Kutch is a district on
the coastal portion of the India/Pakistan frontier, to a large
extent involving an extensive salt-flats (the Great Rann of Kutch)
adjacent to the Gulf of Kutch, an arm of the Arabian Sea extending
toward Gujarat. At the time of Alexander's invasion (4th century
BCE) the Rann was a shallow but navigable lake, but subsequent
centuries of silting have made a mud flat of it, and settlement
within the Rann is limited to what hills are present. The Royal
House of Cutch (or Kutch) belongs to the Jadeja clan of Rajputs. The
founder of the family, prince Lakho, had been adopted by his uncle,
a Samma chieftain named Jada. Leaving Sind, after the birth of a
natural son to this adopted father, Lakho migrated to the marshlands
of western Gujarat. There, with the help of his twin brother Lakhiar,
he established his principality in 1147. Maharao Khengarji, the head
of the Jadeja clan, consolidated his territories in 1549 and
established his capital at Bhuj. Area: 21,365 km2.
In Vikram Samvat 683, present day Egypt was
called Misr. One of the states in Misr was Sonitpur, which was ruled by
Jam Devendra Sama. His forefathers were given the title of 'Jam' by the
emperor of Iran. In that year Shonitpur was attacked by Omar Khalifa,
and King Devendra was defeated in that battle of Sonitpur. Omar Khalifa
offered the eldest son Aspat of Devendra the throne of Sonitpur with the
condition that Aspat will have to convert to Islam. Aspat converted to
Islam and became king of Sonitpur, however his three brothers Gajpat,
Narpat and Bhupat refused to convert and they migrated to present day
Afghanistan. They captured Gazni by defeating King Firozshah and Jam
Narpat was made King of Gazni. He ruled a major part of Afaghanistan
from Gazni for 18 years. After that in a war with Badshah of Kabul, he
was defeated and he became a Martyr. His son Samaji migrated to present
day Sindh in Pakistan. They were all called "Sama" Rajputs at that time.
The Kings of Sama Rajputs were called Jam, since then many generations
of Samma Dynasty Rajputs ruled Sindh. Their capital was "Sama Nagar" or
Nagar Thaththa which is about 100 km from Karachi.
CHAVADA RAJPUT
Jado
(1st Jam)
The dominant races in
Kutch previous to the 9th century of Christian era were the Chavda,
Kathees and Waghela, they ruled the western, central and the eastern
parts of Kutch respectively. The reigning Prince of Nagar Thatta in
Sindh towards the end of 8th century AD was Lakho Ghuraro. He had eight
sons by two wives, the eldest son being Unad from the first wife and the
other being Mod by a wife from Chawda tribe. As Unad was the eldest, he
succeeded the throne by virtue of his primogeniture. Shortly afterwards
brothers Mod and Manai started planning against the life of Unad in
order to usurp his throne. However they did not succeed and found it
necessary to go into exile with their followers to Kutch where they had
maternal relations with the Chawda tribe. This was the first
historically noted foray of Samma Rajputs of Sind in Kutch.After arrival
in Kutch, Mod had a dispute with his maternal Uncle Chawda Whagum, The
ruler of Eastern Kutch, and was killed by Mod, thereafter, Mod assumed
the sovereignty of the province. There is no concrete information
available for the period that followed except the names of the rulers up
to five generations. They were Jam Mod, Jam Saad, Jam Phool, Jam Lakho
Phoolani and Jam Pooeronjee. It is important to note here that Lakho
Phoolani is the most revered and cherished warrior in the history of
Kutch and Saurashtra. Jam Pooeronjee was a very cruel ruler and created
despair and apathy among his dominion until he was killed by Jakhs.
