Coorg State was a separate State within Union of India from 1950 to 1956 with Mercara as it's Capital

History

Coorg was earlier a small independent kingdom till 1834, which was annexed by British, as a result of Coorg War and the King of Coorg was deposed.^[2][3] Coorg as such in 1834 became a separate province of British India. Upon independence of India, as a legacy, it became a province of Union of India.
Coorg State was formed out of the territory of former Coorg Province, which became a part and parcel of Union of India on 15th August, 1947.
Coorg worked as a Province, till it was created as a Class "C" State, named Coorg State on 26th January, 1950 within Republic of India. Class "C" States were under direct rule of Central Government.^[1]

Commissioners of Coorg State

(1) Dewan Bahadur Ketolira Chengappa, became its first Chief Commissioner from 1947 - 1949
(2) C.T. Mudaliar became Chief Commissioner from 1949 - 1950^[1]
(3) Kanwar Daya Singh Bedi, Chief Commissioner from 1950 - 1956^[1]

Chief Minister

Cheppudira Muthana Poonacha was the first and last Chief Minister of Coorg State from 1950 till 1956.^[1]

Dissolution

In 1956, when India's state boundaries were reorganized, it became a district of the then Mysore State^[1][4][5]Mysore State was later renamed as Karnataka, as the historical region of Coorg, now forms the part of Kodagu district of Karnataka.

References

The Coorg War was fought between the British East India Company and the State of Coorg in 1834. Defiance of the Raja of Coorg, a small state in South India, led to a short but bloody campaign in 1834. In February 1834, a force of 7000 was assembled under the command of Brigadier General Lindsay to commence operations against the erratic Raja, who had begun hostilities against the British. Due to the poor state of roads, the force was divided into four columns, which were to enter Coorg from different directions and converge on the capital of Mercara. On 11 March, the Northern Division under the command of Colonel Gilbert Waugh entered the territory of Coorg and on 3 April, the leading troops made contact with the enemy. At noon, the advanced guard arrived in front of the fortified position of Soamwar Pettah. The force launched an attack on the position but was forced to retreat after a severe mauling. Similar fate was suffered by another column, but the other two divisions entered Mercara on 6 April, bringing an end to the hostilities. The British losses during the campaign were 93 killed and 200 wounded.

References