Prithvirajji
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Rao Prithviraj ji, also known as Bhaiji Bava, was the
Rao of Cutch Cutch State, also spelled Kutch or Kachchh and also historically known as the Kingdom of Kutch, was a kingdom in the Kutch region from 1147 to 1819 and a princely state under British rule from 1819 to 1947. Its territories covered the present ...
belonging to
Jadeja Jadeja ( Gujarati, Sindhi: , or ''Jāṛejā'') is a Samma Rajput clan that inhabits the Indian state of Gujarat and the Tharparkar district of Sindh, Pakistan. They originated from Sammas of Sindh, a pastoral group, and laid a claim on the ...
Rajput Rājpūt (, from Sanskrit ''rājaputra'' meaning "son of a king"), also called Thākur (), is a large multi-component cluster of castes, kin bodies, and local groups, sharing social status and ideology of genealogical descent originating fro ...
dynasty, who ascended the throne of
Princely State of Cutch Cutch State, also spelled Kutch or Kachchh and also historically known as the Kingdom of Kutch, was a kingdom in the Kutch region from 1147 to 1819 and a princely state under British rule from 1819 to 1947. Its territories covered the present ...
as a titular head in 1786 and ruled until 1801 when he died at the early age of twenty seven. He ruled as titular head under council of
Bar Bhayat ni Jamat ''Bar Bhayat ni Jamat'' (Council of Twelve Brothers) was a council of twelve members which managed Cutch State under titular kings Prithvirajji from 1786 to 1801 and under Rayadhan III from 1801 to 1813. The council was chiefly led by Fateh Muhamm ...
.


Life

Some regional heads revolted against
Rayadhan III Rao Rayadhan III was the Rao of Cutch belonging to Jadeja Rajput dynasty, who ascended the throne of Princely State of Cutch in 1778 and ruled until 1786 when he was deposed. He again ruled as titular head under council of Bar Bhayat ni Jamat ...
and deposed him in 1786. The chief actors, the Jamadars and Meghji Seth, raised Prithviraj, Rayadhan's younger brother to the chiefship who appointed during his minority a council known as the ''
Bar Bhayat ni Jamat ''Bar Bhayat ni Jamat'' (Council of Twelve Brothers) was a council of twelve members which managed Cutch State under titular kings Prithvirajji from 1786 to 1801 and under Rayadhan III from 1801 to 1813. The council was chiefly led by Fateh Muhamm ...
'' with Meghji Seth and Dosal Ven as its leading members. The Jamat restored the peace under the administration of
Fateh Muhammad Fateh Muhammad (1752–1813) was a regent who administered Cutch State as a leader of Bar Bhayat ni Jamat under titular kings, Prithvirajji and Rayadhan III. Career Background Fateh Muhammad, a Notiyar Muslim of Sindhi descent, born in 17 ...
and the prosperity of the state grew. When Prithviraj ji reached at mature age, began to view with jealousy his minister
Fateh Muhammad Fateh Muhammad (1752–1813) was a regent who administered Cutch State as a leader of Bar Bhayat ni Jamat under titular kings, Prithvirajji and Rayadhan III. Career Background Fateh Muhammad, a Notiyar Muslim of Sindhi descent, born in 17 ...
's almost absolute power. The first open rupture was in 1801 at a pleasure party, on the Bhuj lake. Bhaiji had been drinking, and on some trifling difference of opinion, he not only accused Fateh Muhammad of rebellious intentions, but would have attacked him had he not been held back. Afterwards there was a show of reconciliation, but Prithviraj ji had lost trust in Fateh Muhammad, and only waited a favourable opportunity of separating from him. Matters came to a crisis, when, shortly after, the young Rao asked for and was refused the revenues of the town of
Mandvi Mandvi is a beach town with municipality in the Kutch district, Kachchh district (Kutch) in the States and territories of India, Indian state of Gujarat. It was once a major port of the region and summer retreat for Maharao (king) of the Cutch ...
. With his friends he now planned an escape from
Bhuj Bhuj () is a city and the headquarters of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Etymology According to legend, Kutch (Kachchh) was ruled by the Nāga chieftains in the past. Sagai, a queen of Sheshapattana, who was married to King B ...
, and on a day when Fateh Muhammad was absent at
Lakhpat Lakhpat is a town in Kachchh district in the Indian state of Gujarat located at the mouth of the Kori Creek. The town is enclosed by 7km-long, 18th century fort walls. Etymology The town is named after Rao Lakha who ruled in Sindh about the mi ...
, the officer in charge of
Bhachau Bhachau is a city and a municipality in Kutch district (kachchh) in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhachau was one of many devastated towns in the Kutch region of the Indian state of Gujarat, during the 1956 Anjar earthquake as well as in the 20 ...
sent troops to escort the Rao to Mandvi, where Seth Hansraj, the commandant of the town, received him, declared in his favour, and drove out the militia that continued true to Fateh Muhammad's interests. On reaching Lakhpat, Fateh Muhammad heard of the Rao's flight and turning back with all speed collected his forces at Bhuj. Under Askarna Seth he sent a detachment to the Machhu Kantha to prevent the arrival of troops from the
Morbi Morbi or Morvi is a city founded as a princely state around 1698 by Jadeja Thakor Saheb Shree Kayoji Ravaji. It is in the Morbi district in the States and territories of India, state of Gujarat, India. It is situated on the Kathiawar peninsula. ...
chief. This body of men did good service, attacking and defeating a formidable force coming to the Rao's assistance from
Radhanpur Radhanpur is a village and a gram panchayat in Patan district in the Indian States and territories of India, state of Gujarat. Origin of name According to the tradition, this village is named after Radhan Khan, a descendant of Fateh Khan Baloch. ...
, and then at Patri, on the way to Mandvi, defeating a detachment sent against them by Seth Hansraj. While thus successful, they were suddenly recalled to Bhuj, where Fateh Muhammad, deserted by one of his chief supporters the commandant of Lakhpat, and badly off for funds, had determined to centre his forces. The Rao now moved against Bhuj, and being joined by many bands of mercenaries, became so strong that Fateh Muhammad feeling resistance useless, agreed to surrender the capital, if he were given the estate of Bhachau. Accepting these terms Prithviraj ji and Seth Hansraj took possession of Bhuj. Before leaving Bhuj, Fateh Muhammad set free
Rayadhan III Rao Rayadhan III was the Rao of Cutch belonging to Jadeja Rajput dynasty, who ascended the throne of Princely State of Cutch in 1778 and ruled until 1786 when he was deposed. He again ruled as titular head under council of Bar Bhayat ni Jamat ...
, a step which greatly embarrassed the new government. Rayadhan was at first most grateful to them for his freedom, and at last, with much trouble was pacified by a daily grant of about £8 (300 koris). After this the place of minister became a matter of keen dispute, and Muhammad Miyan, passed over in favour of Hansraj, was so displeased that he retired to Mundra. Scarcely were these troubles settled, when Prithviraj ji died at the early age of twenty-seven. Rayadhan took over the administration again but was deposed by Fateh Muhammad and made titular head under Bar Bhayat ni Jamat.


Political Office


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* {{PD-notice 1770s births 1801 deaths Maharajas of Kutch Hindu monarchs Gujarati people