During this time the direct descendents of Jam Unad in Nagar Thatta
Sindh was Jam Jada, as he did not have any legitimate heir to the throne
he adopted his brothers son Lakho, however, after adopting Lakho, Jam
Jadas wife gave birth to a child named Ghao, As Jam Jada had already
adopted lakho, he decided to divide his dominion equally among both his
legitimate son Ghao and adopted son Lakho, however after the demise of
Jam Jada, Ghao refused to give any share to Lakho and was forced to
leave Sindh with his twin brother Lakhiar and well wishers. Lakho and
Lakhiar ventured into Kutch and slowly regained the territories in
control of Chavdas, as Lakhiar was childless, Lakho named his territory
after his brother and called it Lakhiarviro. Lakho was adopted by Jam
Jada, the descendants of this Lakho Jadani were called Jadejas. The name
Jadeja means "Belonging to Jada" in the Sindhi and Kutchi language and
is pronounced as "Jaa day jaa.
Jam Lakho Jadani is attributed to the surname
Jadeja being adopted for all his descendants. Lakho Jadani reigned in
Kutch between AD 1147–1175 and had one heir to the gaddi (throne), Jam
Rato Raydhan.
Ratto means Red in Kutchi and he was so called
because he used to tie a red cloth across his turban to prevent it from
dislodging during battles. Jam Ratto Raydhan had four sons namely, Jam
Othaji, Dedaji, Hothiji and Gajanji and they were given the territories
of Lakhirviro, Kanthkot, Gajod and Bara respectively in Kutch.
As Othaji was the eldest he ascended to the
throne and the rest became a part of Bhayyat or the Brotherhood. Bhayyat
is the term used for all the descendants of the royal family who own and
control their own domains allocated to them within the state and adhere
to the feudal system.
Over the years, there were constant skirmishes
due to jealousy that marred within these houses, until they merged in
two groups of Othaji and Gajanji. The first incident among these which
changed the history of Kutch is the murder of Jam Hamirji of Lakhiarviro,
chief of eldest branch of Jadeja and descendant of Othaji, by Jam Rawal
of Bara. It is believed that Jam Rawal attributed the murder of his
father Jam Lakhaji to Hamirji, as he was killed within the territory of
Lakhiarviro, and on the pretense of resolving the dispute between the
two branches, took a fake oath of Ashapura Mataji, the supreme deity of
Jadejas, invited Hamirji for a meal and killed him by deceit. During
this time Alioji and Khengarji, two sons of Hamirji were in Ahmedabad
and escaped the complete destruction of the royal family perpetuated by
Jam Rawal, thereafter Jam Rawal usurped the throne of Kutch and reigned
with supreme authority. Khengarji was 15 years old when his father was
murdered, he enlisted in to the army of Mahmud Begada, during one Royal
Hunting party, Khengar killed a lion and saved the life of Sultan for
which he was asked to name his reward, the prime ambition of Khengar was
to regain Kutch and hence he asked for support to fight Jam Rawal,
whereby, he was given 1000 soldiers and complete access to Morvi and
given a title of Rao by the sultan Mohamad of Ahmedabad. Rao Khengar
with the support of well wishers within Kutch and Morvi fought with Jam
Rawal and slowly started gaining the territories of Rapar and nearby
villages, as Khengar was the rightful heir to the throne he was welcomed
and dissent towards Jam Rawal grew within the state of Kutch. Jam Rawal
was ardent devotee of Maa Ashapura, it is believed that the Goddess
indicated Jam Rawal to leave Kutch and establish himself at Halar (Saurashtra),
and that she will support him in this venture. Jam Rawal set out for
Saurashtra and established himself at Nawanagar. Khengar became the 1st
Rao of Kutch in AD 1549 and established
Bhuj as Capital.
Khengarji I S/o Hamirji
(1st Rao)..........................1510
- 1586
Bharmalji
I S/o Khengarji I................................1586 - 1632
Khengarji
II S/o Meghji Bharmalji..........................1645 - 1654
Meghji Bharmalji was
Bhojrajji's younger brother. The first four Raos of
Kutch ascended the throne in regular succession according to
primogeniture, however after Rao Khengarji II died, there was a break in
succession, and in order to prevent the throne being given to Khengarjis
illegitimate son, the Bhayyat instated Tamachiji who was the second son
of Rao Khengarjis brother.
