Cutch State

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. He was adopted by Jam Jada and hence known as Lakho Jadani. He ruled Eastern Cutch from 1147 to 1175 from a new capital, which he named Lakhiarviro (near present-day Nakhatrana) after his twin brother Lakhiar. Prior to this time, Eastern Cutch was ruled by the Chawda dynasty, whose last noted ruler was Vagham Chawda, who was killed in the 9th century by his nephews Mod and Manai, who later assumed power of his territories and established the first Samma Dynasty of Kutch. At the same time, Central and Western Kutch were under the control of different tribes such as the Kathi, Chaulukya and Waghela. Jam Rawal, in revenge treacherously killed his elder brother Rao Hamirji, (father of Khengarji) and ruled Cutch for more than two decades till Khenagrji I, reconquered Cutch from him, when he grew up. Jam Rawal escaped out of Cutch and founded the Nawanagar as per advice given by Ashapura Mata in a dream to him. The 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 Rato Rayadhan. Lakhiarviro remained the capital of Cutch from its foundation in 1147 until the time of Jam Raval in 1548. == Rulers ==

Cutch was ruled by the Jadeja Rajput dynasty of the Samma tribe apart from the Jadejas. but later shifted his capital to Bhuj. Kanyoji, the eldest son of murdered Ravaji escaped and established himself at Morbi, which before that formed part of Kingdom of Kutch. Kanyoji made Morvi independent of Cutch and from there he tried unsuccessfully many a times to regain his rightful throne of Cutch. The descendants of Kanyoji Jadeja thus settled in Morvi and were called Kaynani. 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. Fateh Muhammad was made ruler by these council who ably ruled Cutch from 1786 to 1813. After his death Rao Raydhan was again made a king by the council for a month but was replaced by Husain Miyan, as Rao had still not changed his ways. Husain Miyan ruled from 1813 to 1814 and later Bharmalji II, eldest son of Raydhan was made ruler in 1814 by the council keeping the army under control of Husain Miyan. After the victory the British deposed the ruling king Jam Bharmulji II and his son Deshalji II, a minor was made the ruler of Cutch State. 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. standing at sea shore of Mandvi, built for Vijayaraji, the current residence of decedents of Rao. During his reign Kutch suffered a severe earthquake in 1819 followed by severe famine in 1823, 1825 and 1832. Further, Kutch was attacked by marauding band from Sindh. Deshalji II although 18 years of age took the management of law in his own hands and defeated aggressor from Sindh. His reign saw maritime trade with Africa, Oman and especially Zanzibar improve significantly. Slowly and steadily the industrialisation in Cutch got a set back which was started by Lakhpatji and Godji. He was succeeded by his son Pragmalji II in 1860. During later half of the 19th century and first half of the 20th 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 many schools. Khengarji III was the longest ruling king of Cutch. Khengarji also served as Aide-De-Campe to Queen Victoria for some years. Under him state was elevated to status of 17-gun salute state and title of rulers of Cutch also was elevated as Maharao. Khengarji III was succeeded by his son Vijayaraji in 1942 and ruled for a few years until India became independent. 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. He took keen interest in irrigation matters and it was during his reign the Vijaysagar reservoir was built together with another 22 dams. Cutch became the third princely state after Hyderabad and Travancore to start its own bus transport services beginning in year 1945. Additionally, a set of specimen banknotes was printed for the state of Cutch in 1946, but was never put into production. Cutch was one of the first princely states to accede to India upon its independence on 15 August 1947. Vijayraji was away for medical treatment at London. Upon his order Madansinhji, on behalf of his father, signed the Instrument of Accession of Kutch, on 16 August 1947, in his capacity as attorney of Maharao of Kutch. 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. The princely State of Cutch upon merger into India, was made a separate centrally administered Class-C state by the name Kutch State in 1948. List of rulers Titular Maharaos • Madansinhji — 1948–1991 • Pragmulji III — 1991–2021 • Hanvantsinji — since 2021 ==Religion==

The Jadejas were followers of Hinduism and worshiped Ashapura Mata, who is the kuldevi of Jadeja clan and also the State deity. The main temple of goddess is located at Mata no Madh. ==Demographics and economy==

There were eight main towns in the State − Bhuj, Mandvi, Anjar, Mundra, Naliya, Jakhau, Bhachau and Rapar and 937 villages. 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. The various Kutchi community were known for their trades with Muscat, Mombasa, Mzizima, Zanzibar, and others, and also for their shipbuilding skills. Kandla was developed by Khengarji III in 1930 as a new port. 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. The railways enhanced business a lot as it paved the way for movement of goods and passengers. Hindus numbered around 300,000, Mohammedans around 110,000 and Jains were 70,000 in population as per 1901 census. About 9% of population were Rajputs and Brahmins & other Hindu caste formed another 24% of population of State. The most common language spoken was Kutchi language and Gujarati language. Gujarati was the language used in writings and courts & documents. Agriculture was the main occupation of people, who take produce of wheat, Jowar, Bajra, Barley, etc. apart from cattle raising being the other main occupation. ==Currency==

The currency of Kutch state was known as 'kori', a silver coin of 4.6 grams. The kori was subdivided into smaller units, such as the adhiyo (1/2 kori), payalo (1/4 kori), dhabu (1/8 kori), dhinglo (1/16 kori), dokdo (1/24 kori) and trambiyo (1/48 kori). Higher denominations included silver coins of 2.5 kori and 5 kori, and gold coins of 25 kori, 50 kori and 100 kori. Coins of Kutch state traditionally carried the name of the local ruler on one side, and the British rulers on the other side (from 1858 onward). The last coins of Kutch, minted in 1947 (V.S. 2004), at the time of kingdom's merger with India, replaced the British monarch with the words Jai Hind. ==Rulers and chiefs gallery==

File:Ceremonial Horseback Portrait of Prince Lakhpatji of Kutch with Four Attendants. Kutch or Nagaur, c.1750.jpg|Lakhpatji : r - 1741–1760. File:Deshulji_Bawa.jpg|Deshalji II : r -1819-1860. File:Maharao Pragmulji II.jpg|Pragmalji II : r-1860-1875. File:Maharao Khengarji III.jpg|Khengarji III : r-1875-1942. File:Pragmulji III.jpg|Pragmulji III : titular Maharao from 1991 to 2021 File:Jadeja Chief.JPG|A Jadeja Chief in Kutchi attire during reign of Deshalji II : A sketch drawn in 1838 ==See also==