Kutch State

Kutch State was a state within the Republic of India from 1947 to 1956. Its capital was Bhuj.

The state's territory now forms a district within the Indian state of Gujarat.

History

A map of India in 1950, showing the boundaries of Kutch State

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.^[1]

The administration of Kutch after accession, however, 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-organized under the States Reorganisation Act, absorbing various territories including Kutch State, which ceased to exist.

Chief Commissioners of Kutch State

1. Chhotalal Khovshaldan Desai (from 1 June 1948 to 1952)
2. Sambhajirao Appasaheb Ghatge (from 1952 to 30 October 1956)^[2]

See also

• Cutch State

References

• Legal Case of 1954 : Kutch State

v t e States of India on 26 January 1950 Part A States Assam Bihar Bombay East Punjab Madhya Pradesh Madras Orissa Uttar Pradesh West Bengal Part B States Hyderabad Jammu and Kashmir Madhya Bharat Mysore Patiala and East Punjab States Union Rajasthan Saurashtra Travancore-Cochin Vindhya Pradesh Part C States Ajmer Coorg Cooch-Behar Bhopal Bilaspur Delhi Himachal Pradesh Kutch Manipur Tripura Part D States Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Coordinates: 23°54′54″N 70°22′01″E / 23.915°N 70.367°E / 23.915; 70.367