BANSWARA, a State in Rajputana, India. It borders on Gujarat and has an area of 1,6o6 sq.m. The population in 1931 was 2 2 5,106. The Mahi is the only river in the State and great scarcity of water occurs in the dry season. The Banswara chief is a Sisodhyia rajput of the Dungarpur family. During the decline of the Delhi empire Banswara passed under the Mahrattas. Wearied out by their oppressions, its chief in 1812 petitioned for English protection. By a treaty of 1818 the British guaran teed the prince against external enemies and refractory chiefs; he, on his part, pledging himself to be guided by a British repre sentative. The chief has the title of Maharawal and a salute of 15 guns. The chief town is Banswara, situated about 8m. W. of the Mahi river, surrounded by an old disused rampart and adorned by various Hindu temples, with the battlements of the chief's palace overlooking it. Its population in 1931 was Io,444 The petty State of Kushalgarh is feudatory to Banswara.