Cutch or (Kutch / Kachchh) was an Indian princely state, in Kutch region, situated on the north of the Gulf of Kutch having its Northern boundery with Sindh. It was ruled by the Jadeja dynasty from its formation in 1549 until 1948 when it seceded to newly formed, India. The district is now known as Kutch. It had an area of 21,365 square miles (55,340 km2) and a population estimated at 512,084 in 1892. Its rulers were Jadeja Rajput of Samma tribe, who had migrated of Sindh. They were entitled to a 17-gun salute. The state flag was a rectangular red flag with a white elephant, near and facing the hoist with image of Bhujia Fort. During the British Raj, the state was part of the Western India States Agency, within the Bombay Presidency.[1]
| Cutch | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princely State | |||||||
| 1549–1948 | |||||||
 Cutch, part of Bombay Presidency, 1909 | |||||||
| History | |||||||
• Established | 1549 | ||||||
| 1948 | |||||||
| |||||||
History
The predecessor state (Kingdom of Kutch) was founded about 1255, by Jam Gaoji, Jam Saheb 1255-1285.[2]
| Rulers | Accession |
|---|---|
| Rao Gaoji | AD 1255 |
| Rao Vehanji | AD 1285 |
| Rao Mulvaji | AD 1321 |
| Rao Kaiyaji | AD 1386 |
| Rao Amarji | AD 1386 |
| Rao Bhhemji | AD 1429 |
| Rao Hamirji | AD 1472 |
Khengarji I, is noted as the founder of Cutch State, who united Eastern & Western Kutch into one dominion, which before him was ruled partially by other Rajput tribes like Chawdas, Vaghelas and Chauhans apart from the Jadejas. He shifted the capital from Anjar to Bhuj in 1549, a city established by his father Rao Hamirji in 1510.
| Rulers | Accession |
|---|---|
| Rao Khengarji I [2] | AD 1549 |
| Rao Bharmalji | AD 1585 |
| Rao Bhojrajji | AD 1631 |
| Rao Khengarji II | AD 1645 |
| Rao Tamachiji | AD 1654 |
| Rao Raydhunji | AD 1665 |
After the demise of Rao Raydhunji this regularity of succession was again deviated, Raydhunji had three sons, Ravaji, Nagulji and Pragji.Ravaji the eldest son was murdered by Sodha Rajputs, his second brother Nagulji had died of natural causes before, both the brothers,however had left sons, who by right were entitled to succeed the throne of Kutch, but as they were young, Pragji, the third son of Rao Raydhunji eventually usurped the throne of Kutch and became Maharoa Pragmulji.
Kayanji, the eldest son of murdered Ravaji later founded Morvi, from where he unsuccessfully tried many a times to regain his rightful throne of Kutch. The descendants of Kanyoji Jadeja settled in Morvi and were called Kanyani.
Jam Rawal was the founder of Nawanagar, his descendants branched out and formed the state of Rajkot, Gondal and Dhrol. This Genealogy is still maintained today, by the Barots of respective Jadeja Branches,and every single person in Jadeja clan can trace their ancestry through to Jam Rato Raydhun of Cutch.[3]
Bhuj was later fortified by Bhujia Fort under reign of Rao Godaji (1715–1718). However, the major work and completion of fort was done during the rule of his son, Maharao Deshalji I (1718–1741).
