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 Muhammad during both period. The council is also known as Bar Bhayyat or Bar Bhaya.

Maharao Rayadhan III, who had become unpopular and had turned religious fanatic, who tried to convert his pupils to Islam which fuelled the revolt. He was deposed by the revolt of Jamadars, the local chiefs, led by Meghji Sheth, the administrator of Anjar. He seized the palace gates, and the Rao, forced to submit, was placed under restraint in 1786.

The chief actors, the Jamadars and Meghji Seth, raised Prithvirajji, Rayadhan's younger brother to the chiefship, appointed during his minority a council known as the Bar Bhayat ni Jamat which was a congregation of power. This twelve member council consisted of three members of the brothers from Jadeja ruler's family, three Mahajans (rich and influential moneylender or businessman from Hindu and Jain communities), three members from Muslim community, one member from Miyana community, one member of Gara Sadar, one member of the army.

Initially the council was successful in restoring order in the state but soon disagreement followed. Meghji Seth, convicted of an attempt to poison some of the members, was forced to flee. Seeking shelter in his old province of Anjar he established himself there as an almost independent ruler. To his party belonged the chief of Mandvi and Aima Bai, the mother of the Prithvirajji, and by their secession, the power of Dosal Ven and the other members of the council was greatly reduced. To add to the confusion two members of the council freed Rayadhan III from restraint.

The rest of the members of council left Bhuj and the disorders followed. Fateh Muhammad again placed Rayadhan under restraint. Thus he was admitted a member of Jamat. He with support of Jadeja chiefs and with his popularity in troops, Fateh Muhammad put an end to the supremacy of Dosal Ven who retired to Mundra and restored Prithvirajji to his proper position as the head of the state. As minister, Fateh Muhammad won regards of the young Prithvirajji, he secured the favour of the Jadejas by pensions ; and, by raising a powerful body of mercenaries acted with such vigour against those who opposed him all the members of the council were either banished from Cutch, or placed in confinement. Fateh Muhammad administered the state from 1786 to 1801 unified the Kutch and stabilised the order. The prosperity of the state grew and he became popular among the people. When Prithvirajji arrived at mature age, he forced Fateh Muhammad to retire with help of Hansraj. He retired under the agreement of fiefdom of the estates of Anjar and Bhachau in 1801. 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 Prithvirajji died at the early age of twenty-seven.

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