Overview
Chhota Udaipur district is an administrative district in the eastern part of the Indian state of Gujarat. It was carved out of the erstwhile Vadodara district and forms part of the tribal belt of eastern Gujarat that adjoins Madhya Pradesh. The district headquarters is located at the town of Chhota Udaipur, a former princely state seat known for its tribal art traditions, particularly Pithora paintings of the Rathwa community.
Key facts
| State | Gujarat |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Chhota Udaipur |
| Region | Eastern Gujarat |
| Parent district | Vadodara district |
| Type | District of India |
Background
The area corresponding to the present district was historically associated with the princely state of Chhota Udaipur, ruled by the Chauhan Rajput dynasty. After the integration of princely states into the Indian Union, the territory was incorporated into Bombay State and, from 1960, into the newly formed state of Gujarat as part of Vadodara district.
Chhota Udaipur was constituted as a separate district when Gujarat reorganised its administrative map to create several new districts, with the aim of bringing administration closer to predominantly tribal populations in the eastern districts of the state.
Geography
The district lies in the eastern hilly tract of Gujarat, sharing a boundary with Madhya Pradesh to the east. The terrain consists of forested hills, plateaus, and river valleys associated with the Orsang and Heran rivers, tributaries of the Narmada system. Forests and reserved areas support a mixed deciduous vegetation typical of the Satpura foothills.
Administration
The district is divided into several talukas, including Chhota Udaipur, Kavant, Naswadi, Sankheda, Pavi Jetpur and Bodeli. Local self-government operates through gram panchayats, taluka panchayats and the district panchayat. The district falls under the Chhota Udaipur Lok Sabha constituency, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
Demographics and culture
Chhota Udaipur is one of Gujarat's tribal-majority districts. The population includes a large proportion of Scheduled Tribes, notably the Rathwa, Bhil, Naik and Tadvi communities. Gujarati is the principal language, with tribal dialects widely spoken.
The district is known for distinctive tribal art and ritual traditions. Pithora paintings, made by the Rathwa community on the inner walls of houses as part of votive ceremonies, are an internationally recognised expression of Gujarat's tribal heritage. The weekly haats (markets), particularly those at Chhota Udaipur and Kavant, are noted for traditional silver jewellery, beadwork and textiles. The Kavant fair held after Holi is a major cultural gathering.
Economy
The economy is largely agrarian, with cultivation of maize, paddy, pulses, cotton and tur. Forest produce, animal husbandry and small-scale handicrafts form additional sources of livelihood. The district contains deposits of dolomite, fluorspar and other minerals, and limited mineral-based industry exists in the region.
Transport
The district is connected by state highways linking it with Vadodara to the west and onwards to Madhya Pradesh. Railway access is available primarily through stations on lines passing through neighbouring districts, with road transport playing the dominant role in internal mobility.
Significance
Chhota Udaipur district is significant for its concentration of tribal communities and its role in preserving indigenous artistic traditions. The creation of the district enabled focused administrative and welfare attention to a region that historically had limited access to state services owing to its terrain and demographic profile.