BREIF HISTORY
The Kathiwada royal family dates back nearly 700 years to 1434. Unlike various Indian kingdoms, Kathiwada has retained an unbroken bloodline since its establishment and ruling monarchs have patronised traditions, both spiritual and cultural.
The present royal family undertakes several projects in the Kathiwada region for social and economic reform. A centrifugal force of change has been the "Nucleus Development Plan (NDP)" devised by HH Rana Digvijaysingh.
In 2008 we began the restoration of the family's hunting lodge, known as the Kathiwada Raaj Mahal. This Zone 1 of the NDP serves as a catalyst for the revival of sustainable heritage tourism. The late 19th century hunting lodge is the last remaining architectural legacy of the region's golden era.
The erstwhile principality is a flat land valley situated in modern day Madhya Pradesh covering an area of 714 square kilometers of dense forest surrounded by the Vindhyachal Range of hills. Kathiwada is also phonetically called Katthiwada (Hindi) or Kathiwara (British) and is the western most tip of Madhya Pradesh bordering Gujarat. This gorgeous flat land valley was coined "Mini Kashmir" by the former prime minister of India (Rajiv Gandhi) for its breathtaking natural beauty.
Kathiwada's lush jungle atmosphere hosts the Indian leopard and sloth bear. Rich in cultural heritage, Kathiwada is home to some of the oldest Bhil Tribe communities and erstwhile Rajputs whose traditions and heritage are well documented and celebrated. The region is also famous for its natural organic mangoes which produces a particular record breaking variety called the Noorjahan that can weigh-in at almost 4 kilos per mango.
Modern day Kathiwada is home to 150,000+ people split into 149 villages.
