Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas
Encyclopedia
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris of Kutch or Kadia Kshatriyas of Kutch, are a Hindu
community of the Kutch District of Gujarat state in India
. They are a group of various Kshatriya
or Rajput
clans who were bound together by their artistic and master craftsman skills in constructing forts, temples, palaces, ornate decorations, idols and other buildings and statues that led to them being referred to as Mistri
by the Portuguese
. This term was later used to refer to them as a separate caste known as the Mistri
a.k.a. Mistris of Kutch.
The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas (KGK) are a branch of Kadia Kshatriya, or Gurjar Kshatriyas, of Saurashtra who migrated to Dhaneti
, Kutch, and were later granted eighteen or nineteen villages by the rulers of Kutch. They were famous designers and developers of many historic monuments of Kutch forts, temples, dams, bridges and railways in Undivided India.
, or Kshatriya
clans, who migrated from Rajasthan
in early 7th century AD.
Kadia Kshatriyas
first entered into Saurashtra in 7th century onwards and settled in various places in Saurashtra where they founded thirty-six villages. Some of them also moved further into Kutch from the 7th century onwards but around 1177–78 AD (V.S. 1234) a major group of this warrior clan migrated to Kutch under the leadership of Patel Ganga Maru entered Kutch (or Kachchh) from Saurashtra and settled in a village named Dhaneti
after a battle that they named Dhaneti("Dhanetu" in Gujarati means "sudden, spontaneous war"). There are several Paria
s of the community, located near village pond of Dhaneti, standing as mute witness to war that was fought in 1178 AD. The community members still go once every year to offer pooja and their respects to their fore-fathers.
This group, later, made their distinct identity not only by building historical forts, palaces, temples and architects in Kutch but also all over British India primarily in the fields of Railways and Coal Mining.
The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas left Dhaneti
and went on to establish nineteen villages in Kutch which were granted to them by the King: Anjar
, Sinugra
, Khambhra
, Nagalpar
, Khedoi
, Madhapar
, Hajapar
, Kukma
, Galpadar
, Reha
, Vidi
, Ratnal
, Jambudi
, Devaliya, Lovaria, Nagor
, Meghpar, Chandiya
and Kumbharia
.
Madhapar
was named after its founder Madha Kanji Solanki who moved from the Dhaneti
village to Madhapar in 1473–1474 AD (V.S. 1529). Madha Kanji was a descendant of the Solanki
dynasty of Gujarat.
Eleven of the villages are around Anjar. The area is plain and in general called "Ugamna Pat" (literally meaning villages to the east). Seven villages were located in "Dungaral Pat" (meaning area of small mountains). Meghpar on the Anjar-Galpadar Road was founded by the Mistri community before Khedoi in the "Ugamna Paat". Thus all together they formed the "Nineteen Villages of Mistris".
Bhuvad Village in Anjar Taluka was established by Piyu Chawda and Bhuvad Chawda of Chawda clan of their Community but they also moved to other villages like Devaliya, Chandiya and Galpadar. The Taunk
clan also initially settled in Bhuvad
but later moved to other villages such as Sinugra
and Kukma
. The Shenoi village was founded by the Rathor
s, Wegads, Parmars and Yadavs. The Wegad clan later moved to Anjar
, the Parmar mainly to Anjar, Kukma, Hajapar
and Lovaria. The Yadav
s moved to Hajapar and the Rathods to Kukma
, Kumbharia
, Reha
, Khedoi
and Nagalpar
. Khodiyar
s and Chudasama
s settled in Anjar, Sawarias in Kumbharia, Vaghelas in Reha, Varus in Hajapar and Jambudi
, Padhiyars in Anjar, Gohil
s in Anjar and Sinugra, Jethwa
s in Ratnal, Nagalpar and Anjar, Chauhan
s to Reha, Nagor
, Kukma and Kumbharia, Solanki
s in Madhapar, Jambudi, Vidi
, Meghpar
and Kukma, Bhalsod to Khambhra, Maru
s to Devaria
and Meghpar. Chauhans, Parmar and Rathod founded Ratnal
but later moved out of it. A branch of Chawda also founded the Medai Village of Kutch but later most of them moved to Devaliya and Chandiya
. Some families of Chawda, Chauhan and Parmar clans traveled further down and founded Galpadar
. Thus a total of twenty-three villages were established in Kutch. Further old records of Bhat
s reveal that many families belonging to clans of Gohil
, Bhatti, Solanki
, Jethwa
, Rathor
and Bharadwa and Visavaria (last two are Brahmin
Caste) also settled in Mandvi
in the 14th century onwards and later also Bhuj
in the beginning of the 16th century moving there from Dhaneti
.
Besides Dhaneti
the, Parias of KGK or Mistris are also found in large numbers in the outskirts of Anjar
, especially within the compound wall of Samadhi
of Jesal-Toral in Anjar city. The Parias of Dadas and Sati of Jethwa
, Rathor
, Khodiyar
, Chudasama
and Savaria clans are within the Jesal-Toral Temple campus.
Parias of the community can also be found at Dabda within temple premises of Kapadi Saint Jai Raja Kapadi and the Deri of Sati
Lalu Ma of Nagalpar
is found in this temple.
Parias of Satis and Dadas of Solanki
, Parmar and Chawda
clans of the KGK can be also found in Devaria, Kachchh
. The Paria of Poria Jethwa
, who arrived from royal lineage of Jethwa
dynasty of Porbandar
are in Dhaneti
. Dada of Chauhan
of Khambhra
is found within Samadhi
and the temple of Chauhan Ajepal Dada of Anjar.
Anjar today is a densely populated town and two blocks known as "Motu Faliu" and "Devani Faliu" were the areas which were the foundation of the Mistri community. There were artistic and ornately decorated Haveli
s in these area of the city belonging to rich families of the community, most of which have been destroyed in earthquake of 2001. Similar Haveli or houses can be seen in the nineteen villages founded by them.
Over the centuries, they have been known or identified by different names like Mistri, Mistry, Mistris of Kutch, Kutchi Contractor, Kadia, Kadia Kshatriyas, Gurjar Kshatriyas, Kumar Gnati, Kutch Gurjar Kshatiryas, Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Samaj, KGK Samaj, Kgk community, etc.
Some of the Rajput
Clans belonging to their group have been the Rulers of Kutch, beginning with Chauhan Ajepal of the Chauhan
dynasty. This was followed by the Solanki
, Kathi
s, Vaghelas, Chawdas and finally the Jadeja
dynasty came to rule Kutch until the independence of India.
community and believers in Hindu, or Vedic
, rites and customs. They are Vegetarian and abstain from alcohol.
The KGK community, in general, speaks Gujarati
, unlike many other Kutchi communities as they migrated from the Saurashtra region. They celebrate new year
on the day after Diwali
, as celebrated by most of Gujarati people
. Many words of Kutchi language
have entered in their Gujarati language
and similarly various Kutchi
traditions and customs, like celebration of the Kutchi New Year
, since their migration to the Kutch region.
Members of this community also worship their Kuldevta
and pay respects to the Paliyas of their Dadas and Deris of their Satis.
The majority of the community are followers of Santana Dharama and worship Hindu
Gods such as Ram
, Vishnu
, Krishna
, Shiva
, Ganeshji
, Hanuman
ji, Durga
, Lakshmi
and Saraswati
. In all the nineteen villages you can find the temples of these Hindu
gods built centuries ago. Among these the Thakor Mandir of Kukma
, Sinugra
, Chandiya
, Madhapar
, Nagalpar
and Khambhra
are famous for their intricate craftsmanship and beautiful carvings of gods and goddesses.
Many of them are also followers of Ramdev Pir (1352–1385 AD), whose Samadhi
is at Ramdevra
(or Ranuja) near Pokhran
in the Jaiselmer District of Rajasthan
, whom they consider their Eesht Dev. is also said to have traveled to Kutch on pilgrimage during his life-time. Ramdev Pir was never worshiped as Eshta dev by KGK community but is worshiped by some families like most of the population of Kutch.
One member of their community named Mistri Kanji was one of the five disciples of Kapadi
Sant Mekan Dada
. Mekan Dada (1666–1729 AD) (V.S. 1723–1786) established himself in his later life at Dhrang
in 1786 AD. He and his disciples and animal friends, Motiyo the dog and Laliyo the donkey, are well known for the humanitarian services to the lost and hungry travelers in Rann of Kutch
. He later took a live Samadhi
in Vikram Samvant 1729 AD along with his five disciples, one of who was Kadia Kanji. Many families in Kutch are followers of this Kapadi Samparadaya
which is a very old religious sect dating back to the time of Rama
whose temples, Ashram
s and Akhara
are located in various places in Kutch — mainly at Bikhla, Jangi, Lodai, Dhrang
, Vandhay and Dabada.
Many people of the community started to follow the Pushtimarg
sect of Hinduism founded by Vallabha Acharya
in early 1500 AD. They worship Shrinathji
, a seven-year-old child-deity form of Shri Krishna. This sect had spread into Gujarat by the first quarter of the 16th century.
Many families of this community are followers of Pranami Sampraday
– an off-shoot of Hindu religion, who worship Lord Krishna in his child-form known as Bal-Swaroop or Bal-Goapal
. This sect of Hinduism came to prominence in Gujarat in early 17th century around 1630s.
With the advent of Swaminarayan Sampraday in Kutch during 1810-1820s many families of the KGK community adopted Swaminarayan Religion and they were instrumental in construction of Swaminarayan Mandir and Dharamshalas
in some of the nineteen villages including Anjar
, Kumbharia
, Madhapar
and Sinugra
where there were large numbers of followers. Further, a saint of their community, Shri Narayana Mistri, was also responsible for conversion of even many Kanbis and Patidar
in to Swaminarayan Sect in Kutch.
A person of their community from Kukma became Sanyasi in decade of 1870s and was named as Sant Garib Dashji by his Guru Iswar Ramji. He established Sant Garibdasji Ashram
in Kukma
. This Gadi
is follower of Ramanandi
sect of Haridwar
. Sant Garib Dasji was followed by Sant Bhan Dasji and Sadhu Vashudevji is heading the Gadi at present in 2011. All the three successors to the Gadi are saints are from their community. Further, Gadi in Vandhay
village of same sect was founded by Sadhu Val Dasji also a saint of their community from village Kukma.
Though the different families independently worshiped different gods their core identity remained the same as Kshatriyas and Hindu and all of them always remained in unison and bound to their historical identity of KGK and inter-married only within these nineteen villages, irrespective of which god or goddess and sect the other family followed.
Marriage is only permitted with a girl whose surname and Kuldevi differ from that of boy's family. The community in other words are an endogamous
community who practice the principle of clan exogamy
. However, in present circumstances, they have become liberal as far as endogamy is concerned but clan exogamy is still strictly followed when marriages are fixed within the community.
During historic times every village had a head, often called "Gaam Na Patel". That is similar to the Sarpanch
of recent times.
Head of all nineteen villages, and so the whole community, was elected every few years. This head was titled "Patel" or "Naat na Patel". It was an honorary title and the head-man used "Patel" before their name, which is not to be confused with the Patel
surname commonly found in Gujarat.
The community was called "Gnati" or "Naat" and community gatherings were called "Moti-Naat". The Patel was also head of the judicial body of five people called "Panch", members of which were elected by the community. The decisions given by this "Moti-Naat" and "Panch" were considered final in case of any dispute regarding partition of property, marriage, divorce, etc. and the whole community used to abide by their decisions.
clans such as the Jethwa
, Chawda/Chawra/Chaora
, Rathor/Rathore/Rathod
, Chauhan/Chouhan/Chowhan
, Maru, Varu, Vaghela, Sawaria/Savaria/Sarvaiyas, Chudasama
, Solanki
, Parmar, Khodiyar
, Padhiyar
, Yadav, Bhansod/Bhalsod, Tank/Taunk
, Gohil
, Vadher/Wadher, Wegad/Vegad, Makwana, Bhatti. There is a list of surnames in the books of the Barot
caste, noted at the time of 1179 AD in the chronicles and since re-printed in the book Kumar Gnati History (1896). When Dhaneti was founded Rao Raydhan-Ratna ruled Kutch, as per community documents. The names of their Kuldevis differ as per their clan surname.Patel
and Seth/Sheth
were honorary titles given used by community persons and not their original surnames, although descendants of persons given such titles later adopted them as their surname.
They have idols ('Farias') of their Kuldevi
or Tutelary deity in the nineteen villages established by them. The names of their Kuldevis are Chamunda Maa
, Brahmani Maa
, Sikotar Maa, Khodiyar Maa
, Peethal Maa, Chawal Maa, Boot Bhawani Maa, Bahuchar Maa
, Kalika Mata
, Randal Mata, Oomay Mata, Mahmay Maa and Varuhi Mata.
in Kutch.
The word Mistri
(or Mistry
) means "skilled artisan" in Gujarati
and was adopted into Gujarati language from Portuguese
mestre meaning "master" or "expert". The Portuguese were present in Gujarat from around 1500 AD and the Battle of Diu
was fought in 1509 where the Portuguese later built Diu Fort
. They also acknowledged the expertise of Kadia Kshatriyas
in building fortress and called them mestre. Even the Muslim rulers accepted the expertise of the Kadia
or Kadia Kshatriyas
and were always sought after for building forts and fortress. The community was also known to travel far and wide for building such forts, palaces, etc. Their original roots, as said earlier, was in Rajasthan
and these group of Rajput
or Kshatriya
s were the people who were patronized by Kings for their ability of design fort building with members of the community holding the post of Gaidher
or Raj Mistry
.
Not only the Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistri
community were expert and specialized in stone cutting and construction of forts, palaces, temples and buildings but they were also skilled architects and artisans who could do articulate carvings of doors, windows, pillars, and statues of gods and goddesses and ceilings. They have been the main engineers of almost all historical monuments of the Princely State of Cutch. They have been involved in construction of forts of Tera
, Kanthkot
, Bhujia Fort
and fortification of towns of Anjar, Mandvi, Lakhpat and Rapar
.
The KGK community were major land holders and Jagirdars (or Garasdars) in Kutch from many centuries. They also farmed and maintained large land-holdings with Vadis
and Khetars in and around the nineteen villages they settled. They were once a prosperous community and there was a proverb in Kutch "Mafa-vara Gada to Mistri-na-j hoy" meaning "Such decorated bullock-carts/camel-carts can only belong to Mistri community".
The temple of Ashapura Mata
at Mata no Madh
, the Kuldevi of Jadeja
Rulers of Kingdom of Kutch has been built by Mistri community. Similarly, the Temple at Dhrang
over the Samadhi
of Mekan Dada and Akhara
were also erected by craftsman of the Mistri community. The renovation and reconstruction of Bhadreshwar
Jain Temples, Koteshwar
Mahadev
Temple, and Narayan Sarovar
Temples, Mata-no-Madh; after devastating earthquakes of 1819, 1844–45 and 1875 all have been done by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas
. The famous Chhatri
of Rao Lakhpatji in Bhuj
built in eighteenth century in 1761 AD and Chhatris of other royal family members have been built by this community.
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas community 'Gaidher' Jagmal Pitamber of Anjar
was Gaidher of the Kutch Raaj in the middle of 17th century, "Gadh" meant that the forts of Bhuj
, Anjar
, Mandvi
, Lakhpat
and Mundra
were erected and constructed under supervision of "Gaidher" Jagmal Pitamber with help of other Mistris of the nineteen villages. The community also built other historic forts such as Lakhpat
and Sindri Fort. The Lakhpat
Gurudwara
built by them in the 17th century resembles the houses in their villages. The beautiful carvings of elephants, idols, pillars and wooden ceilings in the Gurudwara housing are similar to those found in the Thakor Mandir of their villages in Sinugra, Chandiya, Madhapar and architecture of Gurudwara, similar to their houses in their villages.
The famous Aaina Mahal
of Bhuj
was built around 1750 during the reign of Jadeja
King, Rao Lakhpatji (1741–1761). The main architect of the palace was Ramsinh Malam who had spent seventeen years in Holland and Belgium
learning the techniques of making clocks, enameling, tiles, architecture and glass works. Rao Lakhpatji appointed him as main architect for Aaina Mahal. The Kadias of Kutch
worked with him in on Aaina Mahal quickly grasped the art of making tile
s, tiling
, enameling and stained glass
works and later used these techniques in building other palaces and majestic houses of their own.
Third in line of succession to Jagmal Pitamber was his son Ruda Gajdhar Jagmal and later his son Jairam Ruda Gajadhar Rathod, who became Gaidher in the reign of Maharao
Shree Pragmalji II of Kutch
who built Prag Mahal
in Bhuj
in 1865 to 1878 AD (V.S. 1922 to 1935). The main designer of Prag Mahal was the British architect Colon Wilikins, who designed it in the Italian Gothic style and the Kadias of Kutch
worked with him in its construction. Started by Rao Pragmalji, who died in 1875, the construction was completed by his son Maharao Shree Khengarji Bawa
in 1878. His Assistant Engineer was "Giadher" Devshi Gova of Khedoi
. Maharo Shree Pragmalji and later Maharao Shree Khengarji Bawa held special affection for Gaidher Jairam Ruda and the Mistris of the nineteen villages were hired on the recommendation of Gaidher. the Alfred High School
, the Fergusson Museum, library, embankment of Hamirsar Lake
, Aara Ghat
in Bhuj
, were all constructed during the reign of Maharao Shree Pragmalji when Gaidher Jairam Ruda of Anjar was the Gaidher
for the State. Also the Mistris were involved in construction of Sharad Baag Palace of Bhuj built in 1867 commissioned during the reign of Rao Dashalji II in 1859–60 and completed during the reign (1860–1875) of Rao Pragmalji II.
Mistri Kanji Gova Rathod of Khedoi was Gaidher
in the court of Gagubha, the Darbar
of Kothara, from 1855 to 1895 and the Jain Dersar (now famous as one of Abdasa-ni-Panchtirthi), the Derasar
of Kothara
and other Palaces of Kothara Darbar were built under the supervision of Mistri Kanji Gova of Khedoi
with help of other Mistris of the nineteen villages in 1858. The other Jain temples of Naliya
, Tera
, Jakhau
and Surthi also have been built by artisans of Mistri community of Kutch, along with their counterparts from Saurashtra.
The Brother of Kanji Gova, Mistri Ruda Gova Rathod of Khedoi
was also the Gaidher
, who constructed in Nagalpar
, the beautifully carved Dargah
of Hussain Pir Shah also known as the Aga Khani Kubo of the Khoja
community, which was inaugurated by Hasan Ali Shah, the Aga Khan I
him-self. Ruda Gova Rathod of Khedoi
started construction in 1860 and completed it in about five years.
The Mistris of Kutch were also involved in construction and erection of Vijay Vilas Palace
built on sea-beach of Mandvi
by Khengarji III of Kutch, as summer palace for his son and yuvraj
Vijayaraji
. The carved stone works of Jali
s, Jharokas
, Chhatri
s, Chhaja
s, mural
s and many other artistic stone carvings, colored glass work
on windows and door panels all have been done by them, an art in which they were expert. The architect and craftsman from other places like Jaipur
, Rajasthan
, Bengal
and Saurashtra, were also involved. The construction started in 1920 completed in 1929.
The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas
have also built and donated funds for religious and charitable purposes building temples as well as hospitals and building schools in Kutch, as well throughout various places in India
. All early Mandir and other infrastructure like Chhabutaro
, Dharamsalas
, Welcome Gate, rest houses, etc. in their nineteen villages are built by them.
The Sanatan Thakor
Mandir, the Juna Vaas and many new infrastructures at Madhapar
were built by Mistris of the village. Renovation work and expansion of the Suralbhit – Jadeshwar Mahadev Temple near Bhuj
was done by Mistris Manji Jeram Rathod and Valji Bhimji Rathod of Madhapar
Village in 1914 (V.S. 1971) financed by Maharao
Sri Khengarji Bawa of Kutch. In year 1943 (V.S. 2000) Manji Jairam Rathod of Madhapar
again did the renovation of Suralbhit – Jadeshwar Temple. The Step-wells near Dhorava Hanuman
Temple were built by Mistri Manji Jeram Rathod of Madhapar
in 1927 from his personal finance. Mistri Valji Bhimji Rathod of Madhapar
was among the few persons who, apart from Royal family, owned a car by special permission of the King of Kutch.
Besides being in construction works Mistris were also entrepreneurs and many of them owned fleets of ships used to import and export dry fruits and spices as well as trading in Muscat
, Mombasa
, Mzizima, Zanzibar
and other countries. Notable among them were Seth Raja Narayan Chawda of Kumbharia
, Seth Khora Ramji Chawda
of Sinugra
, Kachrani Varu of Anjar
and Jairam Teja Chawda of Sinugra
in 1880–1900.
Mistris were a major revenue earner for the Princely State of Cutch. Besides being major land holders jagirdars of Anjar, Bhuj and Mandvi Taluka of Kutch the majority of them worked as railway contractors and public works contractors in British India. They were paid in Indian Rupees which they bought to Kutch and converted into Kutchi currency (Koris
). British Indian Rupees were paper currency and Kori were Silver Coins and on conversion the Koris had to be loaded into many bullock-carts and brought to the villages of the Mistris. The bullock carts were guarded by rifle and sword bearing guards from Bhuj
to their houses. Many Mistris also kept Miyana
as their guards. Many Miyana families were patronized by Mistirs and they were employed to work as guards for the whole village and also to work and look after their farmhouses and farms. KGK Community paid their tax on their huge income earned from Railway and other Contracts job to the Princely State of Cutch, instead of to British India and were therefore respected by the Jadeja
kings of Kutch. Many families of the Mistri community held friendly relationships with the different Kings of Kutch.
Many of them also worked as private bankers, notable among whom were Seth Khora Ramji Chawra of Sinugra
, Jetha Lira Jethwa of Sinugra
, Seth Raja Narayan Chawda of Kumbharia
, Jairam Teja Chawra of Sinugra
, Patel Mandan Ramji Vegad of Anjar
etc. Some of them were so rich that their children studied at the prestigious Rajkumar College, Rajkot
and the Rajkumar College, Raipur
between 1920 and 1950.
have also built and donated funds for religious and charitable purposes, building temples as well as hospitals and in field of child and girls education by building schools in Kutch as well through out various places in India
. All early Mandir and other infrastructure like Chhabutaro
, Dharamsalas
, Welcome Gate, Rest Houses, etc. in their nineteen villages are built by them.
A few examples are given below:-
At Anjar
, the community had built famous Thakor Janraiji Temple of the town and this temple was patronized by them till independence of India almost up to 1950s. The temple was built by fore father of Gaidher
Jairam Ruda Gajdhar Rathod.
Khoda Ramji started Primary School named Seth Khora Ramji Prathmik Shala in Sinugra
in 1910. Bhimji Devji Rathod started Girls School in Madhapar
. Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor
built Boarding House for students in Bhuj
in 1932. Lira Raja Rathod of Khambhra
and Dhanji Ratanji Rathod of Nagalpar
built Boarding House and School in Anjar
. A major donation for Anjar Boarding was also given Rai Sahib Narshi Bechar Khodiyar of Anjar
and Kharagpur. Mistri community also helped to develop Ashram
s of Dhrang
and Vandhay in Kutch. Mistri community donated large sums of money to Sant Odhavramji
of Vandhay
, who started the first Gurukul
of Kutch, named Ishwarramji Gurukul, in year 1937 and Blind School in 1938 both in Vandhai, Kutch. One of his disciple and the major donor was Manji Jeram Rathod of Madhapar
.
Swaminarayan Mandir in Kumbharia
was built by Jivan Narayan Chauhan in 1868. He and his son Govamal Jeevan also built the village pond Dharamsalas, etc. in Kumbharia
. The Swaminarayan Mandir of Madhapar
, Sinugra
, Anjar
and Bhuj
were also built or promoted with major donations from Mistri community during their founding years. The famous Thakor Mandir of Sinugra
were built by Khoda Ramji Chawda and Brothers with Khoda Ratna Tank of Sinugra
in 1895. The Chabutro
, Jadeshwar Mahadev
Temple, Harijan
Vaas
, were all built by Khora Ramji and brothers. Ramdev Pir temple built by Jetha Lira Jethwa of Sinugra
.
The Hanuman
Temple and Vaadi
of Hajapar
are built by Nanji Govindji Tank in 1920.
At village Khambhra
, Temples, Public Library, Balwadi
, Chabutro
, Harijan
Vaas
and more particularly the Dam with the check dams which could store water for the whole village for years in those drought prone ages were single-handedly designed, build and donated by Lira Raja Rathod (Bhalsod) son of Raja Ruda of Khambhra
and Kolkata.
Thakor Mandir at Nagalpar
was built by Lira Valji Tank in 1920s. The Nagalpar welcome gate, Chabutro, Dargah of Hussain Pir all built by Mistri community.
At Nagor
, the Harijan
Vaas
, Temple, Public Garden, pond and 10 km long pucca road from Bhuj
to Nagor
was built and donated by Jagmal Raja.
At Galpadar
, the Bhagavan
Ram
Temple, Ramdev Pir Temple and Hanuman
ji Temple were all built by Nanji and Khubha Mavji Chavda. The huge pond named Meghsar Talav and other old infrastructure at Galpadar
is also built by Mistris of Village in late 19th century.
Similarly, the big pond in outskirts of Kukma
village and community halls, Hindu
Temples were also built by the community. The primary school and exclusive Boarding house and Hostel for Girl students at Kukma
were built Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas. The Sant Garibdasji Ashram Dharamshala at Kukma was built and donated by Mistri Ghela Pachan Parmar. The Mahadev
Temple at Kukma was built and donated by Raja Ladhha and Ramji Lira and Mulji Ramji Rathor in 1934.
The beautiful Thakor Mandir and Jadeshwar Mahadev
Temple at Chandiya
, Vidi
, Meghpar
, Jambudi
, Lovaria were also built by them.
In year 1940, Mavji Dahya Chauhan of Sinugra
, who established himself as industrialist in Belur-Hassan, floated Nutan Kelvani Mandal, which started Balawadi
and Kanya
Shala
in almost all 19 villages of the community.
Immediately after the earthquake of July 21, 1956, two Refugee camp
s (now known as Mistri Camp-1 and Mistri Camp-2) for refugee relief were set up by the Mistri
a.k.a. KGK Community in out-skirts of Anjar
town, in which they later built small concrete housing blocks for the poor people, who had lost their house.
The same camps again came to use for refugee relief operations at the time of massive earthquake that hit Kutch on January 26, 2001, when Anjar
and adjoining villages of Sinugra
, Khambhra
, Nagalpar
, Devaliya were totally devastated. At the time of 2001 earthquake that devastated Kutch, the KGK Community residing in various States of India and abroad also rushed in reliefs and voluntary donations to help earthquake victims, with many people personally carrying medicines, clothes and monies in vans and trucks from Ahmedabad
to far off places like Raipur and Dhanbad
.
Many families of Mistris also migrated outside India
to other British Colonies like Aden
, East Africa
, Zanzibar
, South Africa
, Fiji
, Burma, Ceylon and the Maldives during the middle of 19th century. They were encouraged by the British as these countries lacked skilled persons. They have worked in building the Aden railway, the Ceylon Government Railway, for the Burma Railway Company, Sittang Valley State Railway, Mu Valley State Railway, Thaton-Duyinzaik Railway, Irrawaddy Valley State Railway, East African Railways Corporation, Uganda Railway
and the South African Railways. Even today you can find their descendants living in Uganda
, Kenya
, Tanzania
, Zanzibar, etc. Although at present many have moved out of East Africa and settled in the United Kingdom
, the USA or have returned to India
after the political uncertainty during 1960–80. This was especially true during the Zanzibar Revolution
in the mid 1960s and during the rule of Idi Amin
in Uganda.
projects and Forest Department and Public Works Department. They have also done major roadway, road bridges, canal works, irrigation dams and barrage work through-out British India from 1850 to 1980. The communities largest contribution is in the building of the early railway lines and bridges throughout British India. Their families migrated out of Kutch and settled in various parts of India during these early years of railway construction. Their works in Railway construction span from 1850 to 1980 for more than one and a quarter of century.
Starting as small time masons in Railway Construction in decade of 1850 and later working as Sub-contractors or Agent to British Engineers, they rose to a level of First Class Railway Contractors by 1880. By 1900 they had established their Monopoly in various divisions of Railways through out North,South,East and West of British India and by 1920 they became masters in this field that many of them were given title of Rai Bahadur by British
exclusively for their engineering feats in erection of Railway Bridges and laying lines in most difficult terrain. Their feats are amazing also because almost all of the early pioneering Mistri Contractors could only write in Gujarati and had hardly studied up to third standard in vernacular schools of their dusty villages, still they managed to build bridges and lay railway lines, which required scientific measurement and calculation and could manage to work and speak with British Railway Officers and Engineers.
They preferred to work as a syndicate, where the railway contracts would be taken by them and sub-let to fellow Mistri contractors belonging to their 19 villages. Thus they held sway in many divisions of Railways in British India. There was dearth of skilled persons in India who were ready to work in difficult terrains of mountains and jungles due to the risk of being killed by diseases like malaria, cholera, plague and by wild animals or gangs of robbers and outlaws. The early British records of many railway companies have noted that many British engineers and labour resigned, left or even perished due to killer diseases like malaria, cholera and from the effects of the heat and sun while laying the railway lines. Working as a railway contractor in these early days meant staying away from home for many months, or even years. In these difficult circumstances the KGK were the pioneers, laying lines as far as Assam
, Chittagong
, Peshawar
and Madras, thousands of miles away from their homes in Kutch. Before the arrival of the railways the main means of transport were horse-cart, bullock-cart or moving on foot. They used to travel with their families and children and there are many records of their children being born in remote jungles.
The laying of the railways needed a lot of physical labor and stamina for jobs like leveling the earth, the cutting back of the jungle, blasting of mountain passes and cuttings, laying ballast
along tracks and walking several of miles daily. Mechanical knowledge for track interlocking
s, switching
, and advanced engineering calculations for building bridges and their arches and abutment
s, laying foundations in river beds, deep well-sinking, laying span
s and many such technical jobs. Similarly they built the platform
s, the station buildings, the station master
's room, ticket counters, rest rooms and other facilities such as over-head water tanks, the digging of ponds nearby for an uninterrupted supply of water, building the signal cabin, rail yard
and staff quarters.
The railways needed an uninterrupted supply of bricks, boulders and lime-paste for building of the infrastructure in those early days between 1850 and 1900. The KGK also known as Chunaras (lime workers) for many decades, cashed in on this opportunity and many of them started brickworks
and lime-kilns in remote, forested and inaccessible areas of British India to supply the materials. The railways needed bricks of specific sizes and dimensions which were a little bigger and stronger than the ordinary bricks used in house construction. It should be noted here that in those days lime-paste was used for construction. The community were also expert in the art of stone cutting that they had inherited from their fore-fathers, who were masters at building forts. These cut-rocks have been used in most old bridges and platform buildings and can still be seen surviving today.
In history of India, Mistris of Kutch are probably the only community, whose migration out of their home land Kutch, was attributed to construction of Railways in British era. This is a unique fact about association of Railways and Mistris of Kutch
For further details, see page Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas contributions to the Indian railways.
The first ports of Bombay were built during 1750 to 1760 and the people who worked in construction of Bombay Port and Hornby Vellard
, which was built during years 1780–1830, were the Kamathis
of South India
, Sikar
s of Rajasthan
, Mistri
s of Kutch and Kadias
of Saurashtra. Other docks were developed in Bombay during 1870–1895 (Prince's Docks built in the year 1885 and Victoria Docks built in the year 1891) in which many Mistris of Kutch and Kadia Kshatriyas
of Saurahstra worked.
In 1883 the Mandvi Port Docks and a bridge over the Rukmavati River
at Mandvi
were built by Vishram Karman Chawda of Chandiya
. Details are mentioned in the book Ratna Bhagat ni Chopdi – 2nd Edition (1935) in an article by Jethalal V. Chawda. This bridge on the Rukmavati river is the longest stone bridge of its kind in India.
Harji Jeevan Chauhan of Kumbharia
built the docks for Karachi Port Trust
in 1895–1898. The complete extension work of Karachi Docks was completed by him in three years.
The Ken Canal works over Ken River
in the Banda District for the Banda Public Works Department in 1907 was done by Ruda Raja Rathod of Khambhra
.
During the year 1912–1914, Mistris of Kutch also worked in construction of India's first syphen dam at Madamsilli Dam near Dhamtari
. One major contractor was Vishram Raja of Khambhra
.
Similarly, during 1915–1920 Kalji Vasta Chauhan and Virji Ranchhod Chauhan of Sinugra
built Khuntaghat Dam and canals on the Kharoong River 12 km from Ratanpur
in the Central Province
.
In 1924 the extension of Calcutta Port Trust
at Khiddirpore
in Calcutta was made by building a new dock named the "King George Dockyard" and was done by Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan with Bhimjee Pancha Chauhan and Mavji Punja Chauhan, all from Nagor
. This work was completed in 1927and the dock has now been re-named as "Netaji Subhas Docks".
Jairam Karsan Chauhan of Nagor
, stationed at Sambalpur
, was one of the major contractors who worked in construction of the Hirakud Dam
, construction of which started in 1948 and was completed in 1957.
In year 1956, when construction of Tawa Dam began on Tawa River
near Hoshangabad
, one of the major Contractor for the work was Mavji Ruda Chawra of Madhapar
, who was son of Late Rai Sahib Ruda Laddha Chawra. The Dam was completed in 1974.
Narayan Bhawan Maru and Amarshi Pragji Maru of Devaliya were the contractors who built the Parola Dam near Hingoli
, construction of which began in 1964 and was completed in 1971.
or Mistri
community were also the pioneers to enter in to Coal Mining business in Dhanbad
- Jharia
-Bokaro
-Hazaribagh
-Asansol
Coalfields area in erstwhile Bengal
, Bihar
and Orissa
of British India; starting from 1894 to 1925 and established many collieries breaking the monopoly of British and Europeans in that field.
They established collieries at Khas Jharia
, Jinagora, Jamadoba
, Balihari
, Fatehpur, Gareria, Bansjora, Janudih, Joyrampur, Tisra
, Katras
garh, Dharmabad, Kujama, Kajora, Kailudih
, Parascole, Parasia, Kusunda
, Kutchi Balihari, Golukdih, Mahuda, Pandibri, Rajapur, Govindpur, Sijua
, Sijhua
, Lodna, Loyabad
, Dhansar
, Basra, Bhuli, Bermo
, Bhaga, Mugma
, Chas
nala-Bokaro
, Bhaga, Bugatdih
, Putki
, Chirkunda
, Barora, Bhowrah
, Bhojudih, Sinidih
, Bastacolla, Jambad, Kajoragram, Sudamdih, Moonidih, Kendwadih
, South Karanpura, Dumka
, Hindegir, West Tumang at McCluskieganj
in erstwhile States of Bihar and Bengal and Donganalla, Pali
, Hingir-Rampur, Ib-Valley, Brajrajnagar, Ghorghori, Ghoradongri
, Tavaveli, Betul
, etc. in Orissa and Central Provinces
to name a few.
