Bhuj

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For the dagger, see Bhuj (weapon).

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Bhuj
ભુજ
City
The Prag Mahal
Bhuj is located in Gujarat
Bhuj
Bhuj
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Country  India
State Gujarat
District Kachchh
Municipality Bhuj Municipality
Founded by Rao Hamirji
Government
 • Type municipal corporation
Elevation 110 m (360 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 299,983
Languages
 • Official Gujarati
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 370001
Telephone code 2832
Vehicle registration GJ-12
Sex ratio 0.97 ♀/♂
source:Census of India[1]

Bhuj (Listen) is a city and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India.

History

A Jadeja Chief in Kutchi attire during reign of Deshalji II : A sketch drawn in 1838

Bhuj, formerly sacred to the snake Bhujang, was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the capital of Cutch State by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital was formally laid on Vikram Samvat 1604 Maagha 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 I in 1723[dubious – discuss], and the Bhujiya Fort by Devkaran Seth in Rao Deshalji I's time (1718 - 1741).[2]

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 Sampraday temples, 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 the dominion 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 and Maharashtra, 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.

Geography

Bhujio Dungar

Bhuj has an average elevation of 110 metres (360 feet). On the eastern side of the town is a hill known as Bhujiyo Dungar, on which there is Bhujia Fort, that separates Bhuj city and Madhapar town. It has one big lake named Hamirsar and several small lakes.

The old city was surrounded by the fortwall which had five major gates; Mahadev, Patvadi, Sirpat, Bhidval and Vaniyavad; and one small gate known as Chhathi Bari (sixth window). The fort-wall is thirty five feet high and four feet thick armed with fifty-one guns in past.[2] Much of the fort wall has either fallen down or been demolished, due to the city's development and the earthquake of 2001.

Hamirsar Lake Bhuj

Transportation

Bhuj Railway Station - Main Building
YP class loco outside Bhuj railway station
19132 Kutch Express at Bhuj railway station

Bhuj is connected to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Gandhinagar, Bangalore, Pune, Visakhapatnam and other major cities of India by railway trains. It has a domestic airport from which daily flights connect to Mumbai, with flights operated by Jet Airways and Air India. State Transport buses are available from the ST stand in the middle of the town to various places in Gujarat. Additionally, many private tour operators also run frequent buses to major cities in and outside Gujarat. Kandla Airport is 53 km from Bhuj. The city can be navigated by the city bus and auto rickshaw.

Trains

Train no. Train Name Runs From Destination Departure Days Arrival Days
11091-11092 Ahimsa Express Bhuj Pune Wednesday Tuesday
14312-14311 via Ahmedabad & 14322-14321 via Bhildi Ala Hazrat Express Bhuj Bareilly Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday for 14312. Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday for 14322 Friday, Saturday, Monday for 14311. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday for 14321
22829-22830 Shalimar - Bhuj Weekly SF Express Bhuj Shalimar Tuesday Monday
22904-22903 Bandra Terminus Bhuj AC Superfast Express Bhuj Bandra Monday, Thursday, Saturday Thursday, Saturday, Monday
12960-12959 Bhuj Dadar Superfast Express Bhuj Dadar Monday, Thursday Wednesday, Saturday
19132-19131 Kutch Express Bhuj Bandra Daily Daily
19116-19115 Shayajinagari Express Bhuj Bandra Daily Daily

Flight

Jet Airways aircraft at Bhuj Airport

Bhuj has well connected flights to Mumbai provided by the airlines of Jet Airways and Air India Regional.

Airline Departs Arrives
Jet Airways Bhuj Mumbai
Air India Regional Bhuj Mumbai

Climate

Climate data for Bhuj (1971–2000)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 37.0
(98.6)		 38.9
(102)		 43.9
(111)		 45.6
(114.1)		 47.8
(118)		 47.0
(116.6)		 41.3
(106.3)		 41.2
(106.2)		 42.8
(109)		 44.0
(111.2)		 39.7
(103.5)		 35.4
(95.7)		 47.8
(118)
Average high °C (°F) 27.4
(81.3)		 30.1
(86.2)		 35.4
(95.7)		 39.2
(102.6)		 39.7
(103.5)		 37.9
(100.2)		 34.3
(93.7)		 33.0
(91.4)		 34.9
(94.8)		 36.8
(98.2)		 32.9
(91.2)		 28.8
(83.8)		 34.2
(93.6)
Average low °C (°F) 8.4
(47.1)		 11.4
(52.5)		 17.0
(62.6)		 21.9
(71.4)		 25.2
(77.4)		 27.2
(81)		 26.4
(79.5)		 25.3
(77.5)		 23.9
(75)		 20.7
(69.3)		 14.7
(58.5)		 9.6
(49.3)		 19.3
(66.7)
Record low °C (°F) −0.2
(31.6)		 0.3
(32.5)		 5.5
(41.9)		 12.7
(54.9)		 16.6
(61.9)		 16.1
(61)		 19.4
(66.9)		 20.0
(68)		 17.8
(64)		 11.1
(52)		 6.0
(42.8)		 0.6
(33.1)		 −0.2
(31.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 2.0
(0.079)		 0.6
(0.024)		 1.2
(0.047)		 0.2
(0.008)		 2.6
(0.102)		 34.7
(1.366)		 104.6
(4.118)		 74.4
(2.929)		 43.5
(1.713)		 8.1
(0.319)		 4.3
(0.169)		 0.2
(0.008)		 276.4
(10.882)
Average rainy days 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.4 1.4 4.4 3.5 2.3 0.7 0.5 0.0 13.6
Source: India Meteorological Department (record high and low up to 2010)[4][5]

Culture

A pair of shoes

Bhuj is a famous destination for shopping of handicraft work like bandhni (tie-dye) and leatherwork. Artists of nearby villages bring their artwork for sale in Bhuj haat which is situated near jubilee ground. Bhuj is famous for the jolly nature of its citizens, who usually go to the surroundings of Hamirsar lake to relax.

