Rayadhan III
| Rayadhan III | |
|---|---|
| Maharaja of Kutch | |
| First rein | 1778 – 1786 |
| Predecessor | Godji II |
| Successor | Prithvirajji |
| Second rein | 1801 − 30 October 1813 |
| Predecessor | Prithvirajji |
| Successor | Bar Bhayat ni Jamat |
| Regent of Bar Bhayat ni Jamat | Fateh Muhammad |
| Born | 1763 |
| Died | 30 October 1813 |
| Dynasty | Jadeja Rajput |
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 from 1801 to 1813.
Rayadhan III succeeded his father Godji II, in 1778, at the early age of fifteen when the state was under disturbance and the revenues were exhausted due to battles. Under his mother's influence, he appointed Devchand, a Lohana by caste, as his minister who had managed the state under former rein. One day Devchand was arrested by the commander of the Rao's body-guard under suspicion, and, shortly after, his three brothers, who held Anjar, Mundra, and Rapar, were seized and brought to Bhuj, where the whole family, including Devchand were put to death. His mother died soon and the state fall into disturbance again. Rao appointed Sidi Merich, the governor of Bhuj, as his minister. Vagha Parekh, a Vania by caste, attacked the Jadeja chief of Patri and slaying him took his fort. This severity gave great offence, and Sidi Merich seeing that Vagha Parekh's conduct Rao Rayadhan III himself unpopular tried to assassinate him. The attempt failed and Vagha winning over the nobles and the ladies of the palace procured the banishment of the whole body of Sidi mercenaries. But Vagha's success was short-lived. One of the Sidis, Masud by name, who, as a personal favourite of the Rao's was allowed to remain, before long succeeded in bringing about his imprisonment and death.
About this time (1783) the Raja of Jodhpur, at the head of an army, passed through Kutch on his way to Sindh to restore Abdul Nabbi Khan, who had been driven from his kingdom by the Talpuras. The Raja tried to persuade the Rao to help him. But affairs at Bhuj were in too great disorder to allow of ready aid, and, before anything could be done, the Jodhpur army, after a contest with Mir Fateh Ali at Chobari, were forced to retire in disorder. Rayadhan was disliked due to his conducts and his minister Vagha Parekh, suddenly brought a body of troops from Anjar into the courtyard of the Bhuj palace. Getting timely news of their arrival, the Rao, sending word to his body-guard, escaped to the top of the palace, and cutting away the stair gave his Pathans time to assemble and come to his rescue. With their help the whole body of the assailants was destroyed. Though successful for the moment, the Rao's conduct had estranged all his servants, and from this time his authority was no longer acknowledged. Mandvi under Ramji Khavas, Anjar under Meghji Seth, and Mundra, Lakhpat, and several other towns under other leaders became indepen independent. The Miyanas, gathering in large bodies, entrenched themselves at Baliari, and, sallying out, plundered on every side.
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