Rayadhanji
I S/o Tamachiji.................................1666 - 1698
JADEJA
Jadeja belong to the
Yaduvanshi rajputs or Chandravanshi (Moon Dynasty) rajputs. They are one
of the 36 royal dynasties of old tracing their origins to Lord Krishna.
They ruled huge parts of Kathiawar peninsula and Kutch until India's
independence in 1947.
Pragmalji I S/o Rayadhanji
I
(1st Maharao).................1698
- 1715
Gohodaji
I S/o Pragmalji I.................................1715 - 1719
Deshalji
I S/o Gohodaji
I..................................1719 - 1741
Deshalji
II S/o Bharmalji
II...................25 Mar 1819 - 26 Jul 1860
MacMurdo (regent).........................25
Mar 1819 - 08 Jul 1834
Pragmalji
II S/o Deshalji II (regent)........Jul
1849 - 26 Jul 1960
Pragmalji
II S/o Deshalji II...................26 Jul 1860 - 19 Dec 1875
Khengarji
III S/o Pragmalji
II.................19 Dec 1875 - 15 Jan 1942
During the latter
part of Queen Victoria's reign, Sir Khengarji came to be appointed
as an aide de camp to the Queen-Empress in her declining years,
which excited some jealousy amongst the officials of the Government
of India. He often traveled abroad to Europe, and was noted for his
personal relations with the members of the ruling houses there.
Khengarji III was one of the very few Indian monarchs to attend all
three Delhi Durbars - in 1877,1903 and 1911. His title became
Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri from 01 Jan 1918. In 1919, he was
granted a local salute of 19-guns, and represented India at a League
of Nations conference in Geneva in 1921. Khengarji was very
progressive and did lots of reforms and developments in Kutch during
his reign.
Vijayaraja S/o Khengarji
III...................15
Jan 1942 - 15 Aug 1947
Vijayaraja S/o Khengarji
III (continued)............15
Aug 1947 - 26 Feb 1948
In year 1947, upon
advice of Gandhiji, 15,000 acres (61 km2) of land was donated by him for
re-settlement of refugee Hindu Sindhi community, who migrated across the
border into India upon partition. The towns of Gandhidham and Adipur
were developed on this land donated by him. He acceded the Princely
State of Cutch to the Dominion of India on 16th August, 1947. As he was
in London for medical treatment
at the time India gained
independence, he took a decision from there only and the Instrument of
Accession of Kutch was signed on his behalf by the Heir & his son Yuvraj
Meghraji, on his behalf. Yuvraj Meghraji. Upon death of his father on 26
February 1948, Yuvraj Sahib Meghraji under the new name and style of
Madansinghji ruled for a short period, when the administration of
Princely State was completely merged in to Union of India.
Madan
Singh S/o Vijayaraja..........................26 Feb 1948 - 01 Jun 1948
Kutch State was formed
out of the territory of the former princely state of Cutch, whose ruler
(Maharao Sri Vijayaraji) had acceded to the Dominion of India with
effect from 15 August 1947. The administration of Kutch after accession
remained in the hands of its former ruler until his death on 26 February
1948, when it then passed to his son, Maharao Shri Meghraji.
Other Princely State
ruled by Jadeja clan of Rajputs are Dhrol: c.1535-1948, Morvi (Morbi):
c.1698-1948, Nawanagar: c.1535-1948 and Rajkot: c.1620-1948.
Kori.
Year:
ND (1800-1814). Weight:
4.46g [4.50g]. Metal:
0.800 Silver.
Diameter: 15.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Rotated. Mint:
Bhuj.
Mintage: N/A.
Minted Years: One
year type with (17)78 frozen date.
Ruler: Rayadhanji II.
Note: 1778 is the
year when Rayadhanji II became the ruler of Kutch.
C#53 Kori.
Year:
VS1882 (1825). Weight:
4.54g [4.60-4.70g]. Metal:
0.610 Silver.
Diameter: 14.50 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Coin. Mint:
Bhuj.
