Portugal
was the first European power to arrive in Gujarat, acquiring several enclaves
along the Gujarati coast, including Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
The British East India Company Gujarat was placed under the political authority
of Bombay Presidency, with the exception of Baroda state, which had a direct
relationship with the Governor-General of India. From 1818 to 1947, most of
present-day Gujarat, including Kathiawar, Kutch, and northern and eastern
Gujarat were divided into dozens of princely states, but several districts in
central and southern Gujarat, namely Ahmedabad, Broach (Bharuch), Kaira, Panch
Mahals, and Surat, were ruled directly by British officials.