Kachcha -the Leading Edege By: Ramesh chandra padhy

KACHCHH-THE LEADING EDGE
*Mr Ramesh Chandra Padhy
Kachchh is dotted with many remnants of its ancient times, though most of the historic constitutions were damaged by the severe underground eruption of 1819. There are two temples which stand on the sites of old buildings, those of kateshwar (shiv) and the temple of kalikamata. Another important ruined city in kachcha is that of vighakot in the heart of the great ran, on the earlier land trade route. Near Desalpur Guntri village are the walls of a ruined city rising from the Dharur river and earlier the villagers habitually found pieces of old vessels, coins and seldom boxes of currency. Bhadreswar is on the site of Bhadravati, an ancient city. Kutch legends can be traced sculpture motifs and its folk tradition is still represented in popular craft, clothing and jewellery designs. Although few tourists make it out to this region, those who do are invariably enchanted. With a little efforts you can head out from the central city of Bhuj-the center were devastated by the 2001earthquack. The treeless marshes to the north and east, known as the great and little RANNS OF KUTCH, can flood completely during heavy monsoon, effectively transforming Kutch in to an island, through its several years since this last happened.
According to historical description in the third millennium B.C. in eastern Kutch recommend that migrating Indus Valley community crossed the vicinity Kutch from Mohenjo-Daro in modern Pakistan to lothal in the eastern Gujarat. The Arab invasion of Sindh in 720A.D. pushed refugees in the Kutch’s western region. When the Muslim sultans ruled over Gujarat, they made repeated unsuccessful attempt to cross in to Kutch. It remains separate however with its own customs, laws and thriving maritime traditions. Trade with Malabar, mocha, muscat and African coast brought in spices; drugas, silks and elephants tusks while relations with Africa also encouraged the slave trade, already common among the Portuguese in southern saurashtra. A small African community settled in north Bhuj.Their craft dances and music have been integrated in to the region’s traditional arts.
Kutch is known for its distinctive crafts .The northern villages of Dhordo, khavda and hodko are home to the few reaming communities of leather embroiderers, who stitch flower, fish and peacock on to bags, fans, horse belt, wallets and mirror frames. Which are then sold in villages throughout the regions. Dhordo is also known for its woodcarving, while khavda is one of the last villages to continue the printing method known as ajrakh. The anklets, earrings, nose rings, bangles and necklaces are similar to those seen in Rajasthan, since many of them are made by the ahir and Rabari communities who live in both areas. The main centers for silver are anjar, bhuj, mandvi and mundra.
Some pulses and cotton are grown and cattle rise. Bhuj, the headquarter town is famous for its silver and textile handicrafts. Due to loneliness the people of kachcha have preserved their local customs and traditions to a much superior degree than elsewhere in the state and you are in for a very colorful experience.
Places of Tourist Interest: The westernmost part of Gujarat is virtually an island. The gulf of kachcha divided kachcha from the Kathiawar peninsula while, to the north is separated from the sindh region of Pakistan by the great ran of kachcha. The salt in the soil makes this low lining marsh area almost completely barren. Only on scattered island which rises above the salt level there is vegetation. During the dry season, the rann is a vast expances hard, desiccated mud. The starts of monsoon in the month of May is flooded by seawater, then again fresh water from rivers as they fill. Kachcha is also separated from the rest of the part Gujarat to the east by the little ran kachcha.
Bhuj, the Jewel of Kachcha: The historic city of bhuj derives its name from Bhujiyo Dungar, a hill, overlooking the present day Bhuj town. Bhuj is a typical example of a desert town located between two geographical features-Bhujiyo Dungar on the east and Hamirsar Lake on the west. It was the capital of the former princely state of kutcha till1947.A.D.The Raj put rulers of Kutch came from sindh in the 15th century and established at Bhuj.Rao Pragmalji, who ruled kutcha from 1860 to 1876 A.D.undertook many projects such as improvement of mandvi harbor, construction of roads, irrigation work, hospital, schools and a Jail. He has constructed three royal palaces-Prag Mahal, Ranjit Vilas Palace at Bhuj andVijay Vilas Palas at Mandvi.The two most interesting palaces at Bhuj, Aina Mahal and Prag Mahal are both located in the same campus. The British took over hill fort of Bhujiyo Dungar in 1819 AD and acted as and marble fountains. The architect and craftsmen from Jaipur designed and constructed the palace in 1920 A.D. The palace has all the elements of rajputarchitecture and draws largely on the plan of palaces of Qrchha and Datia. The central high dome on the pillars, the Bengal domes onsides, the windows with coloured glass, carved stone jells, domed at the corners, extended porch and other exquisitely stone elements make the palace worth visiting. This is an example of the traditional skill of craftsmen of early 20th century. The Vijay Vilas Palace has its own private beach, maintained in an eco-friendly manner to preserve its pristine beauty. For these reasons this place has been used as the setting in many Hindi films become a popular tourist destinationMandvi has some very beautiful houses belonging to rich merchants with a stone carving and plaster decorations.
. The architect and craftsmen from Jaipur designed and constructed the palace in 1920 A.D. The palace has all the elements of rajput architecture and draws largely on the plan of palaces of Qrchha and Datia. The central high dome on the pillars, the Bengal domes onsides, the windows with coloured glass, carved stone jells, domed at the corners, extended porch and other exquisitely stone elements make the palace worth visiting. This is an example of the traditional skill of craftsmen of early 20th century. The Vijay Vilas Palace has its own private beach, maintained in an eco-friendly manner to preserve its pristine beauty. For these reasons this place has been used as the setting in many Hindi films become a popular tourist destinationMandvi has some very beautiful houses belonging to rich merchants with a stone carving and plaster decorations. Peacemaker between the Kutch rulers and Bhayad Jagirdars. The treaty with British resulted in a peaceful period in a peaceful period in the history of Kutch and the state became prosperous who surplus funds, enabling the rulers who undertake public and royal building projects. Rao Pragmalji, who ruled Kutch from I860 to1876 A.D. undertook many projects, such as improvement of mandvi harbour, construction of roads and irrigation works, hospitals, schools and a jail. Rao Pragmalji constructed three royal palaces- Prag Mahal and Ranjit Vilas Palace at Bhuj and Vijay Vilas Palace at Mandvi.