Mintage: N/A.
Minted Years: AH
(12)34 frozen date on all coins with VS1875-1877, 1879-1882,
1884-1885 and 1887. Ruler:
Deshalji II.
Note:
AH (12)34 = VS1875 or 1818 is the year when
Deshalji II became the ruler of Kutch.
Y#5.1 Trambiyo (1/48 Kori).
Year:
1767 error (1867). Weight:
3.34g [3.00-3.40g]. Metal:
Copper.
Diameter: 15.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Coin, but rotated as shown. Mint:
Bhuj.
Mintage: N/A.
Minted Years: 1865-1868
and 1767 error (1867). Ruler:
Pragmalji II.
Y#8 3 Dokda (Dhabu or 1/8 kori).
Year:
VS1925 (1868). Weight:
18.92g [18.80-19.60g]. Metal:
Copper.
Diameter: 32.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Coin. Mint:
Bhuj.
Mintage: N/A.
Reverse: Sa(m)vat
at upper left, date at upper right.
Minted Years: One
year type but other similar varieties also exits as Y#8.1, Y#8.2 and
Y#12. Ruler:
Pragmalji II.
Y#14.2 Kori.
Year:
VS1920 (1863). Weight:
4.66g [4.70g]. Metal:
0.610 Silver.
Diameter: 16.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal, but rotated and off-flan as shown.
Mint:
Bhuj.
Mintage: N/A.
Reverse: Open
crescent at the top.
Minted Years: VS1920
(1862), VS1920 (1863) and VS1921 (1863). Ruler:
Pragmalji II.
Y#37.2 5 Kori.
Year:
VS1937 (1881). Weight:
13.78g [13.87g]. Metal:
0.937 Silver.
Diameter: 30.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded with Lettered. "Kutch" written
in English and Devanagri script then "Bhuj" written in English and
Devanagri script. Readable when VS date (reverse side) is on top. Alignment:
Medal, but rotated as shown. Mint:
Bhuj.
Observe:
"Victoria Qaiser-i-Hind" (Victoria, Queen of India), "Zarb Bhuj"
(Mint: Bhuj) with date.
Leaves of wreath pointing counter-clockwise.
Reverse: Close crescent and bars to
left and right of center legend within circle.
Mintage: N/A.
Minted Years: VS1937
(1880) and VS1937 (1881). Ruler:
Khengarji III.
Y#37.5 5 Kori.
Year:
VS1954 (1897). Weight:
13.86g [13.87g]. Metal:
0.937 Silver.
Diameter: 31.00 mm. Edge:
Plain with Lettered. "Kutch" written in
English and Hindi then "Bhuj" written in English and Hindi. Readable
when CE date (observe side) is on top. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
Bhuj.
Observe:
"Victoria Qaiser-i-Hind" (Victoria, Queen of India), "Zarb Bhuj"
(Mint: Bhuj) with date. Changed wreath.
Reverse: Open crescent within circle.
Y#47 Dokdo (1/24 Kori).
Year:
VS1977 (1920). Weight:
6.44g. Metal:
Copper.
Diameter: 20.50 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal, but rotated as shown. Mint:
Bhuj.
Observe:
"George V Qaiser-i-Hind" (George V, King of India), "Zarb Bhuj"
(Mint: Bhuj) with date.
Reverse: Date below trident (trishul)
in center.
Mintage: N/A.
Minted Years: VS1976
(1920) and VS1977 (1920). Ruler:
Khengarji III.
Y#52a 2˝ Kori.
Year:
VS1991 (1935). Weight:
6.92g [6.935g]. Metal:
0.937 Silver.
Diameter: 26.00 mm. Edge:
Plain with Lettered. "Kutch" written
in English and Devanagri script then "Bhuj" written in English and
Devanagri script. Readable when CE date (observe side) is on top. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
Bhuj.
Observe:
"George V Qaiser-i-Hind" (George V, King of India), "Zarb Bhuj"
(Mint: Bhuj) with date.
