Sinugra
Encyclopedia
Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the India
n state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar. Villagers enjoy a good drinking water supply, and a steady electricity supply with few power shortages.
Telephones are common, and nearly all of the houses have televisions and cable.
The village entrance has a big Chabutro
and welcome gate.
or Mistris. These Mistri community first moved in to Saurashtra in early 7th century and later a major group entered Kutch in 12th Century and established themselves at Dhaneti
. Later from 12th century onwards they moved between Anjar
and Bhuj
and founded the villages of Anjar
, Sinugra, Khambhra
, Nagalpar
, Khedoi
, Madhapar
, Hajapar
, Kukma
, Galpadar
, Reha
, Vidi
, Ratnal
, Jambudi
, Devariya, Lovaria, Nagor
, Chandiya
, Meghpar and Kumbharia
.
The Mistris of these villages have built and developed the infrastructure around the villages in late 1890.
The village boasted of 200 odd houses made by rich Mistri
families, ornate facades, intricate door carvings and metal grill windows and verandah depicting life of Queen Victoria. There were also huge wall and Ceiling paintings depicting scenes from Mahabharata & Ramayana. The village like other Mistri Village was well planned by Mistris, who were master-planners themselves, having wide main roads and streets and other infrastructure, temples, ponds, wells and was unique in its heritage. Sinugra was known as Pride of Kutch for its unique artistic heritage.
However, most of it was destroyed in the earthquake of 2000. Sinugra Village being very near to Anjar also bore the heavy brunt of the quake and almost all old majestic houses built around 100 years ago were completely destroyed. There was also a good number of human casualty. Some of the old buildings, temples, Chabutro have been since re-constructed but the majestic houses with fine workmanship have been lost.
& brothers and Khoda Ratna Tank.
Khora Ramji, Jetha Lira also built a Kutchi
Kadia
Dharamsala
in Mathura. Among the famous railway contractors and colliery owners who hailed from this village and made it big during the early years of railway construction around 1860-1910 and some of them also started their own Colliery business in and around Jharia - Bokaro coalfields are Khora Ramji Chawda, Jetha Lira Jethwa, Khoda Ratna Taunk, Ranchhod Virjee, Premji Virjee, Dhanjee Virjee Chawda, Mulji Akhoy Chawda, Dahya Pachan, Manji Pachan, Mepa Pachan Jagmal Ladhha, Nanji Dossa, Kanji Murji, Kunwarji Nanji, Dahya Nanji, Mavji Nanji Tank, Kala Sava, Jeevan Sava Tank, Narain Veera, Lalji Raja Wadher, Ratna Manji Tank, Laddha Raja,Jeram Nanji, Shivjee Ananda Vadher, Kuvarjee Ananda Vadher, Raghu Pancha Taunk, Jairam Teja Chawda, Narayan Pachan Chawda, Lagdheer Ramji, Chonda Parbat Taunk, Ratanshi Manji Tank, Kalji Raja, Shamji Mepa, Devraj Pachan, Bheemje Mepa,Devshi Ladhha, Raja Mepa, Lalji Jeeva, Govind Ladhha, Jeevan Devraj, Ladhha Jeeva, Premji Karsan, Jairam Nanji, Kanji Manji, Dhanji Veerji, Kalji Raja, Govind Ladhha, Ranchhod Gangu Gohil, Joyram Shivjee Gohil,Seth Vallabhdas Kunwarjee Tank, Karsanjee Jetha Jethwa, Devram Jetha Jethwa, Hemraj Kanji Chawda, Jeevram Jairam Chawda, Balram Madhavjee Vadher. For further details see Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas contributions to the Indian railways.
Among the famous personalities of Sinugra Village - Dahya Pachan, Manji Pachan & Mepa Pachan Chawda of Sinugra with Jeevan Naryan Chauhan of Kumbharia
were the pioneers, who led the community into Railway Contracts in 1850. Seth Khora Ramji Chawda was given "Paghdi
" by Maharao Khengarji III of Kutch
. Lifesketch of Khora Ramji Chawda is noted by British in Encyclopedia of Bengal, Bihar & Orissa. He was the first Indian to break monopoly of British in Coal-mining business in Jharia Coalfields Belt
and started Khas Jharia, Fatehpur, Balihari, Jeenagora, Bugathdih and other collieries between 1895-1910 with his brothers Jairam Teja, Jetha Lira Vela, Narayan Pachchan & Mulji Akhoy. Khora Ramji also owned fleet of Ships and used to trade in spice & dry-fruits, etc. with Muscat, Mombasa, etc. Among other famous person - Devraj Daya Chavda,who established himself at Jharsuguda
and did magnificent works of Railways & Bridge construction was given title of Rai Sahib by British authorities. Seth Vallabhdas Kunwarjee Tank of village established himself as industrialist in Mumbai & Vapi and was closely associated with Arvind Lalbhai.