The credit of being first Indian to break the monoploy of British in Jharia Coalfields goes to Seth Khora Ramji Chawda
of Sinugra
. In the life sketch of Khora Ramji given in Encyclopedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa - the British have noted this fact in year 1920 - "In Jharia Coalfield he was first Indian to seize the opportunity and by his prompt entry into colliery business, he was able to remove the stigma that would otherwise be leveled against his community as backward class." Further, details are given in the book Diary of Golden Days at Jharia - A Memoir and History of Gurjar Kashtriya Samaj of Kutch in Coalfields of Jharia - written by Natwarlal Devram Jethwa - Quote: The East Indian Railway in 1894-95 extended its line from Barakar
to Dhanbad
via Katras
and Jharia
. Messrs. Khora Ramji in 1894 was working on railway lines contract of Jharia branch line and with his brothers was also building Jharia Railway Station. Messrs. Khora Ramji was a HUF
of five brothers and their sons: Khora Ramji Chawda, Narayan Pachhan Ramji Chawda, Murji Akhai Ramji Chawda, Jairam Teja Ramji Chawda and their half-brother Jetha Lira Vela Jethwa. The Jharia coalfields was discovered while digging up the earth for laying this railway line. Khora Ramji while working near Jharia Railway station immediately realized the gold he had struck and purchased the lands from Raja of Jharia. He similarly purchased about eight coal-fields from years 1895-1909. Further, he also encouraged fellow Mistri contractors to purchase the land and even financed them to do so. He later approached Raja of Jharia for lease of mining rights and laid foundation of his colliery business. The location of his three collieries named Jeenagora, Khas Jherria, Gareria is mentioned also in 1917 Gazetteers of Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Orissa.:- Unquote
To give a few examples, in Jharia
-Dhanbad
coal-belt in Manbhum
District: Seth Khora Ramji Chawda of Sinugra
founded Khas Jharia
, Golden Jharia, Fatehpur, Balihari
,Khas Jeenagora, East Bhuggatdih
and Gareria Colliries. with their brothers, Teja Ramji, Akhoy Ramji, Pachan Ramji Chowra and Jetha Lira Jethwa of Sinugra
between years 1895-1910. In Pure Jharia Colliery Khora Ramji and brothers were partners with Diwan Bahadur D. D. Thacker. Govamal Jivan Chauhan of Kumbharia
founded Pandubra and Golukdih Collieries during 1908-10. The life-sketch of Seth Khora Ramji Chawda of Sinugra
and Govamal Jivan Chauhan of Kumbharia
is mentioned specially by British in Encyclopedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa mentioning their feats of Railway works and Coal Mining. The other notable from this community were Ramji Gangji Sawaria of Kumbharia
founded Basra Colliery, brothers Khimjee Dossa and Gangji Dossa Jethwa of Nagalpar
founded collieries at North Kujama, North Akashkinari, Katrasgaarh, Central Jharia, Indian Jharia and Lower Upper Jharia Tisra
and Katras
, Joyram Gohil of Sinugra
founded Joyrampur and Khas Bagatdih
Collieries, Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja of Nagor
and Manji Jeram of Madhapar
founded Rajapur Colliery. Dana Premji Maru of Devaliya at Jharia, Ghela Devraj and Karamsinh Ghela, Viram Ghlea Chawda of Devaliya at Tisra, Khimji Valji Chauhan of Reha
, Amarsinh Gowamal and Manji Gowamal of Kumbharia
at Tisra, Ratanji Ramji Rathod and his son Dhanji Ratanji of Nagalpar
founded Diamond Coal Company at Tisra
, Khengar Triku Padhiyar of Anjar
, Premji Dana of Anjar
, Dhanji Devshi Solanki of Madhapar
, Devraj Ramji of Kumbharia
founded Janudih Colliery, Ratna Mepa Tank of Devaliya founded Khas Junadih, Jairam Shivjee of Khedoi
, Valji Narayan Chauhan of Reha
, Veera Mavji of Galpadar
, Walji Kheta Chauhan of Nagalpar
founded K. S. Nanji and Company at Nanji Kujama, Ruda Manji of Kukma
, Narsingh Harji of Kukma
at Kendwadih, Parbat Vira Tank of Khambhra
, Dhanji Devji Rathor of Madhapar
, Hardas Devani Padhiyar of Anjar
, Bhawan Kara of Balambha
, Gova Petha of Chandiya
, Mepa Nondha of Chandiya
, Pachhan Dahya Gohil and Ladhha Mengal Gohil of Sinugra
all started collieries at Tisra
, Katras
, Jharia
coalfields. Ramji Dhanji Chawda of Kumbharia
founded Hingir-Rampur Colliery in year 1909 near Brajrajnagar, brothers Rai Sahib Mulji Jagmal Savaria and Ranchhod Jagmal Sawaria of Kumbharia
founded Donganalla Colliery in year 1921-22 near Pali near Pendra Road in Central Provinces, while Rai Sahib Vishram Walji Rathod of Madhapar
founded Ghoraghori, Ghoradongri
and Tavaveli colliaries near Chhindwara
, Ghela Pachan and Devji Ghela Parmar of Kukma
founded Lower Joyrampur Colliery in Manbhum
and Jambad Selcted Colliery and Kajoragram Coal Mines near Asansol
in Bengal, Hirji Karamshi Chauhan and Rai Sahib Lalji Hirji Chauhan of Devaliya founded collieries of South Karanpura at Hindegir and West Tumang at McCluskieganj
in Hazaribagh
District.
The KGK Community laid the foundation of collieries and coal mines in Dhanbad-Jharia-Bokaro fields on which the later other communities like Punjabis
: (Khanna, Thapar), Kutchis
: (Nandwana, Chanchani, Worah, Ojha, Ramsarandas), Marwaris
: (Agarwalla, Poddar, Motiram Roshanlal, Seth Jharumal), Gujaratis
: (Patel, Thacker, Kalyanji Mavji, Kesabji Pitamber, Ajmera, Pathak, Rawal, Mehta), Bengali
: (Mondal, Seal, Bagchi, Banerjee, Bakshi, Ghose, Nag), Hindustani
: (Thakur, Singh, Sahu) also followed and prospered in decades after 1930. Encyclopaedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa -1920 mentions:- "Out of 92 collieries belonging to Gujarati
s in Jharia
Coalfields Area during 1920s - 50 belonged to Mistris of Kutch
with Seth Khora Ramji as Head of them all." Seth Khora Ramji of Sinugra was also honored by King of Kutch by giving him a Paghdi
. Khora Ramji died in year 1923, a decade after his death in 1938, two of his collieries Khas Jharia and Golden Jharia, which also housed their bungalow then run by his sons Ambalal Khora, Karamsinh Khora and Chandulal Khora, capsized due to now infamous underground fires.
As per details given in Diary of Golden Days at Jharia - A Memoir and History of Gurjar Kashtriya Samaj of Kutch in Coalfields of Jharia - written by Natwarlal Devram Jethwa - Quote: "Seth Khora Ramji headed the first association as mentioned by British authorities in Encyclopaedia Bengal, Bihar and Orissa (1920). After him many members of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya community have been at the post of Chairman of Indian Colliery Owner's Association, which was formed after his death. At that time there were three associations (1) Indian Mining Association - which was formed by British Coal Miners largely dominated by European owned large corporate Coal Mining companies concentrated in Ranigunj Coal Belt. The other was (2) Indian Mining Federation - formed by aristocrat Bengali miners mostly having coal-mines in Ranigunj Coalfields and the third association, which was formed on the initiative of than dominant Colliery owners community i.e. lead by Mistris of Kutch with other Kutchi, Gujarati and Marwari colliery owners mainly concentrated in Jharia Coalfields was (3) Indian Colliery Owners' Association (ICOA), Jharia." -Unquote.
As per referred books, Lala Karamchand Thapar
, who started his business career in Jharia coalfields in late 1920s, was helped by KGK community, initially to get him established as Coal Merchant, especially by Devram Jetha of Sinugra
. As written in the book Diary of Golden Days at Jharia – A Memoir and History of Gurjar Kashtriya Samaj of Kutch in Coalfields of Jharia: "After him many members of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya community have been at the post of Chairman of Indian Colliery Owner's Association, which was formed after his death. At that time there were three associations (1) Indian Mining Association – which was formed by British Coal Miners largely dominated by European owned large corporate Coal Mining companies concentrated in Ranigunj Coal Belt. The other was (2) Indian Mining Federation – formed by aristocrat Bengali miners mostly having coal-mines in Ranigunj Coalfields and the third association, which was formed on the initiative of than dominant Colliery owners community i.e. led by Mistris of Kutch with other Kutchi, Gujarati and Marwari colliery owners mainly concentrated in Jharia Coalfields was (3) Indian Colliery Owners' Association (ICOA), Jharia."
After nationalization of the coal mines in 1971–73 a downturn in the fortunes of KGK community came. There are still many buildings and markets constructed by them in Dhanbad
, Jharia
and Raipur in Chhatisgarh. The community members having collieries at Jharia
wanted their wards to study at Rajghat Besant School
in Benaras run by the Krishnamurti Foundation India but the college hosteld were full and declined to take any more students. The community elders were persistent and offered to build an exclusive hostel in the campus if they agreed to take all their wards into their Collage. They built a hostel and donated it to the college who decided to name is Jharia Hostel as all the residents were from the mining community of Jharia
, mostly belonging to the KGK Community of Kutch.
founded the Manganese Ore mines at Chaibasa
in 1910 and Arjan Ladhha Mines sometimes misspell as Arjun Lodha Mines at Balagoda
. Lalji Jhina of Anjar
also owned Manganese ore mines in Chaibasa
. Rai Sahib Mulji Jagmal Savaria of Kumbharia
and Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji Chauhan
of Kumbharia
owned Manganese, Dolomite and Limestone Mines in at Jairamnagar
, Akaltara
, Tirodi
, Katni
in Central Provinces. Jeevram Jairam Chawda of Sinugra
owned Minerals mines in Saraikela
. The community members also owned Slate and Granite mines in Markapur
and Minerals Mines in Keonjhar. Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan
of Nagor
owned Silica mines in Shankargarh
. Hirji Premji Parmar of Kukma
and Deoji Jairam Solanki of Madhapar
owned soap-stone and kaoline mines at Asansol
and Hazaribagh
. At present in Kutch, many members of Mistri community own China Clay and Bentonite mines.
were also involved in construction of Victoria Terminus for Great Indian Peninsula Railway, Bombay Central and Colaba Terminus
both for Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway, Bombay High Court
, Taj Hotel, J. J. School of Art, Town Hall, Wilson Collage
, Apollo Bundar to name a few in city of Bombay. Cutch Castle of Bombay, the royal palace belonging to Rulers of Kutch was erected by Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor
of KGK Community for Maharao Shri Khengarji Bawa, who shared a personal friendship with Jagmal Raja.
In Nasik, the now famous temple complex of Muktidham
, was built and donated by Industrialist and Contractor of the community Jairam Dahya Chauhan
of Kumbharia
.
The huge Chabutro
, just outside Railway Station at Raigarh
, a famous landmark of town, was built and donated by Shyamji Gangji Savaria of Kumbharia
in 1910.
In 1929, the British Authorities, named a Railway Station as Jairamnagar
, after famous Railway Contractor of the community Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji Chauhan
of Kumbharia
, a rare honor in those days.
In Raipur, the famous Ramdev Market was built by Madhavji Kunvarjee Vadher of Sinugra
in 1930s. Also the famous Ramji Buidling housing many Hotels and Restaurants at Jai Stambh Chowk in Raipur was built by Ramji Karaman Rathod of Khambhra
in 1940s and the famous Raja Bhawan at Fafadih Chowk, built like a royal palace was built by Lira Raja Rathod of Khambhra
in 1935.
In Calcutta apart from building Docks of Calcutta Port and Railway lines and building complex of Howrah Station
for East Indian Railway
and Sealdah
for Eastern Bengal Railway, the community were involved in construction of Howrah Bridge
. Many Victorian buildings in Kolkata have been built by the karigars (artisans) of the Mistri community of Kutch. They were also involved in construction of Victoria Memorial
Lira Raja Rathod of Khambhra
erected many buildings in Calcutta in decades of 1925 to 1945 namely Raja Bhawan at Central Avenue, Raja Court and Raja Terrace at Mission Row, Raja Mansion and Raja Chambers near Strand Road and Godavari Bhawan at Bhawanipur and gained a name as a Real Estate owner in city. Many of these buildings are now land-marks of the city.
In Dhanbad
the present day Rathod Market and Chawda Market both standing adjacent to each other in heart of the city were built in decade of 1930-40 by Kanji Premji Rathod of Khambhra
and Ghela Devraj Chawda of Devaliya, respectively.
In Orissa
, the famous Shail Sadan Palace in Bolangir belonging to royal family of Patna Raj
was constructed in 1886 by Karsan Bhima Rathor of Madhapar
, while he was stationed at Cuttack
doing Railway Contracts.
At Rameshwaram, while working on Pamban Bridge
the Mistris Lakhu Devji Vegad of Anjar
and Gangji Narayan of Khedoi
also built famous Temple of Neel-Mandir having seven domes, construction which, they started in 1899 and completed in about five years by 1905.
In 1923 by request of Commissioner, Kadia
Bhanji Dhanji Rathod of Devaliya had done repair and rehabilitation of Dwarakadheesh temple
with Ranchhod Ramji Chauhan of Nagalpar
, as per tablet in Temple's records.
In 1932 upon completion of Bally Bridge, Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor
was recommended by the erstwhile Viceroy of India, The Earl of Willingdon
to Rana of Nepal
, Shree Juddha Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, who needed Contractor of repute to do renovation and rehabilitation of his Palaces and temples. He was given the Contract for the same and Parbat Harji Chauhan, Karaman Devji Chauhan both of Kukma
and Manji Shivjee of Madhapar
were delegated by Jagmal Raja to go to Kathmandu, Nepal
with a team of artisans and masons to supervise and complete the work. It took about two and half years for the job to be completed.
was built mainly from donations of the KGK community under the guidance of Sant Odhavram
and the leadership of Manji Jeram Rathod of Madhapar
in 1954–56. The land for Kutchi Dharamsala in Dwarka
was donated by Lira Raja Rathod of Khambhra
. The Kutchi Kadia Dharamsala in Mathura was built by Khoda Ramji Chawda and Jetha Lira Jethwa of Sinugra
. The Gujarati
Jalaram
Dharamsala
in Amarkantak
was also built by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas mainly at behest of Prabhulal Karsanjee of Sinugra
. Bechar Hardas Khodiyar of Anjar
started Gujarati School and constructed Ram Temple at Kharagpur
. The community also donated a large sums to built Arya-Kanya Gurukul at Porbandar
, Vikas Vidhaylaya of Wadhwan
. Further, Mistris Jagmal Gangji Savaria of Kumbharia
built a Ram Temple in Bilaspur
in 1890 and his brothers Shyamji Gangji Savaria of Kumbharia
a temple in Raigarh
in 1895 and Jeevan Gangji Savaria of Kumbharia
built a temple and pond in Chhatna
in 1903 when they were working as Railway Contractors. In 1920 a charitable trust for promoting education called Jharia Vidhhyotejak Fund was started by Mistri
Colliery owners at Jharia
. This Fund started the Jharia Gujarati Primary School in 1920 and also gave scholarship to the children of their society. At Cuttack
, a school named Gujarati Pathshala started in 1928, which was renamed as Anglo Gujarati School in 1941 was started by Rai Saheb Kunwarji Karsan Rathod of Madhapar
. A public library was also started by him in 1931. The famous Ramdev Pir Temple in Raipur at Fafadih Chowk was built and financed by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas. A Gujarati Primary School was also started by community at Raipur. The famous Chabutro
near Raigarh railway station (almost a replica of one found in villages of Mistri
) – a landmark of the city was erected by Shayamji Gangji Sawaria of Kumbharia
. Jairam Daya Chauhan of Kumbharia
, who built Muktidham
Temple at Nashik Road
also donated a large sums to start Collage in Nasik named J. D. Bytco Commerce And N. S. Chandak Science College and D D Bytco Boys High School and Jr College both at Nasik. Rai Sahib Goapl Nanji Tank of Kukma
donated funds to start the Vidarbha Ayurvedic Collage and a Hospital, which has been named the Gopal Nanji Tank Hospital at Amravati
. M. H. Wegad Science Collage in Umred
was built by Harlilal Devanda Wegad of Kumbharia
and Balaghat. Rai Sahib Mulji Jagmal and Ranchhod Jagmal Savaria built a Hospital in Ratanpur
. Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor
built the huge Dharamsala near Jhusi Ashram housing more than 100 rooms on banks of the Ganges River at Allahbad during 1910, a temple in Rajkot and boarding house for students in Pune
. The Gujarati School in Valsad
was started by Rai Sahib Vishram Valji Rathor of Madhapar
. Nanji Govindji Tank of Hajapar
built the existing Hindu Cemetorium and also a Ram Temple both at Jamshedpur and was one of the founder-trustee of the "Gujrati Sanatan Samaj" Community Center at Bistupur
. Furthermore the KGK community, started by donations from community members, created charitable trusts for education and medical purposes. Kanji Daya Chawda of Sinugra
, built a Dharamsala
in Keonjhar now named Kanji Daya Dharamsala for public and charitable use in 1934.
In 1947 to 1958 there were major land reform acts passed by parliament. The Zamindari Abolition Act (1947), Bihar Zamindari Abolition Act (1948), Bihar Land Reforms Act (1950), The Saurashtra Land Reforms Act (1951) and The Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands (Vidarbha Region and Kutch Area) Act (1958) came into effect. The large land holdings in Kutch and Saurashtra were lost because the law provided that the "land belongs to whom, who tills it" ("Khede teni jamin"). Most of the male members of Mistri community were enterprenuers and the agriculture lands of the Mistri
community in Kutch were transferred by the government to the persons who tilled it. In the states of Bombay, Bihar and Saurashtra, where they also had purchased, agriculture lands were lost due to these acts.
In 1971–73 coal mines all over India
were nationalized by an emergency act passed by Parliament. The Coking Coal Mines (Emergency Provisions) Act (1971), followed by the Coking Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act (1972) and the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act (1973) came into effect and the Coal mines assets of the community were all taken over by the government.
The KGK community continues to struggle as their land holdings and coal mines have gone. Further, the skills of their fore-fathers in building and erecting railway lines and bridges is also gone as young generations are neither interested nor are there opportunities as railway contracts are now given to big engineering conglomerates. At present they are mainly involved in small time business and services.
The majority of the one time prosperous community of KGK Mistris living in Kutch and Saurahstra today are devoid of agricultural land and have been rightly included as one of the Other Backward Class
community in State of Gujarat by the government of India. But the irony remains that many of the community members, who migrated outside Kutch to the other states of India more than a century ago, cannot take advantage of this "OBC Class" for their children as this is valid only for children studying in the state of Gujarat.
Their settlements along major and also minor rail-heads and interior railway links are a living proof to the fact of them as being the pioneering Indian community in history of laying railway lines and railway bridges in British India.
At present, in Gujarat in Kutch District
—Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas are mainly residing Anjar, Nagalpar, Sinugra, Galpadar, Chandiya, Adipur, Gandhidham, Mandvi, Mundra, Varsamedi, Dabda, Tuna, Yadapur, Varmanagar
, Momai Nagar, Kandla, Khedoi, Reha, Hajapar, Madhapar, Kukma, Devaliya, Kumbharia, Lovaria, Khambhra, Nagor and Bhuj. It may be worthwhile to mention that today out of nineteen villages founded by them in 12th Century, there are almost no families of these community in Ratnal, Meghpar, Jambudi and Vidi.
While in Saurashtra region of Gujarat they are in Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Okha, Surat, Jamnagar, Anand, Ankleshwar, Dwarka, Mithapur, Vapi, Valsad, Umbergaon, Umred, Navsari, Morbi, Bharuch, Vasad, Daman, Dharampur, Piploi, Chhota Udaipur, Porbandar, Junagadh, Gondal, Bhavnagar, Halol, Derol, Himmatnagar, etc.
In Maharashtra
, families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Mumbai, Kalyan, Thane, Mandatitwala, Dahanu, Pune, Khandala, Lonavala, Khapoli, Nashik, Nashik Road, Ratnagiri, Manmad, Bhusaval, Barsi, Dhond, Sholapur, Nandurbar, Igatpuri, Amravati, Achalpur, Paratwada, Murtijapur, Badnera, Akola, Washim, Nagpur, Gondia, Bhandara, Wardha, Umrer, Shegaon, Tirodi, Tumsar, Yawatmal, Pusad, Sirsodi, Rajgurunagar, Saoner, Chandrapur, Ballar-shah, Barsi, Latur, Osmanabad, Kolhapur, Miraj, Parli-Baijnath, Purna, Dharmabad, Parbhani, Umred, Pandharpur, Nanded, Hingoli, Jalna, Aurangabad, Khamgaon, Shrirampur, Belapur, Nandurbar, Beed.
In Chhattisgarh
, families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Dongargarh, Khairagarh, Rajnandgaon, Durg, Bhilai, Kumhari, Kharora, Aarang, Raipur, Dhamtari, Rajim, Sargaon, Ambikapur, Abhanpur, Bilaspur, Jairamnagar, Korba, Pali, Pendra Road, Champa, Sakti, Kawardha, Chirimiri, Bagbahra, Bhatapara, Baloda Bazar, Mahasamund, Jagdalpur, Bailadila, Dantewada, Raigarh, Kharasia.
In Madhya Pradesh
, families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Bhopal, Gwalior, Bagra-Tawa, Hoshangabad, Itarsi, Khandwa, Hardoi, Jabalpur, Piparia, Piplani, Siwani, Shahdol, Anuppur, Bishrampur, Katni, Narsinghpur, Guna, Sagar, Bina, Balaghat, Keymoor, Umaria, Kotma, Manendragarh, Baikunthpur, Mandala, Nainpur, Chhindwara, Betul, Indore and Ujjain.
In Uttar Pradesh
, families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Varanasi, Agra, Jaunpur, Mughalsarai, Chopan, Kanpur, Robertsgunj, Allahbad, Naini, Mathura, Vrindavan, Jhansi.
In Delhi
-Rajasthan
route the KGK while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Abu Road, Phulera, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bandikui, Ajmer, Marwar, Beawar, Sawai Madhopur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Kota and Delhi.
In Orissa
, families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts have settled in cities of Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Bonaigarh, Sambalpur, Barbil, Belpahar, Brajrajnagar, Kanrabagi, Jeypore, Baripada, Khariar Road, Bhadrak, Khurda Road, Ganjam, Rayagada, Balasore, Koraput, Jaiyor, Paralakhemundi, Gunupur, Bhawanipatna, Cuttack, Puri, Hingir-Rampur, Keonjhar, Keonjorgarh, Balagoda, Jatni, Kesinga, Bhubneshvar, Beharampur, Angul, Talcher, Kantabhaji, Dhekanal, Bargarh.
In Bihar
and Jharkhand
families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts and Coal Mining have settled in Chakardahrpur, Hazaribagh, Chaibasa, Tatanagar, Jamshedpur, Rakha Mines, Ghatshila, Chandil, Barajamda, Dhanbad, Daltongunj, Dhansar, Dumka, Katras, Jharia, Bhaga, Mohda, Tisra, Baliari, Kujama, Mogma, Rajkharsawn, Bokaro, McCluskieganj, Hindegir, Hazaribagh, Khelari, Ranchi and Patna, Bankudi, Purnea, Gaya.
In West Bengal
, families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts and Coal Mining have settled in Kharagpur, Asansol, Burdwan, Ranigunj, Bolpur, Bankura, Adra, Kashipur, Purulia, Pandveshwar, Kolaghat, Durgapur, Damodar, Surajnagar, Uttarpara, Bhadrakali, Howrah and Calcutta.
At the time of independence many families were of KGK were living in East Bengal
mainly in cities of Dacca, Jessore, Chittagong, Paksey, Parbatipur, Pabna, Kushtia, Saidpur, Rajashahi, Shylhet, Khulna, Dinajpur, etc. who migrated and settled in various parts of India.
The families living in Assam
and other the northeast cities of Tinsukia, Guwahati, Dibrugarh have now mostly left them due to turmoils in decade of 1980-90.
In Andhra Pradesh
, families of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Warangal, Nizamabad, Sirpur - Kagaz Nagar, Karim Nagar, Mancharial, Kazipeth, Hyderabad, Adilabad, Asifabad, Rajahmundry, Vizianagaram, Bobbili, Parvatipuram, Secundrabad, Vishakhapatnam, Markapur, Mehbubnagar, Mandapet.
In Karnataka
families of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Vijaywada, Gulbarga, Kurnool, Raichur, Yadgir, Belur-Hassan, Bagalkot, Mysore, Bangalore.
In Tamilnadu families of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Coimbtore, Tiruchinapalli, Kanchipuram, Madurai, Madras, Chennai.
In Kerala
, few families are living in Trivendrum, Ernakulam and Cochin, who migrated almost a century ago for railway contracts.
come to re-strengthen their bonds and heritage. They have also organized meetings to find suitable brides and grooms for their siblings, organizing a match-making event called Sagpan-Sanmmelan, and to resolve their family disputes through guidance of their elders and the Panch elected by the community. Like in historic times even today they have their internal judiciary body called Panch, who try to settle family disputes by mutual and amicable ways. The members of this "Panch" are appointed by the community's working board. Every three years they elect their president or Pramukh by voting. The president of the community, in consultations with heads of different state level organization, then selects his working committee for three years. These community gatherings take place in different places in India and once a year they also assemble in Kutch, their native state.
They also have a woman's wing called Mahila Mandal at state and national level. Every three years a woman president is also elected by ladies of the community. The woman's wing works independently and in co-operation with the president of the community. The national level women's body of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas is called Akhil Bharatiya Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya samaj Mahila Mandal. The woman president of this wing then appoints her working committee members. The Mahila Mandal was founded in 1976 and first Mahila Mandal Pramukh or President of Women's Wing of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas was Smt. Bhanuben Jayram Chauhan of Bombay and Nagor
. In 1996 she went on to become the first woman to be Mahasabha Pramukh, or President of the community. She was the daughter-in-law of Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor
.
Similarly, they also have a youth wing at state and national organizational levels called All India Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Samaj Yuva Mahamandal. The young generation helps in organizing major national and state level events and the youths also organize a sports event every three years called Kutchyadd, taking cue and inspiration from the Asiad of 1982 Asian Games
. The event also coincides with Dance, Music and match-making event. The first Kutchhyad was organized in Nagpur
in 1983, second at Bilaspur
in 1984, third at Aurangabad in 1986, forth at Anjar
in 1989, fifth at New Delhi
in 1994, sixth at Durg
in 1999, seventh at Nasik Road
in 2004, eighth again at Anjar in 2007 and ninth at Raipur in 2009.
Every year a mass-marriage event is also held called Samuh-Lagna where the marriages of financially weak families or couples are held with blessings and financial co-operation of the whole community. The first such event by the community was held on 10 May 1966, with six marriages at Dhanbad
and later on a larger scale in 1972 at Raipur. It continues to be held every year since then at different locations in India.
religious customs. They are still followers of different Hindu Gods such as Shiva
, Shakti
and Ganesha
, Radha
and Krishna
, Vishnu
and Lakshmi
, Rama
, Laxman
and Janki
, Hanumanji, Ramdev Pir, Bala Krishna
, Pushtimarg
, Ramanandi
, Pranami Sampraday
, Kapadi Sampradaya, Swaminarayan Sampraday
, Jalaram Bapa
, Arya Samaj
, Gayatri Pariwar, and Sahaj Marg
.
It is customary for couples to mention the name of the villages of Kutch from which they hailed in their wedding cards, even today after over a century of their migration outside Kutch. The newly wed couple has to come at least once, even though they may be living outside India, to bow to their Kuldevi
at the temples which are located in the nineteen villages in Kutch originally founded by their ancestors. The newly weds also go and offer their respects at the Parias of their Satis and Shurapuras located in Kutch.
There is also a custom the KGK follow to offer special prayers and pooja called Kar to their Kuldevis whenever a boy is born in the family. They come with the boy to these villages to offer their prayers, Kar and Naivadh to their Kuldevis. All the members of the community living in Kutch, in others states of India or outside India religiously follow these customs, even today.
Certificate as per the Bakshi Panch report are given in the name of the Mistri only.
system in the community, since olden days.
Also widows were in general allowed to remarry by community elders, i.e. the "Moti Naat" and the "Community Panch", on a case to case basis for more than two centuries – much before the Widow Remarriage Act
was brought in to British India in 1856. The word used for such widow remarriage was "Ghar-gharana". Even the young widows having infants were also allowed to re-marry in case the second husband guaranteed to take care of child born from first marriage. There was a word called "agandiyaat" used for the young boy which came to his stepfather's house holding the finger of its mother. The word "angadi" in Gujarati language means finger and "angadiyaat" means the one who has come holding the finger. Sometimes, when the family of first husband, wished that son born from her first marriage should carry the name and title or surname of his deceased father, such arrangements were also given.
The KGK also understood the importance of education and, during early 1900s, had started schools and boarding houses in many villages and cities of Kutch (Sinugra, Madhapar, Bhuj, Anjar, etc.) and other cities (Jharia, Raipur, Cuttack, Valsad, Kharagpur, etc.) of India. They donated large sums to Vikas Vidhyalaya of Wadhwan
, Gurukul Kangri Vidhyalaya
of Haridwar
, Banaras Hindu University
and Rajghat Besant School
of Varanasi
, Gurukul Supa at Navsari
, Shantiniketan Gurukul
, Dakshinamurti Vidhya Mandir at Bhavnagar
and Navajivan Trust
of Ahmedabad
, Sastu Sahitya Vardhak Karyalaya of Ahmedabad
and Gita Press
of Gorakhpur
etc. They also understood the importance of Girls education and had started girls schools in some of their villages like Madhapar, Kookma etc. and helped Arya Kanya Gurukul
at Porbandar
and pioneered sending their girls to schools in the early years of schooling in India (1890–1900. Besides building boarding houses for students at Bhuj
and Anjar
so that their children can stay in the towns to study and opening co-educational primary schools in Sinugra
, Madhapar
, Chandiya
, Kukma
. At Kukma
an exclusive girls hostel-cum-school named Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Kanya Chhatralaya was built by the community. They also built a boarding house in Poona for students willing to go for higher education in 1935. A hostel building was built by them named "Jharia House" at Rajghat Besant School
in Benaras in 1935.
In Hindu
rites and rituals there is a system of giving a funeral feast called, Parojan or Barmu-Termu, after the death of a family member. It is believed that the spirit of the dead does not get salvation until such a feast is given in his or her memory. In such feasts the whole community was to be invited. Due to such beliefs even economically weak members of community took loans to hold them. In 1931 the whole community (Naat or Moti-Naat) of eighteen villages assembled at Village Sinugra
and a historic resolution called, Parojan Nishedh Tharav was passed in Sinugra
stating that no member of community, henceforth, is bound to give this feast after the death of their family members. The elders of the community were against the resolution that religious beliefs should not be tempered with. Younger generations of leaders convinced them, arguing that elders could feed the poor and help the needy and do other charitable works or even give the feast in their lifetime, if they can afford to earn their salvation. Why should they wait for or expect that their next of kin would give funeral feast after their demise.?? The leaders who made the community take this historic resolution after hot and fiery debate were Vishram Valji Rathod of Madhapar
, Mandan Bhanjee Parmar of Kukma
, Devram Daya Varu of Anjar
, Karsanjee Jetha Jethwa, Devram Jetha Jethwa, Hemraj Kanji Chawda all three of Sinugra
, Dhanji Ratanji Rathod of Nagalpar
.
In post independent India, after re-organization of KGK in year 1972 a Samuh-Lagna, (mass community marriage), event for financially weak families of the community was held at Raipur. When the announcement of the Samuh-Lagna was made none of the families of the KGK came forward to marry their bride or groom in such a public event as it would hurt their pride and self-respect. Looking at this impasse Purshottam Lira Raja Rathod of Khambhra
and Calcutta, who was one of the prominent leaders and effluent party of community, decided to cancel the grand wedding of her grand-daughter to be held in Calcutta and announced that she will be married at a simple ceremony at the Samuh-Lagna in Raipur to lead the way. Once this news spread other members came forward and agreed to marry their children at such an event. The Samuh-Lagna thus started in 1972 and is running successfully today with such events held at different locations in India every year by community leaders. Although before that, a Samuh-Lagna (mass community marriage) event was held on experimental basis by Dhanbad
Ghatak (unit) of community in they year 1968 in which six brides and grooms were married together, which can be said to be first such mass-marriage event before 1972. and probably one of the first communities of India to start the saga of Samuh-Lagna (mass community marriage) in post-independent India.
In Raipur a community organization called Kshatriya Seva Sangh was established in 1935 and later a greater organization called Shree Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Ganti Samaj was established in 1948 and in 1954 the community center was built in Raipur.
Although the Moti-Naat went in to a state of limbo around 1950 the Dhanbad
and Raipur organizations were considered an extended part of Moti-Naat and were given the status of Gaam or village in addition to the 18 villages of Kutch. This status was given to them in view of the large population of KGK members living in both cities. Until 1960 both Dhanbad and Raipur units continued to pay their community taxes and subscription to the Moti-Naat in Kutch.
Later on a Yuvak Mahasabha, or Young Man's Association, of the community was formed in 1954 in Dhanbad
at the behest of Raja Khengar Chawda of Chandiya
, Purshottam Khimjee Chauhan of Reha
, Arjunlal Dhanji Rathod of Nagalpar
and many others. This Yuvak Mahasabha worked until 1968, with blessings from elders of the community, to bring a form a unity in Samaj
but it could not replace Panch, Naat and the Patel system of historic times and the need for a greater organization was always needed. A community center was built by members of community during 1959–60 in Dhanbad at which later a Samuh-Lagna event was also organized by them in 1968, which can be said to be first such mass-marriage event before much publicized 1972 event held at Raipur.
Finally in 1971 the community re-organized themselves and first some leaders with good wishes of elders like Seth Vallabhdas Kunwarjee Tank of Sinugra and Bombay, R. B. Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor and Allahbad, Mavji Dahya Chauhan of Sinugra and Belur-Hassan, Mavji Mulji Chauhan of Madhapar and Madurai
, Devram Jetha Jethwa of Sinugra and Calcutta, Balram Madhavjee Vadher of Sinugra and Raipur, Narsinh Manji Rathod of Madhapar
and others, met at Jaipur
and a resolution was passed to contact all families of the community spread throughout India and unite to elect a new leader by the next year.
