RULERS OF KUTCH

In 1510 Rao Khengarji I descended from the old line of Odha assumed power with the full approval of the Ahmedabad Sultan and took on the title of "Rao". For the next 438 years Kutch was ruled by the Jadeja dynasty till its merger with the Indian Union in 1948.

Bharmalji – I (1586-1632)

In 1617 Jehangir, the Emperor of Delhi visited Ahmedabad. He held a Shahi darbar there. The rulers of Kutch participated and Rao Bharmalji also attended. Honours were exchanged. He was very impressed with the aged Rao Bharmalji and gifted him with an elephant, a she elephant, jewel studded sword and rings.

After that he asked his painter Govardhan to paint a picture of Rao Bharmalji. Now this picture is in the State library of Berlin. It is written below this picture that " this Ra Bara is the most powerful of the rulers of Gujrat and he is not presented before any ruler on this earth".

After Rao Bharmalji, Rao Bhojrajji, Rao Shri Khengarji II, Rao shri Tamachiji, Rao shri Raydhanji I, Rao shri Pragmalji I and Rao shri Godji I became the rulers of Kutch for a period of 100 years but without much happening. However in 1654 to 1662 in the rule of Rao Tamachiji, Jehangir died and his son Dara, the brother of Aurangzeb, took shelter in Kutch. Along with him a saint of Bukhara Shah Murad also set foot in Mundra. This saint is known as a Peer in Kutch and was respected by the rulers of Kutch for his all religion tolerance policy. At this time the British set foot as business men.

In the time of Rao Raydhanji I, the districts of Ahmedabad had sent Muazim Beg a sardar to Jehangir for reversal of tax collection. And after the mediation of Peer Shah Murad this became possible. This matter is significant in political circles. Muslim influence was at its peak in the time of Rao Raydhan II. But one must agree that in the ruling history of Kutch right from Mughal emperors to Muslim peers, sultans, Fakirs, Auliyas, and Senapatis have played an important role. Ignoring a few setbacks Kutch communal harmony and unity has prevailed.

As it is there is disintegration among the Sammas and the Lakhiar viaras have tried to set their foot. During the rule of Rao shri Pragmalji I i.e. 1667 to 1715 he gifted many parts of the land to his kith and kin and landlords and in this way a new part was played by them against the established landlords of the land. This problem had to be solved by the Britishers and then by the Kutch government and then by the Gujrat State government.

Pragmalji I defeated Morbi’s Kayaji and befriended Navanagar’s Jam and the Jadejas of Kutch and in return the fort of Badamba was given to him and thus he became a powerful ruler of Kutch and he became Maha Rao.

Rao shri Lakhpatji : During Godji state rule to amend his father’s mistakes and in the process he got back from Haloji the districts of Mundra, Anjar, Chovisi and Kanthi. In Kothara in Abdasa, Nagrecha and Kotdi villages he helped in agriculture there.

In this time the agricultural progress of the Kutchi people happened. Despite this the collection of the rulers was meager. This meager income was from the villages of Miyanipat, the growth of Tuna port and Rapar’s Ravri land. As stated earlier, the ruler of Kutch compared to his counterparts in our own land and abroad was even in the humble circumstances was ahead of his brethren. He never had an organized army. His only strength came from his close brethren, relatives and elders of the community. Nobody had the strength to replace the throne of Bhuj. The ruler was a big brother to the brethren of Kutch. Rao shri Deshalji and his dewan Devkaran with their mediocre power and the support of their brethren defeated Kesarkhan and Sher Bulandkhan the muslim extremists. Also they defeated the evil designs of Sindh’s Nagarparkar. Deshalji I preached ‘Deshra Parmeshwara’ and inspired his people by this love and religion. For example Rao Lakhpatji among the rulers of Kutch with his support of his brethren and landlords improved his status and moralized them. Lakhpatji further improved foreign trade, Industry and Ship movement. Art, literature and music and dance were the favourites of Lakhpatji and it is alleged that the vast fortune given to him by Deshalji was finished due to his lavish attitudes.

Despite his lavish attitudes he favored the setting up of industries in Kutch by Ramsinh Malam.

Kutchi People

Kutch has been a significant confluence point for different races and people. The nomadic pastoralists are certainly the most interesting and their links can be traced on one side to Marwar and Mewar (regions of Rajasthan), Saurashtra and, on the other side, Sindh and beyond to Afghanisthan, Iran and Central Asia.

The population consists of various groups and communities like Jadejas,Bhanushalis,Lohanas, Jains,Brahamans,Bhatias, Rajputs,Gurjar Kshatriyas,Khojas, Memans, Kharvas, Mali Samaj, Rabaris, Rajgor, Baluch,Kharva Meghvals,Leva Patel,Wankars,Vankaras, Ahirs,Shah, Dhanetah Jaths, Halepotra, Bhadalas, Raisipotra, Sammas, Node, Gosains, Gadhvis, Kapdis,and many more groups .

The great Rabari group is spread over the western plains of India from Kutch to Rajasthan. They are Hindu cattle-breeders and shepherds, falling into three endogamous groups – those of Kutch, Rajasthan and Central Gujarat.

There are further sub-divisions according to region like the Garasia, Kachela, Dhebaria and Wagadia of Kutch. Rabaries worship the mother goddess, Ramdev Pir, horsemen heroes and the sainted dead. In Kutch, after the monsoon rains and their year’s wanderings, they celebrate all marriages on one day only, that of Gokul Ashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna.

