page_title: History of Kutch
section_title: Cutch State under British suzerainty (1819–1948)
hierarchical_section_title: History of Kutch / Cutch State under British suzerainty (1819–1948)
caption_attribution_description: Prag Mahal, Bhuj
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: Deshalji II (1819–1860)
  The minor son of Rao Bharmalji, Deshalji II was chosen and succeeded on 19 April 1819. During his minority the affairs of the State were managed by Council of Regency, which was composed of Jadeja chiefs Diwan Rana Hansraj and headed by Captain MacMurdo. Cutch Agency was formed for the state affairs. There was an earthquake on 16 June 1819, caused the great loss of life and destruction of property. Anjar was restored to Cutch state in 1822. There was famine in 1823, 1825 and 1860. Deshalji although 18 years of age took the management of law in his own hands and defeated aggressor from Sindh. He appointed Seth Askaran son of Minister Rana Jasraj as his minister. His reign saw maritime trade with Africa, Oman and especially Zanzibar improve significantly. Slowly and steadily the industrialization in Kutch got a set back. Deshalji II died on 26 July 1860 and was succeeded by his son Pragmalji II in 1860.
  Pragmalji II (1860–1875) and Khengarji III (1876–1942)
  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 Diwans Seth Askaran and his Son diwan Ranmalji was elevated to status of 17-gun salute state. Pragmalji II constructed Prag Mahal starting 1865. The title of rulers was earlier Ja'am, which during British Raj changed to Maharao made hereditary from 1 Jan 1918.
  Vijayaraji (1942–1947)
  Khengarji III was succeeded by his son Vijayaraji in 1942 and ruled for few years till India became independent in 1947. During 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. His furutistc minister Seth Rajmalji son of Diwan Seth Ranmalji took keen interest in irrigation matter and it was during his reign the Vijaysagar reservoir was built together with another 22 dams. Kutch became the third princely state after Hyderabad and Travancore to start its own bus transport services beginning in year 1945.
caption: Durbar Hall at Prag Mahal, Bhuj, built by Pragmalji II
exif: {"Image ImageDescription": "", "Image Make": "Canon", "Image Model": "Canon PowerShot SD780 IS", "Image Orientation": "Horizontal (normal)", "Image XResolution": "180", "Image YResolution": "180", "Image ResolutionUnit": "Pixels/Inch", "Image DateTime": "2009:09:30 01:59:27", "Image YCbCrPositioning": "Co-sited", "Image ExifOffset": "240", "Thumbnail Compression": "JPEG (old-style)", "Thumbnail XResolution": "180", "Thumbnail YResolution": "180", "Thumbnail ResolutionUnit": "Pixels/Inch", "Thumbnail JPEGInterchangeFormat": "5108", "Thumbnail JPEGInterchangeFormatLength": "5414", "EXIF ExposureTime": "1/20", "EXIF FNumber": "16/5", "EXIF ISOSpeedRatings": "400", "EXIF ExifVersion": "0221", "EXIF DateTimeOriginal": "2009:09:30 01:59:27", "EXIF DateTimeDigitized": "2009:09:30 01:59:27", "EXIF ComponentsConfiguration": "YCbCr", "EXIF CompressedBitsPerPixel": "3", "EXIF ShutterSpeedValue": "69/16", "EXIF ApertureValue": "107/32", "EXIF ExposureBiasValue": "0", "EXIF MaxApertureValue": "107/32", "EXIF MeteringMode": "Pattern", "EXIF Flash": "Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode", "EXIF FocalLength": "59/10", "EXIF FlashPixVersion": "0100", "EXIF ColorSpace": "sRGB", "EXIF ExifImageWidth": "4000", "EXIF ExifImageLength": "3000", "Interoperability InteroperabilityIndex": "R98", "Interoperability InteroperabilityVersion": "[48, 49, 48, 48]", "Interoperability RelatedImageWidth": "4000", "Interoperability RelatedImageLength": "3000", "EXIF InteroperabilityOffset": "3252", "EXIF FocalPlaneXResolution": "1000000/61", "EXIF FocalPlaneYResolution": "1000000/61", "EXIF FocalPlaneResolutionUnit": "2", "EXIF SensingMethod": "One-chip color area", "EXIF FileSource": "Digital Camera", "EXIF CustomRendered": "Normal", "EXIF ExposureMode": "Auto Exposure", "EXIF WhiteBalance": "Auto", "EXIF DigitalZoomRatio": "1", "EXIF SceneCaptureType": "Standard"}