Accordingly in 1972 the community again got together at Raipur and at a huge gathering at their Samaj Bhawan
on 3 June 1972 Hirji Khimjee Chauhan of Reha
was unanimously elected as first President – Mahasabha Pramukh of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas in post-independence India
. The pre-independence Moti Naat was re-christened as Mahasabha and Patel was rechristened as Pramukh and the Panch system was re-established. Hirji Khimjee Chauhan of Reha
and Ratnagiri
, traveled through out India to re-group the community and then with other front line community leaders like Purshottam Lira Raja and Amarsinh Lira Raja Rathod of Khambhra
and Calcutta, Vijaysinh Kunwarji Rathod of Madhapar
and Cuttack
and Valamji Hirji Parmar of Hajapar
and Uttarpara
, Nanalal Amarsinh Chouhan of Kumbharia
and Dhanbad
and many others, together, he made the new constitution of the community, charitable trusts and state and national level units. They also carried out a census with a list of community members. The community name Shree Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Mahasabha was registered under The Societies Registration Act with its registered office at Calcutta in 1972.
At present the registered population of the KGK Community living in India is only about fifty-one thousand. This does not include those who migrated outside India during the late nineteenth century.
, the history of human civilization in Kutch has been verified to be as far back as from c.2650 BCE.
Anjar
was established by, and is named after, Kshatriya King Chauhan Ajepal (Ajaypal), who was the brother of the King of Ajmer
from the Chauhan
clan of the Rajput
s of Rajasthan
. He settled here and established his kingdom in Kutch with Anjar as its capital to protect the country and defend against the invasion of Khalifa
from across the sea. He established the first coastal security center in Kachchh. He died due to a mortal wound suffered during a fight around 685 AD (V.S. 741). He is now worshiped as Ajepal Dada and also as a Pir
and his Samadhi
and temple is located on the outskits of the city near Anjar railway station and is worshiped by all the communities of the town. The city was originally called Ajay Vaas after Ajepal but over the years the name changed to Anjar. Kutch was ruled by various dynasties such as Chauhan
, Kathi
, Solanki
, Vaghela, Chawda
and the Rajputs from 650 to 1500 AD. Anjar was the capital of Kutch in 806 AD. In 1005 AD Anjar was again declared capital by the Kathi
s. It was after the decline of the Chawda
kingdom that the Jadeja
dynasty came slowly into power from 1500 AD and by 1700 AD had established their rule over the whole of Kutch. Rao Khengarji I of Jadeja
again declared Anjar capital in year 1545 AD (V.S. 1602) before Bhuj
was declared capital in 1549. In the years 1763 to 1765 when Gulam Shah Kalhora
of the Sind
invaded Kutch, the Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas
, or Mistris, consisting of warrior Rajput
clans such as the Chauhan, Jethwa, Rathod, Wadher, Chawda, Khodiyar, Chudasama, Sawaria, Gohil, Solanki, Vaghela, Parmar, Taunk etc. fought in the Battle of Zora along with other casts like the Lohana
s, Miyana
s, Memons etc. in defense of the land with the army of Jadeja
the kings of Kutch. In later years Kutch became a dependency and a Princely State
under suzerainty of British India in 1818. The Anjar city, district of Anjar including Port of Tuna
came under direct rule of British in year 1815, after the army of Kutch was defeated near the Bhadreshwar Jain Temple. The Anjar Chovishi came again under Rajya Hukumat reverting back to the kings of Kutch after an agreement between them and the British to compensate for same on 25 December 1822. Jadeja dynasty thus ruled Kutch for around 450 years till its merger into the Union of India in 1947, the administration of which was transferred to Union of India in 1948. The erstwhile Princely State of Kutch worked as Commissionaire from 1948 till 1950, when it was made to a separate state named the Kutch State
within the Union of India. On 1 November 1956 Kutch State was merged into the Bombay State
as per the States Reorganisation Act
. The Bombay state was again divided on linguistic basis into the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra
which came into existence on 1 May 1960. With it Kutch became a part of Gujarat as Kutch District
, the largest district of India. Kutch is a sensitive area as its north border is with the Sindh province of Pakistan
and is guarded by the Border Security Force
of the Indian Army
. At present, certain areas of the Rann of Kutch
are beyond the reach of civilians.
Present day Anjar Taulka was known as Anjar Chovishi. Chovish means number 24 in Gujarati language. Anjar Taluka was called Anjar Chovishi as it consisted of 24 Villages in those days. Out of these 24 Villages 13 villages (Anjar, Sinugra, Kumbharia, Chandiya, Lovariya, Meghpar, Galpadar, Devariya, Khedoi, Khambhra, Nagalpar, Vidi, Ratnal) belonged to the Mistri
community and they held major land holdings in the other 11 villages (Varsamedi, Bhadroi, Sukhpar, Chandrani, Mindiyani, Dabada, Sapeda, Ambapar, Sugaria, Sanghad-Mathak etc.). except the Tuna Port. Thus the Mistri community were Jagirdars or Garasdards of almost whole of Anjar Taluka in those days. The villages in Anjar Chovishi were called Ugamana Patt, as said earlier. The other Six villages (Nagor, Hajapar, Reha, Madhapar, Jambudi and Kukma) in Dungraal Patt of Bhuj Taluka did not come under direct British Rule during 1815–1822. The word Anjar Chovishi is still used by many to identify Anjar Taluka.
The major famines and drought Kutch has suffered were in 1315, 1811, 1812, 1900, 1969. Of which the famine of 1900 (V.S. 1956) is famous as Chhapaniyo Dukar. Chhapan in Gujarati language means – Number 56 and Dukar means drought. After the drought of 1315, the famine of 1900 was most deadly according to the records of the Mistri community, which led to the migration of many communities out of Kutch to seek a livelihood.
Kutch has been ravaged by earthquakes in 1618, 1819, 1844, 1845, 1874, 1901, 1941, 1956 and 2001. The earthquakes of 1819 and 2001 were of major intensity and most disastrous. The earthquake of 1819 completely destroyed Bhuj
, Mandvi
, Anjar
. The earthquake of 1819 also made a geographical change. The Allahbund
fault stopped the waters of the river Indus flowing into Kutch.
The 2001 earthquak proved to be major disaster for Kutch and major casualties were recorded in Anjar
, Bhuj
, Bhachau
with death toll crossing reaching 19,752 and injured 166,000 as per Government records. More than 600,000 people were left homeless, with 348,000 houses destroyed and an additional 844,000 damaged and more than 20,000 cattle were reported to have died.
The following villages of Mistris were affected and destroyed – Anjar
, Sinugra
, Khambhra
, Devaliya, Chandiya
, Nagalpar
, etc. Many heritage houses and haveli
s belonging to rich Mistri
families, built almost 100 years ago, with ornate facades, intricate door carvings and metal grill windows and verandas depicting the life of Queen Victoria were all raised to the ground. There were also huge wall and ceiling paintings depicting scenes from Mahabharata and Ramayana which are no more. The majestic interiors, doors and window panels of some of the houses were similar in design, which can still be seen in Prag Mahal
.
Along with other communities of Kutch, the KGK also suffered the one of largest human casualties in their long history in the earthquake of 26 January 2001. In many cases whole families of the KGK community were buried alive and this day will be remembered as a black day in the communities long history. The majestic houses built by their fore-fathers, one of the cultural heritage of Kutch, Gujarat has also been lost, all being raised to the ground. For many members of the community the earthquake was a double blow. Not only did they lose their loved ones, they also lost their houses and shops. However the community, which has for centuries survived many such tragedies, calamities and warfare has bounced back like so many times before.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
community of the Kutch District of Gujarat state in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. They are a group of various Kshatriya
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
or Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
clans who were bound together by their artistic and master craftsman skills in constructing forts, temples, palaces, ornate decorations, idols and other buildings and statues that led to them being referred to as Mistri
Mistri
Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005....
by the Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
. This term was later used to refer to them as a separate caste known as the Mistri
Mistri (caste)
The Mistri or Mistris are a Hindu caste found in state of Gujarat in India.-Names of casts known as Mistri:There are two different casts by same name:-...
a.k.a. Mistris of Kutch.
The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas (KGK) are a branch of Kadia Kshatriya, or Gurjar Kshatriyas, of Saurashtra who migrated to Dhaneti
Dhaneti
Dhaneti or Dhanetee is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is at a distance of about 26 km from Bhuj the Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch...
, Kutch, and were later granted eighteen or nineteen villages by the rulers of Kutch. They were famous designers and developers of many historic monuments of Kutch forts, temples, dams, bridges and railways in Undivided India.
History
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas (KGK) are a group of RajputRajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
, or Kshatriya
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
clans, who migrated from Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
in early 7th century AD.
Kadia Kshatriyas
Kadia kshatriyas
Kadia Kshatriyas are a minority group of the Hindu community in Gujarat State, India...
first entered into Saurashtra in 7th century onwards and settled in various places in Saurashtra where they founded thirty-six villages. Some of them also moved further into Kutch from the 7th century onwards but around 1177–78 AD (V.S. 1234) a major group of this warrior clan migrated to Kutch under the leadership of Patel Ganga Maru entered Kutch (or Kachchh) from Saurashtra and settled in a village named Dhaneti
Dhaneti
Dhaneti or Dhanetee is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is at a distance of about 26 km from Bhuj the Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch...
after a battle that they named Dhaneti("Dhanetu" in Gujarati means "sudden, spontaneous war"). There are several Paria
Paria
Paria is a village situated near Vapi in Valsad District, Gujarat. India. The town of Udwada, away from Paria, has a railway station which connects Paria to Mumbai and western Gujarat...
s of the community, located near village pond of Dhaneti, standing as mute witness to war that was fought in 1178 AD. The community members still go once every year to offer pooja and their respects to their fore-fathers.
This group, later, made their distinct identity not only by building historical forts, palaces, temples and architects in Kutch but also all over British India primarily in the fields of Railways and Coal Mining.
The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas left Dhaneti
Dhaneti
Dhaneti or Dhanetee is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is at a distance of about 26 km from Bhuj the Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch...
and went on to establish nineteen villages in Kutch which were granted to them by the King: Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
, Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
, Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
, Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
, Khedoi
Khedoi
Khedoi is large village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 14 KM from nearest town Anjar.Village is again sub-divided into Nani-Khedoi and Moti-Khedoi...
, Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
, Hajapar
Hajapar
Hajapar is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kachchh District of Gujarat State of India. It is located at a distance of about 18 km from Bhuj. One nearby village is Reha.-History:...
, Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
, Galpadar
Galpadar
Galpadar is village in Gandhidham Tehsil of Kutch District of Gujrat State of India. It is located at a distance of about 3 km from Gandhidham, 11 km from Anjar and 51 km from Bhuj.-History:...
, Reha
Reha
Reha is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 15 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:About the history of Reha it is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch...
, Vidi
Vidi
Vidi or Videe or Virdee is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is at a distance of about 4 km from Anjar, the Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
, Ratnal
Ratnal
Ratnal is a village near the town of Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of about 15 km from Anjar.-History:...
, Jambudi
Jambudi
Jambudi is a village near the Bhuj, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of about 20 km from Bhuj Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch.-History:...
, Devaliya, Lovaria, Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
, Meghpar, Chandiya
Chandiya
Chandiya or Chandia is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 18 km from nearest town Anjar.-History:...
and Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
.
Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
was named after its founder Madha Kanji Solanki who moved from the Dhaneti
Dhaneti
Dhaneti or Dhanetee is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is at a distance of about 26 km from Bhuj the Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch...
village to Madhapar in 1473–1474 AD (V.S. 1529). Madha Kanji was a descendant of the Solanki
Solanki
The Solanki was a royal Hindu Indian dynasty that ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th to 13th centuries. A number of scholars including V. A. Smith assign them Gurjar origin....
dynasty of Gujarat.
Eleven of the villages are around Anjar. The area is plain and in general called "Ugamna Pat" (literally meaning villages to the east). Seven villages were located in "Dungaral Pat" (meaning area of small mountains). Meghpar on the Anjar-Galpadar Road was founded by the Mistri community before Khedoi in the "Ugamna Paat". Thus all together they formed the "Nineteen Villages of Mistris".
Bhuvad Village in Anjar Taluka was established by Piyu Chawda and Bhuvad Chawda of Chawda clan of their Community but they also moved to other villages like Devaliya, Chandiya and Galpadar. The Taunk
Taunk
Tank or Taunk or Taank or Taunque is a name of Rajput clans Famous British historian Crooke maintains, the Tak Rajputs claim that they are Yaduvanshis and had martial relations with Yadavas princess of Jaisalmer.The community is distributed in the districts of Jodhpur , Udaipur and Tonk., Kutch,...
clan also initially settled in Bhuvad
Bhuvad
Bhuvad / Bhuwad is a village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch district of Gujarat, India.It is located at a distance of 17.2 km far from its Taluka town Anjar...
but later moved to other villages such as Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
and Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
. The Shenoi village was founded by the Rathor
Rathore
The Rathore is a Suryavanshi Rajput clan same caste as Lohana. Their Kuldevi is Nagnechiya Mata and "Karani Mata". Rathores are originally from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh. Rathores are historically considered the samurais of India...
s, Wegads, Parmars and Yadavs. The Wegad clan later moved to Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
, the Parmar mainly to Anjar, Kukma, Hajapar
Hajapar
Hajapar is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kachchh District of Gujarat State of India. It is located at a distance of about 18 km from Bhuj. One nearby village is Reha.-History:...
and Lovaria. The Yadav
Yadav
Yādav refers to an umbrella group of traditionally non-elite pastoral communities, or castes, in India and Nepal which since the nineteenth and twentieth centuries has claimed descent from the mythological King Yadu as a part of a movement of social and political resurgence.The term 'Yadav' now...
s moved to Hajapar and the Rathods to Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
, Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
, Reha
Reha
Reha is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 15 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:About the history of Reha it is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch...
, Khedoi
Khedoi
Khedoi is large village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 14 KM from nearest town Anjar.Village is again sub-divided into Nani-Khedoi and Moti-Khedoi...
and Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
. Khodiyar
Khodiyar
Khodiyar Maa is the Hindu goddess who appeared in the story of Mamaniya Gadhvi in about AD 700.Mamaniya Gadhvi had a superb relationship with the then ruler - Maharaj Shilbhadra. The ruler's ministers envied this exceptional relationship and prepared a way to get rid of Mamaniya Gadhvi...
s and Chudasama
Chudasama
The Chudasama are a Rajput clan found in the state of Gujarat in India. The Chudasama dynasty,originally of Abhira clan from Sindh. The disambiguition of the name Chudasama means, Chuda-Sama, 'Chuda' is an Indian word used for big bangles which are normally worn on the wrist of Indian women and...
s settled in Anjar, Sawarias in Kumbharia, Vaghelas in Reha, Varus in Hajapar and Jambudi
Jambudi
Jambudi is a village near the Bhuj, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of about 20 km from Bhuj Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch.-History:...
, Padhiyars in Anjar, Gohil
Gohil
Gohils are Suryavanshi Rajputs who have descended from the Guhilots of Mewar. As per the Sikarwar Khyat, Prince Shiladitya was born on Jesth Sudhi Chaturdashi of V.S 543 . He was the son of Emperor Aditya Sen and Queen Subhaga Devi. Though born at Chitor he was educated at Vallabhi...
s in Anjar and Sinugra, Jethwa
Jethwa
Jethwa is a name of a Kshatriya, Rajput clan that claim descent from Makardhwaja son of Lord Hanuman who appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana...
s in Ratnal, Nagalpar and Anjar, Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
s to Reha, Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
, Kukma and Kumbharia, Solanki
Solanki
The Solanki was a royal Hindu Indian dynasty that ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th to 13th centuries. A number of scholars including V. A. Smith assign them Gurjar origin....
s in Madhapar, Jambudi, Vidi
Vidi
Vidi or Videe or Virdee is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is at a distance of about 4 km from Anjar, the Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
, Meghpar
Meghpar (Anjar)
Meghpar is a village in Anjar Taluka in Kutch District of Gujarat of India. It is located on Anjar to Galpadar Road. About the history of Meghpar it is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris of Kutch. It is located at a distance of about 4 km from Taluka...
and Kukma, Bhalsod to Khambhra, Maru
Maru
Maru can refer toNames* Maru - surname found in people of Kutch & Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India, mainly found in Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas & Kadia Kshatriyas communities. The surname is also found in Rajput community of Rajasthan....
s to Devaria
Devaria, Kachchh
Devaria or Devaliya or Deoria is a village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 3 km from Anjar town of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.- History :...
and Meghpar. Chauhans, Parmar and Rathod founded Ratnal
Ratnal
Ratnal is a village near the town of Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of about 15 km from Anjar.-History:...
but later moved out of it. A branch of Chawda also founded the Medai Village of Kutch but later most of them moved to Devaliya and Chandiya
Chandiya
Chandiya or Chandia is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 18 km from nearest town Anjar.-History:...
. Some families of Chawda, Chauhan and Parmar clans traveled further down and founded Galpadar
Galpadar
Galpadar is village in Gandhidham Tehsil of Kutch District of Gujrat State of India. It is located at a distance of about 3 km from Gandhidham, 11 km from Anjar and 51 km from Bhuj.-History:...
. Thus a total of twenty-three villages were established in Kutch. Further old records of Bhat
Brahmbhatt
Brahmbhatt is an Indian surname representing a Vedic/Indo-Aryan peoples, to be found mainly across West India and North India, in India. Primarily Warrior Brahmins, this classic social entity possesses the characteristics of Brahmin as well as Kshatriya as per the caste system prevalent in India...
s reveal that many families belonging to clans of Gohil
Gohil
Gohils are Suryavanshi Rajputs who have descended from the Guhilots of Mewar. As per the Sikarwar Khyat, Prince Shiladitya was born on Jesth Sudhi Chaturdashi of V.S 543 . He was the son of Emperor Aditya Sen and Queen Subhaga Devi. Though born at Chitor he was educated at Vallabhi...
, Bhatti, Solanki
Solanki
The Solanki was a royal Hindu Indian dynasty that ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th to 13th centuries. A number of scholars including V. A. Smith assign them Gurjar origin....
, Jethwa
Jethwa
Jethwa is a name of a Kshatriya, Rajput clan that claim descent from Makardhwaja son of Lord Hanuman who appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana...
, Rathor
Rathor
Rathor may refer to:* Rathore or Rathor, a Suryavanshi Rajput clan of India and Pakistan* Rathor, Pakistan...
and Bharadwa and Visavaria (last two are Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
Caste) also settled in Mandvi
Mandvi
Mandvi is a city and a Municipality in Kachchh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was once a major port of the region and summer retreat for Maharao of the Kachchh. The old city had a surrounding fort, and remains of the fort wall can still be seen to this day...
in the 14th century onwards and later also Bhuj
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...
in the beginning of the 16th century moving there from Dhaneti
Dhaneti
Dhaneti or Dhanetee is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is at a distance of about 26 km from Bhuj the Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch...
.
Besides Dhaneti
Dhaneti
Dhaneti or Dhanetee is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is at a distance of about 26 km from Bhuj the Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch...
the, Parias of KGK or Mistris are also found in large numbers in the outskirts of Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
, especially within the compound wall of Samadhi
Samadhi
Samadhi in Hinduism, Buddhism,Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools is a higher level of concentrated meditation, or dhyāna. In the yoga tradition, it is the eighth and final limb identified in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali....
of Jesal-Toral in Anjar city. The Parias of Dadas and Sati of Jethwa
Jethwa
Jethwa is a name of a Kshatriya, Rajput clan that claim descent from Makardhwaja son of Lord Hanuman who appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana...
, Rathor
Rathore
The Rathore is a Suryavanshi Rajput clan same caste as Lohana. Their Kuldevi is Nagnechiya Mata and "Karani Mata". Rathores are originally from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh. Rathores are historically considered the samurais of India...
, Khodiyar
Khodiyar
Khodiyar Maa is the Hindu goddess who appeared in the story of Mamaniya Gadhvi in about AD 700.Mamaniya Gadhvi had a superb relationship with the then ruler - Maharaj Shilbhadra. The ruler's ministers envied this exceptional relationship and prepared a way to get rid of Mamaniya Gadhvi...
, Chudasama
Chudasama
The Chudasama are a Rajput clan found in the state of Gujarat in India. The Chudasama dynasty,originally of Abhira clan from Sindh. The disambiguition of the name Chudasama means, Chuda-Sama, 'Chuda' is an Indian word used for big bangles which are normally worn on the wrist of Indian women and...
and Savaria clans are within the Jesal-Toral Temple campus.
Parias of the community can also be found at Dabda within temple premises of Kapadi Saint Jai Raja Kapadi and the Deri of Sati
Sati (practice)
For other uses, see Sati .Satī was a religious funeral practice among some Indian communities in which a recently widowed woman either voluntarily or by use of force and coercion would have immolated herself on her husband’s funeral pyre...
Lalu Ma of Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
is found in this temple.
Parias of Satis and Dadas of Solanki
Solanki
The Solanki was a royal Hindu Indian dynasty that ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th to 13th centuries. A number of scholars including V. A. Smith assign them Gurjar origin....
, Parmar and Chawda
Chavda Kingdom
The Chavda Kingdom or Chapa dynasty also known as Gujar Chapas was an ancient Hindu Kshatriya dynasty which ruled northern Gujarat from 746 AD to 942 AD....
clans of the KGK can be also found in Devaria, Kachchh
Devaria, Kachchh
Devaria or Devaliya or Deoria is a village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 3 km from Anjar town of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.- History :...
. The Paria of Poria Jethwa
Jethwa
Jethwa is a name of a Kshatriya, Rajput clan that claim descent from Makardhwaja son of Lord Hanuman who appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana...
, who arrived from royal lineage of Jethwa
Jethwa
Jethwa is a name of a Kshatriya, Rajput clan that claim descent from Makardhwaja son of Lord Hanuman who appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana...
dynasty of Porbandar
Porbandar
Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
are in Dhaneti
Dhaneti
Dhaneti or Dhanetee is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is at a distance of about 26 km from Bhuj the Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch...
. Dada of Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
of Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
is found within Samadhi
Samadhi
Samadhi in Hinduism, Buddhism,Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools is a higher level of concentrated meditation, or dhyāna. In the yoga tradition, it is the eighth and final limb identified in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali....
and the temple of Chauhan Ajepal Dada of Anjar.
Anjar today is a densely populated town and two blocks known as "Motu Faliu" and "Devani Faliu" were the areas which were the foundation of the Mistri community. There were artistic and ornately decorated Haveli
Haveli
Haveli is the term used for a private mansion in India and Pakistan. The word haveli is derived from the Persian word hawli, meaning "an enclosed place"...
s in these area of the city belonging to rich families of the community, most of which have been destroyed in earthquake of 2001. Similar Haveli or houses can be seen in the nineteen villages founded by them.
Over the centuries, they have been known or identified by different names like Mistri, Mistry, Mistris of Kutch, Kutchi Contractor, Kadia, Kadia Kshatriyas, Gurjar Kshatriyas, Kumar Gnati, Kutch Gurjar Kshatiryas, Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Samaj, KGK Samaj, Kgk community, etc.
Some of the Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
Clans belonging to their group have been the Rulers of Kutch, beginning with Chauhan Ajepal of the Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
dynasty. This was followed by the Solanki
Solanki
The Solanki was a royal Hindu Indian dynasty that ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th to 13th centuries. A number of scholars including V. A. Smith assign them Gurjar origin....
, Kathi
Kathi (caste)
The Kathi are a Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India. Kathi is also a big gotra of Yaduvanshi Ahirs of Haryana. Also inter-marriage between the Ahir and the Kathi is an old phenomenon.Kathi tribe is named as Catti or Cat'hi and has been named as 36 royal races by James Tod.-History...
s, Vaghelas, Chawdas and finally the Jadeja
Jadeja
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...
dynasty came to rule Kutch until the independence of India.
Religion, language, diet and customs
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas (KGK), or Mistris of Kutch, is a HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
community and believers in Hindu, or Vedic
Vedic
Vedic may refer to:* the Vedas, the oldest preserved Indic texts** Vedic Sanskrit, the language of these texts** Vedic period, during which these texts were produced** Vedic pantheon of gods mentioned in Vedas/vedic period...
, rites and customs. They are Vegetarian and abstain from alcohol.
The KGK community, in general, speaks Gujarati
Gujarati language
Gujarati is an Indo-Aryan language, and part of the greater Indo-European language family. It is derived from a language called Old Gujarati which is the ancestor language of the modern Gujarati and Rajasthani languages...
, unlike many other Kutchi communities as they migrated from the Saurashtra region. They celebrate new year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
on the day after Diwali
Diwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
, as celebrated by most of Gujarati people
Gujarati people
Gujarati people , or Gujaratis are an ethnic group that is traditionally Gujarati-speaking and can trace their ancestry to the state of Gujarat in western India...
. Many words of Kutchi language
Kutchi language
Kachhi Kachhi Kachhi (also spelt Cutchi, Kutchhi or Kachchhi, is an Indo-Aryan Language spoken in the Kutch region of the Indian state of Gujarat as well as in Sindh.- Closely related languages :...
have entered in their Gujarati language
Gujarati language
Gujarati is an Indo-Aryan language, and part of the greater Indo-European language family. It is derived from a language called Old Gujarati which is the ancestor language of the modern Gujarati and Rajasthani languages...
and similarly various Kutchi
Kutchi people
The Kutchi people traditionally reside in the Kutch region of the northwestern Indian state of Gujarat and in the Sindh province of Pakistan...
traditions and customs, like celebration of the Kutchi New Year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
, since their migration to the Kutch region.
Members of this community also worship their Kuldevta
Kuldevta
Kuladevata or Kuladevi, also known as Kuladev and Kŭladaiwat, stands for "family deity, that is either a god or a goddess" within Hinduism, as distinct from personal ishta-devata and village deities...
and pay respects to the Paliyas of their Dadas and Deris of their Satis.
The majority of the community are followers of Santana Dharama and worship Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Gods such as Ram
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
, Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
, Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
, Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
, Ganeshji
Ganesha
Ganesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
, Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
ji, Durga
Durga
For the 1985 Hindi Film of Rajesh Khanna see DurgaaIn Hinduism, Durga ; ; meaning "the inaccessible" or "the invincible"; , durga) or Maa Durga "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress" is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having eighteen arms, riding a lion...
, Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
and Saraswati
Saraswati
In Hinduism Saraswati , is the goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology. She is the consort of Brahma, also revered as His Shakti....
. In all the nineteen villages you can find the temples of these Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
gods built centuries ago. Among these the Thakor Mandir of Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
, Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
, Chandiya
Chandiya
Chandiya or Chandia is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 18 km from nearest town Anjar.-History:...
, Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
, Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
and Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
are famous for their intricate craftsmanship and beautiful carvings of gods and goddesses.
Many of them are also followers of Ramdev Pir (1352–1385 AD), whose Samadhi
Samadhi
Samadhi in Hinduism, Buddhism,Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools is a higher level of concentrated meditation, or dhyāna. In the yoga tradition, it is the eighth and final limb identified in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali....
is at Ramdevra
Ramdevra
Ramdevra is a village situated about 12 km to the north of Pokhran in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan in India. The village is named after Baba Ramdevji, a Tanwar Rajput and a saint who took Samādhi in 1384 CE, at the age of 33 years. Bhagvan Ramdevji Maharaj took samadhi in 1459 AD...
(or Ranuja) near Pokhran
Pokhran
Pokhran is a city and a municipality located in Jaisalmer district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is a remote location in the Thar Desert region and served as the test site for India's first underground nuclear weapon detonation.-Geography:Pokhran http://marupradesh.org/ located at...
in the Jaiselmer District of Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
, whom they consider their Eesht Dev. is also said to have traveled to Kutch on pilgrimage during his life-time. Ramdev Pir was never worshiped as Eshta dev by KGK community but is worshiped by some families like most of the population of Kutch.
One member of their community named Mistri Kanji was one of the five disciples of Kapadi
Kapadi
Kapadi or Kapdi is one of the minority Hindu community of India, who are followers of Kapadi Sampradaya.-History:Origin of Kapadi community, as per folk fore, is connected with Lord Rama...
Sant Mekan Dada
Sant Mekan Dada
Sant Mekan Dada was the famous Kapdi Saint of Kutch. He spent his whole life in Rann of Kutch, looking after survivors and people lost in desert and serving them food, water and shelter. His two partners were "Laliyo", the Donkey and "Motiyo", the dog...
. Mekan Dada (1666–1729 AD) (V.S. 1723–1786) established himself in his later life at Dhrang
Dhrang
Dhrang or Dhrung is a small village located in Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. The village is located at about distance of 40 km from Bhuj Taluka & District Headquarter. The village is on border to Pakistan...
in 1786 AD. He and his disciples and animal friends, Motiyo the dog and Laliyo the donkey, are well known for the humanitarian services to the lost and hungry travelers in Rann of Kutch
Rann of Kutch
The Great Rann of Kutch, also called Greater Rann of Kutch or just Rann of Kutch , is a seasonal salt marsh located in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India and the Sindh province of Pakistan....
. He later took a live Samadhi
Samadhi
Samadhi in Hinduism, Buddhism,Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools is a higher level of concentrated meditation, or dhyāna. In the yoga tradition, it is the eighth and final limb identified in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali....
in Vikram Samvant 1729 AD along with his five disciples, one of who was Kadia Kanji. Many families in Kutch are followers of this Kapadi Samparadaya
Kapadi
Kapadi or Kapdi is one of the minority Hindu community of India, who are followers of Kapadi Sampradaya.-History:Origin of Kapadi community, as per folk fore, is connected with Lord Rama...
which is a very old religious sect dating back to the time of Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
whose temples, Ashram
Ashram
Traditionally, an ashram is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo....
s and Akhara
Akhara
In Hinduism, Akhara is an organization of the different sects of Sadhus Vairaghis yogis or Hindu Renunciates....
are located in various places in Kutch — mainly at Bikhla, Jangi, Lodai, Dhrang
Dhrang
Dhrang or Dhrung is a small village located in Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. The village is located at about distance of 40 km from Bhuj Taluka & District Headquarter. The village is on border to Pakistan...
, Vandhay and Dabada.
Many people of the community started to follow the Pushtimarg
Pushtimarg
Pushtimarg is a sect of the Hindu religion, founded by Shrimad Vallabhacharya around 1500 AD.Shri Vallabhacharya is one of the five main Acharyas of the Hindu Religion...
sect of Hinduism founded by Vallabha Acharya
Vallabha Acharya
Vallabhacharya was a devotional philosopher, who founded the Pushti sect in India, following the philosophy of Shuddha advaita ....
in early 1500 AD. They worship Shrinathji
Shrinathji
Shrinathji is an anthropomorphic form of Hindu god Krishna, manifest as a seven year old child . The principal shrine of Shrinathji is situated at the temple town of Nathdwara, located 48 Kilometers North-east of Udaipur city in Rajasthan...
, a seven-year-old child-deity form of Shri Krishna. This sect had spread into Gujarat by the first quarter of the 16th century.
Many families of this community are followers of Pranami Sampraday
Pranami Sampraday
Pranami Sampradaya / Shree Krisha Pranami Dharma / Nijanand Sampradaya is a community which has the followers of Supreme God "Raj Ji". Raj ji is also concerned as "The Last Imam Mendhi" in Muslims and "Budh Nisklank Avatar" in Hindus...
– an off-shoot of Hindu religion, who worship Lord Krishna in his child-form known as Bal-Swaroop or Bal-Goapal
Bala Krishna
Bala Krishna sometimes translated to "Divine Child Krishna", is historically one of the early forms of worship in Krishnaism and an element of the history of Krishna worship in antiquity...
. This sect of Hinduism came to prominence in Gujarat in early 17th century around 1630s.
With the advent of Swaminarayan Sampraday in Kutch during 1810-1820s many families of the KGK community adopted Swaminarayan Religion and they were instrumental in construction of Swaminarayan Mandir and Dharamshalas
Dharamshalas
Dharamshalas is the term for a religious resthouse. In Hindi, Dharma means religion, and shala means "sanctuary" hence dharamshala is a 'religious sanctuary' or rest-house for pilgrims, that are primarily created for a religious purpose for pilgrims, or as a religious endowment.Sometimes they are...
in some of the nineteen villages including Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
, Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
, Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
and Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
where there were large numbers of followers. Further, a saint of their community, Shri Narayana Mistri, was also responsible for conversion of even many Kanbis and Patidar
Patidar
The Patidar are a Hindu ethnic group found primarily in the state of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh in India.Patidars are also known as Patel, a common surname with in the community.D. F...
in to Swaminarayan Sect in Kutch.
A person of their community from Kukma became Sanyasi in decade of 1870s and was named as Sant Garib Dashji by his Guru Iswar Ramji. He established Sant Garibdasji Ashram
Ashram
Traditionally, an ashram is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo....
in Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
. This Gadi
Gadi
The House of Gadi was a dynasty of kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The dynasty is also called the House of Menahem, after its founder. The dynasty lasted for only twelve years and ruled from the then capital of Israel, Samaria. The dynasty is so named because Menahem was the son of Gadi...
is follower of Ramanandi
Ramanandi
Ramanandi are the followers of saint Ramananda. Ramanandi are spread across India, mainly in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Agravat, Nimavat, Kubavat, Tilavat, Devmurari, Ramavat, Nenuji, Sukhanandi and Yoganandi are the most prominent last names in Ramanandi cast. Ramanandi worship Shri Ram...
sect of Haridwar
Haridwar
Haridwar is an important pilgrimage city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India...
. Sant Garib Dasji was followed by Sant Bhan Dasji and Sadhu Vashudevji is heading the Gadi at present in 2011. All the three successors to the Gadi are saints are from their community. Further, Gadi in Vandhay
Vandhay
Vandhay or Vandhai is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat. It is 59.6 km from Bhuj, district and taluka headquarters.It is a very small village with a population of around 350 people and about 70 houses...
village of same sect was founded by Sadhu Val Dasji also a saint of their community from village Kukma.
Though the different families independently worshiped different gods their core identity remained the same as Kshatriyas and Hindu and all of them always remained in unison and bound to their historical identity of KGK and inter-married only within these nineteen villages, irrespective of which god or goddess and sect the other family followed.
Marriage is only permitted with a girl whose surname and Kuldevi differ from that of boy's family. The community in other words are an endogamous
Endogamy
Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a specific ethnic group, class, or social group, rejecting others on such basis as being unsuitable for marriage or other close personal relationships. A Greek Orthodox Christian endogamist, for example, would require that a marriage be only with another...
community who practice the principle of clan exogamy
Exogamy
Exogamy is a social arrangement where marriage is allowed only outside of a social group. The social groups define the scope and extent of exogamy, and the rules and enforcement mechanisms that ensure its continuity. In social studies, exogamy is viewed as a combination of two related aspects:...
. However, in present circumstances, they have become liberal as far as endogamy is concerned but clan exogamy is still strictly followed when marriages are fixed within the community.