The other main group of pastoralists consists of two dozen nomadic and semi-nomadic Muslim groups who trace their roots from Sindh and beyond. The Jath are the largest such group. The others are smaller and live in Banni area, a low-lying, sixteen hundred square kilometers pastureland close to the salt marshes of the Great Rann of Kutch, and also in the surrounding areas.

The main clans are the Halipotra, Raisipotra, Mutwa, Node, Hingorjah, Bhambha, Cher, Junejah, Kaskalee, Korar, Ladai, Nunai, Pathan, Samejah, Sumra and Tabah.

The Dhanetah section of the Jath are also in the Banni. They keep mainly cattle, no goats, and are settled around nearly fifty water-holes on the Banni.

The Jaths are a nomadic community spread over Kutch. They appear to have started their migration to this area, from Sindh, some four hundred years ago. Their main groups are Dhanetah, Fakirani and Garasia. The Garasia Jaths live mainly in the Nakhatrana region of Kutch.

There is a sprinkling of Bharwads also in Kutch, and they have spilled over from their home region in Kathiawar. There is a great concentration of Ahirs in Kutch.

around Pacham are the Sammas. An interesting community is that of the Sodha Rajputs, some of whom have been settled in Kutch in the recent past only, after coming from Pakistan. In other castled villages tribals like the Koli mingle with the normal population.

Rayadhanji II S/o Gohodaji II (2nd time; 1801 - 1813) coinage issue:
Currency: Kori = 2 Adlinao = 4 Payalo = 8 Dhabu = 16 Dhinglo = 24 Dokda = 48 Trambiyo = 96 Babukiya.



Kori. Year: ND (1800-1814). Weight: 4.46g [4.50g]. Metal: 0.800 Silver. Diameter: 15.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Rotated. Mint: Bhuj.  Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type with (17)78 frozen date. Ruler: Rayadhanji II.
Note: 1778 is the year when Rayadhanji II became the ruler of Kutch.

Kutchi people

The Kutchi people traditionally hail from the Kutch region of the western Indian state of Gujarat. Their language and culture are similar to those of the inhabitants of the Pakistani province of Sindh.

Unble history Of kutch :- The Coins

                                      Kutch is a district on the coastal portion of the India/Pakistan frontier, to a large extent involving an extensive salt-flats (the Great Rann of Kutch) adjacent to the Gulf of Kutch, an arm of the Arabian Sea extending toward Gujarat. At the time of Alexander's invasion (4th century BCE) the Rann was a shallow but navigable lake, but subsequent centuries of silting have made a mud flat of it, and settlement within the Rann is limited to what hills are present. The Royal House of Cutch (or Kutch) belongs to the Jadeja clan of Rajputs. The founder of the family, prince Lakho, had been adopted by his uncle, a Samma chieftain named Jada. Leaving Sind, after the birth of a natural son to this adopted father, Lakho migrated to the marshlands of western Gujarat. There, with the help of his twin brother Lakhiar, he established his principality in 1147. Maharao Khengarji, the head of the Jadeja clan, consolidated his territories in 1549 and established his capital at Bhuj. Area: 21,365 km2.

In Vikram Samvat 683, present day Egypt was called Misr. One of the states in Misr was Sonitpur, which was ruled by Jam Devendra Sama. His forefathers were given the title of 'Jam' by the emperor of Iran. In that year Shonitpur was attacked by Omar Khalifa, and King Devendra was defeated in that battle of Sonitpur. Omar Khalifa offered the eldest son Aspat of Devendra the throne of Sonitpur with the condition that Aspat will have to convert to Islam. Aspat converted to Islam and became king of Sonitpur, however his three brothers Gajpat, Narpat and Bhupat refused to convert and they migrated to present day Afghanistan. They captured Gazni by defeating King Firozshah and Jam Narpat was made King of Gazni. He ruled a major part of Afaghanistan from Gazni for 18 years. After that in a war with Badshah of Kabul, he was defeated and he became a Martyr. His son Samaji migrated to present day Sindh in Pakistan. They were all called "Sama" Rajputs at that time. The Kings of Sama Rajputs were called Jam, since then many generations of Samma Dynasty Rajputs ruled Sindh. Their capital was "Sama Nagar" or Nagar Thaththa which is about 100 km from Karachi.

CHAVADA RAJPUT

Jado (1st Jam)

The dominant races in Kutch previous to the 9th century of Christian era were the Chavda, Kathees and Waghela, they ruled the western, central and the eastern parts of Kutch respectively. The reigning Prince of Nagar Thatta in Sindh towards the end of 8th century AD was Lakho Ghuraro. He had eight sons by two wives, the eldest son being Unad from the first wife and the other being Mod by a wife from Chawda tribe. As Unad was the eldest, he succeeded the throne by virtue of his primogeniture. Shortly afterwards brothers Mod and Manai started planning against the life of Unad in order to usurp his throne. However they did not succeed and found it necessary to go into exile with their followers to Kutch where they had maternal relations with the Chawda tribe. This was the first historically noted foray of Samma Rajputs of Sind in Kutch.After arrival in Kutch, Mod had a dispute with his maternal Uncle Chawda Whagum, The ruler of Eastern Kutch, and was killed by Mod, thereafter, Mod assumed the sovereignty of the province. There is no concrete information available for the period that followed except the names of the rulers up to five generations. 