Leaves of wreath pointing clockwise.
Reverse: Small legends than earlier
issues 1916-1926 .
Mintage: N/A.
Y#53a 5 Kori.
Year:
VS1989 (1932). Weight:
13.85g [13.87g]. Metal:
0.937 Silver.
Diameter: 32.00 mm. Edge:
Plain with Lettered. "Kutch" written
in English and Devanagri script then "Bhuj" written in English and
Devanagri script. Readable when CE date (observe side) is on top. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
Bhuj.
Observe:
"George V Qaiser-i-Hind" (George V, King of India), "Zarb Bhuj"
(Mint: Bhuj) with date.
Leaves of wreath pointing clockwise.
Reverse: Small legends than earlier
issues 1913-1927 .
Mintage: N/A.
Y#56 1˝ Dokdo (Dhinglo or 1/16 Kori).
Year:
VS1989 (1932). Weight:
8.24g. Metal:
Copper.
Diameter: 23.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
Bhuj.
Observe:
"George V Qaiser-i-Hind" (George V, King of India), "Zarb Bhuj"
(Mint: Bhuj) with date.
Reverse: Date below trident (trishul)
and legend in center.
Mintage: N/A.
Minted Years:
VS1985
(1928), VS1985 (1929), VS1986 (1929), VS1987 (1931), VS1988 (1931), VS1988
(1932) and VS1889 (1932). Ruler:
Khengarji III.
Y#67 5 Kori.
Year:
VS1993 (1936). Weight:
13.88g [13.87g]. Metal:
0.937 Silver.
Diameter: 32.00 mm. Edge:
Plain with Lettered. "Kutch" written
in English and Devanagri script then "Bhuj" written in English and
Devanagri script. Readable when VS date (reverse side) is on top. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
Bhuj.
Observe:
"Edward VIII Qaiser-i-Hind" (Edward VIII, King of India), "Zarb Bhuj"
(Mint: Bhuj) with date.
Leaves of wreath pointing clockwise.
Mintage: N/A.
Minted Years:
VS1992 (1936) and VS1993 (1936). Ruler:
Khengarji III.
Y#71 3 Dokdo (Dhabu or 1/8 kori).
Year:
VS1993 (1937). Weight:
14.80g. Metal:
Copper.
Diameter: 32.25 mm. Edge:
Plain with some sort of decoration. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
Bhuj.
Observe:
"George VI Qaiser-i-Hind" (George VI, King of India), "Zarb Bhuj"
(Mint: Bhuj) with date.
Reverse: Date below trident (trishul)
and legend in center.
Mintage: N/A.
Minted Years:
One year type. Ruler:
Khengarji III.
Y#77 Dhinglo (1˝ Dokdo or 1/16 Kori).
Year:
VS2000 (1943). Weight:
4.15g. Metal:
Copper.
Diameter: 20.50 mm;
hole in center. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
Bhuj.
Observe:
"George VI Qaiser-i-Hind" (George VI, King of India), "Zarb Bhuj"
(Mint: Bhuj) with date.
Reverse: Date below on right side.
Mintage: N/A.
Minted Years:
VS2000 (1943), VS2000 (1944), VS2004 (1947) and VS2004 (1948). Ruler:
Vijayarajji.
Y#79 Payalo (1/4 kori).
Year:
VS2000 (1943). Weight:
8.25g. Metal:
Copper.
Diameter: 26.50 mm;
hole in center. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
Bhuj.
Observe:
"George VI Qaiser-i-Hind" (George VI, King of India), "Zarb Bhuj"
(Mint: Bhuj) with date.
Reverse: Date below on right side.
Mintage: N/A.
Minted Years:
VS1999 (1943), VS2000 (1943), VS2000 (1944), VS2001 (1944), VS2001
(1945), VS2002 (1945), VS2002 (1946), VS2003 (1946) and VS2003
(1947). Ruler:
Vijayarajji.
Same as above coin, but..
Year:
VS2003 (1947). Weight:
8.35g.
Y#80 Adhio (1/2 kori).