The two most interesting palaces at Bhuj, Aina Mahal and Prag Mahal are both located in the same campus. Aina Mahal was constructed by Raolakhpati (1707-61 AD) in 1750 AD. Who was a great patron of art, architecture, music and literature Aina Mahal is a unique example of an Indian palace built the mid-eighteen century, with European influence. Its design and decoration were the outcome of a royal dream translated into reality by a master craftsman; Ramsinh Malm Ramsinh stayed in palace interior Holland for 17 years and was, trained in the crafts, of clock making, canon fabrication, enamelling, tile making and architecture. On his return to Kutch, Rao Lakhpati recognised his genius and appointed him to undertake the mirror work and fountains at Aina Mahal. Aina Mahal is a part of a large palace complex- it is a two storied building with Darbar Hall, hall of mirrors and suites for royal family.
Rao PragMalji II (I838-76 AD) under nook the construction of Prag Mahal, He appointed a famous Architect- Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins lo design Praag Mahal, who had designed Deccan College, Sasoon Hospital, Ohel David Synagogue. St Paul's Church at Pune, Frere Hall at Karachi and Secretariat Bombay. Prag Mahal took 10 years to built, Cost of 20 lakh rupees. It k built in the Gothic style, having a large Darhar Hall big rooms, wide verandas and a 45 meter high lofty bell tower. The palace was built using the type of stones available in Kutch region. This is a fine example of Indian craft man ship combined with European architectural design. The Kutch Museum, formerly known as Forgusson museum. Museum was founded by Maharao Khengarji- III in I877 AD. It is the oldest museum in Gujarat; Constructed in the initial style, the museum is located in picturesque surrounding on the bank of Hamirsar Lake. The museum has been a canter of attraction for scholars due to its large collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions, various archaeological objects, and fine collection of arms and specimens of various crafts of the Kutch region. Other places of interest at Bhuj are- Cenotaphs of Kutch rulers, Snake Temple at bhujiyo Hill Fort, SwamiNarayan Temple, Vegetable-Market, Hatkeshwar Temple and Alfred High School.
Mandvi is located in the banks of the Rutmavati River, barely one k.m. away from the Arabian Sea at the Gulf of Kutch. The town has a very pleasant climate throughout the year and was a summer retreat of the Kutch Maharaos.The establishment of the town dates back lo the last sixteenth century (1581 AD) and is attributed to the first Jadeja ruler of Kutch- Rao Khengarji. Mandvi was a originally a fortified town having a fort wall of about 8m high and 1.2 m widestonemasonary. The fort had several getaways and 25 bastions but at present, most of the wall has disappeared. The bastion on the southwest largest and as a lighthouse. In the maritime trade before the arrival of steamboat it was a rich and prosperous town earning four times more revenue from export than import. It was a profit-making centre of the Kutch area near the capital city of Bhuja.in the term of wealth.
The architect and craftsmen from Jaipur designed and constructed the palace in 1920 A.D. The palace has all the elementsofrajut architecture and draws largely on the plan of palaces of Qrchha and Datia. The central high dome on the pillars, the Bengal domes onsides, the windows with coloured glass, carved stone jells, domed at the corners, extended porch and other exquisitely stone elements make the palace worth visiting. This is an example of the traditional skill of craftsmen of early 20th century. The Vijay Vilas Palace has its own private beach, maintained in an eco-friendly manner to preserve its pristine beauty. For these reasons this place has been used as the setting in many Hindi films become a popular tourist destinationMandvi has some very beautiful houses belonging to rich merchants with a stone carving and plaster decorations.

