Bhujia Fort, also spelled as Bhujiya Fort, is a fort located in the outskirts of the town of

Bhuj Bhuj () is a Municipality and District Headquarters of Kutch District in the state of Gujarat, India. Etymology According to legend, Kutch was ruled by the Nāga chieftains in the past. Sagai, a queen of Sheshapattana, who was married to Kin ...

in the district of Kutch,

Gujarat Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...

, India. The fort is built atop

Bhujia Hill Bhujia Hill or Bhujiyo Dungar is a hill located in the outskirts of the town of Bhuj in the district of Kutch, Gujarat, India. The Bhujia Fort built on the hill overlooks the town. Etymology Legend of Bhujanga According to the legend, Kutch ...

overlooking the town.Bhujia Fort
/ref>Fort of Bhuj on Bhujia Hill
/ref>

History

The fort was constructed for the defense of the city by

Jadeja The Jadeja (also spelled Jarejo) (Gujarati: ) is a Rajput clan that inhabits the Indian state of Gujarat. They claim to be descended from the legendary Jamshed of Iran. They also claim descent from Krishna. They originated from pastoral communit ...

Chiefs. The construction of Bhujia fort was started by Rao

Godji I Rao Godji I was the Rao of Cutch belonging to the Jadeja Rajput dynasty, who ruled Princely State of Cutch from 1715 to 1718. Life Godji I was a son of Rao Pragmalji I. He led a force sent by his father to restore throne of Tamachi, the sixth ...

(1715–1718) ruler of Kingdom of Kutch as a sort of

outwork An outwork is a minor fortification built or established outside the principal fortification limits, detached or semidetached. Outworks such as ravelins, lunettes (demilunes), flèches and caponiers to shield bastions and fortification curtains ...

defense for Bhuj. However, the major work and completion was done during the rule of his son,

Deshalji I Rao Deshalji I was the Rao of Cutch belonging to Jadeja Rajput dynasty, who ruled Princely State of Cutch as a regent from 1718 1752. His son Lakhpatji confined him in 1741 and ruled as a regent until death of Deshalji in 1752. Life Rao God ...

(1718–1741). The hill was fortified as a further aid to the defense of the capital, Bhuj. Devakaran Sheth, Diwan of Kutch during Deshalji I took the lead in fortifying the hill.Bhujia Hill fort
/ref>
District census handbook The Fort has seen six major battles since its construction, most of which were fought in the years 1700-1800 AD between the Rajput rulers of Kutch and Muslim raiders from

Sindh Sindh (; ; ur, , ; historically romanized as Sind) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan. Located in the southeastern region of the country, Sindh is the third-largest province of Pakistan by land area and the second-largest province ...

and the Mughal rulers of

. The first major battle at Bhujia Fort was fought during the early part of the reign of Deshalji I, when Sher Buland Khan, who was Mughal Viceroy of

at that time, invaded Kutch. The army of Kutch was in a precarious condition, when a group of Naga Bawas got the gate of Bhujia Fort opened through a stratagem on pretext of visiting Nag temple for worship and then joined in the fray against Sher Buland Khan's army, putting them to flight. Since that day Naga Bawa and their leader have had a place of importance in a procession held on

Nag Panchami Naga Panchami is a day of traditional worship of Nag (or Naja or Naga) or snakes (which are associated with the mythical Nāga beings) observed by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists throughout India, Nepal, and other countries where Hindu, Jain, an ...

. The British Colonel William Coir took over the fort in 1819, when Kutch accepted the

suzerainty Suzerainty () is the rights and obligations of a person, state or other polity who controls the foreign policy and relations of a tributary state, while allowing the tributary state to have internal autonomy. While the subordinate party is cal ...

of the British. The fort has been under occupation of

Indian Army The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and its professional head is the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who is a four- ...

after the

independence of India The Indian independence movement was a series of historic events with the ultimate aim of ending British Raj, British rule in India. It lasted from 1857 to 1947. The first nationalistic revolutionary movement for Indian independence emerged ...

in 1947. The army left the fort after the new campus was constructed for them following 2001 Gujarat earthquake.

Features

Bhujia fort is partially in ruins. The Gujarat government is, however, overlooking the restoration of the historical fort. One has to pass two major gates to enter the fort. There are some scattered buildings with an irregular area. Parapet wall is on the top, which is weak and damaged.

Gallery

Image:Mount de bhuj - fort.jpg, Entrance of fort Image:Mount de bhuj - fort- entrance.jpg, Entrance of Fort Image:Inside fort- bhujiyo dunger.jpg, Inside fort Image:Golden view.jpg, Section of wall Image:Mount de bhuj.jpg, Section of wall Image:Amazing golden view.jpg, Section of wall Image:Bhujang Naga Temple, Bhujia Hill, Bhuj, Kutch Gujarat.jpg, Bhujang Naga Temple and the fort Image:Smritivan 2001 Gujarat earthquake memorial garden in Bhuj, Gujarat, India.jpg, Smritivan

References

{{Reflist Rajput architecture Forts in Gujarat Bhuj Indian Army bases Tourist attractions in Kutch district Buildings and structures completed in 1741 1741 establishments in India

History

Features

Gallery

See also

References