2026-08-19 Wed

Rao Sri Khengarji III, one of the longest-reigning rulers of the princely state of Kutch. His reign witnessed administrative reforms, improvements in infrastructure, the development of education and communications, and significant changes in Kutch coinage. His later coins are particularly interesting because they combine the name and symbols of the Kutch ruler with the name of the British sovereign, George V, reflecting the political relationship between the princely state and the British Crown.

Khengarji III was born in 1866 and succeeded to the throne of Kutch in 1875, beginning a reign that lasted until his death in 1942. His reign of nearly seven decades made him one of the longest-serving rulers among the Indian princely states.

During his rule, Kutch underwent considerable modernization. The state developed its administrative institutions, roads, railways, postal and telegraphs services, education and public works. Bhuj, the capital, and other important centres of Kutch saw improvements in civic infrastructure and communications. His administration also encouraged the development of the Kandla and Mandvi ports, strengthening Kutch's traditional maritime and commercial connections.

Khengarji III also took an interest in education and public welfare. His long reign provided political continuity during a period when many princely states were adapting their traditional systems of administration to the changing political and economic environment of British India. Kutch retained its own monetary system based on the Kori, with subsidiary denominations including the Dokda, Dhinglo and Trambiyo.

His coinage was issued in silver and copper, and different series appeared during the long course of his reign. The Kutch coin series of the George V period is especially distinctive. The coins generally bear Urdu legends referring to George V as “Kaisar-i-Hind” (Emperor of India) and the expression “Zarb Bhuj”, meaning “struck at Bhuj,” identifying the state mint. On the other side, the coin carries the name and titles of Maharao Sri Khengarji in Devanagari, along with the denomination and a Vikram Samvat date.

This dual presentation is significant. The British monarch's name acknowledged the imperial political order, while the Kutch ruler's name, Devanagari script and traditional symbols maintained the identity of the princely state.

To know more about the history of Kutch State, read our earlier artile Jai Hind – The Final Coinage of Kutch State

Here, Copper 3 Dokdo of Rao Sri Khengarji III, dated Vikram Samvat 1985, is corresponding to AD 1928. It belongs to the George V series of Kutch coinage. It is a standard circulation coin denominated at 3 Dokda, equivalent to 1/8 of a Kori.

The coin is copper, round and milled, with a catalogue weight of approximately 16.65 grams and a diameter of about 33.3 mm. The issue was struck at Bhuj mint. The obverse carries the name of George V in Urdu together with the titles “Kaisar-i-Hind” and “Zarb Bhuj”. The AD date 1928 is also represented on this side. At the centre is the characteristic vertical dagger, an important design element of Kutch coinage.

The reverse carries the name and titles of Maharao Sri Khengarji Sawai Bahadur of Kutch in Devanagari. A trident (trishul) occupies the central design, while the denomination “3 Dokda” and the VS 1985 date.