During historic times every village had a head, often called "Gaam Na Patel". That is similar to the Sarpanch
Sarpanch
A sarpanch is a democratically elected head of a village level statutory institution of local self-government called the gram panchayat in India and Pakistan. He, together with other elected Panchas , constitute the Gram Panchayat. The Sarpanch is the focal point of contact between government...
of recent times.
Head of all nineteen villages, and so the whole community, was elected every few years. This head was titled "Patel" or "Naat na Patel". It was an honorary title and the head-man used "Patel" before their name, which is not to be confused with the Patel
Patel
Patel is a surname of Indian origin, originally meaning "headman" or"village chief". Patels are socially, economically and politically the most dominant caste in Gujarat Patels are basically Kurmis or Kunbis and are found in various geographical locations. The Kunbi are an Indian subcaste...
surname commonly found in Gujarat.
The community was called "Gnati" or "Naat" and community gatherings were called "Moti-Naat". The Patel was also head of the judicial body of five people called "Panch", members of which were elected by the community. The decisions given by this "Moti-Naat" and "Panch" were considered final in case of any dispute regarding partition of property, marriage, divorce, etc. and the whole community used to abide by their decisions.
Surnames
These groups of warriors consisted of various KshatriyaKshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
clans such as the Jethwa
Jethwa
Jethwa is a name of a Kshatriya, Rajput clan that claim descent from Makardhwaja son of Lord Hanuman who appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana...
, Chawda/Chawra/Chaora
Chavda Kingdom
The Chavda Kingdom or Chapa dynasty also known as Gujar Chapas was an ancient Hindu Kshatriya dynasty which ruled northern Gujarat from 746 AD to 942 AD....
, Rathor/Rathore/Rathod
Rathore
The Rathore is a Suryavanshi Rajput clan same caste as Lohana. Their Kuldevi is Nagnechiya Mata and "Karani Mata". Rathores are originally from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh. Rathores are historically considered the samurais of India...
, Chauhan/Chouhan/Chowhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
, Maru, Varu, Vaghela, Sawaria/Savaria/Sarvaiyas, Chudasama
Chudasama
The Chudasama are a Rajput clan found in the state of Gujarat in India. The Chudasama dynasty,originally of Abhira clan from Sindh. The disambiguition of the name Chudasama means, Chuda-Sama, 'Chuda' is an Indian word used for big bangles which are normally worn on the wrist of Indian women and...
, Solanki
Solanki
The Solanki was a royal Hindu Indian dynasty that ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th to 13th centuries. A number of scholars including V. A. Smith assign them Gurjar origin....
, Parmar, Khodiyar
Khodiyar
Khodiyar Maa is the Hindu goddess who appeared in the story of Mamaniya Gadhvi in about AD 700.Mamaniya Gadhvi had a superb relationship with the then ruler - Maharaj Shilbhadra. The ruler's ministers envied this exceptional relationship and prepared a way to get rid of Mamaniya Gadhvi...
, Padhiyar
Parihar
Parihar is a clan which is part of many communities including Rajputs, Gurjars and Jats. According to the Handbook on Rajputs by famous British historian A. H...
, Yadav, Bhansod/Bhalsod, Tank/Taunk
Taunk
Tank or Taunk or Taank or Taunque is a name of Rajput clans Famous British historian Crooke maintains, the Tak Rajputs claim that they are Yaduvanshis and had martial relations with Yadavas princess of Jaisalmer.The community is distributed in the districts of Jodhpur , Udaipur and Tonk., Kutch,...
, Gohil
Gohil
Gohils are Suryavanshi Rajputs who have descended from the Guhilots of Mewar. As per the Sikarwar Khyat, Prince Shiladitya was born on Jesth Sudhi Chaturdashi of V.S 543 . He was the son of Emperor Aditya Sen and Queen Subhaga Devi. Though born at Chitor he was educated at Vallabhi...
, Vadher/Wadher, Wegad/Vegad, Makwana, Bhatti. There is a list of surnames in the books of the Barot
Barot (Caste)
Barot are a caste of Rajasthan, who were involved in profession as bards and especially as Vahivanchas: meaning traditional genealogists. They also additionally worked as Mythographers. They were also known by name of Bhat or Brahmbhatt.- Origin :...
caste, noted at the time of 1179 AD in the chronicles and since re-printed in the book Kumar Gnati History (1896). When Dhaneti was founded Rao Raydhan-Ratna ruled Kutch, as per community documents. The names of their Kuldevis differ as per their clan surname.Patel
Patel
Patel is a surname of Indian origin, originally meaning "headman" or"village chief". Patels are socially, economically and politically the most dominant caste in Gujarat Patels are basically Kurmis or Kunbis and are found in various geographical locations. The Kunbi are an Indian subcaste...
and Seth/Sheth
Sheth
Sheth was a title of honor, generally prefixed to the name of big businessmen, money lenders or rich persons of town in India. The title is still used but less often. In older days another title Nagar Seth was used to denote richest person of the town....
were honorary titles given used by community persons and not their original surnames, although descendants of persons given such titles later adopted them as their surname.
They have idols ('Farias') of their Kuldevi
Kuldevta
Kuladevata or Kuladevi, also known as Kuladev and Kŭladaiwat, stands for "family deity, that is either a god or a goddess" within Hinduism, as distinct from personal ishta-devata and village deities...
or Tutelary deity in the nineteen villages established by them. The names of their Kuldevis are Chamunda Maa
Chamunda
Chamunda , also known as Chamundi, Chamundeshwari and Charchika, is a fearsome aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother and one of the seven Matrikas . She is also one of the chief Yoginis, a group of sixty-four or eighty-one Tantric goddesses, who are attendants of the warrior goddess Durga...
, Brahmani Maa
Brahmani
In Hinduism, Brahmani is a kind and benevolent aspect of Devi, the Divine mother. Brahmani is associated with the Hindu creator god, Brahma as His consort or Shakti . She is one of the seven Mother Goddesses called Matrikas.-As Kuldevi:Many Kshatriya clans consider Her to be their Kuldevi...
, Sikotar Maa, Khodiyar Maa
Khodiyar
Khodiyar Maa is the Hindu goddess who appeared in the story of Mamaniya Gadhvi in about AD 700.Mamaniya Gadhvi had a superb relationship with the then ruler - Maharaj Shilbhadra. The ruler's ministers envied this exceptional relationship and prepared a way to get rid of Mamaniya Gadhvi...
, Peethal Maa, Chawal Maa, Boot Bhawani Maa, Bahuchar Maa
Bahuchara Mata
Bahuchara Mata is a Hindu goddess. She was a daughter of a charan Bapal dan Detha. She and her sisters were on journey with a caravan when a marauder named Bapiya attacked their caravan. It was common practice in charan men and women if overpowered by their enemies, not to surrender but to kill...
, Kalika Mata
Kali
' , also known as ' , is the Hindu goddess associated with power, shakti. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means "the black one". Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means "Time" or "Death" . Hence, Kāli is...
, Randal Mata, Oomay Mata, Mahmay Maa and Varuhi Mata.
Contributions to the architecture and history of Kutch
The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas were also master craftsmen, architects and contractors and have played a major role in erection and construction of the majority of forts, palaces and architecture of Kutch. It was because of this quality that around the mid 16th century they came to be known as MistriMistri
Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005....
in Kutch.
The word Mistri
Mistri
Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005....
(or Mistry
Mistry
Mistry or Mistry may refer to :-*Mistri - a word used for master-craftsman, foreman in India.*Mistri - a caste of India.*Mistry - a surname used by persons of India or Indian origin.*Mistris of Kutch - another name for KGK Community of India....
) means "skilled artisan" in Gujarati
Gujarati language
Gujarati is an Indo-Aryan language, and part of the greater Indo-European language family. It is derived from a language called Old Gujarati which is the ancestor language of the modern Gujarati and Rajasthani languages...
and was adopted into Gujarati language from Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
mestre meaning "master" or "expert". The Portuguese were present in Gujarat from around 1500 AD and the Battle of Diu
Battle of Diu
The Battle of Diu sometimes referred as the Second Battle of Chaul was a naval battle fought on 3 February 1509 in the Arabian Sea, near the port of Diu, India, between the Portuguese Empire and a joint fleet of the Sultan of Gujarat, the Mamlûk Burji Sultanate of Egypt, the Zamorin of Kozhikode...
was fought in 1509 where the Portuguese later built Diu Fort
Diu Fort
The Diu Fort, is located on the west coast of India in Diu, a Union Territory, administered by the Government of India. The fort was built by the Portuguese during their colonial rule of the Diu island. The Diu town is located to the west of the fort...
. They also acknowledged the expertise of Kadia Kshatriyas
Kadia kshatriyas
Kadia Kshatriyas are a minority group of the Hindu community in Gujarat State, India...
in building fortress and called them mestre. Even the Muslim rulers accepted the expertise of the Kadia
Kadia (community)
Kadia is a Hindu community in Gujarat State of India. They are specialised in masonry works, artistic carvings and sculpting as well as artistic wooden works.- History and origin :...
or Kadia Kshatriyas
Kadia kshatriyas
Kadia Kshatriyas are a minority group of the Hindu community in Gujarat State, India...
and were always sought after for building forts and fortress. The community was also known to travel far and wide for building such forts, palaces, etc. Their original roots, as said earlier, was in Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
and these group of Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
or Kshatriya
Kshatriya
*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
s were the people who were patronized by Kings for their ability of design fort building with members of the community holding the post of Gaidher
Gaidher
Gaidher or Gaidhar is a word of Gujarati, Kutchi and Rajasthani language. The word Gaidher derives its origin from the word Gadh or Garh...
or Raj Mistry
Raj Mistry
Raj Mistry or Raj Mistri is a term used in Indian sub-continent for the people, who are master craftsman, expert mason, a foreman, a construction supervisor or a person who has mastered his skill in filed of construction and also has a knowledge of Vastu and hence a vastukar.The when someone wants...
.
Not only the Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistri
Mistri
Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005....
community were expert and specialized in stone cutting and construction of forts, palaces, temples and buildings but they were also skilled architects and artisans who could do articulate carvings of doors, windows, pillars, and statues of gods and goddesses and ceilings. They have been the main engineers of almost all historical monuments of the Princely State of Cutch. They have been involved in construction of forts of Tera
Tera Fort
Tera Fort is one of the many fort of Kutch. It is situated near Tera village in Abdasa Taluka.Tera Fort was built by one of the Jadeja Chiefs, who was given the estate of Tera during the reign of Deshalji I ....
, Kanthkot
Kanthkot Fort
Kanthkot fort is one of the many forts of Kutch, Gujarat.The fort is located in periphery of Kanthkot village, in Bachau Taluka of Vagad area of Kutch. Built in 8th Century AD, it is located on the top of an isolated rocky hill, the old fort at Kanthkot in Gujarat has a 5 km radius.This fort was...
, Bhujia Fort
Bhujia Fort
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.-History:...
and fortification of towns of Anjar, Mandvi, Lakhpat and Rapar
Rapar
Rapar is a city and a municipality in Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.-Geography:Rapar is located at . It has an average elevation of 79 metres ....
.
The KGK community were major land holders and Jagirdars (or Garasdars) in Kutch from many centuries. They also farmed and maintained large land-holdings with Vadis
Farmhouse
Farmhouse is a general term for the main house of a farm. It is a type of building or house which serves a residential purpose in a rural or agricultural setting. Most often, the surrounding environment will be a farm. Many farm houses are shaped like a T...
and Khetars in and around the nineteen villages they settled. They were once a prosperous community and there was a proverb in Kutch "Mafa-vara Gada to Mistri-na-j hoy" meaning "Such decorated bullock-carts/camel-carts can only belong to Mistri community".
The temple of Ashapura Mata
Ashapura Mata
Ashapura Mata is one of aspect devi. Her temples are mainly found in Gujarat.In Rajasthan, her temples are in Modran and Nadol.She is considered as kuldevi of Jadeja...
at Mata no Madh
Mata no Madh
Mata no Madh is name of the place, where the famous temple of Ashapura Mata, the head deity of Kutch and kuldevi of Jadeja rulers stands. It is located about 80 km from Bhuj, the capital of erstwhile Princely State of Cutch and now headquarter of Kutch District.in Gujarat State of India.The...
, the Kuldevi of Jadeja
Jadeja
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...
Rulers of Kingdom of Kutch has been built by Mistri community. Similarly, the Temple at Dhrang
Dhrang
Dhrang or Dhrung is a small village located in Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. The village is located at about distance of 40 km from Bhuj Taluka & District Headquarter. The village is on border to Pakistan...
over the Samadhi
Samadhi
Samadhi in Hinduism, Buddhism,Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools is a higher level of concentrated meditation, or dhyāna. In the yoga tradition, it is the eighth and final limb identified in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali....
of Mekan Dada and Akhara
Akhara
In Hinduism, Akhara is an organization of the different sects of Sadhus Vairaghis yogis or Hindu Renunciates....
were also erected by craftsman of the Mistri community. The renovation and reconstruction of Bhadreshwar
Bhadreswar, Kutch
Bhadreswar / Bhadreshwar is a village in Mundra Taluka, Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of about 32 km from Taluka head quarter Mundra and barely a kilometer away from sea-shore.-History:...
Jain Temples, Koteshwar
Koteshwar, Kutch
Koteshwar is name of an ancient Shiva temple located at the western tip of India in Lakhpat taluka, Kutch District of Gujarat.The story of Koteshwar begins with Ravana, who won it as a boon from Lord Shiva for an outstanding display of piety, this Shiva linga of great spiritual power. But which...
Mahadev
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
Temple, and Narayan Sarovar
Narayan Sarovar
Narayan Sarovar is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus. It is located in Lakhpat taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat in India at a distance of about 210 km from Bhuj and ancient Koteshwar temple lies only 4 km away from here...
Temples, Mata-no-Madh; after devastating earthquakes of 1819, 1844–45 and 1875 all have been done by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris of Kutch or Kadia Kshatriyas of Kutch, are a Hindu community of the Kutch District of Gujarat state in India...
. The famous 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...
of Rao Lakhpatji in Bhuj
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...
built in eighteenth century in 1761 AD and Chhatris of other royal family members have been built by this community.
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas community 'Gaidher' Jagmal Pitamber of Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
was Gaidher of the Kutch Raaj in the middle of 17th century, "Gadh" meant that the forts of Bhuj
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...
, Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
, Mandvi
Mandvi
Mandvi is a city and a Municipality in Kachchh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was once a major port of the region and summer retreat for Maharao of the Kachchh. The old city had a surrounding fort, and remains of the fort wall can still be seen to this day...
, Lakhpat
Lakhpat
Lakhpat fort town is a small town in Kachchh district of Gujarat, India within the fort walls of the 18th-century Lakhpat fort. The literal meaning of Lakhpat is the city of millionaire, however today it is sparsely populated Ghost town, a city of ruins of buildings and a magnificent fort...
and Mundra
Mundra
Mundra is a census town in Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Mundra Port is the largest private port in India.-Geography:The town of Mundra is located about 50 km from Anjar which is one of the major towns in the district of Kutch in Gujarat. The other important towns in this...
were erected and constructed under supervision of "Gaidher" Jagmal Pitamber with help of other Mistris of the nineteen villages. The community also built other historic forts such as Lakhpat
Lakhpat
Lakhpat fort town is a small town in Kachchh district of Gujarat, India within the fort walls of the 18th-century Lakhpat fort. The literal meaning of Lakhpat is the city of millionaire, however today it is sparsely populated Ghost town, a city of ruins of buildings and a magnificent fort...
and Sindri Fort. The Lakhpat
Lakhpat
Lakhpat fort town is a small town in Kachchh district of Gujarat, India within the fort walls of the 18th-century Lakhpat fort. The literal meaning of Lakhpat is the city of millionaire, however today it is sparsely populated Ghost town, a city of ruins of buildings and a magnificent fort...
Gurudwara
Gurdwara
A Gurdwara , meaning the Gateway to the Guru, is the place of worship for Sikhs, the followers of Sikhism. A Gurdwara can be identified from a distance by tall flagpoles bearing the Nishan Sahib ....
built by them in the 17th century resembles the houses in their villages. The beautiful carvings of elephants, idols, pillars and wooden ceilings in the Gurudwara housing are similar to those found in the Thakor Mandir of their villages in Sinugra, Chandiya, Madhapar and architecture of Gurudwara, similar to their houses in their villages.
The famous Aaina Mahal
Aina Mahal
Aina Mahal is an 18th-century palace in Bhuj, Gujarat, India. It is located next to the Prag Mahal. It was built by Rao Lakhpatji in the mid-18th century. The chief architect was Ram Singh Malam.The palace was totally destroyed in 2001 Gujarat Earthquake...
of Bhuj
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...
was built around 1750 during the reign of Jadeja
Jadeja
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...
King, Rao Lakhpatji (1741–1761). The main architect of the palace was Ramsinh Malam who had spent seventeen years in Holland and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
learning the techniques of making clocks, enameling, tiles, architecture and glass works. Rao Lakhpatji appointed him as main architect for Aaina Mahal. The Kadias of Kutch
Kadia (community)
Kadia is a Hindu community in Gujarat State of India. They are specialised in masonry works, artistic carvings and sculpting as well as artistic wooden works.- History and origin :...
worked with him in on Aaina Mahal quickly grasped the art of making tile
Tile
A tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as ceramic, stone, metal, or even glass. Tiles are generally used for covering roofs, floors, walls, showers, or other objects such as tabletops...
s, tiling
Tiling by regular polygons
Plane tilings by regular polygons have been widely used since antiquity. The first systematic mathematical treatment was that of Kepler in Harmonices Mundi.- Regular tilings :...
, enameling and stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
works and later used these techniques in building other palaces and majestic houses of their own.
Third in line of succession to Jagmal Pitamber was his son Ruda Gajdhar Jagmal and later his son Jairam Ruda Gajadhar Rathod, who became Gaidher in the reign of Maharao
Maharao
Maharao is a variation on the Indian royal title Maharaja, also meaning 'Great king' in Hindi. It is composed of Maha- 'great' and the royal title Rao, a variation on Raja.-Salute states :...
Shree Pragmalji II of Kutch
Pragmalji II of Kutch
Maharao Pragmalji II was the Rao of Princely State of Cutch, a ruler of Jadeja dynasty who ascended the throne upon death of his father & king Rao Deshalji II on 26th July, 1860 and ruled till his death on 19th December, 1875. He was a progressive King and the Gadh of Mandvi, Mundra were...
who built Prag Mahal
Prag Mahal
The Prag Mahal is a 19th-century palace located next to the Aina Mahal in Bhuj, Gujarat, India. It was commissioned by Rao Pragmalji II, and construction began in 1865. It was designed by Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins in the Italian Gothic style, and many Italian artisans were involved in its...
in Bhuj
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...
in 1865 to 1878 AD (V.S. 1922 to 1935). The main designer of Prag Mahal was the British architect Colon Wilikins, who designed it in the Italian Gothic style and the Kadias of Kutch
Mistri
Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005....
worked with him in its construction. Started by Rao Pragmalji, who died in 1875, the construction was completed by his son Maharao Shree Khengarji Bawa
Khengarji III of Kutch
Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Sri Sir Khengarji III Sawai Bahadur, GCSI, GCIE, KIH was a progressive and one of the longest ruling, Maharao of the Princely State of Cutch from 1875 to 1942....
in 1878. His Assistant Engineer was "Giadher" Devshi Gova of Khedoi
Khedoi
Khedoi is large village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 14 KM from nearest town Anjar.Village is again sub-divided into Nani-Khedoi and Moti-Khedoi...
. Maharo Shree Pragmalji and later Maharao Shree Khengarji Bawa held special affection for Gaidher Jairam Ruda and the Mistris of the nineteen villages were hired on the recommendation of Gaidher. the Alfred High School
Alfred High School, Bhuj
Alfred High School in Bhuj, Kutch is one of the oldest educational institution of Gujarat and first high school of Kutch. It was founded by Rao of Cutch, Pragmalji II in year 1870 at cost of Rs, 1,50000/-...
, the Fergusson Museum, library, embankment of Hamirsar Lake
Hamirsar Lake
Hamirsar Lake is a large man made lake situated in heart of Bhuj town, the District headquarters of Kutch, Gujarat, India.It is a 450 year old lake named after Rao Hamir, the founder of Bhuj. The lake was built during the reign of Rao Khengarji I , the founder of Jadeja dynasty in Kutch, who named...
, Aara Ghat
Ghat
Ghat is the capital of the Ghat District in the Fezzan region of southwestern Libya.-History:In historical times, Ghat was a major terminal point on the Trans-Saharan trade route and a major administrative center in the Fezzan...
in Bhuj
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...
, were all constructed during the reign of Maharao Shree Pragmalji when Gaidher Jairam Ruda of Anjar was the Gaidher
Gaidher
Gaidher or Gaidhar is a word of Gujarati, Kutchi and Rajasthani language. The word Gaidher derives its origin from the word Gadh or Garh...
for the State. Also the Mistris were involved in construction of Sharad Baag Palace of Bhuj built in 1867 commissioned during the reign of Rao Dashalji II in 1859–60 and completed during the reign (1860–1875) of Rao Pragmalji II.
Mistri Kanji Gova Rathod of Khedoi was Gaidher
Gaidher
Gaidher or Gaidhar is a word of Gujarati, Kutchi and Rajasthani language. The word Gaidher derives its origin from the word Gadh or Garh...
in the court of Gagubha, the Darbar
Darbar
Darbar may refer to:* A term for a court in Urdu from the Persian - Durbar * A surname used in the Indian Subcontinent, it originated during Mughal rule...
of Kothara, from 1855 to 1895 and the Jain Dersar (now famous as one of Abdasa-ni-Panchtirthi), the Derasar
Derasar
A derasar is a temple for followers of Jainism, except for non-murtipujak Svetambaras. Derasar is a word used in Gujarat, Kutch and parts of Rajasthan, in other parts of India, the term Jain Mandir is used for all the Jain temples. Jain idols of Tirthankaras are worshipped there...
of Kothara
Kothara
Kothara is a village in Abdasa Taluka of Kutch district of Gujarat.Kothara was an estate founded during the reign of Godaji , when Godaji, the ruler of Kutch, gave the Mundra estate to his brethren Haloji. Haloji founded towns of Kothara, Kotri and Nagrachi.Kothara is famous for the Jain Derasar,...
and other Palaces of Kothara Darbar were built under the supervision of Mistri Kanji Gova of Khedoi
Khedoi
Khedoi is large village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 14 KM from nearest town Anjar.Village is again sub-divided into Nani-Khedoi and Moti-Khedoi...
with help of other Mistris of the nineteen villages in 1858. The other Jain temples of Naliya
Naliya
Naliya is an town, which is also Taluka headquarter of Abdasa Tauka of Kutch District of Gujarat, India.It is located on Western end of Kutch at a distance of 17 km from ancient port of Jakhau....
, Tera
Tera
Tera- is a prefix in the metric system denoting 1012 or .The prefix tera was was confirmed in 1960. In computer science tera can sometimes mean instead of , especially in the term terabyte. To avoid this ambiguity, the binary prefix tebi has been introduced to signify 240....
, Jakhau
Jakhau
Jakhau is a village 14 km west of Naliya, the taluka headquarters of Abdasa taluka of Kutch, Jakhau Salt - the port of Jakhau is situated a further 15 km westwards....
and Surthi also have been built by artisans of Mistri community of Kutch, along with their counterparts from Saurashtra.
The Brother of Kanji Gova, Mistri Ruda Gova Rathod of Khedoi
Khedoi
Khedoi is large village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 14 KM from nearest town Anjar.Village is again sub-divided into Nani-Khedoi and Moti-Khedoi...
was also the Gaidher
Gaidher
Gaidher or Gaidhar is a word of Gujarati, Kutchi and Rajasthani language. The word Gaidher derives its origin from the word Gadh or Garh...
, who constructed in Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
, the beautifully carved Dargah
Dargah
A Dargah is a Sufi shrine built over the grave of a revered religious figure, often a Sufi saint. Local Muslims visit the shrine known as . Dargahs are often associated with Sufi meeting rooms and hostels, known as khanqah...
of Hussain Pir Shah also known as the Aga Khani Kubo of the Khoja
Khoja
The Khojas are ethnic group of Shia Muslims. The word Khoja derives from Khwaja, a Persian title .In Pakistan, many Khojas migrated to and settled in the province of Sindh and especially in the city of Karachi. While in India, most Khojas live in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and...
community, which was inaugurated by Hasan Ali Shah, the Aga Khan I
Aga Khan I
Aga Khan I The Imam Hasan Ali Shah was born in 1804 in Kahak, Iran to Shah Khalil Allah, the 45th Ismaili Imam, and Bibi Sarkara, the daughter of Muhammad Sadiq Mahallati , a poet and a Ni‘mat Allahi Sufi...
him-self. Ruda Gova Rathod of Khedoi
Khedoi
Khedoi is large village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 14 KM from nearest town Anjar.Village is again sub-divided into Nani-Khedoi and Moti-Khedoi...
started construction in 1860 and completed it in about five years.
The Mistris of Kutch were also involved in construction and erection of Vijay Vilas Palace
Vijay Vilas Palace
Vijay Vilas Palace is the famous one time summer palace of Rajas of Kutch located on sea-beach of Mandvi in Kutch, Gujarat, India.-History:The palace was built during reign of Maharao Shri Khengarji III as summer resort for his son & successor, the Yuvraj Shri Vijayaraji and is therefore, named...
built on sea-beach of Mandvi
Mandvi
Mandvi is a city and a Municipality in Kachchh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was once a major port of the region and summer retreat for Maharao of the Kachchh. The old city had a surrounding fort, and remains of the fort wall can still be seen to this day...
by Khengarji III of Kutch, as summer palace for his son and yuvraj
Yuvraj
Yuvraj, Yuvaraja, or Yuvaraj is an Indian title for "Crown Prince", i.e., heir apparent to the throne of an Indian Princely State or former Hindu kingdom ruling the India before Indian independence...
Vijayaraji
Vijayaraji
H.H. Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Sri Vijayaraji Khengarji Sawai Bahadur was the ruling Maharao of the princely state of Kutch from 1942 to his death in 1948....
. The carved stone works of Jali
Jali
A jali is the term for a perforated stone or latticed screen, usually with an ornamental pattern constructed through the use of calligraphy and geometry. Early work was performed by carving into stone, while the later more elegant used by the Mughals employed the technique of inlay, using marble...
s, Jharokas
Jharokha
A jharokha is a type of overhanging enclosed balcony used in Indian architecture, typically Mughal architecture and Rajasthani architecture. Jharokhas jutting forward from the wall plane could be used both for adding to the architectural beauty of the building itself or for a specific purpose...
, 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...
s, Chhaja
Chhajja
A chhajja is the projecting or overhanging eaves or cover of a roof, usually supported on large carved brackets. It was used extensively by Hindus for thousands of years, and then more recently borrowed by the invading Muslim empires into the common vocabulary of “Mughal Architecture."It forms...
s, mural
Mural
A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
s and many other artistic stone carvings, colored glass work
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
on windows and door panels all have been done by them, an art in which they were expert. The architect and craftsman from other places like Jaipur
Jaipur
Jaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18 November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, the city today has a population of more than 3.1 million....
, Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
, Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
and Saurashtra, were also involved. The construction started in 1920 completed in 1929.
The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris of Kutch or Kadia Kshatriyas of Kutch, are a Hindu community of the Kutch District of Gujarat state in India...
have also built and donated funds for religious and charitable purposes building temples as well as hospitals and building schools in Kutch, as well throughout various places in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. All early Mandir and other infrastructure like Chhabutaro
Chabutro
Chabutro or Chabutaro or Chabutra is a structure mostly found in villages of Gujarat State of India. It is a tower-like structure with octagonal or pentagonal shaped enclosures at the top. In the upper enclosure are several holes, wherein birds can make their nests. In Gujarat these are...
, Dharamsalas
Dharamshalas
Dharamshalas is the term for a religious resthouse. In Hindi, Dharma means religion, and shala means "sanctuary" hence dharamshala is a 'religious sanctuary' or rest-house for pilgrims, that are primarily created for a religious purpose for pilgrims, or as a religious endowment.Sometimes they are...
, Welcome Gate, rest houses, etc. in their nineteen villages are built by them.
The Sanatan Thakor
Hindu deities
Within Hinduism a large number of personal gods are worshipped as murtis. These beings are either aspects of the supreme Brahman, Avatars of the supreme being, or significantly powerful entities known as devas. The exact nature of belief in regards to each deity varies between differing Hindu...
Mandir, the Juna Vaas and many new infrastructures at Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
were built by Mistris of the village. Renovation work and expansion of the Suralbhit – Jadeshwar Mahadev Temple near Bhuj
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...
was done by Mistris Manji Jeram Rathod and Valji Bhimji Rathod of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
Village in 1914 (V.S. 1971) financed by Maharao
Maharao
Maharao is a variation on the Indian royal title Maharaja, also meaning 'Great king' in Hindi. It is composed of Maha- 'great' and the royal title Rao, a variation on Raja.-Salute states :...
Sri Khengarji Bawa of Kutch. In year 1943 (V.S. 2000) Manji Jairam Rathod of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
again did the renovation of Suralbhit – Jadeshwar Temple. The Step-wells near Dhorava Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
Temple were built by Mistri Manji Jeram Rathod of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
in 1927 from his personal finance. Mistri Valji Bhimji Rathod of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
was among the few persons who, apart from Royal family, owned a car by special permission of the King of Kutch.
Besides being in construction works Mistris were also entrepreneurs and many of them owned fleets of ships used to import and export dry fruits and spices as well as trading in Muscat
Muscat, Oman
Muscat is the capital of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. As of 2008, the population of the Muscat metropolitan area was 1,090,797. The metropolitan area spans approximately and includes six provinces called wilayats...
, Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
, Mzizima, Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Zanzibar ,Persian: زنگبار, from suffix bār: "coast" and Zangi: "bruin" ; is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, in East Africa. It comprises the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the mainland, and consists of numerous small islands and two large ones: Unguja , and Pemba...
and other countries. Notable among them were Seth Raja Narayan Chawda of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
, Seth Khora Ramji Chawda
Seth Khora Ramji Chawda
Khora Ramji Chawda , better known as Seth Khora Ramji, was a reputed Railway Contractor, Coal mines owner and Banker of early 20th Century in India, who worked from Dhanbad and Jharia. He was born in a small village called Sinugra in Kutch and belonged to KGK Community...
of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
, Kachrani Varu of Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
and Jairam Teja Chawda of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
in 1880–1900.
Mistris were a major revenue earner for the Princely State of Cutch. Besides being major land holders jagirdars of Anjar, Bhuj and Mandvi Taluka of Kutch the majority of them worked as railway contractors and public works contractors in British India. They were paid in Indian Rupees which they bought to Kutch and converted into Kutchi currency (Koris
Kutch kori
The kori was the currency of Kutch until 1947. It was subdivided into 24 dokda , each of 2 trambiyo. Only coins were issued. The kori was replaced by the Indian rupee at a rate of 1 rupee = 3½ kori....
). British Indian Rupees were paper currency and Kori were Silver Coins and on conversion the Koris had to be loaded into many bullock-carts and brought to the villages of the Mistris. The bullock carts were guarded by rifle and sword bearing guards from Bhuj
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...
to their houses. Many Mistris also kept Miyana
Miyana
The Miyana are a Muslim Rajput community found in the state of Gujarat in India.- History and origin :The Miyana are Rajputs who were converted to Islam during the rule of Allauddin Khilji in the thirteenth century...
as their guards. Many Miyana families were patronized by Mistirs and they were employed to work as guards for the whole village and also to work and look after their farmhouses and farms. KGK Community paid their tax on their huge income earned from Railway and other Contracts job to the Princely State of Cutch, instead of to British India and were therefore respected by the Jadeja
Jadeja
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...
kings of Kutch. Many families of the Mistri community held friendly relationships with the different Kings of Kutch.
Many of them also worked as private bankers, notable among whom were Seth Khora Ramji Chawra of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
, Jetha Lira Jethwa of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
, Seth Raja Narayan Chawda of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
, Jairam Teja Chawra of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
, Patel Mandan Ramji Vegad of Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
etc. Some of them were so rich that their children studied at the prestigious Rajkumar College, Rajkot
Rajkumar College, Rajkot
The Rajkumar College in Rajkot is one of the oldest K-12 institutions in India. RKC has a 26 acre campus located in the heart of Rajkot city.-History:...
and the Rajkumar College, Raipur
Rajkumar College, Raipur
Rajkumar College in Raipur is one of the old K-12 foundation of India. RKC has spacious buildings, grounds and play fields. The whole estate is spread over an area of 115 acres.-History:...
between 1920 and 1950.
Religious and Charitable contributions in Kutch
The Kutch Gurjar KshatriyasKutch Gurjar Kshatriyas
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris of Kutch or Kadia Kshatriyas of Kutch, are a Hindu community of the Kutch District of Gujarat state in India...
have also built and donated funds for religious and charitable purposes, building temples as well as hospitals and in field of child and girls education by building schools in Kutch as well through out various places in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. All early Mandir and other infrastructure like Chhabutaro
Chabutro
Chabutro or Chabutaro or Chabutra is a structure mostly found in villages of Gujarat State of India. It is a tower-like structure with octagonal or pentagonal shaped enclosures at the top. In the upper enclosure are several holes, wherein birds can make their nests. In Gujarat these are...
, Dharamsalas
Dharamshalas
Dharamshalas is the term for a religious resthouse. In Hindi, Dharma means religion, and shala means "sanctuary" hence dharamshala is a 'religious sanctuary' or rest-house for pilgrims, that are primarily created for a religious purpose for pilgrims, or as a religious endowment.Sometimes they are...
, Welcome Gate, Rest Houses, etc. in their nineteen villages are built by them.
A few examples are given below:-
At Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
, the community had built famous Thakor Janraiji Temple of the town and this temple was patronized by them till independence of India almost up to 1950s. The temple was built by fore father of Gaidher
Gaidher
Gaidher or Gaidhar is a word of Gujarati, Kutchi and Rajasthani language. The word Gaidher derives its origin from the word Gadh or Garh...
Jairam Ruda Gajdhar Rathod.
