Kutch History

Kutch was formerly in independent state, founded in the late 13th century by a Samma Rajput named jada, from which name the Jadeja Rajputs derive their patronymic. The jadeja dynasty ruled not only Kutch but also much of neighbouring katheawar for several centuries until the independence of India in 1947. In 1815 Kutch become a British protectorate and ultimately a princely state whose local ruler acknowledged British sovereignty in return for local autonomy. Bhuj was the capital of princely state Kutch .One surviving relie of the princely era is beautiful Aina mahel, built in the 1760s at Bhuj for the Maharao of Kutch by Ram Singh Malam who had learnt glass, enamel and tile work from the Dutch. Along with that during that time period Kutch had its own currency while the rest of British India was using rupees. The Maharao also had built at his expense the Cutch state railway.

Upon the independence of India in 1947 , Kachchh acceded unto the dominion of India and was constituted an independent commissionerate.It was created a state within the union of India in 1950, On june 1, 1948, Chhotalal Khovshaldan Desai became its first cheif commissioner. He was succeded by Sambhajirao Appasaheb Ghatge in 1952. He was in office till october 31, 1956. On november 1,1956, Kuchchh was merged with Bombay state, which in 1960 was divided into the new linguistic states of Gujarat and Maharastra, with Kachchh becoming part of Gujarat state.

The Kutch district with 45662 km2, is the second largest district in India .The administrative headquarters is in Bhuj which is geographically in the centre of district, other main towns are Gandhidham,Raper,Nakhatrana,Anjar,Mandvi,Madhaper and Mundra. The district has 966 villages.

The district had a population of 1583225.Motor vehicales registered in Kutch district have their registration number Starting with GJ 12.

The languages spoken predominanily in Kuchchh is kuchchhi and to lesser extent has become extinct and it is occusionally written in the Gujarati script are available in Kachchh museum. Increased use of Gujarati language is mainly, because of being it a mediam of instruction in schools often Kachchi language in mistaken as dialect of Gujarati however this is not true kuchchhi language bears more similiarity with sindhi than Gujarati.