Kutch State
Encyclopedia
Kutch State was a state
within the Republic of India
from 1950 to 1956. Its capital was Bhuj
.
The state's territory now forms a district
within the Indian state of Gujarat.
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. On 1 June 1948 the administration was transferred to the Government of India
, working through a Chief Commissioner
.
Initially Kutch functioned as a province. 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.
On 1 November 1956, Bombay State
was re-organised under the States Reorganisation Act
, absorbing various territories including Kutch State, which ceased to exist.
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
within the Republic of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
from 1950 to 1956. Its capital was Bhuj
Bhuj
Bhuj is a city and a municipality in Kachchh district in the state of Gujarat, India.-History:It was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the state capital by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital laid formally on Vikram Samvat 1604 Maagha 5th...
.
The state's territory now forms a district
Kutch District
Kutch district is a district of Gujarat state in western India. Covering an area of 45,652 km², it is the largest district of India....
within the Indian state of Gujarat.
History
Princely state
A Princely State was a nominally sovereign entitity of British rule in India that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule such as suzerainty or paramountcy.-British relationship with the Princely States:India under the British Raj ...
of Cutch, whose ruler (Maharao Sri Vijayaraji
Vijayaraji
H.H. Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Sri Vijayaraji Khengarji Sawai Bahadur was the ruling Maharao of the princely state of Kutch from 1942 to his death in 1948....
) had acceded
Instrument of Accession
The Instrument of Accession was a legal document created in 1947 to enable each of the rulers of the princely states under British suzerainty to join one of the new dominions of India or Pakistan created by the Partition of British India.-Background:...
to the Dominion of India
Dominion of India
The Dominion of India, also known as the Union of India or the Indian Union , was a predecessor to modern-day India and an independent state that existed between 15 August 1947 and 26 January 1950...
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. On 1 June 1948 the administration was transferred to the Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
, working through a Chief Commissioner
Chief Commissioner
A Chief Commissioner is a commissioner of a high rank, usually in chief of several Commissioners or similarly styled officers.-Colonial:In British India the gubernatorial style was Chief Commissioner in various provinces , the style being applied especially where an elected assembly did not exist,...
.
Initially Kutch functioned as a province. Upon the Constitution of India
Constitution of India
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles, establishes the structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens...
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.
On 1 November 1956, Bombay State
Bombay State
The Bombay State was a state of India, dissolved with the formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat states on May 1, 1960.-History:During British rule, portions of the western coast of India under direct British rule were part of the Bombay Presidency...
was re-organised under the States Reorganisation Act
States Reorganisation Act
The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 was a major reform of the boundaries and governance of India's states and territories. The act reorganised the boundaries of India's states along linguistic lines, and amended the Indian Constitution to replace the three types of states, known as Parts A, B,...
, absorbing various territories including Kutch State, which ceased to exist.
Chief Commissioners of Kutch State
- Chhotalal Khovshaldan Desai (from 1 June 1948 to 1952)
- Sambhajirao Appasaheb Ghatge (from 1952 to 30 October 1956)