Vagad

Vagad, also known as Vagada, is a historical-cultural region in the southwestern part of Rajasthan, India. Though not an administrative unit, it is recognized in local tradition and scholarship as a distinct geographic area that centers on tribal communities of the Bhil group.

The region lies in the southern Rajasthan plateau, characterized by hilly terrain of the Aravalli ranges and river valleys. It roughly corresponds to the present-day districts of Banswara and Dungarpur, with parts extending into Udaipur and Pratapgarh districts.

The region is predominantly inhabited by Bhil and Bhil-Meena communities. The Wagdi language (also called Vagdi or Vagri) is widely spoken, along with other regional languages such as Hindi and Mewari in border areas.

Vagad has a rich tribal culture known for folk music, dance, crafts, and oral traditions. Economic activity is largely agriculture-based, with forest produce and small-scale crafts contributing to livelihoods.

Historically, Vagad comprised princely states of Banswara and Dungarpur, whose rulers aligned with the Mewar kingdom and joined the Indian union after independence in 1949. The region is often described as part of the larger Bhil belt of Rajasthan.

In contemporary discourse, Vagad is used to denote a cultural region rather than an official administrative unit, and it is relevant for studies in linguistics, anthropology, and regional history.