Jafrabad town, the capital and only municipality, is located 275 km south of Ahmedabad and 240 southwest of Baroda.

The state was formed by the city and 11 villages and initially consisted of two districts located on both sides of the estuary of the Ranai river.

On 6 December 1733 the ruler of Jafarabad State signed a defensive and offensive treaty with the British East India Company.

Thereafter the Thanedar and the local Kolis were devoted to piracy, repeatedly attacking ships and disturbing commercial traffic from Surat.

Sidi Hilal, the prince of the dynasty of Janjira which was then ruling Surat, attacked the Kolis, destroyed their boats and captured them demanding a hefty fine.