Temples of many clans of these Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya community are also there in this village. For example, Tank
clan Mistri
community have their Kuldevi Chamunda
Mata's temple in village.
The Thakor Mandir of Sinugra built by Seth Khora Ramji Chawra, Pachhan Ramji Chawra, Teja Ramji Chawra, Akhai Ramji Chawra, Lira Velaji Jethwa, Khoda Ratna Tank in 1900 is a remarkable piece of architect with beautiful & colorful carvings of Gods and idols. Further, Jadeshwar Mahadev
temple also built by Mistri Seth Khora Ramji is worth seeing. The Swaminarayan Temple & Dharamshala
are also there is Village. A small temple of Ramdev Pir is also there in village. After the earthquake of 26 January 2001 all the temples and chabutro have been rehabilitated to their past glory by donations from the Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya community.
Further, a mosque belonging to Mohammedan
community is also there.
of this village. Newly elected Sarpanch
, is Bharatbhai Taunk.
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...
n state of Gujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar. Villagers enjoy a good drinking water supply, and a steady electricity supply with few power shortages.
Telephones are common, and nearly all of the houses have televisions and cable.
The village entrance has a big 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...
and welcome gate.
History and heritage
About history of Sinugra, the village is one of the nineteen villages founded by 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 Mistris. These Mistri community first moved in to Saurashtra in early 7th century and later a major group entered Kutch in 12th Century and established themselves at 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...
. Later from 12th century onwards they moved between 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...
and founded the villages 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...
, Sinugra, 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:...
, Devariya, 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:...
, 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:...
, Meghpar 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:...
.
The Mistris of these villages have built and developed the infrastructure around the villages in late 1890.
The village boasted of 200 odd houses made by 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, ornate facades, intricate door carvings and metal grill windows and verandah depicting life of Queen Victoria. There were also huge wall and Ceiling paintings depicting scenes from Mahabharata & Ramayana. The village like other Mistri Village was well planned by Mistris, who were master-planners themselves, having wide main roads and streets and other infrastructure, temples, ponds, wells and was unique in its heritage. Sinugra was known as Pride of Kutch for its unique artistic heritage.
However, most of it was destroyed in the earthquake of 2000. Sinugra Village being very near to Anjar also bore the heavy brunt of the quake and almost all old majestic houses built around 100 years ago were completely destroyed. There was also a good number of human casualty. Some of the old buildings, temples, Chabutro have been since re-constructed but the majestic houses with fine workmanship have been lost.
Notable persons
The Thakor Mandir, Chabutaro, Village Primary School named 'Seth Khora Ramji Prathmik Shala', Mahadev Temple being built by famous Seth Khora Ramji ChawdaSeth 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...
& brothers and Khoda Ratna Tank.
Khora Ramji, Jetha Lira also built a 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...
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 :...
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 Mathura. Among the famous railway contractors and colliery owners who hailed from this village and made it big during the early years of railway construction around 1860-1910 and some of them also started their own Colliery business in and around Jharia - Bokaro coalfields are Khora Ramji Chawda, Jetha Lira Jethwa, Khoda Ratna Taunk, Ranchhod Virjee, Premji Virjee, Dhanjee Virjee Chawda, Mulji Akhoy Chawda, Dahya Pachan, Manji Pachan, Mepa Pachan Jagmal Ladhha, Nanji Dossa, Kanji Murji, Kunwarji Nanji, Dahya Nanji, Mavji Nanji Tank, Kala Sava, Jeevan Sava Tank, Narain Veera, Lalji Raja Wadher, Ratna Manji Tank, Laddha Raja,Jeram Nanji, Shivjee Ananda Vadher, Kuvarjee Ananda Vadher, Raghu Pancha Taunk, Jairam Teja Chawda, Narayan Pachan Chawda, Lagdheer Ramji, Chonda Parbat Taunk, Ratanshi Manji Tank, Kalji Raja, Shamji Mepa, Devraj Pachan, Bheemje Mepa,Devshi Ladhha, Raja Mepa, Lalji Jeeva, Govind Ladhha, Jeevan Devraj, Ladhha Jeeva, Premji Karsan, Jairam Nanji, Kanji Manji, Dhanji Veerji, Kalji Raja, Govind Ladhha, Ranchhod Gangu Gohil, Joyram Shivjee Gohil,Seth Vallabhdas Kunwarjee Tank, Karsanjee Jetha Jethwa, Devram Jetha Jethwa, Hemraj Kanji Chawda, Jeevram Jairam Chawda, Balram Madhavjee Vadher. For further details see Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas contributions to the Indian railways.
