Bhujia Fort
Encyclopedia
Bhujia Fort also spelled as Bhujiya Fort is the fort located in out skirts of Bhuj
town of Kutch. The Fort is built on hill overlooking the town of Bhuj. Bhujia Fort offers a panoramic view from Bhuj city.
Chief, Rao Godaji. The Fort is built on hill overlooking the town.
The construction of Bhujia fort was started by Rao Godaji (1715–1718) as a sort of out-work defense for Bhuj. However, the major work and completion was done during his son, Maharao Deshalji I (1718–1741). The hill was fortified as a further aid to the defense of the capital, Bhuj. Devakaran Sheth, Diwan of Kutch during Rao Deshalji I took the lead in fortifying the hill.
Fort has seen six major battles since its construction most of which were fought in years 1700-1800 AD between Rajput rulers of Kutch and Muslim raiders from Sindh
& Mughal rulers of Gujarat.
First major battle at Bhujia Fort, was fought during early part of reign of Deshalji I, when Sher Buland Khan, who was Mughal
Viceroy of Gujarat at that time invaded Kutch. The army of Kutch was in 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 fray against Sher Buland Khan's army putting them to flight. Since that day Naga Bawa and their leader got a place of importance, in procession held on Nag Panchmi day.
The British Col William Coir took over the fort in 1819, when Kutch accepted suzerainty of British. Ever since the Bhujia Fort has been under occupation of military personal.
'). It is said He came from Than
of Kathiawar
and freed Kachchh from the oppression of demons known as 'daitya
s' and 'rakshasa
s'.
The Snake Temple was also built at the time of fortification of hill during Deshalji I's reign (1718–1740). In a battle that was won with help of Naga Sadhus, who worship Snake god, by Deshalji, the ruler of Kutch, also built a Chhatri
over the temple in 1723. To commemorate this event, ever since, an annual fair is held on the fort-hill on the Nag Panchami
day in Shraavana
month as per Hindu calendar
. The Bhujia hill on which this fort stands gets its name from this snake deity Bhujanga.
since independence of India. It is strictly prohibited to enter in on any day except on the day of Nag Panchami fair, held once in a year. When you enter there are some scattered buildings with an irregular area. Parapet wall is on the top, which is weak and damaged. At one corner of the fort is temple of snake deity, which is well maintained. Other areas are under Army and off the eyesight of civilians.
An army depot on the Bhujiya hill fort stores tanks, guns, mortar and high explosives. Any civilian activity within 700 m of the mountain is illegal.
Bhuj
Bhuj is a city and a municipality in Kachchh district in the state of Gujarat, India.-History:It was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the state capital by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital laid formally on Vikram Samvat 1604 Maagha 5th...
town of Kutch. The Fort is built on hill overlooking the town of Bhuj. Bhujia Fort offers a panoramic view from Bhuj city.
History
Bhuj derives its name from the Bhujia hill on which Bhujia Fort was constructed for the defense of Bhuj by JadejaJadeja
Jadeja belong to the Yaduvanshi rajputs or Chandravanshi rajputs. They are one of the 36 royal dynasties of old tracing their origins to Lord Krishna...
Chief, Rao Godaji. The Fort is built on hill overlooking the town.
The construction of Bhujia fort was started by Rao Godaji (1715–1718) as a sort of out-work defense for Bhuj. However, the major work and completion was done during his son, Maharao Deshalji I (1718–1741). The hill was fortified as a further aid to the defense of the capital, Bhuj. Devakaran Sheth, Diwan of Kutch during Rao Deshalji I took the lead in fortifying the hill.
Fort has seen six major battles since its construction most of which were fought in years 1700-1800 AD between Rajput rulers of Kutch and Muslim raiders from Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
& Mughal rulers of Gujarat.