They were Jam Mod, Jam Saad, Jam Phool, Jam Lakho Phoolani and Jam Pooeronjee. It is important to note here that Lakho Phoolani is the most revered and cherished warrior in the history of Kutch and Saurashtra. Jam Pooeronjee was a very cruel ruler and created despair and apathy among his dominion until he was killed by Jakhs. During this time the direct descendents of Jam Unad in Nagar Thatta Sindh was Jam Jada, as he did not have any legitimate heir to the throne he adopted his brothers son Lakho, however, after adopting Lakho, Jam Jadas wife gave birth to a child named Ghao, As Jam Jada had already adopted lakho, he decided to divide his dominion equally among both his legitimate son Ghao and adopted son Lakho, however after the demise of Jam Jada, Ghao refused to give any share to Lakho and was forced to leave Sindh with his twin brother Lakhiar and well wishers. Lakho and Lakhiar ventured into Kutch and slowly regained the territories in control of Chavdas, as Lakhiar was childless, Lakho named his territory after his brother and called it Lakhiarviro. Lakho was adopted by Jam Jada, the descendants of this Lakho Jadani were called Jadejas. The name Jadeja means "Belonging to Jada" in the Sindhi and Kutchi language and is pronounced as "Jaa day jaa.

Lakho Jadani...............................................1147 - 1175

Jam Lakho Jadani is attributed to the surname Jadeja being adopted for all his descendants. Lakho Jadani reigned in Kutch between AD 1147–1175 and had one heir to the gaddi (throne), Jam Rato Raydhan.

Ratto Rayadhan.............................................1175 - 1215

Ratto means Red in Kutchi and he was so called because he used to tie a red cloth across his turban to prevent it from dislodging during battles. Jam Ratto Raydhan had four sons namely, Jam Othaji, Dedaji, Hothiji and Gajanji and they were given the territories of Lakhirviro, Kanthkot, Gajod and Bara respectively in Kutch.

Othoji.....................................................1215 - 1255

As Othaji was the eldest he ascended to the throne and the rest became a part of Bhayyat or the Brotherhood. Bhayyat is the term used for all the descendants of the royal family who own and control their own domains allocated to them within the state and adhere to the feudal system.

Gaoji......................................................  1255 - 1285

Vahenji....................................................1285 - 1321

SAMMA RAJPUT

Murvoji...................................................1321 - 1347

Kaiyaji................................................ ....1347 - 1386

Amarji.....................................................1386 - 1429

Bheemji...................................................1429 - 1472

Hamirji....................................................1472 - 1510

                      Over the years, there were constant skirmishes due to jealousy that marred within these houses, until they merged in two groups of Othaji and Gajanji. The first incident among these which changed the history of Kutch is the murder of Jam Hamirji of Lakhiarviro, chief of eldest branch of Jadeja and descendant of Othaji, by Jam Rawal of Bara. It is believed that Jam Rawal attributed the murder of his father Jam Lakhaji to Hamirji, as he was killed within the territory of Lakhiarviro, and on the pretense of resolving the dispute between the two branches, took a fake oath of Ashapura Mataji, the supreme deity of Jadejas, invited Hamirji for a meal and killed him by deceit. During this time Alioji and Khengarji, two sons of Hamirji were in Ahmedabad and escaped the complete destruction of the royal family perpetuated by Jam Rawal, thereafter Jam Rawal usurped the throne of Kutch and reigned with supreme authority. Khengarji was 15 years old when his father was murdered, he enlisted in to the army of Mahmud Begada, during one Royal Hunting party, Khengar killed a lion and saved the life of Sultan for which he was asked to name his reward, the prime ambition of Khengar was to regain Kutch and hence he asked for support to fight Jam Rawal, whereby, he was given 1000 soldiers and complete access to Morvi and given a title of Rao by the sultan Mohamad of Ahmedabad. Rao Khengar with the support of well wishers within Kutch and Morvi fought with Jam Rawal and slowly started gaining the territories of Rapar and nearby villages, as Khengar was the rightful heir to the throne he was welcomed and dissent towards Jam Rawal grew within the state of Kutch. Jam Rawal was ardent devotee of Maa Ashapura, it is believed that the Goddess indicated Jam Rawal to leave Kutch and establish himself at Halar (Saurashtra), and that she will support him in this venture. Jam Rawal set out for Saurashtra and established himself at Nawanagar. Khengar became the 1st Rao of Kutch in AD 1549 and established Bhuj as Capital.

Khengarji I S/o Hamirji (1st Rao)......................1510 - 1586

Bharmalji I S/o Khengarji I................................1586 - 1632

Bhojrajji S/o Bharmalji I.....................................1632 - 1645

Khengarji II S/o Meghji Bharmalji....................1645 - 1654

Meghji Bharmalji was Bhojrajji's younger brother. The first four Raos of Kutch ascended the throne in regular succession according to primogeniture, however after Rao Khengarji II died, there was a break in succession, and in order to prevent the throne being given to Khengarjis illegitimate son, the Bhayyat instated Tamachiji who was the second son of Rao Khengarjis brother.

Tamachiji S/o Bhojrajji....................................1655 - 1666

Rayadhanji I S/o Tamachiji.................................1666 - 1698

JADEJA

Jadeja belong to the Yaduvanshi rajputs or Chandravanshi (Moon Dynasty) rajputs. They are one of the 36 royal dynasties of old tracing their origins to Lord Krishna. They ruled huge parts of Kathiawar peninsula and Kutch until India's independence in 1947.