Mandvi is also40year-old shipbuilding centre. The ships built here use to sail up to England and return back. One can see the smaller boats being constructed in the traditional techniques by master carpenter even today. The centre of attraction at Mondvi is the Vijay Vilas Palace, a royal residence set in the middle of well-laid gardens with water channels. Kutch has the most significant and prominent residents of tribal communities in Gujarat, most of who migrated from east and west from the seventh century on wards. Each tribe can be identified from its costume and gains its income from pastrol farming or craft such as weaving, painting, wooding and dyeing. Traditionally, each has concentrated on different crafts, although the distinctions today are far less clear-cut. The Rabari is the largest group in the kutchi pastoral community, with three main tribes hailing from mar wad in Rajasthan, They rear cattle, buffalo, goats, sheeps and camels are known for fine embroidery. The people of kachcha, a low and arid region with less than15 inches of annual rainfall are hardy and endowed with a rare sprit of enterprise and wonderful gift for business organization.
Lakhpat: It is the last town situated at the western end of India, on the India-Pakistan border, at the junction of Creek and Rann of Kutch. Lakhpat probably, derives its name iron the prosperous Maritimes trade, generated a daily income of one Lakh (I 00,000) Kori, an old currency of Kutch State. Another legend says that Rao Lakhah founded it so it is named Lakhpat. Lakhpat is a fortified town with high walls, several gates and bastions made out of hard stone. After a short period of prosperity, lakhpat lost its maritime significance in 1851 AD, when the Sindhu river changes its course. Once a thriving town with population of 15,000 is today a deserted town with only few families living here.
The interesting structures at Lakhpat are the tomb of Gosh Muhammad and Sikh Gurudwara Gosh Muhammad was a famous saint revered equally by Hindus and Muslims. A beautiful tomb was constructed using local hard black stone, after his death in 1855 AD. It is an octagonal, domed structure with four entrances. The comer pilasters foliated arches on each side’s doorjambs and niches are exquisitely carved using floral motifs and the tree of life. Inner walls arc decorated with verses from the Koran using beautiful calligraphy. It is one of the sacred places associated with life of Guru Nanak Sahib, the founder of the Sikh religion, as it is believed that he embarked for Ha] to Mecca from Lakhpat. The Gurudwar her was- constructed to commemorate this event, and it is visited by Sikhs throughout the year. Other interesting structures at Lakhpat are the mosque, a structure for keeping Tajia (a Muslim religious float) and number of Hindu temples
Koteshwar: Kotehswar is a famous place of pilgrimage located at the tip of the western India at the Kori Creek. A pilgrimage to Koteshwar and Narayan Sarovar is a must for any devout Hindu. The Chinese traveller Hieu-en-Tsing (640 AD) described the town as a flourishing port, 5miles away from the mouth Sindhu river, It had 80monasteries and 5000moonks, out of which nothing survives today, The present day Koteshwar is a fortified town with high wall and gates. The inscription shows that the present town is high wall and gates. The Kalyanswar Temple is situated close to the Koteshwar Temple.
Narayan Sarovar: Narayan Sarovar is one of the five holy lakes of India, the other four being; Manosaruvor in Tibet, pushkar in Rajasthan, Pampa in South India and Bindu Sarovar in Siddhapur.It is located 2 km away from Koteshwar on Kori creek. According to the chronicles of Alexander, there is a sacred lake which famous in the western region of India.

WILD ASS: It is a thinly populated because a sandy and unfruitful area over half of which is a desert and swamp. The last of the Indian wild ass are found here, covering an area of around5000square kilometer in the little rann of kuchcha, in addition to the wild assess, a number of other herbivorous animals, birds and reptiles are also there. One can see panther, black buck, blue bull, wild boar, wolves etc. Anjal-wild Ass is well known in this area. February to May is the best season to visit this sanctuary. During the winter the Gulf of kutcha is breeding ground for flamingoes and pelicans.
FLAMINGO CITY: The Gulf of Kutcha is the breeding ground of flamingos, pelicans and avocets. The gulf is like an inland sea and provided an excellent environment and climate for setting up the flamingo colonies. The whole area gets doted with spectacular clouds of white and delicate pink against the blue sky. A flamingo city is being set up in the great ran of kutcha.
Kachha is known as a thrilling land. If a visitor take a round over Gujarat is incomplete without stopover to this peninsular district kachcha. Its remote ness has kept it a place apart from centuries. The people are very muscular, business minded and seafaring. It produces some of Gujarat’s most exquisite crafts like embroidery, tie die fabrics, enameled silverware and other handicrafts.
Reference:
 Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (earth foundation)Hand book.
 Kachcha:T.S.Radhawa.(published in 1998)
 Travel Planner Gujarat(A research project Ashok Tanna)
FROM:
Mr Ramesh Chandra padhy
Student of I.G.N.O.U (Tourism)
RESEARCH STUDENT

Ramesh.padhy@rediffmail.com

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