Why Bhuj is the Beautiful Place in Gujarat

Bhuj

History of Bhuj

Bhuj city and the Kutch region were founded by the Maharaja of the Parmar Rajputs and withstood invasions for centuries. Bhuj city was captured by Rao Hamir in 1510 and made the capital of Kutch by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as the state capital was laid on 25 January 1548, Vikram Samvat 1604 (Mug Panch). The Rao was forced to accept Mughal treasury. Bhuj came to be known as Suleman Nagar among the Muslims. The city walls were built by Rao Godji I in 1723 and the Bhujia Fort was built by Devkaran Seth during the time of Rao Desalji I from 1718 to 1741. Bhuj has been attacked several times, in two instances the defense was successful and in four other instances the defense failed. In 1728 the attack of Sir Buland Khan, the Mughal viceroy of Gujarat was repulsed by Rao Desal Ki I and in 1765 Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro was forced to retreat by a timely display of strength of the fortification. Bhujia was occupied thrice during the civil troubles of the reign of Rao Rai Dhan III - in 1786 by Meghji Seth, in 1801 by Hans Raj and in 1808 by Fateh Mohammed. On 26 March 18–19 the hill fort of Bhujia was captured by a British detachment under Sir William Keir.

Most Famous in Bhuj

1. Prag Mahal
2. Aaina Mahal
3. Chhatardi Bhuj
4. Kutch Museum
5. Harmirsar Lake
6. Bharatiya Sanskruti Darshan Museum
7. Sharad Baug Palace
8. Bhujio Fort Gate
9. Khari River Gorge (Canyon)

1. Prag Mahal

Parag Mahal is named after Rao Paragmal Ji II who built it and its construction began in 1865. It was designed by Colonel Henry St Clair Wilkins in what the local tourist office describes as Italian Gothic style (more recently it would be better described as a Romanesque architectural twist on the Indo-Serbian Revival style) and many Eta and Avi artisans were involved in its construction. The artisans of the palace were paid in gold coins. The construction of the palace, which cost an estimated 3.1 million rupees, was completed during the rule of Khengarji III, son of Paragmal Ji II after the death of Pragmal Ji II in 1879. The local kutcha builder community was also involved in the construction of Parag Mahal along with Colonel Wilkins.

2. Aaina Mahal

Aina Mahal was built by Lakhpat ji during his reign 1741-1760 around 1750. The chief architect and designer of the palace was Ram Singh Malam who lived in Europe for 18 years and learnt European craftsmanship and architectural skills from India. The construction cost 80 lakhs rupees (approximately 20 lakhs) which was equal to the state's 3 years revenue during that period. In 1830, an English lady named Mrs. Postnas visited the palace and described her impressions in her Dedication to Kutch (1839). She commented on the "mishran of varied and incongruous ornaments" in a room illuminated by large candlesticks. She found jelly glass and old flower clocks ringing together in a musical manner. The palace was converted into a museum in 1977. It was damaged in the 2001 Gujarat earthquake and a part of the building was restored and now houses the Aina Mahal Trust Museum.

3. Chhatardi Bhuj

Chhateri was built in the 18th century by the Jadeja rulers.

4. Kutch Museum

The Kutch Museum was initially established as a part of the art school established by Maharoa Khengarji III of Kutch State. It was established on 1 July 1877. On 19 February 1884, at the time of the marriage of Maharoa Khengarji III, many new objects were received and a new building was felt for their display. In such a situation, on 14 November 1884, the foundation stone of the present museum building was laid by Sir James Ferguson, Governor of Mumbai and Maha Rao of Kutch named it Ferguson Museum after him. The construction of this two-storey building cost ₹ 32000 at that time. Built in the classical style, this museum is located right in front of Nazar Bagh Garden on the banks of Hamirsar Lake.

5. Harmirsar Lake

Hamir Sar Lake is a 450 years old lake named after Jadeja ruler Rao Hamir (1475 to 1524) who was the founder of Bhuj.The lake was built during the reign of Rao Khengarji I (1548 to 1585) who was the founder of Jadeja dynasty in Kutch who named it after his father Rao Hamir. Rao Khengarji I chose the location as a fortified place in the saline and arid zone and developed canals and tunnels to bring water from three river basins and recharge the water to meet the needs of Bhuj in many directions which he declared as the capital of his kingdom in 1549.

6. Bharatiya Sanskruti Darshan Museum

7. Sharad Baug Palace

Sharad Baug Palace, also known as Rajya Vatika, was the residence of the last Maharao of Kutch, Madan Singh, until his death in 1991. It now houses a museum displaying objects and artefacts of the royal family.

8. Bhujio Fort Gate

The fort was built by Jadeja chieftains to protect the city. The construction of Bhujia Fort was started by Rao Godji I, the ruler of Kutch state, in 1715-1718 as a kind of outer work to protect Bhuj. The latest major completion of the work was done during the reign of his son Desalji I in 1718-1741.

9. Khari River Gorge (Canyon)

The formation of the Khari River Valley in Kutch, Gujarat began about 1.25 lakh years ago during a period of strong climate and volcanic activity in which the Control Hill Mainland and played a major role.

Most Famous Temple in Bhuj

1. Shree Swaminarayan Temple Bhuj (Bhuj Mandir)
2. Trimandir, Bhuj
3. Tapkeshwari Temple Bhuj

Most Famous University in Bhuj

1. Kutch University
2.  ICFAI University
3. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University
4.  Chandan Trade Test Centre
5. Jay Ambe Abroad Pvt Ltd

Most Famous Food in Bhuj

1. Dabeli
2. Odho
3. Dal Pakwan
4. Mesukh
5. Bhungara Bateta
6. Gulab Pak