page_title: History of Kutch
section_title: Cutch State (1698–1819)
hierarchical_section_title: History of Kutch / Cutch State (1698–1819)
caption_attribution_description: English: This Sketch was created by Mrs Postans in 1838 for her book Cutch:Random sketches of Western India
context_page_description: The history of Kutch, a region in the extreme west of the western Indian state of Gujarat, can be traced back to prehistorical times. There are several sites related to Indus valley civilization in region and is mentioned in Hindu mythology. In historical times, Kutch is mentioned in Greek writings during Alexander. It was ruled by Menander I of Greco-Bactrian Kingdom which was overthrown by Indo-Scythians followed by Maurya Empire and Sakas. in the first century, it was under Western Satraps followed by Gupta Empire. By fifth century, Maitraka of Valabhi took over from which its close association with ruling clans of Gujarat started. Chavdas ruled the eastern and central parts by seventh century but were came under Chaulukyas by tenth century. After fall of Chaulukya, Vaghelas ruled the state. Following conquest of Sindh by Muslim rulers, Rajput Samma started moving southwards to Kutch and ruled western regions initially. By tenth century, they controlled significant area of Kutch and by thirteenth century they controlled whole of Kutch and adopted a new dynastic identity, Jadeja.
  For three centuries, Kutch was divided and ruled by three different branches of Jadeja brothers.
context_section_description: Pragmalji I and Godji I
  Pragmalji, Rayadhan's third son, contrived the murder of his elder brother Ravaji. Both the brothers had left sons who were entitled to succeed; but as they were young, Pragmalji, on his father Rayadhan II's death in 1697, found no difficulty in seizing the throne. When Kanyoji, the son of Ravaji whom Pragmalji had murdered, became a man, he left no means untried to win back his birth-right. On assuming power in 1697 (Samvat 1754) Pragmalji had placed him in command of Morbi, on the southern shore of the Gulf of Kutch. From Morbi, Kanyoji tried unsuccessfully many a times to regain the throne of Kutch and later established Morbi State around 1698 which was later ruled by his decedents.
  During this reign, Tamachi, the sixth in descent from Hala, driven from Halar, came to Pragmalji, who sent his son Godji with a strong force to restore him to throne of Halar. After a successful reign of eighteen years Pragmalji died in 1715. He was succeeded by his son Godji. he became king by minister Seth Surajmal. Of Godji's short reign of three years (1715–1718) the chief event was despoiling Haloji, the son of Pragmalji's eldest brother Noghanji, of his estate of Mundra. Haloji unable to resist retired to Abdasa, and there founded the towns of Kothara, Kotri, and Nagarchi. His descendants are known as Halani Jadejas.
  Desalji I (1718–1752)
  After death of Godji I in 1718, his son Deshalji I succeeded him. During his rule, Kutch has small revenues and Rao lived frugal and simple. His supremacy was acknowledged by his local chiefs due to mutual respect.  As a province of the Mughal Empire, Kutch had, for more than a century and a quarter (1583–1718), been free from attack; and for a hundred years, under the arrangement sanctioned by the Emperor Jahangir, pilgrims had been sent to Mecca free of charge, and Kutch spared the payment of tribute. Soon after Deshji's accession in 1718, the Mughal governor, sent force under the command of a Pathan, Mozim Beg, who was convinced by the historical arrangement and the force was withdrawn. In 1721, Nawab Kesar Khan again attacked Kutch and he was defeated with heavy loss. The minister, Devkarn Sheth, who devised strategy in battle was given freehand and management of state who enriched the revenues and expanded state boundaries considerably.
  Lakhpatji (1741–1752, 1752–1760)
  The latter part of Deshalji's reign was disturbed by the violence and intrigues of his only son Lakhpatji. Freehanded and fond of show, he was denied the share of power and advised to decrease his expenses. He was killed by his minister Devkarn and trickily placed his father Deshalji and his officers in confinement. Lakhpatji began to rule as regent, receiving the submission of the commandants of all the forts in the province except Mandvi. In 1751, Rao Deshalji died at the age of seventy and was succeeded by Lakhapatji. He appointed Punja, Devkarn's son, as his minister.
  Punja closely allied himself with Godji II, the Rao's only lawful son. At the age of sixteen, he demanded from his father a share in the management of the state as his father did with his grandfather Deshalji I. He was stirred by his mother and Punja. Godji was refused by his father and he retired to Mundra with his mother leaving Bhuj. Before moving to Mundra, Punja planned to ruin his rival minister Gordhan Mehta who was later executed under suspicion of treachery. When once Lakhapatji sent a force against Mundra. Godji fled to Morbi and returned with force and recaptured the town. Lakhpatji compromised with his son allowing him to keep Mundra, Godji agreed, and, in 1758, Punja retired to Anjar. In 1760, Lakhapatji died. During reign of Lakhpatji maritime business of Kutch flourished and it was during his regime the Kutch issued its own currency, Kutch kori, which remained valid even during British Raj till 1948, when they were abolished by independent India.
  Godji II (1760–1778)
  Godji II succeeded his father Lahaptji in 1760 on his death. He refused Punja, who helped him in the past, the post of minister who retired to Sindh. In 1762, 
caption: A Jadeja Chief in Kutchi attire during reign of Deshalji II. A sketch drawn in 1838 CE.
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