Cutch State

[citation needed] A predecessor state known as the Kingdom of Kutch was founded around 1147 by Lakho Jadani of the Samma tribe who had arrived from Sindh.

As Othaji was the eldest he ascended to the head throne of Lakhirviro and the rest became a part of Bhayyat or the Brotherhood in a federal system of government.

Cutch was ruled by the Jadeja Rajput dynasty of the Samma tribe[1] from its formation in 1147 until 1948 when it acceded to newly formed India.

[8] Kanyoji, the eldest son of murdered Ravaji escaped and established himself at Morbi, which before that formed part of Kingdom of Kutch.

Deshalji was succeeded by his son Rao Lakhpatji (1741–61), who appointed Ram Singh Malam, to build the famous Aina Mahal.

Later, during the rule of Rao Godji II (1761–1778), the state faced its biggest defeat at hands of Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro of Sindh, who attacked Cutch twice once in 1763–64, (when hundreds of Kutchi people died in the battle near Jara, Kutch) and again in 1765.

In consideration of this relationship, the towns of Busta Bandar and Lakhpat and others territories that had been conquered by the Mián Kalhoro, were returned to the Rao of Cutch.

At that time Raydhan was curtailed when in 1785, Anjar's Meghji Seth lead the revolt and the local chief of armies Dosal Ven and Fateh Muhamad also joined him in the coup.

[9] Raydhan was put under house arrest and the state was ruled under a council of the twelve members, Bar Bhayat ni Jamat, under minor titular king, Prithvirajji.

The Anjar District, however, remained under direct occupation of British forces for seven years till 25 December 1822, when it was territory reverted to Cutch by an agreement.

During his minority the affairs of the State were managed by Council of Regency, which was composed of Jadeja chiefs and headed by Captain MacMurdo.

[citation needed] Deshalji II although 18 years of age took the management of law in his own hands and defeated aggressor from Sindh.

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 many schools.

During the reign of Vijayaraji the Kutch High Court was instituted, village councils were elected and irrigation facilities were expanded greatly and agricultural development in the state during short span of six years of his rule.

[17] Later, Madansinhji acceded the throne, upon death of his father Vijayaraji on 26 January 1948 and became the last Maharao of Cutch, for a short period of time till 4 May 1948, when the administration of the state was completely merged in to the Union of India.

There were eight main towns in the State − Bhuj, Mandvi, Anjar, Mundra, Naliya, Jakhau, Bhachau and Rapar and 937 villages.

[1] Apart from it there were other port towns of Tuna, Lakhpat, Sandhan, Sindri, Bhadresar on its coastline, which boosted the maritime trade, the main revenue earner of State.

There are also other towns like Roha, Virani Moti, Devpur, Tera, Kothara, Bara, Kanthkot, which were overlooked by Bhayaat (brothers) of the Kings as their jagirs.

Cutch State Railway was also laid during his reign, during the years 1900–1908, which connected main towns like Bhuj, Anjar, Bachau to the ports of Tuna and Kandla.

Sindh and Kutch map 1827
Merchant Flag of Cutch State
Silver 5 Kori coin of Kutch, struck in 1919 in the name of Khengarji III .
Family Tree of Jadeja dynasty of Cutch State
Durbar Hall at Prag Mahal , Bhuj, built by Pragmalji II
Living quarters of Maharao Lakhpatji Aina Mahal , Bhuj
Cenotaph of Rao Lakhpatji at Bhuj.
Vijaya Vilas Palace standing at sea shore of Mandvi , built for Vijayaraji , the current residence of decedents of Rao.
Cutch, part of Bombay Presidency, 1909