Wankaner

Wankaner (वांकानेर) was a princely state situated in the historical Halar region of Kathiawar peninsula, now part of Gujarat state in India. Its capital was Wankaner city, located on the banks of the Machchhu River. Wankaner shared borders with Dhrangadhra, Rajkot, and several other smaller princely states..

Title of the prince: Maharana.

Dynasty: Jhala.

Religion: Hindu.

Honorary gun salutes: 11.

Area: 1.080 square kilometers. It included 104 villages.

Population: 32,653 people in the year 1911.

Current head of the dynasty: His Highness Kesri Singhji, Maharana Raj Saheb of Wankaner since 2021.

History: The ruling family of Wankaner was the senior branch of the Jhala Rajputs, originating from a succession dispute with the junior branch at Dhrangadhra-Halvad. Sartanji, a son of the disinherited heir of Halvad, established the Wankaner principality after a period of conflict. The descendants of Sartanji ruled Wankaner, maintaining a long-standing feud with Halvad until the Walker settlement in 1807-1808 brought peace, after which Wankaner became a British protectorate. Subsequent rulers, including Banesinhji and Amarsinhji, focused on reforms and modernization. Wankaner willingly acceded to India in 1948.

The current Maharana Raj Saheb Kesri Singhji is married to Maharani Shri Yogini Kumari, daughter of Maharaj Shri Daivat Singhji of Sirohi. He is the father of two sons: Raj Saheb Mansinhji Sartanji, and Kumar Shri Ramsinhji Sartanji. Succession follows male primogeniture, with the right of adoption by the recognized head of the family in the absence of natural heirs.

Sources: Kesrisinghwankaner, Indian Rajputs, Royal Ark, The History Bro, Royal Archives,

WorldStatesmen

For add or correct information: picpus1965@yahoo.es