Dungarpur was founded in the 14th century and was named for Dungaria, an independent chieftain of the Bhil people. It was the capital of the princely state of Dungarpur. The princely state was included in Banswara state until about 1530. Successively under Mughal, Maratha, and British control, it became part of the state of Rajasthan in 1948.
The town is an agricultural market centre and is linked by road with Udaipur as well as with Vadodara, Ahmadabad, and Indore via Godhra in Gujarat state. A hospital and a government college affiliated with the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur are located there. Dungarpur’s surrounding region consists of a hilly forested area drained by the Mahi River, which flows about 30 miles (48 km) east of the town. Agriculture is the principal occupation, and wheat, millet, rice, corn (maize), and pulses are the chief crops. Beryllium, lead, zinc, silver, iron ore, and mica deposits are worked extensively. Pop. (2001) 43,108; (2011) 47,706.