Bhuj is also famous for its food, especially pakvans, dabelies (a local burger stuffed with mashed potato, cooked with masala curry and serious chutneys). Bhuj is famous for its Gujarati thali which is unlimited Gujarati food.

Main events

Kutch carnival at Hamirsar lake
  • The Great Rann of Kutch festival or Rann Utsav ('Rann' meaning desert and 'Utsav' meaning festival) in December - This is a three month long carnival filled with music, dance and handicrafts which attracts tourists from all over the globe. The White Desert is nothing but a vast salty land. And yet, it is a top ranked tourist attraction, especially during the winters. This Kutch festival is also promoted by Gujarat Tourism ambassador, Amitabh Bachan, as a celebration of joy, excitement and festivities, in one of his many advertisements.[6]
  • Makar Sankrati in January
  • Navratri in October or November (check Hindu calendar)
  • Janmashtami in August or September (check Hindu calendar)

Bhuj as Taluka

Mahadev Gate

The following villages belong to this taluka: Anandsar, Andhau, Baladiya, Bandhara Mota, Bandhara Nana, Baukho (Odhejavalo), Baukho (Samavalo), Berdo, Bhagadio, Bharapar, Bharasar, Bhirandiyara, Bhitara Mota, Bhojardo, Bhuj, Bhujodi, Boladi, Chakar, Chapreli, Chubdak, Chunadi, Daddhar Nani, Dagala, Dahinsara, Daddhar Moti, Dedhiya Nana-Mota, Deshalpar, Dhaneti, Dharampur, Dhonsa, Dhoravar, Dhori, Dhrang, Dhrobana, Dinara, Fotdi, Fulay, Fulra Timbo, Gado, Gajod, Galpadar, Gandher, Godpar (Khavda), Godpar (Sarli), Godsar (Rakhal), Gorewali, Harudi, Habay, Hajapar, Hodka, Jadura, Jambudi, Jawaharnagar, Jhumkha, Jikadi, Jura, Juriya, Kali Talavdi, Kalyanpar, Kamaguna, Kanaiyabe, Kanpar, Kera, Kanderai, Khari, Kharod, Khavda, Khilna, Kodki, Kotay, Kotda Athamana, Kotda Ugamana, Kukma, Kunaria Nana-Mota, Kunariya (Jam), Kuran, Kurbai, Kuvathada, Lodai, Loria, Lothia, Luna, Ludiya, Lakhond, Ler, Makanpar, Madhapar, Makhna, Mamuara, Mankuva, Mirjhapar, Misariyado, Mithdi, Mod Bhakhari, Modsar, Meghpar, Moti Aral, Mokhana, Mora, Nabhoi, Nadapa, Nagiyari, Nagor, Naliyeri Timbo, Nani Aral, Naranpar Pasayati, Naranpar Ravli, Natharkui, Nokhaniya, Notiyar Bhakhari, Purasar, Padhar, Paiya, Pirvadi, Payarko, Raiyada, Ratadiya, Ratiya, Raydhanpar, Reha Mota, Reha Nana, Reldi Moti, Reldi Nani, Rudramata, Sadau Rakhal, Sadhara, Saiyedpar, Sakrai Timbo, Samatra, Sangada Timbo, Sumarasar-Shekh, Sumarasar (Jatvali), Sanosara, Sapar Timbo, Sarli, Sujapar, Sedata, Sunder par, Shervo, Soyla, Sukhpar, Tankanasar, Tharavada Mota, Tharavada Nana, Trambau, Traya, Udhmo, Vadasar, Vadva, Vadvara, Vadzar, Vandh Sim, Vandhay, Vantra, Virai, Varnora Mota, Vehro, Vinchhiya, and Zizu Timbo.

Bhuj city top view from Bhujia dungar

Wildlife sanctuaries and reserves of Kutch

From the city of Bhuj various ecologically rich and wildlife conservation areas of the Kutch / Kachchh district can be visited, such as Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, Banni Grasslands Reserve and Chari-Dhand Wetland Conservation Reserve.

Swaminarayan temple at Bhuj

Demographics

The total population of Bhuj was 299,983 in the year 2011, which consisted of 152,222 males and 147,761 females. .[1]

Media and communications

State-owned All India Radio has a local station in Bhuj which transmits various programs of mass interest.

Education

Alfred High School, the first high school of Kutch, established in 1870, is also an architectural heritage of the town.

Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kachchh University[7] is located in Bhuj. The university has 28[8] colleges affiliated, seven of which are in Bhuj. The university gives degrees in Arts, Science, Commerce, Law Education, Management, Pharmacy, Social Welfare, Medicine and Engineering.

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Primary and Secondary

G.K. General Hospital, Bhuj

Tertiary

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  7. ↑ Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kachchh University
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • This article incorporates Public Domain text from Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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