First major battle at Bhujia Fort, was fought during early part of reign of Deshalji I, when Sher Buland Khan, who was Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
Viceroy of Gujarat at that time invaded Kutch. The army of Kutch was in precarious condition, when a group of Naga Bawas got the gate of Bhujia Fort opened through a stratagem on pretext of visiting Nag
Naga
Naga or NAGA may refer to:* Nāga, a group of serpent deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.-People:* Nayan / Nayar/Nair people of Kerala Society* Naga people, a diverse ethnic identity in Northeast India...
temple for worship and then joined in fray against Sher Buland Khan's army putting them to flight. Since that day Naga Bawa and their leader got a place of importance, in procession held on Nag Panchmi day.
The British Col William Coir took over the fort in 1819, when Kutch accepted suzerainty of British. Ever since the Bhujia Fort has been under occupation of military personal.
Temple of Bhujángá Naga
At one corner of the fort is a small square tower dedicated to 'Bhujang Nag' (snake god), who as per folk fare, is said to have been the brother of 'Sheshnag'- Lord of the nether world ('PatalPatala
Patala is a town and a nagar panchayat in Ghaziabad district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Demographics: India census, Patala had a population of 9730. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Patala has an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the national average of...
'). It is said He came from Than
Thangadh
Thangadh is an industrial town and a municipality located southwest of Surendranagar in Surendranagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. A large number of small-scale Ceramic manufacturing units are located around Thangadh. Thangadh, Wankaner and Morbi form the Ceramic triangle. Chief...
of Kathiawar
Kathiawar
Kathiawar or Kathiawad is a peninsula in western India, which is part of the Saurashtra region on the Arabian Sea coast of Gujarat state. It is bounded on the north by the great wetland of the Rann of Kutch, on the northwest by the Gulf of Kutch, on the west and south by the Arabian Sea, and on...
and freed Kachchh from the oppression of demons known as 'daitya
Daitya
In Hinduism, the Daityas are a clan or race or Asura as are the Danavas. Daityas were the children of Diti and the sage Kashyapa. They were a race of giants who fought against the Devas because they were jealous of their Deva half-brothers...
s' and 'rakshasa
Rakshasa
A Rakshasa or alternatively rakshas, is a race of mythological humanoid beings or unrighteous spirit in Hindu and Buddhist religion...
s'.
The Snake Temple was also built at the time of fortification of hill during Deshalji I's reign (1718–1740). In a battle that was won with help of Naga Sadhus, who worship Snake god, by Deshalji, the ruler of Kutch, also built a Chhatri
Chhatri
Chhatris are elevated, dome-shaped pavilions used as an element in Indian architecture. Chhatris are commonly used to depict the elements of of pride and honor in the Rajput architecture of Rajasthan. They are widely used, in palaces, in forts, or to demarcate funerary sites...
over the temple in 1723. To commemorate this event, ever since, an annual fair is held on the fort-hill on the Nag Panchami
Nag panchami
Nāg Panchamī is a festival during which religious Hindus in some parts of India worship either images of or live Nāgas on the fifth day after Amavasya of the month of Shraavana. Traditionally, married young women visit their premarital households to celebrate the festival...
day in Shraavana
Shraavana
Shraavana is a month of the Hindu calendar, also known as Sawan. In India's national civil calendar, Shraavan is the fifth month of the Hindu year, beginning in late July and ending in the third week of August. In the Tamil calendar, it is known as Aavani and is the fifth month of the solar year...
month as per Hindu calendar
Hindu calendar
The hindu calendar used in ancient times has undergone many changes in the process of regionalization, and today there are several regional Indian calendars, as well as an Indian national calendar. Nepali calendar, Bengali calendar, Malayalam calendar, Tamil calendar, Telugu calendar, Kannada...
. The Bhujia hill on which this fort stands gets its name from this snake deity Bhujanga.
Present Day
Bhujia Hill fort is under the jurisdiction of Indian ArmyIndian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
since independence of India. It is strictly prohibited to enter in on any day except on the day of Nag Panchami fair, held once in a year. When you enter there are some scattered buildings with an irregular area. Parapet wall is on the top, which is weak and damaged. At one corner of the fort is temple of snake deity, which is well maintained. Other areas are under Army and off the eyesight of civilians.
An army depot on the Bhujiya hill fort stores tanks, guns, mortar and high explosives. Any civilian activity within 700 m of the mountain is illegal.