Deshalji II

H.H. Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri Deshalji II Sahib Bahadur (b 1814- d 1860) (reign: 1819-1860) was the Rao of Cutch, who ascended the throne of Princely State of Cutch upon deposition of his father Maharao Bharmulji II by British.^[1] He reigned during his minority, under a Council of Regency, headed by Captain MacMurdo and composed of Jadeja chiefs.^[1][2][3][4]

Maharao Deshalji II - A rare photo

Before, his ascension of throne in 1819 at behest of British & other Jadeja detractors, his father Rao Bharmulji II, was defeated by joint British & Gaekwad army in 1815 and Kutch accepted suzerainty of British in 1818 and was compelled to accept a British Resident at his court in Bhuj.^[5][1]

During his reign Kutch suffered severe earthquake in 1819 followed by severe famine in 1823, 1825 & 1832.^[1] Furher, Kutch was attacked by marauding band form Sindh. Rao Deshalji and his Dewan Devkaran with their mediocre power and the support of their brethren defeated Kesarkhan and Sher Bulandkhan the Muslim marauding band. Also they defeated the evil designs of Sindh’s Nagarparkar.^[1][6]

Deshalji although 18 years of age took the management of law in his own hands. The trade with Africa especially Zanzibar improved significantly. Slowly and steadily the industrialization in Kutch got a set back which was started by Lakhpatji and Godji.^[5][7]In the period of Deshalji II steps were taken to suppress infanticide, sati and the slave trade in the State. The educational system was also improved.^[8][9]

A Jadeja Chief in Kutchi attire during reign of Deshalji II : A sketch drawn in 1838

He had eight wives and several sons of which Pragmalji II was declared Yuvraj by him, who ascended the throne after his death in 1860.^[1] One of his queens is responsible for erection of present day temples at Narayan Sarovar. Rao Deshalji II came of age in 1834 and was invested with full ruling powers but in later life, due to ill health, he transferred his ruling power to his son & successor Pragmalji II in 1859 one year before his death.^[1][10]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Cutch
2. ^ [1] Bhuj:art, architecture, history.
3. ^ Jadeja Rulers of Kutch : Deshalji II (1814-1860)
4. ^ Kutch State : Maharao DESALJI BHARMALJI II (Daishalji) 1819/1860
5. ^ ^{a b} [2]
6. ^ RULERS OF KUTCH
7. ^ The presence of a glass factory and good breed of horses led Maharao Deshalji II (1819-1960) to maritime long distance trade with Zanzibar and most of all with Sultan of Oman. Makran, Oman, and Zanzibar: three-terminal cultural corridor in the western By Beatrice Nicolini, Penelope-Jane Watson.
8. ^ [3] Cultural history of Gujarat:from early times to pre-British period.
9. ^ [4] The Gujarat directory
10. ^ [5] The Hind Rajasthan, or, The annals of the native states of India, Volume 1, Part 1.