Pragmalji I S/o Rayadhanji I (1st Maharao).....................1698 - 1715

Gohodaji I S/o Pragmalji I..................................................1715 - 1719

Deshalji I S/o Gohodaji I....................................................1719 - 1741

Lakhpatji S/o Deshalji I.....................................................1741 - 1761

Gohodaji II S/o Lakhpatji..................................................1761 - 1778

Rayadhanji II S/o Gohodaji II (1st time)...........................1778 - 1786

Prithvirajsinhji S/o Gohodaji II...........................................1786 - 1801

Fath Mohammad (regent)...................................................1786 - 05 Oct 1813

Rayadhanji II S/o Gohodaji II (2nd time)...........................1801 - 30 Oct 1813

Great Britain........................................................................Nov 1815 - 15 Aug 1947

Kutch became British protectorate in................................ Nov 1815.

Bharmalji II S/o Rayadhanji II............................................06 Nov 1813 - 25 Mar 1819

Husain Miyan (regent)........................................................Oct 1813 - 1814

Deshalji II S/o Bharmalji II.................................................25 Mar 1819 - 26 Jul 1860

MacMurdo (regent).............................................................25 Mar 1819 - 08 Jul 1834

Pragmalji II S/o Deshalji II (regent)...................................Jul 1849 - 26 Jul 1960

Pragmalji II S/o Deshalji II.................................................26 Jul 1860 - 19 Dec 1875

Khengarji III S/o Pragmalji II.............................................19 Dec 1875 - 15 Jan 1942

 Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Sri Sir Khengarji III Sawai Bahadur, GCSI, GCIE, KIH. During the latter part of Queen Victoria's reign, Sir Khengarji came to be appointed as an aide de camp to the Queen-Empress in her declining years, which excited some jealousy amongst the officials of the Government of India. He often traveled abroad to Europe, and was noted for his personal relations with the members of the ruling houses there. Khengarji III was one of the very few Indian monarchs to attend all three Delhi Durbars - in 1877,1903 and 1911. His title became Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri from 01 Jan 1918. In 1919, he was granted a local salute of 19-guns, and represented India at a League of Nations conference in Geneva in 1921. Khengarji was very progressive and did lots of reforms and developments in Kutch during his reign.

Vijayaraja S/o Khengarji III................................15 Jan 1942 - 15 Aug 1947

Vijayaraja S/o Khengarji III (continued)............15 Aug 1947 - 26 Feb 1948

                In year 1947, upon advice of Gandhiji, 15,000 acres (61 km2) of land was donated by him for re-settlement of refugee Hindu Sindhi community, who migrated across the border into India upon partition. The towns of Gandhidham and Adipur were developed on this land donated by him. He acceded the Princely State of Cutch to the Dominion of India on 16th August, 1947. As he was in London for medical treatment at the time India gained independence, he took a decision from there only and the Instrument of Accession of Kutch was signed on his behalf by the Heir & his son Yuvraj Meghraji. Upon death of his father on 26 February 1948, Yuvraj Sahib Meghraji under the new name and style of Madansinghji ruled for a short period, when the administration of Princely State was completely merged in to Union of India.

Madan Singh S/o Vijayaraja..........................26 Feb 1948 - 01 Jun 1948

Kutch State was formed out of the territory of the former princely state of Cutch, whose ruler (Maharao Sri Vijayaraji) had acceded to the Dominion of India with effect from 15 August 1947. The administration of Kutch after accession remained in the hands of its former ruler until his death on 26 February 1948, when it then passed to his son, Maharao Shri Meghraji.

Other Princely State ruled by Jadeja clan of Rajputs are Dhrol: c.1535-1948, Morvi (Morbi): c.1698-1948, Nawanagar: c.1535-1948 and Rajkot: c.1620-1948.

Maharajas of Kutch :- Shri Deshalji

                                               H.H. Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Shri Deshalji II Sahib Bahadur (b 1814- d 1860) (reign: 1819-1860) was the Rao of Cutch belonging to Jadeja Rajput dynasty, who ascended the throne of Princely State of Cutch upon deposition of his father Maharao Bharmulji II by British. He reigned during his minority, under a Council of Regency, headed by Captain MacMurdo and composed of Jadeja chiefs.

                                                            Before, his ascension of throne in 1819 at behest of British & other Jadeja detractors, his father Rao Bharmulji II, was defeated by joint British & Gaekwad army in 1815 and Kutch accepted suzerainty of British in 1818 and was compelled to accept a British Resident at his court in Bhuj.

               During his reign Kutch suffered a severe earthquake in 1819 followed by severe famine in 1823, 1825 & 1832 Further, Kutch was attacked by marauding band from Sindh. Rao Deshalji and his Dewan Devkaran with their mediocre power and the support of their brethren defeated Kesarkhan and Sher Bulandkhan the Muslim marauding band. Also they defeated the evil designs of Sindh’s Nagarparkar.