| Regime | Rulers | Born | Died |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1698–1715 | Pragmalji I[2] | ||
| 1715–1719 | Godaji I | 1719 | |
| 1719–1752 | Daishalji I | 1752 | |
| 1741–1752 | Lakhpatji (regent) | 1717 | 1761 |
| 1752–1761 | Lakhpatji | (s.a.) | (s.a.) |
| 1761–1778 | Godaji II | 1734 | 1778 |
| 1778–1786 | Rayadhan III (1st time) | 1763 | 1813 |
| 1786–1801 | Prithvirajsinhji | 1801 | |
| 1786 - 5 October 1813 | Fateh Mohammad (regent) | (s.a.) | (s.a.) |
| 1801 - 30 Oct 1813 | Rayadhan III (2nd time) | (s.a.) | (s.a.) |
| October, 1813–1814 | Hosayn Miyan (regent) | (s.a.) | (s.a.) |
| November 6, 1813 - March 25, 1819 | Bharmalji II | 1798 | 1846 |
| March 25, 1819 - July 26, 1860 | Daishalji II | 1814 | 1860 |
| July 26, 1860 - December 19, 1875 | Pragmalji II | 1839 | 1875 |
| December 19, 1875 - January 15, 1942 | Khengarji III | 1866 | 1942 |
| January 15, 1942 - February 26, 1948 | Vijayaraji | 1885 | 1948 |
| February 26, 1948 - June -01, 1948 | Madansinhji | 1909 | 1991 |
| October 17, 1991 | Pragmulji III | 1989 | ---- |
On December 15, 1815, the army of Kingdom of Kutch was defeated near Bhadreswar, Kutch by the combined armies of British and Gaekwads of Baroda State. As per history the armies of British led by Colonel East and Army of Kutch led by a Muslim commander, Hussain Miyan met near Bahdreshwar. The British army was behind the famous Bhadreswar Jain Temple and temple was coming in between them. Husain Miya respected the sanctity of temple and he didn’t fire on British, fearing temples might be damaged and as such doors were laid open for British Army. The nearest major fortified town of Anjar, Port of Tuna & District of Anjar thus came under British occupation on December 25, 1815. This led to negotiations between rulers of Kutch and British. The Jadeja rulers of Kutch accepted the suzerainty of British in 1818 and Captain James Meckmardo was posted as British Political Resident stationed at Bhuj. The Anjar District, however, remained under direct occupation of British forces for seven years till December 25, 1822, when it was territory reverted back to Princely State of Cutch by way on agreement.[5]
After the victory the British deposed the ruling king JamBharmulji II and his son Deshalji II, a minor was made the ruler of Cutch State. During his minority, under a Council of Regency, headed by Captain MacMurdo and composed of Jadeja chiefs.[6][7][8]
During his reign Kutch suffered a severe earthquake in 1819 followed by severe famine in 1823, 1825 & 1832.[2] Further, Kutch was attacked by marauding band from Sindh.[2]Deshalji although 18 years of age took the management of law in his own hands. The trade with Africa especially Zanzibar improved significantly. Slowly and steadily the industrialization in Cutch got a set back which was started by Lakhpatji and Godji.[9][10]He was succedded by his son Pragmalji II in 1860.
During later half of the 19th century state progressed under leadership of Pragmalji II and his successor Khengarji III. The educational, judiciary and administrative reforms, which were started by Pragmulji II, were carried further by Khengarji III, who also laid foundation of Cutch State Railway, Kandla port and was the longest ruling monarch. After, his demise in 1942 Vijayaraji ruled till independence of India and merger of state into Union of India. Madansinhji was the last official ruler of the Cutch State.
The princely State of Cutch, was made a separate centrally administered Class-C state by the name Kutch State in 1948.
Gallery
See Also
References
- ^ Kutch
- ^ a b c d e Cutch
- ^ The Paramount Power and the Princely States of India, 1858-1881 - Page 287
- ^ Princely states of India: a guide to chronology and rulers - Page 54
- ^ Glimpse of Anjar, Kutch
- ^ [1] Bhuj:art, architecture, history.
- ^ Jadeja Rulers of Kutch : Deshalji II (1814-1860)
- ^ Kutch State : Maharao DESALJI BHARMALJI II (Daishalji) 1819/1860
- ^ [2]
- ^ The presence of a glass factory and good breed of horses led Maharao Deshalji II (1819-1960) to maritime long distance trade with Zanzibar and most of all with Sultan of Oman. Makran, Oman, and Zanzibar: three-terminal cultural corridor in the western By Beatrice Nicolini, Penelope-Jane Watson.