bhuj

Bhuj, formerly sacred to the snake Bhujang, was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the capital of Cutch State by RaoKhengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital was formally laid on Vikram Samvat 1604Maagha 5th (approx. 25 January 1548). After 1590, when Rao was forced to acknowledge Mughal supremacy, Bhuj was known as Suleiman Nagar among Muslims. The walls were built by Rao Godji Iin 1723 and theBhujiya Fort by Devkaran Seth in Rao Deshalji I's time (1718 - 1741).

Bhuj has been attacked six times. In two cases the defense was successful and in four it failed. In 1728 an attack by Sarbuland Khan, Mughal Viceroy of Gujarat, was repulsed by Rao Deshalji I, and, in 1765 Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro was, by a timely display of the strength of the fortifications, induced to withdraw. During the civil troubles of the reign of the Rao Rayadhan III, Bhuj was thrice taken, by Meghji Seth in 1786, by Hansraj in 1801, and by Fateh Muhammad in 1808. On the 26th March 1819, the hill fort of Bhujia was captured by a British detachment under Sir William Keir.^[2]

Rao Lakhpatji's Chhatri being renovated - side view

In 1818, Bhuj had population of 20,000 people. The earthquake on 16 June 1819 destroyed nearly 7000 houses with a loss of 1140 human lives. About one-third of the buildings that escaped ruin were much shattered, and the north face of the town wall was leveled with the ground. Bhuj is home to one of the first Swaminarayan Sampradaytemples, built in 1822. In 1837, Bhuj is said to have had a population of 30,000 souls.^[2]

After independence of India in 1947, Cutch State acceded unto thedominion of India and was constituted an independent commissionaire,Kutch State. In 1956, Kutch State was merged with Bombay state, which in 1960 was divided into the new linguistic states of Gujarat andMaharashtra, with Kutch becoming part of Gujarat state as Kutch district. Bhuj is the district headquarters of Kutch District,the largest district in India.

On 21 July 1956^[3] as well on 26 January 2001, the city was struck by a major earthquake which caused a great loss of life and property. Many parts of Bhuj were demolished due to the extensive damage whilst others were repaired. There has been a great progress in the city since the 2001 earthquake, with considerable improvements to roads, transport and infrastructure.