     Deshalji although 18 years of age took the management of law in his own hands. The trade with Africa especially Zanzibar improved significantly. Slowly and steadily the industrialization in Kutch got a set back which was started by Lakhpatji and Godji. In the period of Deshalji II steps were taken to suppress infanticide, sati and the slave trade in the State. The educational system was also improved

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

He had eight wives and several sons of which Pragmalji II was declared Yuvraj by him, who ascended the throne after his death in 1860. One of his queens is responsible for erection of present day temples at Narayan Sarovar. Rao Deshalji II came of age in 1834 and was invested with full ruling powers but in later life, due to ill health, he transferred his ruling power to his son & successor Pragmalji II in 1859 one year before his death

Festival of Kutch

કચ્છ જા મેળા ભુજનો સાતમ - આઠમનો મેળો

કિલ્લેબંધ શહેર ભુજમાં દરવર્ષે જન્માષ્ટમીના બે દિવસ માટે યોજાતા પ્રણાલીગત મેળાનું ખુબ મહત્વ છે. રાજયના એક સૌથી બેનમુન નૈર્સિગક લેન્ડસ કેપ વચ્ચે યોજાતો આ મેળો માણવા છેક વિદેશોમાં સ્થાયી થયેલા કચ્છીઓ પણ ભુજ આવી પહોંચે છે. શહેરના મહાદેવ નાકા બહાર, હમીરસર તળાવની પશ્ચાદભૂમા યોજાતો આ મેળો મહાદેવ નાકાથી શરૃ થઈ છેક ખેંગારબાગ સુધીના વિસ્તાર સુધી ભરાય છે. વચ્ચે આલપનાહગઢ, જુનું બેન્ડસ્ટેન્ડ ,રાજેન્દ્રબાગ, વિજયરાજજી લાયબ્રેરી અને છેક શરદબાગ સુધીનો વિસ્તાર મેળા દરમ્યાન માનવ મહેરામણથી ઉમટે છે. તેમાંય જો ભુજનું હમીરસર તળાવ છલકાય તો મેળાની રોનકમાં ચાર ચાંદ લાગે છે. આ મેળો ભુજ ખાતેના હમીરસર તળાવના કાંઠે રાજાશાહીના વખતથી યોજાતો રહ્યો છે. અને આજે પણ આ મેળાની લોકપ્રિયતા અપ્રિતમ બની રહેવા પામી છે.

આજે ભલે રાજાશાહી યુગ રહ્યો નથી પરંતુ આ મેળાની મજા માણવા કચ્છના ગામડે ગામડેથી લોકો મેળામાં મહાલ્વા આવી પહોંચે છે. આજથી ૭૪ વર્ષ પહેલાનો ભુજનો આ સાતમ-આઠમનો મેળો કેવો હતો ? તે જાણવું રસપ્રદ બની રહેશે. રાજાશાહીના સમયે ભુજના દરબારગઢ સ્થિત આયના મહેલથી કચ્છના મહારાવ ખાસ અસવારીમાં નીકળતા જે અસવારી દરબારગઢ ચોક, પાળેશ્વર ચોક અને મહાદેવ ગેટ થઇને હમીરસરના કાંઠે પહોંચતી. સત્યનારાયણ ભગવાનના મંદિર પાસે આજે જયાં રામધુન છે ત્યાં એ સમયે એક બેન્ડસ્ટેન્ડ હતું જયાં મેળા દરમ્યાન યુરોપીયન શૈલીની બેન્ડપાર્ટી સંગીતના સુરો રેલાવતી.

ભુજના બુઝર્ગ સરોજભાઇ શુક્લએ રાજાશાહી વખતના પ્રસંગોને વાગોળતા જણાવ્યું હતું કે,શીતળા સાતમના દિવસે કચ્છનો રાજવી પરિવાર હમીરસર પાસે આવેલા શીતળા માતાજીના મંદિરે દર્શન કરવા શણગારેલા બળદગાડામાં જતા અને સાથે-સાથે કલ્યાણેશ્વર મહાદેવના મંદિરે પણ અવશ્ય દર્શન કરતા, આઠમના દિવસે જોગાનુજોગ કચ્છના મહારાવ વિજયરાજજીનો જન્મદિવસ હોવાથી મેળાની અનોખી ઉજવણી કરવામાં આવતી. આઠમના દિવસે બપોર બાદ આયના મહેલથી અંબાડી પર સવારી નીકળતી, આ અસવારીમાં બજાણીયા, સાત હાથી, ૧૨ કોતલ(શણગારેલા ઘોડા) અને મિલિટરી બ્રાશબેન્ડ વગાડતા ક્રિશ્ચયનો જોડાતા.આ બેન્ડપાર્ટીમાં બેગપાઈપરનો પણ ભરપુર ઉપયોગ થતો અને જાણે ભુજ થોડા સમય માટે લંડનની શેરીમાં પરિર્વિતત થઈ જતું. આ અસવારી શહેરના હમીરસર કાંઠે આવેલા આલપનાગઢ પાસે પહોંચતી ત્યારે ૧૯ તોપની સલામી આપવામાં આવતી. સાતમ-આઠમના દિવસે કચ્છની તમામ શાળાઓ અને સરકારી કચેરીઓમાં રજા રાખવામાં આવતી. આઠમના દિવસે કચ્છ રાજવી પરિવારની રાણીઓ વૈશ્નવ સંપ્રદાયના મંદિરોમાં દર્શન કરવા જતી હતી. તો રાજવી પરિવારના મહેલોમાં પણ શાસ્ત્રોક્તવિધિ પૂર્વક પુજનવિધિ કરવામાં આવતી. શહેરના  હમીરસર તળાવના કાંઠે ભરાતો લોકમેળો સવારથી ભરાતો અને આ મેળામાં કમાંગર જાતિના લોકો લાકડાના રમકડાં વહેંચતા. તો ફળફળાદિમાં ચીભડાં, કાળીગા, બદામ જેવા ફળો વહેંચાતા, તો ગોસ્વામી જાતિના લોકો ટોપરાપાક, ફરાળી ચેવડો, ખારીશીંગ જેવી ખાણીપીણીની વસ્તુઓ વહેંચતા, આજે પણ કેસરી ટોપીવાળા બાવાજીઓની ટોપરાપાક બનાવામાં બોલબાલા છે. તે વખતે લોકોના મનોરંજન માટે આધુનિક જમાનાના ચગડોળ ન હતા પણ ફજેત ફાળકા જેવા સાધનો હતા. આ મેળાની મજા માણવા લોકો બળદગાડાં અને ઊંટ ગાડી મારફતે હમીરસર કાંઠે આવતા. જો કે રાજાશાહીના જમાનામાં આ મેળો મહાદેવ નાકાથી શરૃ કરીને કલ્યાણેશ્વર મહાદેવના મંદિર સુધી ભરાતો. આમ હવે આ મેળાનો છેક ખેંગારબાગ સુધી વિસ્તાર થવા પામ્યો છે

