief is the Town of Multhan, situated on the Ratlam river, on the Dhar road 5 miles from Badnawar and 26 miles from Dhar city. Area 99 square miles.

2 Kachi Baroda

3 Dotria The chief in 1928 was Thakur Onkar Singh, a Rathor Rajput. He was born in 1887, succeeded in 1892 and was invested in full powers in 1908. He also held lands from Gwalior. Area 27.7 miles.

4 Bakhatgarh

(the above four were holdings guaranteed by the British)

5 Bidwal

6 Kod

7 Dharsi Khera

8 Mangaliya

9 Maswadia

10 Kathodia

11 Mangela

12 Bercha

13 Dana (Pana)

Bhumias
1 Bara Barkheda

2 Bharud Pura

3 Kali Baodi

4. Pipalda (Garhi)

5. Chhota Barkheda

6 Tirla (Nimkheda)

7 Bhawania (Bazurg)

8. Kothida