Civil Uprisings : Kutch Rebellion (1816-1832): Power Struggles and British Intervention

Kutch or Cutch Rebellion (1816-1832)

Explore the Kutch Rebellion (1816-1832), which erupted due to internal power struggles in Kutch. Learn how British intervention, administrative changes, and local chieftains' resistance led to the eventual installation of an infant ruler and the adoption of a conciliatory policy by the British authorities.

• A treaty between the British and Maharaja Bharamal II of Kutch in 1816 vested power in the throne, but internal power struggles arose between the Maharaja and a group of chieftains.
• The British intervened in these feuds, and in 1819, Raja Bharamal II raised Arab and African troops to expel the British. The chieftains supported him.
• The British defeated and deposed Raja Bharamal II, installing his infant son as ruler. A British resident governed as the *de facto* ruler with the aid of a regency council.

Rebellion and Government Response

• Administrative changes and excessive land assessments by the regency council caused widespread resentment among the chieftains.
• The chieftains, emboldened by British reverses in the Burma War, demanded the restoration of Raja Bharamal II.
• Extensive military operations to control the situation proved ineffective, leading the Company’s authorities to adopt a conciliatory policy.