કચ્છ જા મેળા - ભાન્જડાદાદાનો મેળો

ધોળાવીરાથી આગળ રણ વચાળે સરહદી ચોકી પાસે આવેલા ભાન્જડા દાદાના સ્થાનકે પરંપરાગત રીતે ભાદરવા સુદ ચૌદસનો મેળો ભરાય છે.

રણ માં લગભગ ૪-૫ કી.મી. અંદર આવેલા ભાન્જડા ડુંગર પર પહોંચવું મુશ્કેલ છે. હમેશા ભરાઈ રહેતા પાણીને કારણે રણ વચાળે આવેલા પહાડ પર માત્ર ચૈત્ર અને વૈશાખમાં જ જવું શક્ય બને છે. જો ઓછો વરસાદ હોય અને રણ સુકાઈ ગયું હોય તોજ ફોજની ગાડી કે બાઈક વડે જ જવું શક્ય બને છે. તે સિવાય પગપાળાજ જઈ શકાય છે. આથી ચોમાસામાં જવાની વાતજ ક્યાંથી હોય??? આ કારણસર રણના કિનારે ભાન્જડાદાદાનું સ્મારક બનાવેલું છે. આથી ભાદરવા સુદ ચૌદસના દિવસે ખડીરવાસીઓ અહી માથું ટેકવવા આવે છે.

ડુંગરની ચોટી પર ભાન્જડાદાદાનું મંદિર કે દેરી નિર્માણ પામ્યા નથી. ખુલ્લામાં થોડા પથ્થરો ભેગા કરીને ધજા અને ત્રિશુલ ખોડાયેલા છે. ભાવિકો અહી સુધી પહોચે છે બાકી તો સરહદ ના સંત્રીઓ જ અહી ચોકી ભરે છે. કદાચ ભાન્જડાદાદાના નામ પર થી જ આ ટાપુ નું નામ ભાન્જાડો પડ્યો હશે. અહી હમેશ પાણી ભરાયેલું રહેતા ગ્રામજનો તથા સ્થાનિકો દાદાના સ્થાનક ને બદલે રણ ની કાંધી પરના સ્થાનકે ભાવિકો પૂરી શ્રદ્ધાથી મેળો યોજે છે.

આ મેળાની ખાસિયત વિષે વાત કરીએ તો અહીની સ્થાનિક પ્રજા મેળામાં ખુબ રસપૂર્વક ભાગ લઇને મેળાને ચેતનવંતુ બનાવે છે. અહીના મેઘવાળ, આહીર, રબારી, દરબાર વિગેરે જ્ઞાતિના લોકો પોતાના પરંપરાગત વસ્ત્રો તથા આભૂષણો પહેરીને મેળામાં મહાલવા આવે છે. આ સાથે સૈન્યના જવાનો પણ ખુબ રસપૂર્વક ભાગ લઇને સ્થાનિકો સાથે આ મેળાના આયોજનમાં મદદરૂપ તો થાય જ છે પણ એ સાથે એટલા જ ઉત્સાહથી મેળામાં પણ ભાગ લે છે. આ પરંપરાગત ઢબે યોજાતો મેળો હોઈ વાગડ ની એક ઓળખ બની રહે છે.]

કચ્છ જા મેળા - ભેડિયા ડુંગરે ભેડમાતાનો મેળો.

તિથી : ભાદરવા સુદ ૧૪ અને પૂનમ.

સ્થળ : કોટડા ચકાર પાસે આવેલ ભેડિયા ડુંગર.

ભાદરવા સુદ ૧૪ અને પૂનમ ના હોથી જાડેજા તથા કાછી રબારી સમાજના લોકો તેમના કુળદેવી મોમાય માતાજીના પંથકના એક માત્ર મેળાની મજા માણવા પોતાના પશુધનને લઇને કોટડા ચકાર પાસેના આવેલા ભેડિયા ડુંગરે આવી પહોંચે છે.

ભેડિયા ડુંગરે બિરાજમાન મોમાંય્માંતાને સ્થાનિકો "ભેડ માતા" તરીકે ઓળખે છે. આ ભેડ માતાના મેળામાં આસપાસના ગામ જેવાકે નાની - મોટી તુંબડી, નાના - મોટા બાંદરા, ગજોડ, નાના - મોટા રેહા, જાંબુડી, લફરા, વડવા, સણોસરા જેવા અનેક ગામના હોથી જાડેજા અને કાછી રબારી સમાજના લોકો હજારોની સંખ્યામાં ઉમટી પડે છે. આ ઉપરાંત મેળાની મજા માણવા આ વિસ્તારમાં રોજી-રોતી મેળવવા આવેલા પંચમહાલ, વડોદરા વગેરે વિસ્તારો માંથી આવેલ આદિવાસીઓ પણ પોતાના ભાતીગળ વસ્ત્રોમાં ઉમટેલા જોવા મળે છે. આ ઉપરાંત ભાતીગળ પરંપરાને કચકડે કંડારવા અનેક ફોટોગ્રાફરોની પણ ધ્યાનાકર્ષક સંખ્યા જોવા મળે છે.