Khoda Ramji started Primary School named Seth Khora Ramji Prathmik Shala in Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
in 1910. Bhimji Devji Rathod started Girls School in Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
. Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
built Boarding House for students in Bhuj
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...
in 1932. Lira Raja Rathod of Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
and Dhanji Ratanji Rathod of Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
built Boarding House and School in Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
. A major donation for Anjar Boarding was also given Rai Sahib Narshi Bechar Khodiyar of Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
and Kharagpur. Mistri community also helped to develop Ashram
Ashram
Traditionally, an ashram is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo....
s of Dhrang
Dhrang
Dhrang or Dhrung is a small village located in Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. The village is located at about distance of 40 km from Bhuj Taluka & District Headquarter. The village is on border to Pakistan...
and Vandhay in Kutch. Mistri community donated large sums of money to Sant Odhavramji
Odhavram
Sant Sri Odhavram Ji was born in Jakhau, a small village located on the west coast of Gujarat, India in District Kutchh. He was born in a Bhanushali family on the auspicious day of Hindu festival of “Ram Navami” in 1889, he was named Udhav. His parents were mother Chaagbai & father Hemraj. Udhav...
of Vandhay
Vandhay
Vandhay or Vandhai is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat. It is 59.6 km from Bhuj, district and taluka headquarters.It is a very small village with a population of around 350 people and about 70 houses...
, who started the first Gurukul
Gurukul
A gurukul is a type of school in India, residential in nature, with shishyas living in proximity to the guru, often within the same house...
of Kutch, named Ishwarramji Gurukul, in year 1937 and Blind School in 1938 both in Vandhai, Kutch. One of his disciple and the major donor was Manji Jeram Rathod of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
.
Swaminarayan Mandir in Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
was built by Jivan Narayan Chauhan in 1868. He and his son Govamal Jeevan also built the village pond Dharamsalas, etc. in Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
. The Swaminarayan Mandir of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
, Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
, Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
and Bhuj
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...
were also built or promoted with major donations from Mistri community during their founding years. The famous Thakor Mandir of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
were built by Khoda Ramji Chawda and Brothers with Khoda Ratna Tank of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
in 1895. The Chabutro
Chabutro
Chabutro or Chabutaro or Chabutra is a structure mostly found in villages of Gujarat State of India. It is a tower-like structure with octagonal or pentagonal shaped enclosures at the top. In the upper enclosure are several holes, wherein birds can make their nests. In Gujarat these are...
, Jadeshwar Mahadev
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
Temple, Harijan
Harijan
Harijan was a term used by Gandhi for Dalits. Gandhi said it was wrong to call people 'untouchable', and called them Harijans, which means children of God...
Vaas
House
A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...
, were all built by Khora Ramji and brothers. Ramdev Pir temple built by Jetha Lira Jethwa of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
.
The Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
Temple and Vaadi
Vadi
Vadi may refer to:* Vadi , musical note of special significance in Indian classical music* "Vadi" or Wadi, an Arabic term for valley or a dry riverbed* Fillipo Vado, author of De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi, an Italian treatise on fighting...
of Hajapar
Hajapar
Hajapar is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kachchh District of Gujarat State of India. It is located at a distance of about 18 km from Bhuj. One nearby village is Reha.-History:...
are built by Nanji Govindji Tank in 1920.
At village Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
, Temples, Public Library, Balwadi
Nursery school
A nursery school is a school for children between the ages of one and five years, staffed by suitably qualified and other professionals who encourage and supervise educational play rather than simply providing childcare...
, Chabutro
Chabutro
Chabutro or Chabutaro or Chabutra is a structure mostly found in villages of Gujarat State of India. It is a tower-like structure with octagonal or pentagonal shaped enclosures at the top. In the upper enclosure are several holes, wherein birds can make their nests. In Gujarat these are...
, Harijan
Harijan
Harijan was a term used by Gandhi for Dalits. Gandhi said it was wrong to call people 'untouchable', and called them Harijans, which means children of God...
Vaas
House
A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...
and more particularly the Dam with the check dams which could store water for the whole village for years in those drought prone ages were single-handedly designed, build and donated by Lira Raja Rathod (Bhalsod) son of Raja Ruda of Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
and Kolkata.
Thakor Mandir at Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
was built by Lira Valji Tank in 1920s. The Nagalpar welcome gate, Chabutro, Dargah of Hussain Pir all built by Mistri community.
At Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
, the Harijan
Harijan
Harijan was a term used by Gandhi for Dalits. Gandhi said it was wrong to call people 'untouchable', and called them Harijans, which means children of God...
Vaas
House
A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...
, Temple, Public Garden, pond and 10 km long pucca road from Bhuj
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...
to Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
was built and donated by Jagmal Raja.
At Galpadar
Galpadar
Galpadar is village in Gandhidham Tehsil of Kutch District of Gujrat State of India. It is located at a distance of about 3 km from Gandhidham, 11 km from Anjar and 51 km from Bhuj.-History:...
, the Bhagavan
Bhagavan
Bhagavan, also written Bhagwan or Bhagawan, from the Sanskrit nt-stem literally means "possessing fortune, blessed, prosperous" , and hence "illustrious, divine, venerable, holy", etc.In some traditions of Hinduism it is used to...
Ram
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
Temple, Ramdev Pir Temple and Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
ji Temple were all built by Nanji and Khubha Mavji Chavda. The huge pond named Meghsar Talav and other old infrastructure at Galpadar
Galpadar
Galpadar is village in Gandhidham Tehsil of Kutch District of Gujrat State of India. It is located at a distance of about 3 km from Gandhidham, 11 km from Anjar and 51 km from Bhuj.-History:...
is also built by Mistris of Village in late 19th century.
Similarly, the big pond in outskirts of Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
village and community halls, Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Temples were also built by the community. The primary school and exclusive Boarding house and Hostel for Girl students at Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
were built Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas. The Sant Garibdasji Ashram Dharamshala at Kukma was built and donated by Mistri Ghela Pachan Parmar. The Mahadev
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
Temple at Kukma was built and donated by Raja Ladhha and Ramji Lira and Mulji Ramji Rathor in 1934.
The beautiful Thakor Mandir and Jadeshwar Mahadev
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
Temple at Chandiya
Chandiya
Chandiya or Chandia is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 18 km from nearest town Anjar.-History:...
, Vidi
Vidi
Vidi or Videe or Virdee is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is at a distance of about 4 km from Anjar, the Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
, Meghpar
Meghpar (Anjar)
Meghpar is a village in Anjar Taluka in Kutch District of Gujarat of India. It is located on Anjar to Galpadar Road. About the history of Meghpar it is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris of Kutch. It is located at a distance of about 4 km from Taluka...
, Jambudi
Jambudi
Jambudi is a village near the Bhuj, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of about 20 km from Bhuj Taluka and District Headquarter of Kutch.-History:...
, Lovaria were also built by them.
In year 1940, Mavji Dahya Chauhan of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
, who established himself as industrialist in Belur-Hassan, floated Nutan Kelvani Mandal, which started Balawadi
Nursery school
A nursery school is a school for children between the ages of one and five years, staffed by suitably qualified and other professionals who encourage and supervise educational play rather than simply providing childcare...
and Kanya
Girl
A girl is any female human from birth through childhood and adolescence to attainment of adulthood. The term may also be used to mean a young woman.-Etymology:...
Shala
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
in almost all 19 villages of the community.
Immediately after the earthquake of July 21, 1956, two Refugee camp
Refugee camp
A refugee camp is a temporary settlement built to receive refugees. Hundreds of thousands of people may live in any one single camp. Usually they are built and run by a government, the United Nations, or international organizations, or NGOs.Refugee camps are generally set up in an impromptu...
s (now known as Mistri Camp-1 and Mistri Camp-2) for refugee relief were set up by the Mistri
Mistri (caste)
The Mistri or Mistris are a Hindu caste found in state of Gujarat in India.-Names of casts known as Mistri:There are two different casts by same name:-...
a.k.a. KGK Community in out-skirts of Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
town, in which they later built small concrete housing blocks for the poor people, who had lost their house.
The same camps again came to use for refugee relief operations at the time of massive earthquake that hit Kutch on January 26, 2001, when Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
and adjoining villages of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
, Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
, Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
, Devaliya were totally devastated. At the time of 2001 earthquake that devastated Kutch, the KGK Community residing in various States of India and abroad also rushed in reliefs and voluntary donations to help earthquake victims, with many people personally carrying medicines, clothes and monies in vans and trucks from Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
to far off places like Raipur and Dhanbad
Dhanbad
Dhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
.
Migration out of Kutch
The major migration of KGK, or Mistris, from Kutch began when the British started laying railway lines in India. The KGK community which had been skilled in construction works decided to move out of Kutch and try to adapt their skills to railway lines and allied constructions for which the British needed a skilled workforce. The community were expert in stone-cutting, lime-paste making and brick manufacturing as well as in the construction of buildings and forts for centuries and decided to cash in on these new opportunities as there was a dearth of new jobs and opportunities in Kutch. Kutch was also going through a famine in those years. The KGK made a major contribution to the history of Indian railways, laying railway lines through-out British India.Many families of Mistris also migrated outside India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to other British Colonies like Aden
Aden
Aden is a seaport city in Yemen, located by the eastern approach to the Red Sea , some 170 kilometres east of Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000. Aden's ancient, natural harbour lies in the crater of an extinct volcano which now forms a peninsula, joined to the mainland by a...
, East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
, Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Zanzibar ,Persian: زنگبار, from suffix bār: "coast" and Zangi: "bruin" ; is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, in East Africa. It comprises the Zanzibar Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the mainland, and consists of numerous small islands and two large ones: Unguja , and Pemba...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
, Burma, Ceylon and the Maldives during the middle of 19th century. They were encouraged by the British as these countries lacked skilled persons. They have worked in building the Aden railway, the Ceylon Government Railway, for the Burma Railway Company, Sittang Valley State Railway, Mu Valley State Railway, Thaton-Duyinzaik Railway, Irrawaddy Valley State Railway, East African Railways Corporation, Uganda Railway
Uganda Railway
The Uganda Railway is a railway system and former railway company linking the interiors of Uganda and Kenya with the Indian Ocean at Mombasa in Kenya.-Origins:...
and the South African Railways. Even today you can find their descendants living in Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, Zanzibar, etc. Although at present many have moved out of East Africa and settled in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the USA or have returned to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
after the political uncertainty during 1960–80. This was especially true during the Zanzibar Revolution
Zanzibar Revolution
The Zanzibar Revolution by local African revolutionaries in 1964 overthrew the Sultan of Zanzibar and his mainly Arab government. An ethnically diverse state consisting of a number of islands off the east coast of Tanganyika, Zanzibar had been granted independence by Britain in 1963...
in the mid 1960s and during the rule of Idi Amin
Idi Amin
Idi Amin Dada was a military leader and President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Amin joined the British colonial regiment, the King's African Rifles in 1946. Eventually he held the rank of Major General in the post-colonial Ugandan Army and became its Commander before seizing power in the military...
in Uganda.
Contribution to Indian railways in British India and thereafter
It was during 1850 to 1930 AD that the KGK or Mistris of Kutch migrated outside Kutch and were involved in the construction of major rail-bridges and the laying down of railway tracks in almost all major rail routes of undivided British India doing the "Railway Thekedari" (Railway Contractors also Thikadari) and as Thekedar (or Thikadar) in IrrigationIrrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
projects and Forest Department and Public Works Department. They have also done major roadway, road bridges, canal works, irrigation dams and barrage work through-out British India from 1850 to 1980. The communities largest contribution is in the building of the early railway lines and bridges throughout British India. Their families migrated out of Kutch and settled in various parts of India during these early years of railway construction. Their works in Railway construction span from 1850 to 1980 for more than one and a quarter of century.
Starting as small time masons in Railway Construction in decade of 1850 and later working as Sub-contractors or Agent to British Engineers, they rose to a level of First Class Railway Contractors by 1880. By 1900 they had established their Monopoly in various divisions of Railways through out North,South,East and West of British India and by 1920 they became masters in this field that many of them were given title of Rai Bahadur by British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
exclusively for their engineering feats in erection of Railway Bridges and laying lines in most difficult terrain. Their feats are amazing also because almost all of the early pioneering Mistri Contractors could only write in Gujarati and had hardly studied up to third standard in vernacular schools of their dusty villages, still they managed to build bridges and lay railway lines, which required scientific measurement and calculation and could manage to work and speak with British Railway Officers and Engineers.
They preferred to work as a syndicate, where the railway contracts would be taken by them and sub-let to fellow Mistri contractors belonging to their 19 villages. Thus they held sway in many divisions of Railways in British India. There was dearth of skilled persons in India who were ready to work in difficult terrains of mountains and jungles due to the risk of being killed by diseases like malaria, cholera, plague and by wild animals or gangs of robbers and outlaws. The early British records of many railway companies have noted that many British engineers and labour resigned, left or even perished due to killer diseases like malaria, cholera and from the effects of the heat and sun while laying the railway lines. Working as a railway contractor in these early days meant staying away from home for many months, or even years. In these difficult circumstances the KGK were the pioneers, laying lines as far as Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
, Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
, Peshawar
Peshawar
Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative center and central economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan....
and Madras, thousands of miles away from their homes in Kutch. Before the arrival of the railways the main means of transport were horse-cart, bullock-cart or moving on foot. They used to travel with their families and children and there are many records of their children being born in remote jungles.
The laying of the railways needed a lot of physical labor and stamina for jobs like leveling the earth, the cutting back of the jungle, blasting of mountain passes and cuttings, laying ballast
Track ballast
Track ballast forms the trackbed upon which railway sleepers or railroad ties are laid. It is packed between, below, and around the ties. It is used to facilitate drainage of water, to distribute the load from the railroad ties, and also to keep down vegetation that might interfere with the track...
along tracks and walking several of miles daily. Mechanical knowledge for track interlocking
Interlocking
In railway signalling, an interlocking is an arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements through an arrangement of tracks such as junctions or crossings. The signalling appliances and tracks are sometimes collectively referred to as an interlocking plant...
s, switching
Railroad switch
A railroad switch, turnout or [set of] points is a mechanical installation enabling railway trains to be guided from one track to another at a railway junction....
, and advanced engineering calculations for building bridges and their arches and abutment
Abutment
An abutment is, generally, the point where two structures or objects meet. This word comes from the verb abut, which means adjoin or having common boundary. An abutment is an engineering term that describes a structure located at the ends of a bridge, where the bridge slab adjoins the approaching...
s, laying foundations in river beds, deep well-sinking, laying span
Span (architecture)
Span is the distance between two intermediate supports for a structure, e.g. a beam or a bridge.A span can be closed by a solid beam or of a rope...
s and many such technical jobs. Similarly they built the platform
Railway platform
A railway platform is a section of pathway, alongside rail tracks at a train station, metro station or tram stop, at which passengers may board or alight from trains or trams. Almost all stations for rail transport have some form of platforms, with larger stations having multiple platforms...
s, the station buildings, the station master
Station master
The station master was the person in charge of railway stations, in the United Kingdom and some other countries, before the modern age. He would manage the other station employees and would have responsibility for safety and the efficient running of the station...
's room, ticket counters, rest rooms and other facilities such as over-head water tanks, the digging of ponds nearby for an uninterrupted supply of water, building the signal cabin, rail yard
Rail yard
A rail yard, or railroad yard, is a complex series of railroad tracks for storing, sorting, or loading/unloading, railroad cars and/or locomotives. Railroad yards have many tracks in parallel for keeping rolling stock stored off the mainline, so that they do not obstruct the flow of traffic....
and staff quarters.
The railways needed an uninterrupted supply of bricks, boulders and lime-paste for building of the infrastructure in those early days between 1850 and 1900. The KGK also known as Chunaras (lime workers) for many decades, cashed in on this opportunity and many of them started brickworks
Brickworks
A brickworks also known as a brick factory, is a factory for the manufacturing of bricks, from clay or shale. Usually a brickworks is located on a clay bedrock often with a quarry for clay on site....
and lime-kilns in remote, forested and inaccessible areas of British India to supply the materials. The railways needed bricks of specific sizes and dimensions which were a little bigger and stronger than the ordinary bricks used in house construction. It should be noted here that in those days lime-paste was used for construction. The community were also expert in the art of stone cutting that they had inherited from their fore-fathers, who were masters at building forts. These cut-rocks have been used in most old bridges and platform buildings and can still be seen surviving today.
In history of India, Mistris of Kutch are probably the only community, whose migration out of their home land Kutch, was attributed to construction of Railways in British era. This is a unique fact about association of Railways and Mistris of Kutch
For further details, see page Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas contributions to the Indian railways.
Contributions in building docks, dams and canals in British India
The KGK have a major contribution to the building of docks, dams, barrages and irrigation canals during the years 1850–1980.The first ports of Bombay were built during 1750 to 1760 and the people who worked in construction of Bombay Port and Hornby Vellard
Hornby Vellard
The Hornby Vellard was a project to build a causeway uniting all seven islands of Bombay into a single island with a deep natural harbour. The project was started by the governor William Hornby in 1782 and all islands were linked by 1838...
, which was built during years 1780–1830, were the Kamathis
Kamathis
Kamathis are a group of people from Mumbai, India who had migrated to the city from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. In 1795, the Maratha army defeated the Nizam of Hyderabad. Following this, many artisans and construction workers from Andhra Pradesh migrated to Bombay and settled into the flats...
of South India
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, Sikar
Sikar
Sikar is a city located in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan state in India. It is the administrative headquarter of Sikar District. Sikar is a historical city and contains many old Havelis which are a huge tourist attraction. The best way to reach the city is to use road transport from Jaipur...
s of Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
, Mistri
Mistri
Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005....
s of Kutch and Kadias
Kadia (community)
Kadia is a Hindu community in Gujarat State of India. They are specialised in masonry works, artistic carvings and sculpting as well as artistic wooden works.- History and origin :...
of Saurashtra. Other docks were developed in Bombay during 1870–1895 (Prince's Docks built in the year 1885 and Victoria Docks built in the year 1891) in which many Mistris of Kutch and Kadia Kshatriyas
Kadia kshatriyas
Kadia Kshatriyas are a minority group of the Hindu community in Gujarat State, India...
of Saurahstra worked.
In 1883 the Mandvi Port Docks and a bridge over the Rukmavati River
Rukmavati River
The Rukmavati River is a south flowing river originating in the central Kutch District and empties into the Arabian Sea in the district of Gujarat. Mandvi, an ancient port town, is located on the banks of this river just at the mouth where it meets the Arabian Sea near the Gulf of...
at Mandvi
Mandvi
Mandvi is a city and a Municipality in Kachchh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was once a major port of the region and summer retreat for Maharao of the Kachchh. The old city had a surrounding fort, and remains of the fort wall can still be seen to this day...
were built by Vishram Karman Chawda of Chandiya
Chandiya
Chandiya or Chandia is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 18 km from nearest town Anjar.-History:...
. Details are mentioned in the book Ratna Bhagat ni Chopdi – 2nd Edition (1935) in an article by Jethalal V. Chawda. This bridge on the Rukmavati river is the longest stone bridge of its kind in India.
Harji Jeevan Chauhan of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
built the docks for Karachi Port Trust
Karachi Port Trust
Karachi Port Trust is a Pakistani federal government agency that oversees the operations of the Port of Karachi in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.-History:...
in 1895–1898. The complete extension work of Karachi Docks was completed by him in three years.
The Ken Canal works over Ken River
Ken River
The Ken River is one the major rivers of the Bundelkhand region of central India, and flows through two states, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh...
in the Banda District for the Banda Public Works Department in 1907 was done by Ruda Raja Rathod of Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
.
During the year 1912–1914, Mistris of Kutch also worked in construction of India's first syphen dam at Madamsilli Dam near Dhamtari
Dhamtari
Dhamtari is one of the oldest municipality region.The district was officially formed on 6 July 1998 dividing the Raipur district currently the capital of Chhattisgarh along with Mahasamund .District is situated in the fertile plains of Chhattisgarh Region.The total area of the district is...
. One major contractor was Vishram Raja of Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
.
Similarly, during 1915–1920 Kalji Vasta Chauhan and Virji Ranchhod Chauhan of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
built Khuntaghat Dam and canals on the Kharoong River 12 km from Ratanpur
Ratanpur
Ratanpur is a town and a nagar panchayat in Bilaspur district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is located about 25 km from Bilaspur on the National Highway 200 towards Ambikapur.-Demographics:...
in the Central Province
Central Provinces and Berar
The Central Provinces and Berar was a province of British India. The province comprised British conquests from the Mughals and Marathas in central India, and covered much of present-day Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra states. Its capital was Nagpur. The Central Provinces was formed in...
.
In 1924 the extension of Calcutta Port Trust
Kolkata Port Trust
The Port of Kolkata is a riverine port in the city of Kolkata, India. It is the oldest operating port in India, having originally been constructed by the British East India Company....
at Khiddirpore
Khiddirpur
Khiddirpur is a village and gram panchayat in Faizabad district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.-Demographics: India census, Khiddirpur had a population of 1100, with males constituting 51% of the population and females 49%. Khiddirpur has an average literacy rate of 60%, compared to the...
in Calcutta was made by building a new dock named the "King George Dockyard" and was done by Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan with Bhimjee Pancha Chauhan and Mavji Punja Chauhan, all from Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
. This work was completed in 1927and the dock has now been re-named as "Netaji Subhas Docks".
Jairam Karsan Chauhan of Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
, stationed at Sambalpur
Sambalpur
Sambalpur is a city in Sambalpur district in the Indian state of Orissa.It lies at a distance of 321 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. In the year 1876, Sambalpur was established as a municipality. It is currently the headquarters and the largest city of Sambalpur district. It is also...
, was one of the major contractors who worked in construction of the Hirakud Dam
Hirakud Dam
Hirakud Dam is built across the Mahanadi River, about 15 km from Sambalpur in the state of Orissa in India. Built in 1957, the dam is one of the world's longest earthen dam....
, construction of which started in 1948 and was completed in 1957.
In year 1956, when construction of Tawa Dam began on Tawa River
Tawa River
The Tawa River is a tributary of the Narmada River of central India.-Course:The Tawa is the Narmada's longest tributary, at 172 km. It rises in the Satpura Range of Betul and flowing north and west, joins the Narmada at the village of Bandra Bhan in Hoshangabad District.-Dam:In 1958,...
near Hoshangabad
Hoshangabad
Hoshangabad is a city and a municipality in Hoshangabad district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is a city in the central india region, located on the south bank of the Narmada River, and is the administrative center of Hoshangabad District.-History:mohammed bharmal & abdeali batawalaThe...
, one of the major Contractor for the work was Mavji Ruda Chawra of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
, who was son of Late Rai Sahib Ruda Laddha Chawra. The Dam was completed in 1974.
Narayan Bhawan Maru and Amarshi Pragji Maru of Devaliya were the contractors who built the Parola Dam near Hingoli
Hingoli
Hingoli is a city and a municipal council in Hingoli district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-History:Marathwada was initially under Nizam's regime. Hingoli was the taluka of parbhani district and part of Nizam's regime. It was actually Nizam's military base as it was border place with...
, construction of which began in 1964 and was completed in 1971.
Coal mining and KGK
Kutch Gurjar KshatriyasKutch Gurjar Kshatriyas
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris of Kutch or Kadia Kshatriyas of Kutch, are a Hindu community of the Kutch District of Gujarat state in India...
or Mistri
Mistri
Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005....
community were also the pioneers to enter in to Coal Mining business in Dhanbad
Dhanbad
Dhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
- Jharia
Jharia
Jharia is a notified area and one of eight development blocks in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand state, India. More than one town in India shares this name.- City :...
-Bokaro
Bokaro Steel City
Bokaro Steel City is one of the largest Industrial city situated in the State of Jharkhand, in India. Bokaro is the 48th cleanest city in India and second in Jharkhand after Jamshedpur and one of the best cities to live in India...
-Hazaribagh
Hazaribagh
Hazaribagh is a city and a municipality in Hazaribagh district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. It is the divisional headquarters of North Chotanagpur division. It is famous as a health resort and for Hazaribagh National Park ....
-Asansol
Asansol
Asansol is a coal mining and industrial metropolis and one of the busiest commercial centres in India. It is the second largest city and urban agglomeration in West Bengal after Kolkata and the 19th largest urban agglomeration in India. Asansol is located in the western part of the Burdwan...
Coalfields area in erstwhile Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
, Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
and Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
of British India; starting from 1894 to 1925 and established many collieries breaking the monopoly of British and Europeans in that field.
They established collieries at Khas Jharia
Jharia Khas
Jharia Khas is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Demographics: India census, Jharia Khas had a population of 19,808. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Jharia Khas has an average literacy rate of 54%, lower than the national average of 59.5%:...
, Jinagora, Jamadoba
Jamadoba
Jamadoba is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Geography:Jamadoba is located at . It has an average elevation of 153 metres .-Demographics:...
, Balihari
Baliari
Baliari is a census town in Dhanbad district in the state of Jharkhand, India.-Demographics: India census, Baliari had a population of 11,528. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Baliari has an average literacy rate of 59%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with 67% of...
, Fatehpur, Gareria, Bansjora, Janudih, Joyrampur, Tisra
Tisra
Tisra is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Demographics: India census, Tisra had a population of 53,547. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Tisra has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is...
, Katras
Katras
Katras is a town equivalent to a city in terms of facilities and a notified area in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Geography:Katras is located at . It has an average elevation of 201 metres .-Demographics:...
garh, Dharmabad, Kujama, Kajora, Kailudih
Kailudih
Kailudih is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Demographics: India census, Kailudih had a population of 8,903. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Kailudih has an average literacy rate of 56%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male...
, Parascole, Parasia, Kusunda
Kusunda
The Kusunda or Ban Raja , known to themselves as the Mihaq or Myahq The Kusunda or Ban Raja ("people of the forest"), known to themselves as the Mihaq or Myahq The Kusunda or Ban Raja ("people of the forest"), known to themselves as the Mihaq or Myahq (The Kusunda or Ban Raja ("people of the...
, Kutchi Balihari, Golukdih, Mahuda, Pandibri, Rajapur, Govindpur, Sijua
Sijua
Sijua is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Geography:Sijua is located at . It has an average elevation of 181 metres .-Demographics:...
, Sijhua
Sijhua
Sijhua is a census town in Bokaro district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Demographics: India census, Sijhua had a population of 4,478. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Sijhua has an average literacy rate of 50%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is...
, Lodna, Loyabad
Loyabad
Loyabad is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Demographics: India census, Loyabad had a population of 32,695. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Loyabad has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy...
, Dhansar
Dhaunsar
Dhaunsar is a census town in Dhanbad district in the state of Jharkhand, India.-Demographics: India census, Dhaunsar had a population of 9,205. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Dhaunsar has an average literacy rate of 48%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male...
, Basra, Bhuli, Bermo
Bermo
For the town in North Wales, see Y Bermo.Bermo is a census town in the Bokaro district of the state of Jharkhand, India.-Demographics: India census, Bermo has a population of 80,954. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Bermo has an average literacy rate of 65%, the national...
, Bhaga, Mugma
Mugma
Mugma is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Geography:Mugma is located at . It has an average elevation of 132 metres .-Demographics:...
, Chas
Chas
Chas is a 70 year old twin city with Bokaro and a municipality in Bokaro district in the state of Jharkhand, India. Chas is also included in the urban area of Bokaro Steel City having Population of More than 250000. Chas market is one of the biggest wholesale market in the region better known as...
nala-Bokaro
Bokaro Steel City
Bokaro Steel City is one of the largest Industrial city situated in the State of Jharkhand, in India. Bokaro is the 48th cleanest city in India and second in Jharkhand after Jamshedpur and one of the best cities to live in India...
, Bhaga, Bugatdih
Bhagatdih
Bhagatdih is a census town in Dhanbad district in the state of Jharkhand, India.-Demographics: India census, Bhagatdih had a population of 33,263. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Bhagatdih has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with...
, Putki
Chhotaputki
Chhotaputki is a census town in Dhanbad district in the state of Jharkhand, India.-Demographics: India census, Chhotaputki had a population of 6,693. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Chhotaputki has an average literacy rate of 54%, lower than the national average of 59.5%;...
, Chirkunda
Chirkunda
Chirkunda is a city and a notified area in Dhanbad district in the state of Jharkhand, India.-Demographics: India census, Chirkunda had a population of 39,121. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Chirkunda has an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of...
, Barora, Bhowrah
Bhowrah
Bhowrah is a census town in Dhanbad district in the state of Jharkhand, India.-Geography:Bhowrah is located at . It has an average elevation of .-Demographics:...
, Bhojudih, Sinidih
Sahnidih
Sahnidih is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Demographics: India census, Sahnidih had a population of 5,802. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Sahnidih has an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male...
, Bastacolla, Jambad, Kajoragram, Sudamdih, Moonidih, Kendwadih
Kenduadih
Kenduadih is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Geography:Kenduadih is located at . It has an average elevation of 196 metres .In and around a number of open cast mines operated by B.C.C.L.-Demographics:...
, South Karanpura, Dumka
Dumka
Dumka, headquarters of Dumka district, is a city and municipality in the state of Jharkhand, India. It was made the headquarters of the Santhal Pargana region which was carved out of Bhagalpur and Suri districts after The Great Santal Hul 1855. Presently, it is the commissionary headquarter of...
, Hindegir, West Tumang at McCluskieganj
McCluskieganj
McCluskieganj is a town in Jharkhand State, India. It is about 40 miles northwest of Ranchi. The town used to have a significant Anglo-Indian community, however this has declined. The town was founded by the Colonization Society of India in 1933 as an independent homeland for Anglo-Indians and was...
in erstwhile States of Bihar and Bengal and Donganalla, Pali
Pali, Umaria
See Pali for other usesPali is a town and a nagar panchayat in Umaria district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.-Geography:Pali is located at . It has an average elevation of 450 metres .-Demographics:...
, Hingir-Rampur, Ib-Valley, Brajrajnagar, Ghorghori, Ghoradongri
Ghoradongri
Ghoradhongri is located about 40 km of Betul District, Madhya Pradesh, India. This place has a population of about 10,000. The railway station is connected to two main railway stations i.e Itarsi Junction and Nagpur...
, Tavaveli, Betul
Betul
Betul is a city and a municipality in Betul district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is the administrative center of Betul District located in southern Madhya Pradesh. It forms the southernmost part of the Bhopal Division.-Etymology:...
, etc. in Orissa and Central Provinces
Central Provinces
The Central Provinces was a province of British India. It comprised British conquests from the Mughals and Marathas in central India, and covered parts of present-day Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra states. Its capital was Nagpur....
to name a few.
The credit of being first Indian to break the monoploy of British in Jharia Coalfields goes to Seth Khora Ramji Chawda
Seth Khora Ramji Chawda
Khora Ramji Chawda , better known as Seth Khora Ramji, was a reputed Railway Contractor, Coal mines owner and Banker of early 20th Century in India, who worked from Dhanbad and Jharia. He was born in a small village called Sinugra in Kutch and belonged to KGK Community...
of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
. In the life sketch of Khora Ramji given in Encyclopedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa - the British have noted this fact in year 1920 - "In Jharia Coalfield he was first Indian to seize the opportunity and by his prompt entry into colliery business, he was able to remove the stigma that would otherwise be leveled against his community as backward class." Further, details are given in the book Diary of Golden Days at Jharia - A Memoir and History of Gurjar Kashtriya Samaj of Kutch in Coalfields of Jharia - written by Natwarlal Devram Jethwa - Quote: The East Indian Railway in 1894-95 extended its line from Barakar
Barakar
Barakar is a town in Asansol subdivision of Bardhaman district in the state of West Bengal. It is situated at the border of the states of Jharkhand and West Bengal. The Grand Trunk Road passes through Barakar. The town is located on the banks of Barakar River....
to Dhanbad
Dhanbad
Dhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
via Katras
Katras
Katras is a town equivalent to a city in terms of facilities and a notified area in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Geography:Katras is located at . It has an average elevation of 201 metres .-Demographics:...
and Jharia
Jharia
Jharia is a notified area and one of eight development blocks in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand state, India. More than one town in India shares this name.- City :...
. Messrs. Khora Ramji in 1894 was working on railway lines contract of Jharia branch line and with his brothers was also building Jharia Railway Station. Messrs. Khora Ramji was a HUF
Hindu Undivided Family
Hindu undivided family is a legal term related to the Hindu Marriage Act. Due to the development of Indian Legal System, of late, the female members are also given the right of share to the property in the HUF...
of five brothers and their sons: Khora Ramji Chawda, Narayan Pachhan Ramji Chawda, Murji Akhai Ramji Chawda, Jairam Teja Ramji Chawda and their half-brother Jetha Lira Vela Jethwa. The Jharia coalfields was discovered while digging up the earth for laying this railway line. Khora Ramji while working near Jharia Railway station immediately realized the gold he had struck and purchased the lands from Raja of Jharia. He similarly purchased about eight coal-fields from years 1895-1909. Further, he also encouraged fellow Mistri contractors to purchase the land and even financed them to do so. He later approached Raja of Jharia for lease of mining rights and laid foundation of his colliery business. The location of his three collieries named Jeenagora, Khas Jherria, Gareria is mentioned also in 1917 Gazetteers of Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Orissa.:- Unquote
To give a few examples, in Jharia
Jharia
Jharia is a notified area and one of eight development blocks in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand state, India. More than one town in India shares this name.- City :...
-Dhanbad
Dhanbad
Dhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
coal-belt in Manbhum
Manbhum
Manbhum was one of the districts of the East India during the British Raj. After India’s independence, the district became a part of Bihar state, and upon re-organization of the Indian states in the mid-1950s, the district became a part of the West Bengal...
District: Seth Khora Ramji Chawda of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
founded Khas Jharia
Jharia Khas
Jharia Khas is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Demographics: India census, Jharia Khas had a population of 19,808. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Jharia Khas has an average literacy rate of 54%, lower than the national average of 59.5%:...
, Golden Jharia, Fatehpur, Balihari
Baliari
Baliari is a census town in Dhanbad district in the state of Jharkhand, India.-Demographics: India census, Baliari had a population of 11,528. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Baliari has an average literacy rate of 59%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with 67% of...
,Khas Jeenagora, East Bhuggatdih
Bhagatdih
Bhagatdih is a census town in Dhanbad district in the state of Jharkhand, India.-Demographics: India census, Bhagatdih had a population of 33,263. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Bhagatdih has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with...
and Gareria Colliries. with their brothers, Teja Ramji, Akhoy Ramji, Pachan Ramji Chowra and Jetha Lira Jethwa of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
between years 1895-1910. In Pure Jharia Colliery Khora Ramji and brothers were partners with Diwan Bahadur D. D. Thacker. Govamal Jivan Chauhan of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
founded Pandubra and Golukdih Collieries during 1908-10. The life-sketch of Seth Khora Ramji Chawda of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
and Govamal Jivan Chauhan of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
is mentioned specially by British in Encyclopedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa mentioning their feats of Railway works and Coal Mining. The other notable from this community were Ramji Gangji Sawaria of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
founded Basra Colliery, brothers Khimjee Dossa and Gangji Dossa Jethwa of Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
founded collieries at North Kujama, North Akashkinari, Katrasgaarh, Central Jharia, Indian Jharia and Lower Upper Jharia Tisra
Tisra
Tisra is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Demographics: India census, Tisra had a population of 53,547. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Tisra has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is...
and Katras
Katras
Katras is a town equivalent to a city in terms of facilities and a notified area in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Geography:Katras is located at . It has an average elevation of 201 metres .-Demographics:...