Year:
VS2001 (1944). Weight:
16.49g. Metal:
Copper.
Diameter: 36.00 mm;
hole in center. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
Bhuj.
Observe:
"George VI Qaiser-i-Hind" (George VI, King of India), "Zarb Bhuj"
(Mint: Bhuj) with date.
Reverse: Date below on right side.
Mintage: N/A.
Minted Years:
VS1999 (1943), VS2000 (1943), VS2001 (1944), VS2001 (1945), VS2002
(1945) and VS2002 (1946). Ruler:
Vijayarajji.
Y#82 5 Kori.
Year:
VS1998 (1942). Weight:
13.87g [13.87g]. Metal:
0.937 Silver.
Diameter: 32.00 mm. Edge:
Plain with Lettered. "Kutch" written
in English and Devanagri script then "Bhuj" written in English and
Devanagri script. Readable when VS date (reverse side) is on top. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
Bhuj.
Observe:
"George VI Qaiser-i-Hind" (George VI, King of India), "Zarb Bhuj"
(Mint: Bhuj) with date.
Leaves of wreath pointing clockwise.
Mintage: N/A.
Minted Years:
VS1998 (1942), VS1999 (1942) and VS1998 (1943) Reported but not
confirmed. Ruler:
Vijayarajji.
Y#84 Kori.
Year:
VS2004 (1947). Weight:
4.66g [4.70g]. Metal:
0.610 Silver.
Diameter: 17.00 mm. Edge:
Plain. Alignment:
Medal. Mint:
Bhuj.
Observe:
In Devanagiri: जय हिंद ("Jai Hind" = Victory to India) at the top, "Bhuj"
in Devanagiri at bottom.
Mintage: N/A.
Minted Years:
One year type. Ruler:
Madan Singh.
Upon the independence of India in 1947, Kachchh
acceded unto the dominion of India and was constituted an independent
commissionaire. It was created a state within the union of India in 1950. On
June 01, 1948, Chhotalal Khovshaldan Desai became first Chief Commissioner
of Kutch State,
functioned as a province. He was succeeded by
Sambhajirao Appasaheb Ghatge in 1952. He was in office till October 31,
1956. Upon the
Constitution of India coming into force on 26 January 1950, Kutch became a
"Class C" state, i.e. its administration was under the direct control of
India's central government. Its capital was Bhuj.
On November 01, 1956, Kachchh State was merged with
Bombay state, under the
States Reorganization Act. Later in n 1960 was
divided into the new linguistic states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, with
Kachchh becoming a district as part of Gujarat state.
On the Partition of India in 1947, the province of
Sindh, including the port of Karachi, became part of Pakistan. The Indian
Government constructed a modern port at Kandla in Kutch to serve as a port
for western India in lieu of Karachi. There was a dispute over the Kutch
region with Pakistan on Sir Creek. In 1965, Pakistan claimed
3,500 sq mi (9,100 km2) of the land and an international tribunal was set
up. It awarded 350 sq mi (910 km2) of the claimed land to Pakistan, the rest
remaining with India.
Kutch district (also spelled as Kachchh) is a district
of Gujarat state in western India. Covering an area of 45,652 km˛, it is the
largest district of India. Kachchh literally means something which
intermittently becomes wet and dry; a large part of this district is known
as Rann of Kachchh which is shallow wetland which submerges in water during
the rainy season and becomes dry during other seasons. The same word is also
used in the languages of Sanskrit origin for a tortoise and garments to be
worn while having a bath. The Rann is famous for its marshy salt flats which
become snow white after the shallow water dries up each season before the
monsoon rains.
Pretenders of Kutch
Madan
Singh S/o Vijayaraja (continued)...........01
Jun 1948 - 21 Jun 1991
He died in Surrey, UK
on 21st June 1991, having three sons and two daughters.
Pragmulji III S/O
Madan Singh....................21 Jun 1991 - date
Installed in the
Tila-medi, Prag Mahal Palace, Bhuj on 17th October 1991.
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