ખાસ વિશેષતા :

આ મેળામાં આવતા માલધારીઓ પોતાની સાથે પોતાના પશુઓ જેમાં મુખ્યત્વે ઊંટને પણ સાથે લાવે છે. આ કારણસર મેળામાં ઊંટની મોટી વસ્તી પણ જોઈ શકાય છે. આ મેળો પ્રકૃતિ સંગાથે રહેતા પશુપાલકો સામાન્યતઃ વિચારતું જીવન ગળતા હોય છે. આ મેળા વખતે પોતાના દરેક પશુઓને સાથે લાવી પોતાની પરંપરા અનુસાર મેળા ને માણવા આવી જ પહોચતા હોય છે.

કચ્છ જા મેળા - સંગવારી માતાજીનો મેળો

તિથી : ભાદરવા સુદ ૧૪.

સ્થળ : રતનપર ગામ, રાપર તાલુકા, ખડીર વિસ્તાર.

કચ્છના છેવાડા પર આવેલ ખડીર વિસ્તારમાં રતનપર ગામે સંગવારી માતાજીનો મેળો ભરાય છે. આ મેળામાં આસપાસના વિસ્તારના રતનપર, ધોળાવીરા, જનાણ, બાંભણકા, ગણેશપર, લોદ્રાણી, શીરાવાઢ, બલાસર, જટાવાળા, બેલા, મૌવાણા, આણંદપર, સહીતના ગામના લોકો આ મેળો જોવા આવે છે. આ મેળામાં મુખ્યત્વે આહિર, રબારી, ગઢવી, કોડી, દરબાર વિગેરે જ્ઞાતિના લોકોનો સમુદાય જોવા મળે છે.

Some Words from Kutchi Language

કચ્છી બોલી જા થોડા શબધ               (Some Words from Kutchi Language )

Kuro - કોરો - What

Bhurr-a-bhar - ભરોભર - Ok

Laat - લાટ - Nice

Khapey - ખપે - Want

Munke dE - મુકે ડે - Give (it to) me

Jaga - જગા - Place

BhOOkh -ભોખ - Hunger

KIdaa - કડા - where

HalyaN- હલ્યા - welcome

Maadu - માડુ - Man

Chhoro - છોરો - Boy

Naalo - નાલો - Name

KUtoo - કોત્તો- Dog

Menni - મન્ની - Cat

Undar - ઉન્ધર - Rat

Undhurr - અંદર - In

Achija - અચીજા - Bye

As-an-jo - Our

Pann-jo - પાંજો - Our

Gal-yo - ગાલ્યું - Talk (as in 'Talk is cheap')

Dill - ધીલ - Heart

Choviaar - ચોવિયાર - Dinner before sunset

Jaman - જેમણ - Meal

kii aiye - કી અઈયે - How are you

Kuro nihaareto - કોરો નેરીયે તો - what are you looking at?

Kuro thyoh - કોરો થ્યો - what happen?

Achija - bye bye (lit. do come again)

Aain achota - અંઇ અચોતા - are you coming? (polite)

Kuro kareto - what are you doing?

Kuro karota - કોરો કયો તા - what are you doing?(polite)

Kada vanota - કતે વનો તા - where are you going? (polite)

Ki ainyo - કીં અયો - how are you? (polite)

Ain - અઇ - You (polite)

Tu - તુ - You (informal)

Ganni acho - ગેની અચો - (Bring it)

અંકો (Figures) : 

Hekado એક, હિકડો  (1)

Bo બે, બો  (2)

Tre ત્રણ, ત્રે (3)

Char ચાર, ચાર  (4)

Panj પાંચ, પંજ (5)

Chha છ, છ (6)  

Satt સાત, સત (7)

Ath આઠ, અઠ (8)

 No નવ, નોં (9)

Do દસ, ડો (10)

Hekado So એકસો,  સો (100)

B So બસો, બસો  (200)

Panj So પાંચસો, પંજ સો  (500)

Hajar હજાર. હજાર (1000)

Aai Kee Aayo?? તમે કેમ છો ?  અઈં કીં અયો?

Place (Exp. Bhuj) Bhuj kedi rite venandho??

(સ્થળનું નામ) કેવી રીતે જવાશે?  ભુજ કેડી રીતે વેનાંધો? 

Huda Puje me madhadha karidha??

ત્યાં પહોંચવામાં તમે મદદ કરશો ? હુડા  પુજે મેં ઐં મદધ કરીંધા?

Dhaktar keda meldho??

દાક્તર ક્યાં મળશે ? ધાક્તર કેડાં મીલંધો?

Anything ( Exp. Veggies. ) Shakbhakale jee dhukan keda aay??

(ચીજવસ્તુનું નામ)ની દુકાન ક્યાં છે ? શાકભાજી જી ધુકાન કીડાં આય?

Anything ( Exp. Veggies. ) Shakbhakale jee dhukan keda aay??

(ચીજવસ્તુનું નામ) ક્યાં મળશે ?  ચોપડી કીડાં મીલંધી?