, Joyram Gohil of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
founded Joyrampur and Khas Bagatdih
Bhagatdih
Bhagatdih is a census town in Dhanbad district in the state of Jharkhand, India.-Demographics: India census, Bhagatdih had a population of 33,263. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Bhagatdih has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with...
Collieries, Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja of Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
and Manji Jeram of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
founded Rajapur Colliery. Dana Premji Maru of Devaliya at Jharia, Ghela Devraj and Karamsinh Ghela, Viram Ghlea Chawda of Devaliya at Tisra, Khimji Valji Chauhan of Reha
Reha
Reha is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 15 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:About the history of Reha it is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch...
, Amarsinh Gowamal and Manji Gowamal of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
at Tisra, Ratanji Ramji Rathod and his son Dhanji Ratanji of Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
founded Diamond Coal Company at Tisra
Tisra
Tisra is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Demographics: India census, Tisra had a population of 53,547. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Tisra has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is...
, Khengar Triku Padhiyar of Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
, Premji Dana of Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
, Dhanji Devshi Solanki of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
, Devraj Ramji of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
founded Janudih Colliery, Ratna Mepa Tank of Devaliya founded Khas Junadih, Jairam Shivjee of Khedoi
Khedoi
Khedoi is large village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 14 KM from nearest town Anjar.Village is again sub-divided into Nani-Khedoi and Moti-Khedoi...
, Valji Narayan Chauhan of Reha
Reha
Reha is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 15 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:About the history of Reha it is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch...
, Veera Mavji of Galpadar
Galpadar
Galpadar is village in Gandhidham Tehsil of Kutch District of Gujrat State of India. It is located at a distance of about 3 km from Gandhidham, 11 km from Anjar and 51 km from Bhuj.-History:...
, Walji Kheta Chauhan of Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
founded K. S. Nanji and Company at Nanji Kujama, Ruda Manji of Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
, Narsingh Harji of Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
at Kendwadih, Parbat Vira Tank of Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
, Dhanji Devji Rathor of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
, Hardas Devani Padhiyar of Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
, Bhawan Kara of Balambha
Balambha
Balambha is a village in Jodiya taluka of Jamnagar District of Gujarat in India.It is one of the thirty-six villages founded by Kadia Kshatriyas of Saurashtra....
, Gova Petha of Chandiya
Chandiya
Chandiya or Chandia is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 18 km from nearest town Anjar.-History:...
, Mepa Nondha of Chandiya
Chandiya
Chandiya or Chandia is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 18 km from nearest town Anjar.-History:...
, Pachhan Dahya Gohil and Ladhha Mengal Gohil of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
all started collieries at Tisra
Tisra
Tisra is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Demographics: India census, Tisra had a population of 53,547. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Tisra has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is...
, Katras
Katras
Katras is a town equivalent to a city in terms of facilities and a notified area in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Geography:Katras is located at . It has an average elevation of 201 metres .-Demographics:...
, Jharia
Jharia
Jharia is a notified area and one of eight development blocks in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand state, India. More than one town in India shares this name.- City :...
coalfields. Ramji Dhanji Chawda of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
founded Hingir-Rampur Colliery in year 1909 near Brajrajnagar, brothers Rai Sahib Mulji Jagmal Savaria and Ranchhod Jagmal Sawaria of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
founded Donganalla Colliery in year 1921-22 near Pali near Pendra Road in Central Provinces, while Rai Sahib Vishram Walji Rathod of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
founded Ghoraghori, Ghoradongri
Ghoradongri
Ghoradhongri is located about 40 km of Betul District, Madhya Pradesh, India. This place has a population of about 10,000. The railway station is connected to two main railway stations i.e Itarsi Junction and Nagpur...
and Tavaveli colliaries near Chhindwara
Chhindwara
Chhindwara is a town and a municipality in Chhindwara district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of Chhindwara District. Chhindwara is reachable by rail or road from adjacent cities Nagpur and Jabalpur...
, Ghela Pachan and Devji Ghela Parmar of Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
founded Lower Joyrampur Colliery in Manbhum
Manbhum
Manbhum was one of the districts of the East India during the British Raj. After India’s independence, the district became a part of Bihar state, and upon re-organization of the Indian states in the mid-1950s, the district became a part of the West Bengal...
and Jambad Selcted Colliery and Kajoragram Coal Mines near Asansol
Asansol
Asansol is a coal mining and industrial metropolis and one of the busiest commercial centres in India. It is the second largest city and urban agglomeration in West Bengal after Kolkata and the 19th largest urban agglomeration in India. Asansol is located in the western part of the Burdwan...
in Bengal, Hirji Karamshi Chauhan and Rai Sahib Lalji Hirji Chauhan of Devaliya founded collieries of South Karanpura at Hindegir and West Tumang at McCluskieganj
McCluskieganj
McCluskieganj is a town in Jharkhand State, India. It is about 40 miles northwest of Ranchi. The town used to have a significant Anglo-Indian community, however this has declined. The town was founded by the Colonization Society of India in 1933 as an independent homeland for Anglo-Indians and was...
in Hazaribagh
Hazaribagh
Hazaribagh is a city and a municipality in Hazaribagh district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. It is the divisional headquarters of North Chotanagpur division. It is famous as a health resort and for Hazaribagh National Park ....
District.
The KGK Community laid the foundation of collieries and coal mines in Dhanbad-Jharia-Bokaro fields on which the later other communities like Punjabis
Punjabi people
The Punjabi people , ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ), also Panjabi people, are an Indo-Aryan group from South Asia. They are the second largest of the many ethnic groups in South Asia. They originate in the Punjab region, which has been been the location of some of the oldest civilizations in the world including, the...
: (Khanna, Thapar), Kutchis
Kutchi people
The Kutchi people traditionally reside in the Kutch region of the northwestern Indian state of Gujarat and in the Sindh province of Pakistan...
: (Nandwana, Chanchani, Worah, Ojha, Ramsarandas), Marwaris
Marwaris
Marwari or Marwadi or Rajasthani people are Indian ethnic group, that inhabit the Rajasthan region of India. Their language Rajasthani is a part of the western group of Indo-Aryan languages....
: (Agarwalla, Poddar, Motiram Roshanlal, Seth Jharumal), Gujaratis
Gujarati people
Gujarati people , or Gujaratis are an ethnic group that is traditionally Gujarati-speaking and can trace their ancestry to the state of Gujarat in western India...
: (Patel, Thacker, Kalyanji Mavji, Kesabji Pitamber, Ajmera, Pathak, Rawal, Mehta), Bengali
Bengali people
The Bengali people are an ethnic community native to the historic region of Bengal in South Asia. They speak Bengali , which is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit and Sanskrit languages. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী...
: (Mondal, Seal, Bagchi, Banerjee, Bakshi, Ghose, Nag), Hindustani
Hindustani people
Hindustani people or Hindoostani people was a word often used in British India and also in 20th Century in India for the group of people whose native language was a variety of Hindi or persons using Hindustani language — mainly residing in present day Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh,...
: (Thakur, Singh, Sahu) also followed and prospered in decades after 1930. Encyclopaedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa -1920 mentions:- "Out of 92 collieries belonging to Gujarati
Gujarati people
Gujarati people , or Gujaratis are an ethnic group that is traditionally Gujarati-speaking and can trace their ancestry to the state of Gujarat in western India...
s in Jharia
Jharia
Jharia is a notified area and one of eight development blocks in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand state, India. More than one town in India shares this name.- City :...
Coalfields Area during 1920s - 50 belonged to Mistris of Kutch
Mistri
Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005....
with Seth Khora Ramji as Head of them all." Seth Khora Ramji of Sinugra was also honored by King of Kutch by giving him a Paghdi
Turban
In English, Turban refers to several types of headwear popularly worn in the Middle East, North Africa, Punjab, Jamaica and Southwest Asia. A commonly used synonym is Pagri, the Indian word for turban.-Styles:...
. Khora Ramji died in year 1923, a decade after his death in 1938, two of his collieries Khas Jharia and Golden Jharia, which also housed their bungalow then run by his sons Ambalal Khora, Karamsinh Khora and Chandulal Khora, capsized due to now infamous underground fires.
As per details given in Diary of Golden Days at Jharia - A Memoir and History of Gurjar Kashtriya Samaj of Kutch in Coalfields of Jharia - written by Natwarlal Devram Jethwa - Quote: "Seth Khora Ramji headed the first association as mentioned by British authorities in Encyclopaedia Bengal, Bihar and Orissa (1920). After him many members of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya community have been at the post of Chairman of Indian Colliery Owner's Association, which was formed after his death. At that time there were three associations (1) Indian Mining Association - which was formed by British Coal Miners largely dominated by European owned large corporate Coal Mining companies concentrated in Ranigunj Coal Belt. The other was (2) Indian Mining Federation - formed by aristocrat Bengali miners mostly having coal-mines in Ranigunj Coalfields and the third association, which was formed on the initiative of than dominant Colliery owners community i.e. lead by Mistris of Kutch with other Kutchi, Gujarati and Marwari colliery owners mainly concentrated in Jharia Coalfields was (3) Indian Colliery Owners' Association (ICOA), Jharia." -Unquote.
As per referred books, Lala Karamchand Thapar
Karam Chand Thapar
Karam Chand Thapar was the founder of the Thapar Group of companies.He was originally from Punjab. He started his career in 1920 as a coal trader in Calcutta, and built up the family fortune through . He then started JCT Limited that is into textiles as well as molasses and alcohol...
, who started his business career in Jharia coalfields in late 1920s, was helped by KGK community, initially to get him established as Coal Merchant, especially by Devram Jetha of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
. As written in the book Diary of Golden Days at Jharia – A Memoir and History of Gurjar Kashtriya Samaj of Kutch in Coalfields of Jharia: "After him many members of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya community have been at the post of Chairman of Indian Colliery Owner's Association, which was formed after his death. At that time there were three associations (1) Indian Mining Association – which was formed by British Coal Miners largely dominated by European owned large corporate Coal Mining companies concentrated in Ranigunj Coal Belt. The other was (2) Indian Mining Federation – formed by aristocrat Bengali miners mostly having coal-mines in Ranigunj Coalfields and the third association, which was formed on the initiative of than dominant Colliery owners community i.e. led by Mistris of Kutch with other Kutchi, Gujarati and Marwari colliery owners mainly concentrated in Jharia Coalfields was (3) Indian Colliery Owners' Association (ICOA), Jharia."
After nationalization of the coal mines in 1971–73 a downturn in the fortunes of KGK community came. There are still many buildings and markets constructed by them in Dhanbad
Dhanbad
Dhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
, Jharia
Jharia
Jharia is a notified area and one of eight development blocks in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand state, India. More than one town in India shares this name.- City :...
and Raipur in Chhatisgarh. The community members having collieries at Jharia
Jharia
Jharia is a notified area and one of eight development blocks in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand state, India. More than one town in India shares this name.- City :...
wanted their wards to study at Rajghat Besant School
Rajghat Besant School
Rajghat Besant School in Varanasi is one of the reputed resident-cum-day school of India, established in 1934 by Jiddu Krishnamurti. It is named after Dr. Annie Besant and located near Rajghat Railway Station on other side of river Ganges & Varanasi city.The school was founded and is run by...
in Benaras run by the Krishnamurti Foundation India but the college hosteld were full and declined to take any more students. The community elders were persistent and offered to build an exclusive hostel in the campus if they agreed to take all their wards into their Collage. They built a hostel and donated it to the college who decided to name is Jharia Hostel as all the residents were from the mining community of Jharia
Jharia
Jharia is a notified area and one of eight development blocks in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand state, India. More than one town in India shares this name.- City :...
, mostly belonging to the KGK Community of Kutch.
Mineral mining and KGK
Arjan Ladhha Rathod and Varjang Harji Rathod of KumbhariaKumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
founded the Manganese Ore mines at Chaibasa
Chaibasa
Chaibasa is a city and a municipality in West Singhbhum district in the state of Jharkhand, India. Chaibsa is district headquarter of West Singhbhum district.- Geography :Chaibasa is located at...
in 1910 and Arjan Ladhha Mines sometimes misspell as Arjun Lodha Mines at Balagoda
Balagoda (Bolani)
Balagoda is a census town in Kendujhar district in the state of Orissa, India.-Geography:Balagoda is located at . It has an average elevation of .-Demographics:...
. Lalji Jhina of Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
also owned Manganese ore mines in Chaibasa
Chaibasa
Chaibasa is a city and a municipality in West Singhbhum district in the state of Jharkhand, India. Chaibsa is district headquarter of West Singhbhum district.- Geography :Chaibasa is located at...
. Rai Sahib Mulji Jagmal Savaria of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
and Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji Chauhan
Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji Chauhan
Jairam Valji Chauhan , better known as Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji, was a reputed Railway Contractor & Miner, who owned several dolomite and limestone mines in and around present day Chhattisgarh....
of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
owned Manganese, Dolomite and Limestone Mines in at Jairamnagar
Jairamnagar
Jairamnagar is a railway station at a distance of about 14 km from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. It is a small railway station and village. The station code is JMRG. The station was named Jairamnagar after Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji Chauhan, a famous Gujrati & Kutchi Railway Contractor in 1929...
, Akaltara
Akaltara
Akaltara is a town and a nagar palika in Janjgir-Champa district in the state of Chhattisgarh, India. It is the birth place of a great freedom fighter Thakur Chhedi Lal .-Geography:...
, Tirodi
Tirodi
Tirodi is a census town in Balaghat district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.-Geography:Tirodi is located at . It has an average elevation of 375 metres .-Demographics:...
, Katni
Katni
Katni is a town on the banks of the Katni River in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Katni District. It is located in the Mahakoshal Region of Central India. The city is away from the Divisional Headquarters of the region, Jabalpur...
in Central Provinces. Jeevram Jairam Chawda of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
owned Minerals mines in Saraikela
Saraikela
Saraikela, also spelled Seraikella, is the administrative headquarters of Saraikela Kharsawan District of Jharkhand. Earlier it was a municipality in Pashchimi Singhbhum districtin the Indian state of Jharkhand....
. The community members also owned Slate and Granite mines in Markapur
Markapur
Markapur is a town and a municipality in Prakasam district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the Third largest Town in Prakasam district.-Geography:Markapur is located at . It has an average elevation of 145 metres ....
and Minerals Mines in Keonjhar. Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan
Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan
Jagmal Raja Chauhan , better known as Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja, was an industrialist in Bombay and a railway contractor at the time of Independence of India. He was born in a small village named Nagher, in Kutch and belonged the Kutch Gurjar Kashtriya community...
of Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
owned Silica mines in Shankargarh
Shankargarh
Shankargarh is a town and a nagar panchayat in Allahabad district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Demographics: the India census, Shankargarh had a population of 13,116. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Shankargarh has an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the...
. Hirji Premji Parmar of Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
and Deoji Jairam Solanki of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
owned soap-stone and kaoline mines at Asansol
Asansol
Asansol is a coal mining and industrial metropolis and one of the busiest commercial centres in India. It is the second largest city and urban agglomeration in West Bengal after Kolkata and the 19th largest urban agglomeration in India. Asansol is located in the western part of the Burdwan...
and Hazaribagh
Hazaribagh
Hazaribagh is a city and a municipality in Hazaribagh district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. It is the divisional headquarters of North Chotanagpur division. It is famous as a health resort and for Hazaribagh National Park ....
. At present in Kutch, many members of Mistri community own China Clay and Bentonite mines.
Contribution in architects and development of cities of India
Apart from laying first Railway lines and building docks of Bombay, the Mistris of Kutch and Kadias of SaurashtraKadia kshatriyas
Kadia Kshatriyas are a minority group of the Hindu community in Gujarat State, India...
were also involved in construction of Victoria Terminus for Great Indian Peninsula Railway, Bombay Central and Colaba Terminus
Colaba
Colaba is a part of the city of Mumbai, India, and also a Lok Sabha constituency. During Portuguese rule in the 16th century, the island was known as Candil...
both for Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway, Bombay High Court
Bombay High Court
Bombay High Court at Mumbai, Maharashtra, is the High Court of India with jurisdiction over the states of Maharashtra & Goa, and, the Union Territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli...
, Taj Hotel, J. J. School of Art, Town Hall, Wilson Collage
Wilson College, Mumbai
The Wilson College, set up in 1832 in Mumbai, is one of India’s oldest colleges, with its foundation preceding that of the University of Mumbai by 25 years...
, Apollo Bundar to name a few in city of Bombay. Cutch Castle of Bombay, the royal palace belonging to Rulers of Kutch was erected by Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
of KGK Community for Maharao Shri Khengarji Bawa, who shared a personal friendship with Jagmal Raja.
In Nasik, the now famous temple complex of Muktidham
Muktidham
Muktidham is a marble temple complex honouring various Hindu gods. It is a popular tourist attraction situated in the Nashik Road suburb of the city of Nashik in the western state of Maharashtra in India. It is privately operated through a trust and was built through a generous donation by the late...
, was built and donated by Industrialist and Contractor of the community Jairam Dahya Chauhan
J. D. C. Bytco
Jairam Dahya Chauhan - Bytco better known by name J. D. C. Bytco was a reputed railway and civil contractor and industrialist based at Nasik...
of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
.
The huge Chabutro
Chabutro
Chabutro or Chabutaro or Chabutra is a structure mostly found in villages of Gujarat State of India. It is a tower-like structure with octagonal or pentagonal shaped enclosures at the top. In the upper enclosure are several holes, wherein birds can make their nests. In Gujarat these are...
, just outside Railway Station at Raigarh
Raigarh
Raigarh is a city and a Municipal Corporation in Raigarh district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is the administrative headquarter of Raigarh district.-History:...
, a famous landmark of town, was built and donated by Shyamji Gangji Savaria of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
in 1910.
In 1929, the British Authorities, named a Railway Station as Jairamnagar
Jairamnagar
Jairamnagar is a railway station at a distance of about 14 km from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. It is a small railway station and village. The station code is JMRG. The station was named Jairamnagar after Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji Chauhan, a famous Gujrati & Kutchi Railway Contractor in 1929...
, after famous Railway Contractor of the community Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji Chauhan
Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji Chauhan
Jairam Valji Chauhan , better known as Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji, was a reputed Railway Contractor & Miner, who owned several dolomite and limestone mines in and around present day Chhattisgarh....
of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
, a rare honor in those days.
In Raipur, the famous Ramdev Market was built by Madhavji Kunvarjee Vadher of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
in 1930s. Also the famous Ramji Buidling housing many Hotels and Restaurants at Jai Stambh Chowk in Raipur was built by Ramji Karaman Rathod of Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
in 1940s and the famous Raja Bhawan at Fafadih Chowk, built like a royal palace was built by Lira Raja Rathod of Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
in 1935.
In Calcutta apart from building Docks of Calcutta Port and Railway lines and building complex of Howrah Station
Howrah station
Howrah Station is one of the four intercity train stations serving Howrah and Kolkata, India; the others are Sealdah Station, Shalimar Station and Kolkata railway station in Kolkata. Howrah is situated on the West bank of the Hooghly River, linked to Kolkata by the magnificent Howrah Bridge which...
for East Indian Railway
East Indian Railway Company
The East Indian Railway Company, later known as the East Indian Railway , introduced railways to eastern and northern India, while the Companies such as the Great Indian Peninsular Railway, South Indian Railway, Central India Railway and the North-Western Railway operated in other parts of India...
and Sealdah
Sealdah
Sealdah is one of the major train stations serving Kolkata in India, the others being Howrah Station, Shalimar Station and Kolkata Railway Station. Sealdah is one of the busiest rail stations in India and an important suburban rail terminal...
for Eastern Bengal Railway, the community were involved in construction of Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge
The Howrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans the Hooghly River in West Bengal, India. Commissioned in 1943, the bridge was originally named the New Howrah Bridge, because it links the city of Howrah to its twin city, Kolkata . On 14 June 1965 it was renamed Rabindra Setu, after Rabindranath...
. Many Victorian buildings in Kolkata have been built by the karigars (artisans) of the Mistri community of Kutch. They were also involved in construction of Victoria Memorial
Victoria Memorial (India)
The Victoria Memorial, officially the Victoria Memorial Hall, is a memorial building dedicated to Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India, which is located in Kolkata, India – the capital of West Bengal and a former capital of British India. It currently serves as a museum and a...
Lira Raja Rathod of Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
erected many buildings in Calcutta in decades of 1925 to 1945 namely Raja Bhawan at Central Avenue, Raja Court and Raja Terrace at Mission Row, Raja Mansion and Raja Chambers near Strand Road and Godavari Bhawan at Bhawanipur and gained a name as a Real Estate owner in city. Many of these buildings are now land-marks of the city.
In Dhanbad
Dhanbad
Dhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
the present day Rathod Market and Chawda Market both standing adjacent to each other in heart of the city were built in decade of 1930-40 by Kanji Premji Rathod of Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
and Ghela Devraj Chawda of Devaliya, respectively.
In Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
, the famous Shail Sadan Palace in Bolangir belonging to royal family of Patna Raj
Patna (princely state)
Patna, or Patnagarh, was a princely state in India, with its capital at Balangir . Its area was . Until 1947, it was not part of British India but was subject to the suzerainty of the British crown, under the Orissa States Agency....
was constructed in 1886 by Karsan Bhima Rathor of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
, while he was stationed at Cuttack
Cuttack
Cuttack is the former capital of the state of Orissa, India. It is the headquarters of Cuttack district and is located about 20 km to the north east of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa. The name of the city is an anglicised form of Kataka that literally means The Fort, a reference to the...
doing Railway Contracts.
At Rameshwaram, while working on Pamban Bridge
Pamban Bridge
The Pamban Bridge is a cantilever bridge on the Palk Strait connects Rameswaram on Pamban Island to mainland India. It refers to both the road bridge and the cantilever railway bridge, though primarily it means the latter. It was India's first sea bridge...
the Mistris Lakhu Devji Vegad of Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
and Gangji Narayan of Khedoi
Khedoi
Khedoi is large village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 14 KM from nearest town Anjar.Village is again sub-divided into Nani-Khedoi and Moti-Khedoi...
also built famous Temple of Neel-Mandir having seven domes, construction which, they started in 1899 and completed in about five years by 1905.
In 1923 by request of Commissioner, Kadia
Kadia (community)
Kadia is a Hindu community in Gujarat State of India. They are specialised in masonry works, artistic carvings and sculpting as well as artistic wooden works.- History and origin :...
Bhanji Dhanji Rathod of Devaliya had done repair and rehabilitation of Dwarakadheesh temple
Dwarakadheesh temple
The Dwarakadheesh temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, who is worshipped here by the name Dwarkadhish, or 'King of Dwarka'. It is situated at Dwarka, Gujarat, which is believed to have been built after the historic Dvarka city, the Kingdom of Krishna himself which submerged in to...
with Ranchhod Ramji Chauhan of Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
, as per tablet in Temple's records.
In 1932 upon completion of Bally Bridge, Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
was recommended by the erstwhile Viceroy of India, The Earl of Willingdon
Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon
Major Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon was a British Liberal politician and administrator who served as Governor General of Canada, the 13th since Canadian Confederation, and as Viceroy and Governor-General of India, the country's 22nd.Freeman-Thomas was born in England and...
to Rana of Nepal
Rana dynasty
The Rana dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Nepal from 1846 until 1953, reducing the Shah monarch to a figurehead and making Prime Minister and other government positions hereditary...
, Shree Juddha Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, who needed Contractor of repute to do renovation and rehabilitation of his Palaces and temples. He was given the Contract for the same and Parbat Harji Chauhan, Karaman Devji Chauhan both of Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
and Manji Shivjee of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
were delegated by Jagmal Raja to go to Kathmandu, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
with a team of artisans and masons to supervise and complete the work. It took about two and half years for the job to be completed.
Talkies and Cinema Halls founded by KGK in India
The community was also one the first to venture into Entertainment business in decades of 1940-50 and many of the built and owned Cinema Hall or Talkies as they were called then.- Jairam Talkies in Raipur founded by Jairam Shivjee Rathod of KhambhraKhambhraKhambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
- Rajshree Talkies in Raipur founded by Ruda Valji Savaria of KumbhariaKumbhariaKumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
- Samrat Talkies in Raipur founded by Manilal Kunwarjee Lalji Vadher of SinugraSinugraSinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
- Shyam Talkies in RaigarhRaigarhRaigarh is a city and a Municipal Corporation in Raigarh district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is the administrative headquarter of Raigarh district.-History:...
founded by Shyamji Gangji Savaria of KumbhariaKumbhariaKumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:... - Laxmi Talkies in BilaspurBilaspur, ChhattisgarhBilaspur is a city in Bilaspur District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, situated 111 km north of state capital, Raipur. It is the second-largest city in the state. It is the administrative headquarter of Bilaspur district...
founded by Chimanlal Chawda of SinugraSinugraSinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar... - Jai Hind Talkies in ManmadManmadManmad is one of the cities in Nasik district in the state of Maharashtra state in India. It is the third largest city in Nasik district, with a population of approximately 125,000...
founded by Bhanji Dhanji Rathod of Devaliya - Kusum Talkies in BankuraBankuraBankura is a city and a municipality in Bankura District in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of the Bankura District.-Etymology:...
founded by Lalji Raja Vadher of SinugraSinugraSinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar... - Gopi Talkies in KharsiaKharsiaKharsia is a town and a nagar panchayat in Raigarh district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.-Geography:Kharsia is located at . It has an average elevation of 245 metres .-Demographics:...
founded by Vasta Gangji Sawaria of KumbhariaKumbhariaKumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:... - Talkies in KotmaKotmaKotma is a city and a municipality in Anuppur district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.-Geography:Kotma is located at . It has an average elevation of 517 metres ....
founded by Ranchhod Virjee Chawda of SinugraSinugraSinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar... - Hind Talkies in CuttackCuttackCuttack is the former capital of the state of Orissa, India. It is the headquarters of Cuttack district and is located about 20 km to the north east of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa. The name of the city is an anglicised form of Kataka that literally means The Fort, a reference to the...
- Talkies in Nasik by Jairam Dahya Chauhan of KumbhariaKumbhariaKumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
- Jayshree and Rajshree Talkies in VapiVapiVapi Vapi Vapi (IAST: vāpī, Gujarati: , is a city and a municipality in Valsad district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is situated on the banks of Damanganga River in southern Gujarat, India. Vapi falls under the taluka administration of Pardi...
founded by Rai Sahib Vishram Valji and Amritalal Valji Rathod of MadhaparMadhaparMadhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists... - Natraj Talkies in Jamshedpur founded by Nanji Govindji Tank of HajaparHajaparHajapar is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kachchh District of Gujarat State of India. It is located at a distance of about 18 km from Bhuj. One nearby village is Reha.-History:...
- Bharat Talkies in ItarsiItarsiItarsi is a city in Madhya Pradesh sn central India. Itarsi is located in Hoshangabad District, south of the city of Hoshangabad. Itarsi is a commercial hub for agricultural goods, and is also famous for its railway junction. The Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Tawa Dam are nearby...
founded by Rai Sahib Ruda Laddha Chawra of MadhaparMadhaparMadhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists... - Radha Cimena Hall in Bhopal founded by Valji Mavji Rathod of MadhaparMadhaparMadhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
Religious and charitable contributions outside Kutch
The KGK have used their personal funds to build many temples, Dharamsalas and schools. For example the Kutchi Ashram in HaridwarHaridwar
Haridwar is an important pilgrimage city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India...
was built mainly from donations of the KGK community under the guidance of Sant Odhavram
Odhavram
Sant Sri Odhavram Ji was born in Jakhau, a small village located on the west coast of Gujarat, India in District Kutchh. He was born in a Bhanushali family on the auspicious day of Hindu festival of “Ram Navami” in 1889, he was named Udhav. His parents were mother Chaagbai & father Hemraj. Udhav...
and the leadership of Manji Jeram Rathod of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
in 1954–56. The land for Kutchi Dharamsala in Dwarka
Dwarka
Dwarka also spelled Dvarka, Dwaraka, and Dvaraka, is a city and a municipality of Jamnagar district in the Gujarat state in India. Dwarka , also known as Dwarawati in Sanskrit literature is rated as one of the seven most ancient cities in the country...
was donated by Lira Raja Rathod of Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
. The Kutchi Kadia Dharamsala in Mathura was built by Khoda Ramji Chawda and Jetha Lira Jethwa of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
. The Gujarati
Gujarati people
Gujarati people , or Gujaratis are an ethnic group that is traditionally Gujarati-speaking and can trace their ancestry to the state of Gujarat in western India...
Jalaram
Jalaram
Saint Shri Jalaram popularly known as Shri Jalaram Bapa was a Hindu saint from Gujarat, India. He was born in Virpur, Rajkot district, Gujarat, India in 1799, on the seventh day of the Kaartika month. Names of his father was Shri Pradhan Thakkar and mother was Smt...
Dharamsala
Dharamshalas
Dharamshalas is the term for a religious resthouse. In Hindi, Dharma means religion, and shala means "sanctuary" hence dharamshala is a 'religious sanctuary' or rest-house for pilgrims, that are primarily created for a religious purpose for pilgrims, or as a religious endowment.Sometimes they are...
in Amarkantak
Amarkantak
Amarkantak is a pilgrim town and a nagar panchayat in Anuppur District in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Also called "Teerthraj" , Amarkantak region is a unique natural heritage area and is the meeting point of the Vindhyas and the Satpuras, with the Maikal Hills being the fulcrum...
was also built by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas mainly at behest of Prabhulal Karsanjee of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
. Bechar Hardas Khodiyar of Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
started Gujarati School and constructed Ram Temple at Kharagpur
Kharagpur
Kharagpur is an industrial city in India. It is located in the Midnapore West district of the state of West Bengal.Kharagpur was chosen as the location of the first campus of the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology . The IITs are the premier technical education institutes in India and...
. The community also donated a large sums to built Arya-Kanya Gurukul at Porbandar
Porbandar
Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
, Vikas Vidhaylaya of Wadhwan
Wadhwan
Wadhwan is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.-Demographics: India census, Wadhwan had a population of 61,739. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Wadhwan has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of...
. Further, Mistris Jagmal Gangji Savaria of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
built a Ram Temple in Bilaspur
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
Bilaspur is a city in Bilaspur District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, situated 111 km north of state capital, Raipur. It is the second-largest city in the state. It is the administrative headquarter of Bilaspur district...
in 1890 and his brothers Shyamji Gangji Savaria of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
a temple in Raigarh
Raigarh
Raigarh is a city and a Municipal Corporation in Raigarh district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is the administrative headquarter of Raigarh district.-History:...
in 1895 and Jeevan Gangji Savaria of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
built a temple and pond in Chhatna
Chhatna
Chhatna is an administrative division in Bankura Sadar subdivision of Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal. Chhatna police station serves this block. Headquarters of this block is at Chhatna.-Geography:...
in 1903 when they were working as Railway Contractors. In 1920 a charitable trust for promoting education called Jharia Vidhhyotejak Fund was started by Mistri
Mistri
Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005....
Colliery owners at Jharia
Jharia
Jharia is a notified area and one of eight development blocks in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand state, India. More than one town in India shares this name.- City :...
. This Fund started the Jharia Gujarati Primary School in 1920 and also gave scholarship to the children of their society. At Cuttack
Cuttack
Cuttack is the former capital of the state of Orissa, India. It is the headquarters of Cuttack district and is located about 20 km to the north east of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa. The name of the city is an anglicised form of Kataka that literally means The Fort, a reference to the...
, a school named Gujarati Pathshala started in 1928, which was renamed as Anglo Gujarati School in 1941 was started by Rai Saheb Kunwarji Karsan Rathod of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
. A public library was also started by him in 1931. The famous Ramdev Pir Temple in Raipur at Fafadih Chowk was built and financed by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas. A Gujarati Primary School was also started by community at Raipur. The famous Chabutro
Chabutro
Chabutro or Chabutaro or Chabutra is a structure mostly found in villages of Gujarat State of India. It is a tower-like structure with octagonal or pentagonal shaped enclosures at the top. In the upper enclosure are several holes, wherein birds can make their nests. In Gujarat these are...
near Raigarh railway station (almost a replica of one found in villages of Mistri
Mistri
Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005....
) – a landmark of the city was erected by Shayamji Gangji Sawaria of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
. Jairam Daya Chauhan of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
, who built Muktidham
Muktidham
Muktidham is a marble temple complex honouring various Hindu gods. It is a popular tourist attraction situated in the Nashik Road suburb of the city of Nashik in the western state of Maharashtra in India. It is privately operated through a trust and was built through a generous donation by the late...
Temple at Nashik Road
Nashik Road
Nashik Road is the name given to the suburb of Nashik that has the city's railway station...
also donated a large sums to start Collage in Nasik named J. D. Bytco Commerce And N. S. Chandak Science College and D D Bytco Boys High School and Jr College both at Nasik. Rai Sahib Goapl Nanji Tank of Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
donated funds to start the Vidarbha Ayurvedic Collage and a Hospital, which has been named the Gopal Nanji Tank Hospital at Amravati
Amravati
Amravati is a city in the state of Maharashtra, India and the seventh most populous metropolitan area in Maharashtra. It is also the administrative headquarters of the Amravati district...
. M. H. Wegad Science Collage in Umred
Umred
Umred is a city and a municipal council in Nagpur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:Umred is located at . It has an average elevation of 280 metres .-Demographics:...
was built by Harlilal Devanda Wegad of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
and Balaghat. Rai Sahib Mulji Jagmal and Ranchhod Jagmal Savaria built a Hospital in Ratanpur
Ratanpur
Ratanpur is a town and a nagar panchayat in Bilaspur district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is located about 25 km from Bilaspur on the National Highway 200 towards Ambikapur.-Demographics:...
. Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
built the huge Dharamsala near Jhusi Ashram housing more than 100 rooms on banks of the Ganges River at Allahbad during 1910, a temple in Rajkot and boarding house for students in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
. The Gujarati School in Valsad
Valsad
Valsad , formerly known as Bulsar, is a city and a municipality in the Valsad district of the Indian state of Gujarat. The city has a collectorate, a district court, and a police headquarters with a historic prison...
was started by Rai Sahib Vishram Valji Rathor of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
. Nanji Govindji Tank of Hajapar
Hajapar
Hajapar is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kachchh District of Gujarat State of India. It is located at a distance of about 18 km from Bhuj. One nearby village is Reha.-History:...
built the existing Hindu Cemetorium and also a Ram Temple both at Jamshedpur and was one of the founder-trustee of the "Gujrati Sanatan Samaj" Community Center at Bistupur
Bistupur
Bistupur is a residential and commercial area of the city of Jamshedpur in the state of Jharkhand, India.It is mainly a market area with stores catering to the higher income population. It is also home to many of the city's offices, including all of the major bank's main branches. It is one of the...
