Manawadar.
THIS is a section of the State of Bantwa, and a short account of the latter will give a fairly accurate idea of the position of Manawadar. Though a petty State in Kathiawar it has a certain amount of historical importance inasmuch as it is directly connected with the Junagarh and Radhanpur states. The rulers of these three are the lineal descendants of the Afghan nobleman, Bahadur Khan Babi, who rose to importance at the Mogul Court of Delhi on the strength of his right arm and natural bravery. Salabat Mahammad Khan, the great-grandson of Babi Bahadur Khan. had three sons of whom the two younger, Dalit Khan and Jaman Khan, had territories assigned to them which included the estate of Bantwa.
The descendants of Jaman Khan ruled over Bantwa under great odds, in consequence of their being continuously harassed by the predatory Kathis by whom they were surrounded. On one occasion, in the latter part of the eighteenth century, a bloody strife raged between the Kathis of Visawadar and the troops of the Chief of Bantwa.
Fatteh'ud-Din Khan, the seventh in descent from the orginal holder of the Estate, is the present incumbent of the Manawadar section of the Estate. He has received education at the Rajkumar College, Rajkot, and politically ranks in the third class among the Chiefs of Kathiawar, and, as such, he has power in criminal cases to inflict punishments extending to seven years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10,000, while in civil cases he is empowered to dispose of suits ranging in value up to Rs. 20,000.
The Chief resides at Manawadar which is an inland city, 22 miles to the west of Junagarh. The other two co'sharers are fifth class Sirdars of whom one resides at Bantwa, and the other at Gidad.
The total area of the principality is 221 square miles and contains about 45,000 inhabitants. The revenue of the joint Estate is 4,50,000 Rupees per annum.