ટૂંકા વાક્યો (Short Sentences):

Aa bheri majja aavai bhala.

તમારી સાથે મજા આવી.  આં ભેરી મજા આવઈ ભલા!

Aasa ke gane janela ne sekhela melyo...

અમને ઘણું જાણવા અને શીખવા મળ્યું. અસાંકે ઘણે જાણેલા ને શીખેલા મીલ્યો.

Tem ochho pyo સમય ઓછો પડયો. ટેમ ઓછો પ્યો.

aaji rasoi. તમારી વાનગીઓ આંજી રસોઈ

Laat vee. OR Khasi vee. OR Swadist vee. સ્વાદિષ્ટ હતી. લાટ વી અથવા ખાસી હુઈ  અથવા સ્વાદિષ્ટ હુઈ

Teekhi Lagai. OR Khari Lagai.

તીખી લાગી.   તીખી લગઈ અથવા ખારી લગઈ 

...Mee Tel Boro pyo ho. માં તેલ વધારે પડયું. .. મેં તેલ બોરો  પ્યો હો

...Mee ghee Boro pyo ho.માં ઘી વધારે પડયું.   .. મેં ઘી બોરો હો 

બસ, હવે નહિ.  હઈયો, હાણે ન ખપે 

સંપર્કમાં રહેજો.  ટચ (સંપર્ક)  મેં રોજા  

આવજો  અચીજા 

History of Kutch

                                             The history of Kutch is very old. Traces of the Indus valley civilization (3000 to 1500 B.C.) have been discovered at Dholavira – Kutch. When Alexandra the Great reached these parts in 325 BC Rann was not an arm of the sea. The eastern branch of the Indus emptied itself into the Rann which made it into a fresh water lake. The Mauryan empire broke of the Gujrat Kutch and Sindh passed under the rules of Greeks from Bactria in 140-120 BC. Bactrian rule over Gujrat, Kathiawad and Kutch was ended by Sakas in the 1st Century and ruled upto the 3rd century. After that Samudragupta attacked the Sakas and ended their rule. At the end of the sixth century, the great conqueror king Sahiras of Sindu found Kutch and easy conquest. 

                                             A Chinese traveller’s evidence shows that Buddhism was in fact declining and Jainism was gaining ground in Kathiawad and Sindh. At the end of the seventh century the Arabs conquered Sindh. Samma Rajputs of the hindu clan settled in Kutch. Some of the chiefs also settled in Sindh and were allowed by the Arabs to be independent rulers there. In the early ninth century the chief of that clan was Lakho Ghuraro, who had two wives. After the death of Lakho Ghuraro his eldest son Unnad succeeded, but Unnad’s step brother Mod and Manai plotted against him and killed him. Later on Mod and Manai conspired to kill their uncle Vagam Chavda and declared themselves the kings of the area. That time Patgadh was under the rule of seven brothers of the Sandh tribe "Seven Sandhs", who threatened to avenge the murder of Vagam. Later on Mod and Manai killed the seven sandhs and became the masters of the city and of its dependant territories. At that time Dharan Vaghela was a ruler of these areas. Mod made friendship with him and he got his son Sad married to Dharan’s sister. Mod and Manai’s death in the ninth century weakened Sad’s position. Dharan killed Sad and wanted to kill Ful, Sad’s six month old son, but he was saved. When Ful grew up he challenged his maternal grand father Dharan Vaghela to combat. Dharan Vaghela by now an elderly man preferred to make peace by giving one of his daughters to Ful in marriage. But Ful never forgot that Dharan had murdered his father. After a few years, Ful killed Dharan. Hearing this, Ful’s wife committed suicide. She was then pregnant and her unborn infant was brought out alive from her dead body. He was named Ghao (born of the wound). After this incident Ful changed his capital to Angorgadh, near Habai. He married his second wife Sonal from the Rabari tribe who gave birth to a son Lakho in 920 A.D. Lakho Fulani was a powerful king. He was very famous in Kutch and Gujrat. He shifted his capital to Kera and built a fort. He died fighting on his friend Grahripu’s side at Atkot near Rajkot. After Lakho Fulani’s death his nephew Jam Punvaro succeeded to the throne without opposition. He built a fort called Padhargadh near Nakhatrana. However he was so cruel that the people hated him. Punvaro was killed by the Jakhs. After Punvaro’s death the Solankis and Chavdas ruled over Kutch. In the middle of the 12th century a Samma prince named Lakho decided to seek his fortune in the Rann of Kutch. 

                              This Lakho had been adopted by a childless Samma chief named Jadeja. Lakho arrived in Kutch in 1147 with his twin brother Lakhiar. By then the Chavda power had decayed and they built themselves a new capital Lakhiarwara, about 20 miles from the ruins of Padhargadh. After Lakho’s death Rato Raydhan came to the throne. Some Jat tribesmen who had come to Kutch before Lakho Lakhiar gave him trouble. With support of the saint Garibnath Rato Raydhan successfully subdued the Jats and made gifts of the Land of the Dhinodhar monastery to Garibnath. After the death of Raydhan in 1215 his territories were divided between his four sons. Deda, the eldest one was given Kanthkot, Odha the second son remained ruling Lakhiarwara, Gajan was given Bara and the fourth one Hothi was given twelve villages near Punadi. In 1510 Rao Khengarji I descended from the old line of Odha assumed power with the full approval of the Ahmedabad Sultan and took on the title of "Rao". For the next 438 years Kutch was ruled by the Jadeja dynasty till its merger with the Indian Union in 1948.