. Furthermore the KGK community, started by donations from community members, created charitable trusts for education and medical purposes. Kanji Daya Chawda of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
, built a Dharamsala
Dharamshala (disambiguation)
Dharamshala can mean either of the following:* Dharamshala : A town in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is the Headquarters of the Tibetan Government in exile, headed by the Dalai Lama...
in Keonjhar now named Kanji Daya Dharamsala for public and charitable use in 1934.
Downturn in fortunes
Post independence the fortunes of the KGK community suffered a double blow by way of two legislations.In 1947 to 1958 there were major land reform acts passed by parliament. The Zamindari Abolition Act (1947), Bihar Zamindari Abolition Act (1948), Bihar Land Reforms Act (1950), The Saurashtra Land Reforms Act (1951) and The Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands (Vidarbha Region and Kutch Area) Act (1958) came into effect. The large land holdings in Kutch and Saurashtra were lost because the law provided that the "land belongs to whom, who tills it" ("Khede teni jamin"). Most of the male members of Mistri community were enterprenuers and the agriculture lands of the Mistri
Mistri
Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005....
community in Kutch were transferred by the government to the persons who tilled it. In the states of Bombay, Bihar and Saurashtra, where they also had purchased, agriculture lands were lost due to these acts.
In 1971–73 coal mines all over India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
were nationalized by an emergency act passed by Parliament. The Coking Coal Mines (Emergency Provisions) Act (1971), followed by the Coking Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act (1972) and the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act (1973) came into effect and the Coal mines assets of the community were all taken over by the government.
The KGK community continues to struggle as their land holdings and coal mines have gone. Further, the skills of their fore-fathers in building and erecting railway lines and bridges is also gone as young generations are neither interested nor are there opportunities as railway contracts are now given to big engineering conglomerates. At present they are mainly involved in small time business and services.
The majority of the one time prosperous community of KGK Mistris living in Kutch and Saurahstra today are devoid of agricultural land and have been rightly included as one of the Other Backward Class
Other Backward Class
The Central Government of India classifies some of its citizens based on their social and economic condition as Scheduled Caste , Scheduled Tribe , and Other Backward Class . The OBC list presented by the commission is dynamic and will change from time to time depending on social, educational and...
community in State of Gujarat by the government of India. But the irony remains that many of the community members, who migrated outside Kutch to the other states of India more than a century ago, cannot take advantage of this "OBC Class" for their children as this is valid only for children studying in the state of Gujarat.
Distribution in India
KGK community members are found scattered throughout India, the descendants of the early railways contractors and coal mining entrepreneurs whose families you can find along major rail-routes and railway junctions in India. The migration of these families outside Kutch took place during 1850–1930 mainly due to the businesses they had pioneered.Their settlements along major and also minor rail-heads and interior railway links are a living proof to the fact of them as being the pioneering Indian community in history of laying railway lines and railway bridges in British India.
At present, in Gujarat in Kutch District
Kutch District
Kutch district is a district of Gujarat state in western India. Covering an area of 45,652 km², it is the largest district of India....
—Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas are mainly residing Anjar, Nagalpar, Sinugra, Galpadar, Chandiya, Adipur, Gandhidham, Mandvi, Mundra, Varsamedi, Dabda, Tuna, Yadapur, Varmanagar
S. K. Varmanagar
S. K. Varmanagar is a town in India, developed decade of 1970, located in Lakhpat Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat. It is named after famous freedom fighter from Kutch, Shyamji Krishna Varma and as such complete name of town is Shyamji Krishna Varmanagar, however, abbreviated name S.K...
, Momai Nagar, Kandla, Khedoi, Reha, Hajapar, Madhapar, Kukma, Devaliya, Kumbharia, Lovaria, Khambhra, Nagor and Bhuj. It may be worthwhile to mention that today out of nineteen villages founded by them in 12th Century, there are almost no families of these community in Ratnal, Meghpar, Jambudi and Vidi.
While in Saurashtra region of Gujarat they are in Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Okha, Surat, Jamnagar, Anand, Ankleshwar, Dwarka, Mithapur, Vapi, Valsad, Umbergaon, Umred, Navsari, Morbi, Bharuch, Vasad, Daman, Dharampur, Piploi, Chhota Udaipur, Porbandar, Junagadh, Gondal, Bhavnagar, Halol, Derol, Himmatnagar, etc.
In Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Mumbai, Kalyan, Thane, Mandatitwala, Dahanu, Pune, Khandala, Lonavala, Khapoli, Nashik, Nashik Road, Ratnagiri, Manmad, Bhusaval, Barsi, Dhond, Sholapur, Nandurbar, Igatpuri, Amravati, Achalpur, Paratwada, Murtijapur, Badnera, Akola, Washim, Nagpur, Gondia, Bhandara, Wardha, Umrer, Shegaon, Tirodi, Tumsar, Yawatmal, Pusad, Sirsodi, Rajgurunagar, Saoner, Chandrapur, Ballar-shah, Barsi, Latur, Osmanabad, Kolhapur, Miraj, Parli-Baijnath, Purna, Dharmabad, Parbhani, Umred, Pandharpur, Nanded, Hingoli, Jalna, Aurangabad, Khamgaon, Shrirampur, Belapur, Nandurbar, Beed.
In Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is a state in Central India, formed when the 16 Chhattisgarhi-speaking South-Eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh gained separate statehood on 1 November 2000....
, families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Dongargarh, Khairagarh, Rajnandgaon, Durg, Bhilai, Kumhari, Kharora, Aarang, Raipur, Dhamtari, Rajim, Sargaon, Ambikapur, Abhanpur, Bilaspur, Jairamnagar, Korba, Pali, Pendra Road, Champa, Sakti, Kawardha, Chirimiri, Bagbahra, Bhatapara, Baloda Bazar, Mahasamund, Jagdalpur, Bailadila, Dantewada, Raigarh, Kharasia.
In Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
, families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Bhopal, Gwalior, Bagra-Tawa, Hoshangabad, Itarsi, Khandwa, Hardoi, Jabalpur, Piparia, Piplani, Siwani, Shahdol, Anuppur, Bishrampur, Katni, Narsinghpur, Guna, Sagar, Bina, Balaghat, Keymoor, Umaria, Kotma, Manendragarh, Baikunthpur, Mandala, Nainpur, Chhindwara, Betul, Indore and Ujjain.
In Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Varanasi, Agra, Jaunpur, Mughalsarai, Chopan, Kanpur, Robertsgunj, Allahbad, Naini, Mathura, Vrindavan, Jhansi.
In Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
-Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
route the KGK while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Abu Road, Phulera, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bandikui, Ajmer, Marwar, Beawar, Sawai Madhopur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Kota and Delhi.
In Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
, families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts have settled in cities of Jharsuguda, Rourkela, Bonaigarh, Sambalpur, Barbil, Belpahar, Brajrajnagar, Kanrabagi, Jeypore, Baripada, Khariar Road, Bhadrak, Khurda Road, Ganjam, Rayagada, Balasore, Koraput, Jaiyor, Paralakhemundi, Gunupur, Bhawanipatna, Cuttack, Puri, Hingir-Rampur, Keonjhar, Keonjorgarh, Balagoda, Jatni, Kesinga, Bhubneshvar, Beharampur, Angul, Talcher, Kantabhaji, Dhekanal, Bargarh.
In Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
and Jharkhand
Jharkhand
Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. It was carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Orissa to the south, and West Bengal to the east...
families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts and Coal Mining have settled in Chakardahrpur, Hazaribagh, Chaibasa, Tatanagar, Jamshedpur, Rakha Mines, Ghatshila, Chandil, Barajamda, Dhanbad, Daltongunj, Dhansar, Dumka, Katras, Jharia, Bhaga, Mohda, Tisra, Baliari, Kujama, Mogma, Rajkharsawn, Bokaro, McCluskieganj, Hindegir, Hazaribagh, Khelari, Ranchi and Patna, Bankudi, Purnea, Gaya.
In West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
, families of KGK while doing Railway Contracts and Coal Mining have settled in Kharagpur, Asansol, Burdwan, Ranigunj, Bolpur, Bankura, Adra, Kashipur, Purulia, Pandveshwar, Kolaghat, Durgapur, Damodar, Surajnagar, Uttarpara, Bhadrakali, Howrah and Calcutta.
At the time of independence many families were of KGK were living in East Bengal
East Bengal
East Bengal was the name used during two periods in the 20th century for a territory that roughly corresponded to the modern state of Bangladesh. Both instances involved a violent partition of Bengal....
mainly in cities of Dacca, Jessore, Chittagong, Paksey, Parbatipur, Pabna, Kushtia, Saidpur, Rajashahi, Shylhet, Khulna, Dinajpur, etc. who migrated and settled in various parts of India.
The families living in Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
and other the northeast cities of Tinsukia, Guwahati, Dibrugarh have now mostly left them due to turmoils in decade of 1980-90.
In Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, families of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Warangal, Nizamabad, Sirpur - Kagaz Nagar, Karim Nagar, Mancharial, Kazipeth, Hyderabad, Adilabad, Asifabad, Rajahmundry, Vizianagaram, Bobbili, Parvatipuram, Secundrabad, Vishakhapatnam, Markapur, Mehbubnagar, Mandapet.
In Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
families of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Vijaywada, Gulbarga, Kurnool, Raichur, Yadgir, Belur-Hassan, Bagalkot, Mysore, Bangalore.
In Tamilnadu families of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas while doing Railway Contracts have settled in Coimbtore, Tiruchinapalli, Kanchipuram, Madurai, Madras, Chennai.
In Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, few families are living in Trivendrum, Ernakulam and Cochin, who migrated almost a century ago for railway contracts.
Distribution outside India
KGK Community members are at present living in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Fiji, Maldives, East Africa i.e. Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, etc. Many of them are descendants of those generations who migrated in the mid 19th century and who have lost contact with their roots in India. Some are new, young generation migrants leaving for higher studies and jobs in the recent past to Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Singapore etc.Social organization and activities in present times
Today the KGK have formed their associations in different states of India and organized seminars and meetings at state as well as national level and organized community meetings two to three times a year where Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas families from all over IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
come to re-strengthen their bonds and heritage. They have also organized meetings to find suitable brides and grooms for their siblings, organizing a match-making event called Sagpan-Sanmmelan, and to resolve their family disputes through guidance of their elders and the Panch elected by the community. Like in historic times even today they have their internal judiciary body called Panch, who try to settle family disputes by mutual and amicable ways. The members of this "Panch" are appointed by the community's working board. Every three years they elect their president or Pramukh by voting. The president of the community, in consultations with heads of different state level organization, then selects his working committee for three years. These community gatherings take place in different places in India and once a year they also assemble in Kutch, their native state.
They also have a woman's wing called Mahila Mandal at state and national level. Every three years a woman president is also elected by ladies of the community. The woman's wing works independently and in co-operation with the president of the community. The national level women's body of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas is called Akhil Bharatiya Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya samaj Mahila Mandal. The woman president of this wing then appoints her working committee members. The Mahila Mandal was founded in 1976 and first Mahila Mandal Pramukh or President of Women's Wing of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas was Smt. Bhanuben Jayram Chauhan of Bombay and Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
. In 1996 she went on to become the first woman to be Mahasabha Pramukh, or President of the community. She was the daughter-in-law of Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor
Nagor
Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
.
Similarly, they also have a youth wing at state and national organizational levels called All India Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Samaj Yuva Mahamandal. The young generation helps in organizing major national and state level events and the youths also organize a sports event every three years called Kutchyadd, taking cue and inspiration from the Asiad of 1982 Asian Games
1982 Asian Games
The 9th Asian Games were held from November 19, 1982 to December 4, 1982 in Delhi, India.An incredible 74 Asian and Asian Games records were broken. This was also the first Asiad to be held under the aegis of the Olympic Council of Asia.-Sports:...
. The event also coincides with Dance, Music and match-making event. The first Kutchhyad was organized in Nagpur
Nagpur
Nāgpur is a city and winter capital of the state of Maharashtra, the largest city in central India and third largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune...
in 1983, second at Bilaspur
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
Bilaspur is a city in Bilaspur District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, situated 111 km north of state capital, Raipur. It is the second-largest city in the state. It is the administrative headquarter of Bilaspur district...
in 1984, third at Aurangabad in 1986, forth at Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
in 1989, fifth at New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
in 1994, sixth at Durg
Durg
Durg is a city located in Chhattisgarh state, Central India. It is located just east of the Seonath River and is part of the Durg-Bhilai urban agglomeration. The city is an agricultural market and is heavily engaged in milling rice and pigeon peas. Durg gained importance as an industrial centre...
in 1999, seventh at Nasik Road
Nashik Road
Nashik Road is the name given to the suburb of Nashik that has the city's railway station...
in 2004, eighth again at Anjar in 2007 and ninth at Raipur in 2009.
Every year a mass-marriage event is also held called Samuh-Lagna where the marriages of financially weak families or couples are held with blessings and financial co-operation of the whole community. The first such event by the community was held on 10 May 1966, with six marriages at Dhanbad
Dhanbad
Dhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
and later on a larger scale in 1972 at Raipur. It continues to be held every year since then at different locations in India.
Religious customs and beliefs in present days
Community members are still carrying forward the religious customs and beliefs embedded in them since many centuries ago and continue to follow HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
religious customs. They are still followers of different Hindu Gods such as Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
, Shakti
Shakti
Shakti from Sanskrit shak - "to be able," meaning sacred force or empowerment, is the primordial cosmic energy and represents the dynamic forces that are thought to move through the entire universe in Hinduism. Shakti is the concept, or personification, of divine feminine creative power, sometimes...
and Ganesha
Ganesha
Ganesha , also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati , Vinayaka , and Pillaiyar , is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations...
, Radha
Radha
Radha , also called Radhika, Radharani and Radhikarani, is the childhood friend and lover of Krishna in the Bhagavata Purana, and the Gita Govinda of the Vaisnava traditions of Hinduism...
and Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
, Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
and Lakshmi
Lakshmi
Lakshmi or Lakumi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity , light, wisdom, fortune, fertility, generosity and courage; and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. Representations of Lakshmi are also found in Jain monuments...
, Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
, Laxman
Laxman
Laxman pronounced as Lakshmana, brother of Rama in the Indian epic RamayanaLaxman is a given name or surname, and may also refer to:* Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, Indian cricketer and commentator* V. V. S. Laxman, Indian cricketer, batsman...
and Janki
SITA
SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry...
, Hanumanji, Ramdev Pir, Bala Krishna
Bala Krishna
Bala Krishna sometimes translated to "Divine Child Krishna", is historically one of the early forms of worship in Krishnaism and an element of the history of Krishna worship in antiquity...
, Pushtimarg
Pushtimarg
Pushtimarg is a sect of the Hindu religion, founded by Shrimad Vallabhacharya around 1500 AD.Shri Vallabhacharya is one of the five main Acharyas of the Hindu Religion...
, Ramanandi
Ramanandi
Ramanandi are the followers of saint Ramananda. Ramanandi are spread across India, mainly in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Agravat, Nimavat, Kubavat, Tilavat, Devmurari, Ramavat, Nenuji, Sukhanandi and Yoganandi are the most prominent last names in Ramanandi cast. Ramanandi worship Shri Ram...
, Pranami Sampraday
Pranami Sampraday
Pranami Sampradaya / Shree Krisha Pranami Dharma / Nijanand Sampradaya is a community which has the followers of Supreme God "Raj Ji". Raj ji is also concerned as "The Last Imam Mendhi" in Muslims and "Budh Nisklank Avatar" in Hindus...
, Kapadi Sampradaya, Swaminarayan Sampraday
Swaminarayan Sampraday
Swaminarayan Sampraday , known previously as the Uddhav Sampraday, is a Hindu sect established by Swaminarayan...
, Jalaram Bapa
Jalaram
Saint Shri Jalaram popularly known as Shri Jalaram Bapa was a Hindu saint from Gujarat, India. He was born in Virpur, Rajkot district, Gujarat, India in 1799, on the seventh day of the Kaartika month. Names of his father was Shri Pradhan Thakkar and mother was Smt...
, Arya Samaj
Arya Samaj
Arya Samaj is a Hindu reform movement founded by Swami Dayananda on 10 April 1875. He was a sannyasi who believed in the infallible authority of the Vedas. Dayananda emphasized the ideals of brahmacharya...
, Gayatri Pariwar, and Sahaj Marg
Sahaj Marg
Sahaj Marg , a form of Raja Yoga, is a heart-based meditation system. The essential features of Sahaj Marg system are Meditation, Cleaning and Prayer. The "cleaning" of impressions is claimed to be unique to this method...
.
It is customary for couples to mention the name of the villages of Kutch from which they hailed in their wedding cards, even today after over a century of their migration outside Kutch. The newly wed couple has to come at least once, even though they may be living outside India, to bow to their Kuldevi
Kuldevta
Kuladevata or Kuladevi, also known as Kuladev and Kŭladaiwat, stands for "family deity, that is either a god or a goddess" within Hinduism, as distinct from personal ishta-devata and village deities...
at the temples which are located in the nineteen villages in Kutch originally founded by their ancestors. The newly weds also go and offer their respects at the Parias of their Satis and Shurapuras located in Kutch.
There is also a custom the KGK follow to offer special prayers and pooja called Kar to their Kuldevis whenever a boy is born in the family. They come with the boy to these villages to offer their prayers, Kar and Naivadh to their Kuldevis. All the members of the community living in Kutch, in others states of India or outside India religiously follow these customs, even today.
Present day identity
Other than being referred to as the Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya, the terms "KGK Community" or "Kgk Samaj" are more often used acronyms for the community in present day India at a national level. "Mistri", which was mostly used during the last century and before is nowadays only used in Kutch and Gujarat. However, the OBCOther Backward Class
The Central Government of India classifies some of its citizens based on their social and economic condition as Scheduled Caste , Scheduled Tribe , and Other Backward Class . The OBC list presented by the commission is dynamic and will change from time to time depending on social, educational and...
Certificate as per the Bakshi Panch report are given in the name of the Mistri only.
KGK Community in other fields
- Seth Khora Ramji ChawdaSeth Khora Ramji ChawdaKhora Ramji Chawda , better known as Seth Khora Ramji, was a reputed Railway Contractor, Coal mines owner and Banker of early 20th Century in India, who worked from Dhanbad and Jharia. He was born in a small village called Sinugra in Kutch and belonged to KGK Community...
(1860–1923) of SinugraSinugraSinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
has been credited by British themselves as the first Indian to break monopoly of Europeans in JhariaJhariaJharia is a notified area and one of eight development blocks in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand state, India. More than one town in India shares this name.- City :...
coalfields belt in year 1894. He was also a Railway Contractor of repute and his life sketch is mentioned by British authorities in Encyclopaedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, Year 1920.
- Govamal Jiwan Chauhan (1855–1929) of KumbhariaKumbhariaKumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
was also a Railway Contractor of repute and Coal Mines owner. His exploits as Railway Contractor and life sketch is also noted by British authorities in Encyclopaedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, Year 1924-25. The coal mines business established by him in 1910 was carried on by his sons Amarsinh Gowamal and Manji Gowamal carried on his coal mines business after his death till nationalization of coal mines in 1972-73.
- Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja ChauhanRai Bahadur Jagmal Raja ChauhanJagmal Raja Chauhan , better known as Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja, was an industrialist in Bombay and a railway contractor at the time of Independence of India. He was born in a small village named Nagher, in Kutch and belonged the Kutch Gurjar Kashtriya community...
(1887–1974) of Allahbad and Bombay was an Industrialist and was one of the pioneers in Glass and ceramic Industry in British India, who started in year 1912, Glass factories at one NainiNainiNaini is a satellite locality/township of the city of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India in the south-east.-History:Naini was infamous for its prison, Naini Jail, where many freedom fighters—including Pt...
named Allahbad Glass Works other at Bombay in 1930 named Bombay Glass Works and another Glass Factory named Raja Glass Works at SodepurSodepurSodepur is a small town yet very fast growing upmarket residencial suburb located about 15 km from Kolkata, which is one of the major Indian cities. Sodepur is a part of the Panihati Municipality under Barrackpore sub-division and North 24 Parganas district of the state of West Bengal...
near Calcutta. He also owned a Private Airlines Company named Ambica Airlines, which operated on Bombay-BhujBhujBhuj 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...
-Rajkot-JamnagarJamnagarJamnagar is a city and a municipal corporation in Jamnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city was built up substantially by Maharaja Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji in the 1920s, when the district was known as Nawanagar. The district lies just to the south of the Gulf of Kutch and is...
route and a Steam Navigation company named Ambica Steam Navigation Co., which operated in Western coast of India. He also owned Rajapur Colliery in Jharia in partnership Manji Jeram Rathod of MadhaparMadhaparMadhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
and also owned a Silica Mines at Bargad in ShankargarhShankargarhShankargarh is a town and a nagar panchayat in Allahabad district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-Demographics: the India census, Shankargarh had a population of 13,116. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Shankargarh has an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the...
in United Provinces. At the time of independence he was among top five industrialist of India. He was Chairman of Zandu PharmaceuticalsZandu RealtyZandu Realty Limited is an international pharmaceutical company based in Mumbai, India. Company's core business of manufacturing and dealing in ayurvedic and medicinal preparations.-History:...
for many years. He was one of the persons to receive the Fellowship in the year 1941 from Society of Glass Technology, SheffieldSheffieldSheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, England for their contributions in Glass and Ceramic Industry over the world. During 1924 to 1932 he, earned fame, when he erected Bally Bridge. The bridge was named Willingdon Bridge by British after the then Governor of Calcutta. The first train that ran across the bridge was named Jagmal Raja Howrah Express by British acknowledging the feat of Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja. Jagmal Raja was one of the first persons given permission by King of Princely State of Cutch to own car. H. H. MaharaoMaharaoMaharao is a variation on the Indian royal title Maharaja, also meaning 'Great king' in Hindi. It is composed of Maha- 'great' and the royal title Rao, a variation on Raja.-Salute states :...
Sri Khengarji Bawa of Kutch held close intimacy with Jagmal Raja of NagorNagorNagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:...
. He was A.D.C.Aide-de-campAn aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to H. H. MaharaoMaharaoMaharao is a variation on the Indian royal title Maharaja, also meaning 'Great king' in Hindi. It is composed of Maha- 'great' and the royal title Rao, a variation on Raja.-Salute states :...
Shri Khengarji Bawa of Kutch in the CoronationCoronationA coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
of King George VI in 1937 in London. He was the only person from any community of Kutch to have the honor of being ADCAide-de-campAn aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to Shri Kehngarji Bawa, King of Kutch. His life-sketch is noted in Encyclopædia Britannica and also noted in Book of World Knowledge.
- Rai Sahib Koonvarji Karsan Rathor (1898–1967), who established himself in CuttackCuttackCuttack is the former capital of the state of Orissa, India. It is the headquarters of Cuttack district and is located about 20 km to the north east of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa. The name of the city is an anglicised form of Kataka that literally means The Fort, a reference to the...
was like his father Karsan Bhima Rathod, a reputed Railway and Civil Contractor, who established many industries in OrissaOrissaOrissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
. He established first ice factory of Orissa in 1922 named after his grandfather as Bhima Ice Factory one in Cuttack and another Chilika, which was main fishing center. Looking into plight of poor fisher-mans, he for many years, did not took storage charges from them. The present Ice Factory Road in Cuttack is named after their ice-factory. He was one of the founder and director of Cuttack Electric Supply Co., Ltd founded in 1929. He also founded many Hotels and Cinema Halls in Cuttack. At one point of time he was biggest real estate owner of town. He donated lot of money in charities and a school named Gujarati Pathshala started in 1928, which was renamed as Anglo Gujarati School in 1941. A public library was also started by him in 1931. He was given title of Rai Sahib by British for his contributions in development of region. His native village was MadhaparMadhaparMadhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
in Kutch
- Purshottam Khimji Chauhan (1905–1958), who lived in DhanbadDhanbadDhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
, was a freedom fighter, who led the rally in Quit India MovementQuit India MovementThe Quit India Movement , or the August Movement was a civil disobedience movement launched in India in August 1942 in response to Mohandas Gandhi's call for immediate independence. Gandhi hoped to bring the British government to the negotiating table...
on 8 August 1942. In spite of being himself a colliery owner, he was a champion of labor cause and went on to became the President of Jharia Coalfields Mazdoor Sangh i.e. Labour Union of Jharia Coalfiedls. After independence of India, he became Member of Bihar Legislative Assembly, twice in 1948 and 1952, defeating Raja of JhariaJhariaJharia is a notified area and one of eight development blocks in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand state, India. More than one town in India shares this name.- City :...
and Raja of Ramgarh in respective years. He was applauded by Dr. Rajendra PrasadRajendra PrasadDr. Rajendra Prasad was an Indian politician and educator. He was one of the architects of the Indian Republic, having drafted its first constitution and serving as the first president of independent India...
for is exemplary and compassionate speech on bringing the Abolition of Zamindari Act. He was closely associated and had good personal relations with first Chief Minister of Bihar, Sri Krishna SinhaSri Krishna SinhaSri Krishna Sinha , known as Bihar Kesari, was the first Chief Minister of the Indian state of Bihar . Along with the nationalists Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Dr. Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Sinha is regarded among the Architects of Modern Bihar...
, Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Anugrah Narayan SinhaAnugrah Narayan SinhaDr. Anugrah Narayan Sinha , known as Bihar Vibhuti, was an Indian statesman who was the first Deputy Chief Minister cum Finance Minister of the Indian state of Bihar...
. He attended in year 1950, GenevaGenevaGeneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
World Labour Conference, as representative Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh on behalf of Government of India. He was son of Khimji Valji Chauhan of RehaRehaReha is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 15 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:About the history of Reha it is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch...
, who was one of the pioneers in coal mining business. Khimji Valji started colliery named Indian Jharia Colliery in 1910 in TisraTisraTisra is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Demographics: India census, Tisra had a population of 53,547. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Tisra has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is...
Coalfields Area. Seth Khora RamjiSeth Khora Ramji ChawdaKhora Ramji Chawda , better known as Seth Khora Ramji, was a reputed Railway Contractor, Coal mines owner and Banker of early 20th Century in India, who worked from Dhanbad and Jharia. He was born in a small village called Sinugra in Kutch and belonged to KGK Community...
of SinugraSinugraSinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
was six annaIndian annaAn Anna was a currency unit formerly used in India, equal to 1/16 rupee. It was subdivided into 4 Paise or 12 Pies . The term belonged to the Muslim monetary system...
partner in that colliery.
- Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji ChauhanRai Bahadur Jairam Valji ChauhanJairam Valji Chauhan , better known as Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji, was a reputed Railway Contractor & Miner, who owned several dolomite and limestone mines in and around present day Chhattisgarh....
(1898–1967) was a Railway Contractor of repute and also a Mines owner who owned Dolomite and Limestone mines. British authorities named JairamnagarJairamnagarJairamnagar is a railway station at a distance of about 14 km from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. It is a small railway station and village. The station code is JMRG. The station was named Jairamnagar after Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji Chauhan, a famous Gujrati & Kutchi Railway Contractor in 1929...
railway station after him.
- Rai Sahib Moolji Jagmal Sawaria (1899–1956) was a Railway and Civil Contractor of repute who lived in BilaspurBilaspur, ChhattisgarhBilaspur is a city in Bilaspur District in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, situated 111 km north of state capital, Raipur. It is the second-largest city in the state. It is the administrative headquarter of Bilaspur district...
. He carried on legacy of his father Jagmal Gangji as Railway Contractor with his brother Ranchhod Jagmal Sawaria. He owned with his brothers Basara Colliery in JhariaJhariaJharia is a notified area and one of eight development blocks in Dhanbad district in Jharkhand state, India. More than one town in India shares this name.- City :...
. Further, in 1921-22, he discovered coal near Pendra Road, while doing railway contracts and founded Donganalla Colliery in year 1921-22 near Pali in Central Provinces. He also established factories for manufacturing match box named Laxmi Match Works and fire-works in city. He owned a huge brick kiln in LingiyadihLingiyadihLingiyadih is a census town in Bilaspur district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.-Demographics: India census, Lingiyadih had a population of 15,769. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Lingiyadih has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the national average of...
across Arpa river and had laid private bridge and narrow gauge rail line to carry bricks across the river in to city. He was given title of Rai Sahib by British for his contributions in Railway and development of the region. Present day Jagmal Chowk and Jagmal Block in Bilaspur are named after his father. His native village was KumbhariaKumbhariaKumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
in Kutch.
- Lira Raja Rathod (Bhalsod) (1889–1972) was a reputed Railway Contractor, who did major Railway works like, GomohGomohGomoh is a census town in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. It is a major railway junction situated on the Grand Chord Line under Dhanbad division of the East Central Railway...
to Hazaribag section in 1919, Raipur to Vizianagram section in 1926. His father Raja Ruda Bhalsod was also a Railway Contractor who did jobs narrow gauge line of Raipur Dhamtari Railway in 1898. Lira Raja's brother Vishram Raja also worked with him in many Railway contracts. Later he shifted from Raipur and settled in Calcutta and from years 1925 to 1945 he built many majestic buildings namely Raja Bhawan at Central AvenueChittaranjan AvenueChittaranjan Avenue, more commonly C.R. Avenue, is the previous Central Avenue, a principal north-south thoroughfare in north and central Kolkata.-Stretch:...
, Raja Court and Raja Terrace at Mission Row, Raja Mansion and Raja Chambers near Strand RoadStrand Road, KolkataStrand Road is a major thoroughfare in the Indian city of Kolkata, running along the east bank of the Hooghly River, connects Fort William to Nimtala near Shobhabazar through the downtown Kolkata....
and Godavari Bhawan at BhawanipurBhowaniporeBhowanipore or Bhabanipur is the oldest locality of South Kolkata. It is located just south of the Lower Circular Road . It is the second largest locality in South Kolkata after Ballygunge...
and gained name as a Real Estate owner in city. Many of these buildings are now land-marks of the city. He was known for his charities and donated money and lands in various places in India. His ancestral village was KhambhraKhambhraKhambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
.
- Seth Vallabhdas Kunwarjee Tank (1909–1982) of MumbaiMumbaiMumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
was also a leading industrialist, who was closely associated with Arvind N. LalbhaiArvind Narottambhai LalbhaiArvind Narottambhai Lalbhai was among three brothers who founded the Arvind Mills in 1931, which today is amongst the top textiles companies of India and is the flagship company of the Rs...
. He started his career with Soap factory at Ahmedabad in 1939 and later established himself at Bombay. He also founded a special Dyes and Chemical factory named Winsol Chemicals Industries having office at Winsol House, Andheri one of the first of its kind one at Bombay and another named Gujarat Chemicals at VapiVapiVapi Vapi Vapi (IAST: vāpī, Gujarati: , is a city and a municipality in Valsad district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is situated on the banks of Damanganga River in southern Gujarat, India. Vapi falls under the taluka administration of Pardi...
. His ancestral village was SinugraSinugraSinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
. In his young age as a student of Alfred High SchoolAlfred High School, BhujAlfred High School in Bhuj, Kutch is one of the oldest educational institution of Gujarat and first high school of Kutch. It was founded by Rao of Cutch, Pragmalji II in year 1870 at cost of Rs, 1,50000/-...
of Bhuj, he gained fame as profounder and main leader of MiyanaMiyanaThe Miyana are a Muslim Rajput community found in the state of Gujarat in India.- History and origin :The Miyana are Rajputs who were converted to Islam during the rule of Allauddin Khilji in the thirteenth century...
SatyagrahaSatyagrahaSatyagraha , loosely translated as "insistence on truth satya agraha soul force" or "truth force" is a particular philosophy and practice within the broader overall category generally known as nonviolent resistance or civil resistance. The term "satyagraha" was conceived and developed by Mahatma...
of Kachchh
- Jairam Dahya Chauhan (1885–1968) of KumbhariaKumbhariaKumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
, who established him self at Nasik as a reputed Railway Contractor, later transformed himself into an industrialist and founded the J. D. Bytco Limited. Bytco is a known name in oral health-care. The first two name of company denote his initials. He later donated a large sum to build MuktidhamMuktidhamMuktidham is a marble temple complex honouring various Hindu gods. It is a popular tourist attraction situated in the Nashik Road suburb of the city of Nashik in the western state of Maharashtra in India. It is privately operated through a trust and was built through a generous donation by the late...
, which is now a famous tourist attraction of town. Further, he donated land and money to start D. D. Bytco Higher Secondary School and J. D. Bytco Commerce and Science Collage and J. D. Bytco Institute of Management Studies in Nasik. His father Dahya Vira Chauhan was one the pioneers, who did worked in laying of lines in Bombay to Nasik section for GIP Railways.
- Dhanji Manji Parmar (1924–1987) of the community was also a freedom fighter from DhanbadDhanbadDhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
, who unfurled Indian flag at KatrasKatrasKatras is a town equivalent to a city in terms of facilities and a notified area in Dhanbad district in the Indian state of Jharkhand.-Geography:Katras is located at . It has an average elevation of 201 metres .-Demographics:...
Jail, during 1942 Quit India MovementQuit India MovementThe Quit India Movement , or the August Movement was a civil disobedience movement launched in India in August 1942 in response to Mohandas Gandhi's call for immediate independence. Gandhi hoped to bring the British government to the negotiating table...
. His ancestral village was KukmaKukmaKukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
.
- Kanji Morarji Rathor (1913–1989) of KhedoiKhedoiKhedoi is large village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 14 KM from nearest town Anjar.Village is again sub-divided into Nani-Khedoi and Moti-Khedoi...
son of Morarji Karsan Rathor was a leading industrialist, who founded Public Limited Company named Himmat Steel Foundry Ltd having its factory at KumhariKumhariKumhari is a town and a nagar panchayat in Durg district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.-Geography:Kumhari is located at . It has an average elevation of 285 metres .-Demographics:...
near Raipur for manufacturing the special steel casting with an installed capacity at 3000 tonnes.
- Rajesh ChauhanRajesh ChauhanRajesh Kumar Chauhan is a former Indian cricketer who played in 21 Tests and 35 ODIs from 1993 to 1998. He was part of the Indian spin trio of Kumble-Raju-Chauhan, in the 1990s....
(b 1966) of BhilaiBhilaiBhilai or Bhilai Nagar is a city in the Durg district of Chhattisgarh, in eastern central India. As of 2001, it had a population of 753,837. The city is located west of the capital Raipur, on the main Howrah–Mumbai rail line, and National Highway 6...
is a former Spin Bowler, who played for Indian Cricket team from 1993 to 1998, belongs to the K.G.K. CommunityKutch Gurjar KshatriyasKutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris of Kutch or Kadia Kshatriyas of Kutch, are a Hindu community of the Kutch District of Gujarat state in India...
