Kutch was a princely state during the British rule in India (which covers both the British East India Company rule and later the British Raj). The state had an area of 45,630 square kilometers. This state was ruled by different princes. These princes are given below.
Godji II
Godji II occupied the throne of Kutch in 1760 and ruled until 1778. It was during his rule that the state was invaded by Kalhoras and Talpuras of Sindh multiple times.
Rayadhan III
Rayadhan III occupied the throne of Kutch in 1778 and ruled until 1786. He again ruled as titular head under the council of Bar Bhayat ni Jamat from 1801 to 1813.
Bharmalji II
Bharmalji II ruled Kutch from 6th of November, 1814 to 25th of March, 1819.
Deshalji II
Deshalji II became the ruler of Kutch in 1819. In 1815, Bharmalji II was defeated by the joint army of British and Gaekwad. Consequently, Kutch came under the suzerainty of British in 1818. Also, Deshalji II had to accept a British Resident at his court in Bhuj. It was during Deshalji II"s rule that Kutch experienced a severe earthquake in 1819 and severe famine in 1823, 1825 and 1832.
Pragmalji II
Pragmalji II ruled Kutch from 26th of July, 1860 till his death on 19th of December, 1875. Pragmalji II was a progressive king which could be comprehended from the fact that constructions of Prag Mahal in Bhuj and embankment of Hamirsar Lake took place during his rule. His rule coincided with the system of state-funded education. The first high school of Kutch called the Alfred High School started in Bhuj.
Khengarji III
Khengarji III has the distinction of being one of the longest ruling monarchs of the world and also the longest ruling King of Kutch from 1875 to 1942. He attained complete power of a ruler on 14th of November, 1884. Khengarji III was a progressive ruler, which could be comprehended from the fact that he had ordered the renovation of Suralbhit Jadeshwar Temple near Bhuj and had built public hospitals in Bhuj and Mandvi.
Vijayarajaji
Vijayarajaji ruled Kutch from 1942 till his death in 1948. He had instituted the Kutch High Court, elected village councils, supported irrigation projects and had brought about agricultural development in the state. He had funded and facilitated Salim Ali`s survey of the birds of Kutch and had even donated land. During his rule, bus transport services commenced in the state. The princely state of Kutch came under the Dominion of India on 16th of August, 1947.