Among the famous personalities of Sinugra Village - Dahya Pachan, Manji Pachan & Mepa Pachan Chawda of Sinugra with Jeevan Naryan 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:...
were the pioneers, who led the community into Railway Contracts in 1850. Seth Khora Ramji Chawda was given "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:...
" by Maharao Khengarji III of Kutch
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....
. Lifesketch of Khora Ramji Chawda is noted by British in Encyclopedia of Bengal, Bihar & Orissa. He was the first Indian to break monopoly of British in Coal-mining business in Jharia Coalfields Belt
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 started Khas Jharia, Fatehpur, Balihari, Jeenagora, Bugathdih and other collieries between 1895-1910 with his brothers Jairam Teja, Jetha Lira Vela, Narayan Pachchan & Mulji Akhoy. Khora Ramji also owned fleet of Ships and used to trade in spice & dry-fruits, etc. with Muscat, Mombasa, etc. Among other famous person - Devraj Daya Chavda,who established himself at Jharsuguda
Jharsuguda
Jharsuguda is the district headquarters of Jharsuguda district of Orissa, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Jharsuguda district. It is an upcoming industrial hub, basically in the metal and cement sectors. Jharsuguda is well connected to all major cities of India through rail network...
and did magnificent works of Railways & Bridge construction was given title of Rai Sahib by British authorities. Seth Vallabhdas Kunwarjee Tank of village established himself as industrialist in Mumbai & Vapi and was closely associated with Arvind Lalbhai.
Temples
KuldeviKuldevta
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...
Temples of many clans of these Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya community are also there in this village. For example, Tank
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 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 have their Kuldevi Chamunda
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...
Mata's temple in village.
The Thakor Mandir of Sinugra built by Seth Khora Ramji Chawra, Pachhan Ramji Chawra, Teja Ramji Chawra, Akhai Ramji Chawra, Lira Velaji Jethwa, Khoda Ratna Tank in 1900 is a remarkable piece of architect with beautiful & colorful carvings of Gods and idols. Further, 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 also built by Mistri Seth Khora Ramji is worth seeing. The Swaminarayan Temple & Dharamshala
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...
are also there is Village. A small temple of Ramdev Pir is also there in village. After the earthquake of 26 January 2001 all the temples and chabutro have been rehabilitated to their past glory by donations from the Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya community.
Further, a mosque belonging to Mohammedan
Mohammedan
Mohammedan is a Western term for a follower of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. As an archaic English language term, it is used as both a noun and an adjective, meaning belonging or relating to, either Muhammad or the religion, doctrines, institutions and practices that he established...
community is also there.
Present status
Dhamubhai Vadher, was former SarpanchSarpanch
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 this village. Newly elected 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...
, is Bharatbhai Taunk.
See also
- 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...
- Sinugra
- PantiyaPantiyaPantiya is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.This village is adopted by IFFCO Kandla.Village is located 10 KM from nearest town Anjar...
- BhuvadBhuvadBhuvad / 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...
- 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:...
- 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...
- LovariyaLovariyaLovariya or Loharia or Lovaria is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.-History:Lovariya is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris, as they are known in Kutch...
- ChandiyaChandiyaChandiya 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:...
- ChandrodaChandrodaChandroda is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 22 KM from nearest town Anjar...
- MindiyanaMindiyanaMindiyana is a village near the town Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat.Village is located 8 KM from nearest town Anjar.-See also:* Nagalpar* Sinugra* Pantiya* Khedoi* Lovariya* Chandiya* Chandroda* Mindiyana* Shinai...
- ShinaiShinai villageShinai or Shenoi village is located 15 kilometres from the nearest town, Anjar in the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat....
- AdipurAdipurAdipur is a city in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India. The town is situated approximately from the Gulf of Kutch.-History:Adipur was originally founded as a refugee camp after the partition of India, in 1947, by the government of India. Its running was later passed onto a...
- GandhidhamGandhidhamGandhidham is a city and a municipality in the Kachchh District of Gujarat state of India. The town was created in the early 1950s for the resettlement of the refugees from Sindh of Pakistan in the aftermath of the partition of India....
- Devaria,Kutch
- 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...
- 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:...
- Healthcare in IndiaHealthcare in IndiaHealthcare in India features a universal health care system run by the constituent states and territories of India. The Constitution charges every state with "raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties"...
- Primary Health CentrePrimary Health CentreThe Primary Health Centre is the basic structural and functional unit of the public health services in developing countries. PHCs were established to provide accessible, affordable and available primary health care to people, in accordance with the Alma Ata Declaration of 1978 by the member...
- Mitha Pasvariya