. His father Govind Raja Chauhan was also a cricketer and played Ranji TrophyRanji TrophyThe Ranji Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket championship played in India between different city and state sides, equivalent to the County Championship in England and the Sheffield Shield in Australia...
in 1957 and Duleep TrophyDuleep TrophyThe Duleep Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket competition played in India between teams representing geographical zones of India. The competition is named after Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji .-History:...
in 1964. Their ancestral village is VidiVidiVidi or Videe or Virdee is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is at a distance of about 4 km from Anjar, the Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
. He has been Chairman of youth wing of Kutch Gurjar KshatriyasKutch Gurjar KshatriyasKutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris of Kutch or Kadia Kshatriyas of Kutch, are a Hindu community of the Kutch District of Gujarat state in India...
for years 1993-96.
- Bharat Purshottam Tank (1966–2009) son of Purshottam Jagmal Tank of Raipur was a drummer, who created a national record in beating drums non-stop for 123 hours and 20 minutes at the age of 22 in year 1988. Their ancestral village is KukmaKukmaKukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
.
- Vaidhraj Pragji Mohanji Rathor (1918–2006) who lived in BhavnagarBhavnagar-Topography:Bhavnagar is a coastal city in the eastern coast of Saurashtra, also known as Kathiawar, located at . It has an average elevation of 24 metres . It occupies area of 53.30 km². General slope dips in the northeasterly direction at the apex of Gulf of Khambhat...
and later in NavsariNavsariNavsari is a city and municipality in the Surat Metropolitan Region and also the administrative headquarters Navsari District of Gujarat, India. Navsari is also the Twin City of Surat, and only 37 km south of Surat.-Geography:...
, was famous in field of Ayurvedic medicines and science. He was an authority in Urine therapy and have written many books on Shivambu Chikitsa or self-urine therapyUrine therapyIn alternative medicine, the term urine therapy refers to various applications of human urine for medicinal or cosmetic purposes, including drinking of one's own urine and massaging one's skin with one's own urine...
in Gujarati language. Some of which were also later translated and published in English. His weekly articles also used to be published in various Gujarati publications and newspapers. He was lovingly called VaidhrajVaidhyaVaidya or Vaidraj or Kabiraj is a term used in India to refer to a person or Doctor practicing Ayurveda Senior practitioners or teachers were called Vaidhraj, as a mark of respect. The royal families of India, used to have their personal Vaidhya, who attended to Kings and the royal families. They...
. He had been honored by various institutions of Gujarat Government. His most famous book written is Vigyan Ki Kasauti Par: Swamutra Chikitsa . He was attached to many social and charitable organizations and used to visit free medical camps in Calcutta and Bombay. He was also known social leader of the community. His ancestral village was NagalparNagalparNagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
.
- Amritlal Govamal Vegad(b 1928) living in Jabalpur has been awarded with Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sahitya Award and Rashtrapati AwardRashtrapati AwardRashtrapati Awards are given by the President of India, in some cases the prime Minister of India, for achievements in the field of Sports, Art, Military, Literature, Cinema, Culture, Science & Technology etc. The award-giving ceremony is conducted in the Rashtrapati Bhavan - the President's...
. His ancestral village is MadhaparMadhaparMadhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
. His father Govamal Jiwan Vegad, who did Railway contracts in Jabalpur section was a noted Gandhian. The name of his Book is Narmada ki pari-krama written in Hindi language.
- Smt. Nirmala Chauhan (b 1936) living in Aurangabad has been awarded with Maharashtra Rayja Sahitya Award and Rashtrapati AwardRashtrapati AwardRashtrapati Awards are given by the President of India, in some cases the prime Minister of India, for achievements in the field of Sports, Art, Military, Literature, Cinema, Culture, Science & Technology etc. The award-giving ceremony is conducted in the Rashtrapati Bhavan - the President's...
for the books written by them. The Book is Khule Aakash me Udete Panchhi written in Hindi language. She is daughter of Ramji Parbat Tank of KhambhraKhambhraKhambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
.
- Paresh Chauhan (b 1962) living in DhanbadDhanbadDhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
is a noted industrialist, who was given Rashtrapati AwardRashtrapati AwardRashtrapati Awards are given by the President of India, in some cases the prime Minister of India, for achievements in the field of Sports, Art, Military, Literature, Cinema, Culture, Science & Technology etc. The award-giving ceremony is conducted in the Rashtrapati Bhavan - the President's...
by President Of India in the Year 1984 for being the best entrepreneurs from BiharBiharBihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
. He also received "Vijaya Ratna Awards" in 1996 and "Kutch Shakti Award" in 2010. His native village is KumbhariaKumbhariaKumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
. His father Ramniklal Morarji Chauhan was also a leading Social Worker and one of leading Industrialist of Bihar, who founded M/s. Unicorn, a Fuse making company.
- Dharshi Jethalal Tank (1919–2010)of Tatanagar has his name recorded in Limca Book of RecordsLimca Book of RecordsLimca Book of Records is a record book of Indian origin. First published in 1990, when the Limca Brand was owned by Parle Group. The book continued to be published by Coca-Cola, when they bought the Limca Brand. The 20th edition of this book was released by Amitabh Bachchan in March 2009...
for Mathematical Calculations. He was also the editor and compliar of the book Nanji Bapa ni Nondh-pothi published in 1999. The book was given Ank-Sidhhi award by Kuth Shakti at a function held in MumbaiMumbaiMumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
in 2000. His ancestral village is NagalparNagalparNagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
.
KGK as pioneers of Social reforms
The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas, or Kgk Samaj, have been pioneers in many social reforms. For example there is no compulsory or forced DowryDowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
system in the community, since olden days.
Also widows were in general allowed to remarry by community elders, i.e. the "Moti Naat" and the "Community Panch", on a case to case basis for more than two centuries – much before the Widow Remarriage Act
Widow Remarriage Act
The Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856, also Act XV, 1856, enacted on 25 July 1856, legalized the remarriage of Hindu widows in all jurisdictions of India under East India Company rule....
was brought in to British India in 1856. The word used for such widow remarriage was "Ghar-gharana". Even the young widows having infants were also allowed to re-marry in case the second husband guaranteed to take care of child born from first marriage. There was a word called "agandiyaat" used for the young boy which came to his stepfather's house holding the finger of its mother. The word "angadi" in Gujarati language means finger and "angadiyaat" means the one who has come holding the finger. Sometimes, when the family of first husband, wished that son born from her first marriage should carry the name and title or surname of his deceased father, such arrangements were also given.
The KGK also understood the importance of education and, during early 1900s, had started schools and boarding houses in many villages and cities of Kutch (Sinugra, Madhapar, Bhuj, Anjar, etc.) and other cities (Jharia, Raipur, Cuttack, Valsad, Kharagpur, etc.) of India. They donated large sums to Vikas Vidhyalaya of Wadhwan
Wadhwan
Wadhwan is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.-Demographics: India census, Wadhwan had a population of 61,739. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Wadhwan has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of...
, Gurukul Kangri Vidhyalaya
Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya
Gurukul Kangri University or Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya is a Deemed University located in the city of Haridwar in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.- History :...
of Haridwar
Haridwar
Haridwar is an important pilgrimage city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India...
, Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University is a public university located in Varanasi, India and is one of the Central Universities of India. It is the largest residential university in Asia, with over 24,000 students in its campus. BHU was founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya under the Parliamentary...
and Rajghat Besant School
Rajghat Besant School
Rajghat Besant School in Varanasi is one of the reputed resident-cum-day school of India, established in 1934 by Jiddu Krishnamurti. It is named after Dr. Annie Besant and located near Rajghat Railway Station on other side of river Ganges & Varanasi city.The school was founded and is run by...
of Varanasi
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
, Gurukul Supa at Navsari
Navsari
Navsari is a city and municipality in the Surat Metropolitan Region and also the administrative headquarters Navsari District of Gujarat, India. Navsari is also the Twin City of Surat, and only 37 km south of Surat.-Geography:...
, Shantiniketan Gurukul
Santiniketan
Santiniketan is a small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India, approximately 180 kilometres north of Kolkata . It was made famous by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, whose vision became what is now a university town that attracts thousands of visitors each year...
, Dakshinamurti Vidhya Mandir at Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar
-Topography:Bhavnagar is a coastal city in the eastern coast of Saurashtra, also known as Kathiawar, located at . It has an average elevation of 24 metres . It occupies area of 53.30 km². General slope dips in the northeasterly direction at the apex of Gulf of Khambhat...
and Navajivan Trust
Navajivan Trust
Navajivan Trust is a publishing house based out of Ahmedabad, India. It was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1929 and has published more than 800 titles in English, Gujarati, Hindi and other languages to date....
of Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
, Sastu Sahitya Vardhak Karyalaya of Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
and Gita Press
Gita Press
The Gita Press is one of the world's largest publishers of Hindu religious texts. It is located in Gorakhpur city of India's Uttar Pradesh state. It was founded in 1923 by Jaya Dayal Goyandka for promoting the principles of Sanatana Dharma. Hanuman Prasad Poddar was the founding and the lifetime...
of Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur is a city in the eastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, near the border with Nepal. It is the administrative headquarters of Gorakhpur District and Gorakhpur Division. Gorakhpur is one of the proposed capitals of the Purvanchal state which is yet to be formed...
etc. They also understood the importance of Girls education and had started girls schools in some of their villages like Madhapar, Kookma etc. and helped Arya Kanya Gurukul
Arya Kanya Gurukul
Arya Kanya Gurukul situated at Porbandar, Gujarat, is one of the premier Girls K-12 Boarding School of India.The school complex is set amidst sprawling 90 acre sylvan surroundings, is dedicated to female education in modern India...
at Porbandar
Porbandar
Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama...
and pioneered sending their girls to schools in the early years of schooling in India (1890–1900. Besides building boarding houses for students at Bhuj
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...
and Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
so that their children can stay in the towns to study and opening co-educational primary schools in Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
, Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
, Chandiya
Chandiya
Chandiya or Chandia is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 18 km from nearest town Anjar.-History:...
, Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
. At Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
an exclusive girls hostel-cum-school named Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Kanya Chhatralaya was built by the community. They also built a boarding house in Poona for students willing to go for higher education in 1935. A hostel building was built by them named "Jharia House" at Rajghat Besant School
Rajghat Besant School
Rajghat Besant School in Varanasi is one of the reputed resident-cum-day school of India, established in 1934 by Jiddu Krishnamurti. It is named after Dr. Annie Besant and located near Rajghat Railway Station on other side of river Ganges & Varanasi city.The school was founded and is run by...
in Benaras in 1935.
In Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
rites and rituals there is a system of giving a funeral feast called, Parojan or Barmu-Termu, after the death of a family member. It is believed that the spirit of the dead does not get salvation until such a feast is given in his or her memory. In such feasts the whole community was to be invited. Due to such beliefs even economically weak members of community took loans to hold them. In 1931 the whole community (Naat or Moti-Naat) of eighteen villages assembled at Village Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
and a historic resolution called, Parojan Nishedh Tharav was passed in Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
stating that no member of community, henceforth, is bound to give this feast after the death of their family members. The elders of the community were against the resolution that religious beliefs should not be tempered with. Younger generations of leaders convinced them, arguing that elders could feed the poor and help the needy and do other charitable works or even give the feast in their lifetime, if they can afford to earn their salvation. Why should they wait for or expect that their next of kin would give funeral feast after their demise.?? The leaders who made the community take this historic resolution after hot and fiery debate were Vishram Valji Rathod of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
, Mandan Bhanjee Parmar of Kukma
Kukma
Kukma or Kookma is a village near the Bhuj town, taluka in Kachchh District of Indian State of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Bhuj, the headquarters of Kachchh District.-History:...
, Devram Daya Varu of Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
, Karsanjee Jetha Jethwa, Devram Jetha Jethwa, Hemraj Kanji Chawda all three of Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
, Dhanji Ratanji Rathod of Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
.
In post independent India, after re-organization of KGK in year 1972 a Samuh-Lagna, (mass community marriage), event for financially weak families of the community was held at Raipur. When the announcement of the Samuh-Lagna was made none of the families of the KGK came forward to marry their bride or groom in such a public event as it would hurt their pride and self-respect. Looking at this impasse Purshottam Lira Raja Rathod of Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
and Calcutta, who was one of the prominent leaders and effluent party of community, decided to cancel the grand wedding of her grand-daughter to be held in Calcutta and announced that she will be married at a simple ceremony at the Samuh-Lagna in Raipur to lead the way. Once this news spread other members came forward and agreed to marry their children at such an event. The Samuh-Lagna thus started in 1972 and is running successfully today with such events held at different locations in India every year by community leaders. Although before that, a Samuh-Lagna (mass community marriage) event was held on experimental basis by Dhanbad
Dhanbad
Dhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
Ghatak (unit) of community in they year 1968 in which six brides and grooms were married together, which can be said to be first such mass-marriage event before 1972. and probably one of the first communities of India to start the saga of Samuh-Lagna (mass community marriage) in post-independent India.
Re-organization of KGK in post-independence India
Around 1942 onwards the historic "Naat" and "Patel" system came to an end due to some internal problems as well as national level turbulence including World War-II, the Indian Independence movement, the partition of India, merger of the princely states and formation of the Union of India. The community, most of which were involved in railway "Thekedari" and lay scattered across the various states of India could not re-organize themselves and for almost three decades the Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas lost their unity and leadership. The last two "Patels" of the community in pre-independence India were Patel Kunwarjee Ramji Chawda and, after him, his son Patel Bhavanjee Kunwarjee Chawda of Devaliya. The Patel system and Moti-Naat started to collapse around 1945 and was ended by 1950.In Raipur a community organization called Kshatriya Seva Sangh was established in 1935 and later a greater organization called Shree Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Ganti Samaj was established in 1948 and in 1954 the community center was built in Raipur.
Although the Moti-Naat went in to a state of limbo around 1950 the Dhanbad
Dhanbad
Dhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
and Raipur organizations were considered an extended part of Moti-Naat and were given the status of Gaam or village in addition to the 18 villages of Kutch. This status was given to them in view of the large population of KGK members living in both cities. Until 1960 both Dhanbad and Raipur units continued to pay their community taxes and subscription to the Moti-Naat in Kutch.
Later on a Yuvak Mahasabha, or Young Man's Association, of the community was formed in 1954 in Dhanbad
Dhanbad
Dhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
at the behest of Raja Khengar Chawda of Chandiya
Chandiya
Chandiya or Chandia is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 18 km from nearest town Anjar.-History:...
, Purshottam Khimjee Chauhan of Reha
Reha
Reha is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 15 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:About the history of Reha it is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch...
, Arjunlal Dhanji Rathod of Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
and many others. This Yuvak Mahasabha worked until 1968, with blessings from elders of the community, to bring a form a unity in Samaj
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
but it could not replace Panch, Naat and the Patel system of historic times and the need for a greater organization was always needed. A community center was built by members of community during 1959–60 in Dhanbad at which later a Samuh-Lagna event was also organized by them in 1968, which can be said to be first such mass-marriage event before much publicized 1972 event held at Raipur.
Finally in 1971 the community re-organized themselves and first some leaders with good wishes of elders like Seth Vallabhdas Kunwarjee Tank of Sinugra and Bombay, R. B. Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor and Allahbad, Mavji Dahya Chauhan of Sinugra and Belur-Hassan, Mavji Mulji Chauhan of Madhapar and Madurai
Madurai
Madurai is the third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It served as the capital city of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is the administrative headquarters of Madurai District and is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and...
, Devram Jetha Jethwa of Sinugra and Calcutta, Balram Madhavjee Vadher of Sinugra and Raipur, Narsinh Manji Rathod of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
and others, met at Jaipur
Jaipur
Jaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18 November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, the city today has a population of more than 3.1 million....
and a resolution was passed to contact all families of the community spread throughout India and unite to elect a new leader by the next year.
Accordingly in 1972 the community again got together at Raipur and at a huge gathering at their Samaj Bhawan
Community centre
Community centres or community centers or jumping recreation centers are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole community or for a specialised group within...
on 3 June 1972 Hirji Khimjee Chauhan of Reha
Reha
Reha is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 15 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:About the history of Reha it is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch...
was unanimously elected as first President – Mahasabha Pramukh of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas in post-independence India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The pre-independence Moti Naat was re-christened as Mahasabha and Patel was rechristened as Pramukh and the Panch system was re-established. Hirji Khimjee Chauhan of Reha
Reha
Reha is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 15 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.-History:About the history of Reha it is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch...
and Ratnagiri
Ratnagiri
Ratnāgiri is a port city on the Arabian Sea coast in Ratnagiri district in the southwestern part of Maharashtra, India. The district is a part of Konkan.The Sahyadri mountains border Ratnagiri to the east...
, traveled through out India to re-group the community and then with other front line community leaders like Purshottam Lira Raja and Amarsinh Lira Raja Rathod of Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
and Calcutta, Vijaysinh Kunwarji Rathod of Madhapar
Madhapar
Madhapar is a large village located in south western Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhuj is the regional hub of the town where the nearest airport exists...
and Cuttack
Cuttack
Cuttack is the former capital of the state of Orissa, India. It is the headquarters of Cuttack district and is located about 20 km to the north east of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa. The name of the city is an anglicised form of Kataka that literally means The Fort, a reference to the...
and Valamji Hirji Parmar of Hajapar
Hajapar
Hajapar is village in Bhuj Taluka of Kachchh District of Gujarat State of India. It is located at a distance of about 18 km from Bhuj. One nearby village is Reha.-History:...
and Uttarpara
Uttarpara
Uttarpara is a small town of Hooghly District, West Bengal, India. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority.It is a town of historical importance. Uttarpara is home to some of the biggest industrial setups in the state...
, Nanalal Amarsinh Chouhan of Kumbharia
Kumbharia
Kumbharia or Kumbhariyu is village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town & Taluka Headquarter.-History:...
and Dhanbad
Dhanbad
Dhanbad features climate that is transitional between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer starts from last week of March and ends in mid-June. Peak temperature in summer can reach 47oC. Dhanbad also receives heavy rainfall...
and many others, together, he made the new constitution of the community, charitable trusts and state and national level units. They also carried out a census with a list of community members. The community name Shree Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Mahasabha was registered under The Societies Registration Act with its registered office at Calcutta in 1972.
At present the registered population of the KGK Community living in India is only about fifty-one thousand. This does not include those who migrated outside India during the late nineteenth century.
A brief history of Kutch in context of KGK
With the discovery of DholaviraDholavira
Dholavira is an archaeological site in Khadirbet in Bhachau Taluka of Kachchh district of Gujarat state in western India, which has taken its name from a modern village 1 km south of it. The site of Dholavira, locally known as Kotada timba contains ruins of an ancient Harappan city...
, the history of human civilization in Kutch has been verified to be as far back as from c.2650 BCE.
Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
was established by, and is named after, Kshatriya King Chauhan Ajepal (Ajaypal), who was the brother of the King of Ajmer
Ajmer
Ajmer , formerly written as Ajmere, is a city in Ajmer District in Rajasthan state in India. Ajmer has a population of around 800,000 , and is located west of the Rajasthan state capital Jaipur, 200 km from Jodhpur, 274 km from Udaipur, 439 km from Jaisalmer, and 391 km from...
from the Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
clan of the Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
s of Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
. He settled here and established his kingdom in Kutch with Anjar as its capital to protect the country and defend against the invasion of Khalifa
Caliph
The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word which means "successor" or "representative"...
from across the sea. He established the first coastal security center in Kachchh. He died due to a mortal wound suffered during a fight around 685 AD (V.S. 741). He is now worshiped as Ajepal Dada and also as a Pir
Pir (Sufism)
Pir or Peer is a title for a Sufi master equally used in the nath tradition. They are also referred to as a Hazrat or Shaikh, which is Arabic for Old Man. The title is often translated into English as "saint" and could be interpreted as "Elder". In Sufism a Pir's role is to guide and instruct his...
and his Samadhi
Samadhi
Samadhi in Hinduism, Buddhism,Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools is a higher level of concentrated meditation, or dhyāna. In the yoga tradition, it is the eighth and final limb identified in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali....
and temple is located on the outskits of the city near Anjar railway station and is worshiped by all the communities of the town. The city was originally called Ajay Vaas after Ajepal but over the years the name changed to Anjar. Kutch was ruled by various dynasties such as Chauhan
Chauhan
Chauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
, Kathi
Kathi (caste)
The Kathi are a Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India. Kathi is also a big gotra of Yaduvanshi Ahirs of Haryana. Also inter-marriage between the Ahir and the Kathi is an old phenomenon.Kathi tribe is named as Catti or Cat'hi and has been named as 36 royal races by James Tod.-History...
, Solanki
Solanki
The Solanki was a royal Hindu Indian dynasty that ruled parts of western and central India between the 10th to 13th centuries. A number of scholars including V. A. Smith assign them Gurjar origin....
, Vaghela, Chawda
Chavda Kingdom
The Chavda Kingdom or Chapa dynasty also known as Gujar Chapas was an ancient Hindu Kshatriya dynasty which ruled northern Gujarat from 746 AD to 942 AD....
and the Rajputs from 650 to 1500 AD. Anjar was the capital of Kutch in 806 AD. In 1005 AD Anjar was again declared capital by the Kathi
Kathi (caste)
The Kathi are a Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India. Kathi is also a big gotra of Yaduvanshi Ahirs of Haryana. Also inter-marriage between the Ahir and the Kathi is an old phenomenon.Kathi tribe is named as Catti or Cat'hi and has been named as 36 royal races by James Tod.-History...
s. It was after the decline of the Chawda
Chavda Kingdom
The Chavda Kingdom or Chapa dynasty also known as Gujar Chapas was an ancient Hindu Kshatriya dynasty which ruled northern Gujarat from 746 AD to 942 AD....
kingdom that the Jadeja
Jadeja
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...
dynasty came slowly into power from 1500 AD and by 1700 AD had established their rule over the whole of Kutch. Rao Khengarji I of Jadeja
Jadeja
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...
again declared Anjar capital in year 1545 AD (V.S. 1602) before Bhuj
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...
was declared capital in 1549. In the years 1763 to 1765 when Gulam Shah Kalhora
Mian Ghuam Shah Kalhoro (Shah Wardi Khan)
Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, Ghulam Shah Kalhoro, Shah Wardi Khan was a ruler of the Kalhora Dynasty of Sindh whose rule began in 1762, when he was appointed ruler of Sindh by a royal decree, with the title of Shah Wardí Khan...
of the Sind
History of Sindh
Sindh is one of the provinces of Pakistan. Sindh was home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, the Indus Valley civilization.-Paleolithic and Mesolithic era:...
invaded Kutch, the Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas
Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris of Kutch or Kadia Kshatriyas of Kutch, are a Hindu community of the Kutch District of Gujarat state in India...
, or Mistris, consisting of warrior Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
clans such as the Chauhan, Jethwa, Rathod, Wadher, Chawda, Khodiyar, Chudasama, Sawaria, Gohil, Solanki, Vaghela, Parmar, Taunk etc. fought in the Battle of Zora along with other casts like the Lohana
Lohana
The Lohana also referred to as Luvana are an Indian caste,largely classified as merchants and are categorized as Vaishya or Bania caste although their ancient history proves that they are Kshatriya of Suryavanshi descant, claiming their lineage from Lava, son of Rama...
s, Miyana
Miyana
The Miyana are a Muslim Rajput community found in the state of Gujarat in India.- History and origin :The Miyana are Rajputs who were converted to Islam during the rule of Allauddin Khilji in the thirteenth century...
s, Memons etc. in defense of the land with the army of Jadeja
Jadeja
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...
the kings of Kutch. In later years Kutch became a dependency and a Princely State
Princely state
A Princely State was a nominally sovereign entitity of British rule in India that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule such as suzerainty or paramountcy.-British relationship with the Princely States:India under the British Raj ...
under suzerainty of British India in 1818. The Anjar city, district of Anjar including Port of Tuna
Tuna Port
Tuna Port is a port-cum-town in Anjar Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India.-History:Tuna Port was developed during mid-eighteenth century by Kingdom of Kutch, later known as Princely State of Cutch....
came under direct rule of British in year 1815, after the army of Kutch was defeated near the Bhadreshwar Jain Temple. The Anjar Chovishi came again under Rajya Hukumat reverting back to the kings of Kutch after an agreement between them and the British to compensate for same on 25 December 1822. Jadeja dynasty thus ruled Kutch for around 450 years till its merger into the Union of India in 1947, the administration of which was transferred to Union of India in 1948. The erstwhile Princely State of Kutch worked as Commissionaire from 1948 till 1950, when it was made to a separate state named the Kutch State
Kutch State
Kutch State was a state within the Republic of India from 1950 to 1956. Its capital was Bhuj.The state's territory now forms a district within the Indian state of Gujarat.-History:...
within the Union of India. On 1 November 1956 Kutch State was merged into the Bombay State
Bombay State
The Bombay State was a state of India, dissolved with the formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat states on May 1, 1960.-History:During British rule, portions of the western coast of India under direct British rule were part of the Bombay Presidency...
as per the States Reorganisation Act
States Reorganisation Act
The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 was a major reform of the boundaries and governance of India's states and territories. The act reorganised the boundaries of India's states along linguistic lines, and amended the Indian Constitution to replace the three types of states, known as Parts A, B,...
. The Bombay state was again divided on linguistic basis into the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
which came into existence on 1 May 1960. With it Kutch became a part of Gujarat as Kutch District
Kutch District
Kutch district is a district of Gujarat state in western India. Covering an area of 45,652 km², it is the largest district of India....
, the largest district of India. Kutch is a sensitive area as its north border is with the Sindh province of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and is guarded by the Border Security Force
Border Security Force
The Border Security Force is a border patrol agency of the Government of India. Established on December 1, 1965, it is one of the Central Armed Police Forces. Its primary role is to guard India's international borders during peacetime and also prevent transnational crime...
of the Indian Army
Indian 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...
. At present, certain areas of the Rann of Kutch
Rann of Kutch
The Great Rann of Kutch, also called Greater Rann of Kutch or just Rann of Kutch , is a seasonal salt marsh located in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India and the Sindh province of Pakistan....
are beyond the reach of civilians.
Present day Anjar Taulka was known as Anjar Chovishi. Chovish means number 24 in Gujarati language. Anjar Taluka was called Anjar Chovishi as it consisted of 24 Villages in those days. Out of these 24 Villages 13 villages (Anjar, Sinugra, Kumbharia, Chandiya, Lovariya, Meghpar, Galpadar, Devariya, Khedoi, Khambhra, Nagalpar, Vidi, Ratnal) belonged to the Mistri
Mistri
Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005....
community and they held major land holdings in the other 11 villages (Varsamedi, Bhadroi, Sukhpar, Chandrani, Mindiyani, Dabada, Sapeda, Ambapar, Sugaria, Sanghad-Mathak etc.). except the Tuna Port. Thus the Mistri community were Jagirdars or Garasdards of almost whole of Anjar Taluka in those days. The villages in Anjar Chovishi were called Ugamana Patt, as said earlier. The other Six villages (Nagor, Hajapar, Reha, Madhapar, Jambudi and Kukma) in Dungraal Patt of Bhuj Taluka did not come under direct British Rule during 1815–1822. The word Anjar Chovishi is still used by many to identify Anjar Taluka.
The major famines and drought Kutch has suffered were in 1315, 1811, 1812, 1900, 1969. Of which the famine of 1900 (V.S. 1956) is famous as Chhapaniyo Dukar. Chhapan in Gujarati language means – Number 56 and Dukar means drought. After the drought of 1315, the famine of 1900 was most deadly according to the records of the Mistri community, which led to the migration of many communities out of Kutch to seek a livelihood.
Kutch has been ravaged by earthquakes in 1618, 1819, 1844, 1845, 1874, 1901, 1941, 1956 and 2001. The earthquakes of 1819 and 2001 were of major intensity and most disastrous. The earthquake of 1819 completely destroyed Bhuj
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...
, Mandvi
Mandvi
Mandvi is a city and a Municipality in Kachchh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was once a major port of the region and summer retreat for Maharao of the Kachchh. The old city had a surrounding fort, and remains of the fort wall can still be seen to this day...
, Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
. The earthquake of 1819 also made a geographical change. The Allahbund
Allahbund
Allah Bund is a fault running through Gujarat. Experts at the Indian Meteorological Department believe the 2001 Bhuj Earthquake is a reawakening of the Allah Bund fault....
fault stopped the waters of the river Indus flowing into Kutch.
The 2001 earthquak proved to be major disaster for Kutch and major casualties were recorded in Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
, Bhuj
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...
, Bhachau
Bhachau
Bhachau is a city and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. Bhachau was one of many devastated towns in the Kutch region of the Indian state of Gujarat, during the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake.- Geography :Bhachau is located at...
with death toll crossing reaching 19,752 and injured 166,000 as per Government records. More than 600,000 people were left homeless, with 348,000 houses destroyed and an additional 844,000 damaged and more than 20,000 cattle were reported to have died.
The following villages of Mistris were affected and destroyed – Anjar
Anjar, India
Anjar is a town and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The country is dry and sandy, and entirely depends on well irrigation for its water supply. The town is situated nearly 10 miles from the Gulf of Kutch. The town was third time made capital of Kachchh on...
, Sinugra
Sinugra
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar...
, Khambhra
Khambhra
Khambhra or Khamra is a village near the town Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is eight kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar.-History:...
, Devaliya, Chandiya
Chandiya
Chandiya or Chandia is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 18 km from nearest town Anjar.-History:...
, Nagalpar
Nagalpar
Nagalpur or Nagalpar is a small village in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. It comes under Anjar taluka.-History:About history of Nagalpar or Nagalpur it is one of the 19 villages established by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris as they are known in Kutch...
, etc. Many heritage houses and haveli
Haveli
Haveli is the term used for a private mansion in India and Pakistan. The word haveli is derived from the Persian word hawli, meaning "an enclosed place"...
s belonging to rich Mistri
Mistri
Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with "supervisor" and other terms, as for example by the Indian Railway who replaced it with supervisor in 2005....
families, built almost 100 years ago, with ornate facades, intricate door carvings and metal grill windows and verandas depicting the life of Queen Victoria were all raised to the ground. There were also huge wall and ceiling paintings depicting scenes from Mahabharata and Ramayana which are no more. The majestic interiors, doors and window panels of some of the houses were similar in design, which can still be seen in Prag Mahal
Prag Mahal
The Prag Mahal is a 19th-century palace located next to the Aina Mahal in Bhuj, Gujarat, India. It was commissioned by Rao Pragmalji II, and construction began in 1865. It was designed by Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins in the Italian Gothic style, and many Italian artisans were involved in its...
.
Along with other communities of Kutch, the KGK also suffered the one of largest human casualties in their long history in the earthquake of 26 January 2001. In many cases whole families of the KGK community were buried alive and this day will be remembered as a black day in the communities long history. The majestic houses built by their fore-fathers, one of the cultural heritage of Kutch, Gujarat has also been lost, all being raised to the ground. For many members of the community the earthquake was a double blow. Not only did they lose their loved ones, they also lost their houses and shops. However the community, which has for centuries survived many such tragedies, calamities and warfare has bounced back like so many times before.
See also
- Kadia KshatriyasKadia kshatriyasKadia Kshatriyas are a minority group of the Hindu community in Gujarat State, India...
- Kadia (community)Kadia (community)Kadia is a Hindu community in Gujarat State of India. They are specialised in masonry works, artistic carvings and sculpting as well as artistic wooden works.- History and origin :...
- MistryMistryMistry or Mistry may refer to :-*Mistri - a word used for master-craftsman, foreman in India.*Mistri - a caste of India.*Mistry - a surname used by persons of India or Indian origin.*Mistris of Kutch - another name for KGK Community of India....
- Mistri (caste)Mistri (caste)The Mistri or Mistris are a Hindu caste found in state of Gujarat in India.-Names of casts known as Mistri:There are two different casts by same name:-...
- Kadia Kumbhar Kshatriya
Further reading
- Modern Bombay and Indian States T. Peters, Who's Who Publishers (India), 1942 (Pg 250 Life-sketch of Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan
- Modern Bombay and her patriotic citizens: Published by Who's Who Publishers (India), 1941 – Article on Jagmal Raja Chauhan.
- Minutes of proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Institution of Civil Engineers (Great Britain) 1934: Willingdon Bridge and Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Pg 80–110
- INDIAN WHO'S WHO 1937–38[1] 2 pages on Jagmal Raja
- Kutch Darpan Magazine August 2009, article on Jagmal Raja Chauhan.
- Encyclopedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa by British Authorities – 1920 and 1925
- Ratna Bhagat Ni Chopdi First and Second Edition – Gujarati Book (This book also gives details of early railway contracts done by the community as well as details of historical monuments built by the Mistris of Kutch)
- Nanji Bapa ni Nondh-pothi published from Baroda, in the Gujarati, 1999. It is a diary of railway contracts done by the KGK community, noted by Nanji Govindji Tank of Hajapar and Jamshedpur throughout his lifetime with his last entry in 1954. The diary was later discovered his son Govardhan Nanji Tank and released as a book compiled by Dharshibhai Jethalal Tank of Nagalpar and Tatanagar. This book was given the Aank Sidhhi award by Kutch Shakti at Mumbai in 2000. The majority of the details of the railway contracts are taken from this book which also has a section with photos on Historical Monuments and Architects built by the Mistris of Kutch and has life-sketches of Seth Khora Ramji Chawda of Sinugra, Jagmal Raja Chauhan of Nagor, Govamal Jiwan Chauhan of Kumbharia, Lira Raja Rathod of Khambhra, Bechar Hardas Khodiyar of Anjar, Purshottam Khimji Chauhan of Reha, Visram Valji Rathor of Madhapar, Karsan Bhima of Madhapar, Manji Jeram Rathod of Madhapar, Khoda Ratna Tank of Sinugra, Jeram Jagmal of Kumbharia, Manvji Punja Chauhan of Nagor, Bhimjee Pancha of Nagor, Hirji Karamshi and Rai Sahib Lalji Hirji Chauhan of Devaria many others with their photos and other details. It also has excerpts from the Encyclopedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
- Kutch Tari Asmita (A Gujarti Book).
- Diary of Golden Days at Jharia – A Memoir and History of Gurjar Kashtriya Samaj of Kutch in Coalfields of Jharia – written by Natwarlal Devram Jethwa of Calcutta and Sinugra complied by Raja Pawan Jethwa published in year 1998 in English. (The majority of community's history in coal mining is taken from this book. However, details of Railway Contracts are mentioned in life sketch of Rai Sahib Moolji Jagmal Sawaria of Kumbharia, Rai Sahib Vishram Valji Rathod of Madhapar, Rai Sahib Ruda Laddha Chawrs of Madhapar, Seth Khora Ramji Chawda of Sinugra, Jetha Lira Jethwa of Sinugra, etc.)
- Shree Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Samaj: A brief History and Glory of our fore-fathers: by R. P. Jethwa. (2007).
- "Kumbha Mavaji Chavda – Galpadar ni Nodh Pothi"(Gujarati Book) by Kumbha Mavji Chawda of Galpadar.
- Kadia Kshatriya Samaj- Itihas – A Gujarati Book published by Nutan Prakashan