Kutch district

Kutch (Kuchchh) District, State of Gujarat

Kutch (also spelled "Cutch", "Kachh", "Kachch" and even "Kachchh") is a district of Gujarat state in western India. Covering an area of 45,612 km², it is the largest district in the state of Gujarat and the second largest in India. According to some theorists, the name "Kutch" is a reference to the shape of the area, which when viewed from space, resembles a tortoise. The word for "tortoise" is Kaachbo in the Kutchi and Gujarati languages.

Geography

Kutch is virtually an island, bounded by the Arabian Sea to the west; the Gulf of Kutch, which separates it from the Kathiawar peninsula, to the south and southeast; and by the Rann of Kutch, a sprawling but seasonal wetland, to the north and east. In ages past, the Rann of Kutch was an extension of the Arabian Sea. A range of hills runs east-west, parallel to the Gulf of Kutch. The border with Pakistan lies along the northern edge of the Rann of Kutch; the north-eastern border with Pakistan along Sir creek is the subject of a border dispute.

It is recorded that a massive earthquake hit Kutch on June 16, 1819. This partially changed the course of a section of the river Indus and caused a surface depression that became an inland sea.

Administrative divisions

The administrative headquarters of Kutch district is Bhuj.

Language and people

The languages spoken predominantly in Kutch are Kutchi and Gujarati. Kutchi is a language that draws heavily from its two neighbouring language groups: Sindhi and Gujrati. The Kutchi language is written in the Gujarati script; indeed, the languages are so similar that many regard the former as a dialect of the latter.

The main tribe of people living in kutch are known as Bhanushali, although other tribes exist. A number of Kutchi kanbis migrated to Africa, especially South Africa, in the early 1960's and also form a substantial expatriate population in the United Kingdom.

Kutch is again internally divided with different tribes. They are basically identified by the landscape in which they reside. Bhanusali are typically from Nakhtrana district. There are other tribes/race/communities as Kanthi, Abdaasa, etc. People residing in Mundra, Mandvi and Anjar are Kanthi. Basically the word Kanthi is derived from Kutchi word Kantho, which means sea/river shore. Nalia district is primitively know as Abdaasa.

Kutch has a strong tradition of crafts and is famous for its embroidery. Some of the finest ari embroidery was stiched for royalty here whilst women in every village were busy preparing beautiful clothes and decorations for dowries. Unfortunately many of these fine skills have now been lost though some are being rejuvinated through handicrafts initiatives.

While discussing the art of the land, the mention of Bandhni and handprinting is must. Bandhani was primarily originated in the region. Women wear sari of Bandhani art in festives like Marriages, Navaratri and Diwali. Handprinting is used to make the Bedspreads, pillow covers and other such furnishing products for households.

History

Remote and sparcely populated while the district of Kutch may be, it has had an interesting history.

Princely Kutch

Kutch was formerly an independent state, founded in the late 13th century by a samma rajput named Jada, from which name the Jadeja rajputs derive their patronymic. The Jadeja dynasty ruled not only Kutch but also much of neighbouring Kathiawar for several centuries until the independence of India in 1947. In 1815, Kutch became a British protectorate and ultimately a princely state, whose local ruler acknowledged British sovereignty in return for local autonomy. A beautiful mirror palace, one surviving relic of the princely era is the Aina Mahal ("mirror palace"), built in the 1760's at Bhuj for the Maharao of Kutch by Ram Singh Malam who had learnt glass, enamel and tile work from the Dutch.

Recent history

Upon the independence of India in 1947, Kutch acceded unto the dominion of India and was constitited an independent commissionerate. It was created a state within the union of India in 1950. On November 1, 1956, Kutch was merged with Bombay state, which in 1960 was divided into the new linguistic states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Kutch thereupon became a part of Gujarat state.

After the Partition of India in 1947, the province of Sindh, including the port of Karachi, ended up in Pakistan. The Indian Government constructed a modern port at Kandla in Kutch to serve as a port for western India in lieu of Karachi.

The epicenter of 2001 Gujarat Earthquake was in this district. It was the most severe earthquake (out of more than 90 earthquakes) to hit Kutch in 185 years. Much of Bhuj was destroyed or damaged as were many villages. Many of the attractions of Bhuj including the Aina Mahal have still not been restored.

External links

• Comprehensive information about Kutch on panjokutch.com
• Genealogy of the ruling chiefs of Kutch
• Post-independence chief commissioners of Kutch
• First ever Kutchi Digital Directory
• Global Bhatias Online Directory
• Kachchhi Oshwal Jain Association in North America

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