Anjar, Gujarat

Anjar is a town, a tehsil and a municipality in the Kachchh district in the state of Gujarat, India. It is a town of historic importance, located in Southern Kachchh, around 40 km away from one of the biggest ports in India, Kandla Port. Founded around 650 AD, Anjar is claimed to be the oldest town in Kachchh.

Anjar
Town
ANJAR
Devaliya Gate Circle of Anjar
Anjar
Location in Gujarat, India
Anjar
Anjar (India)
Coordinates: 23.13°N 70.02°E / 23.13; 70.02
Country India
StateGujarat
DistrictKachchh
Established602 AD
Founded byAjepal
Elevation
89 m (292 ft)
Languages
 • OfficialGujarati, Kutchi, Hindi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
370110
Vehicle registrationGJ 12

History
Inscriptions of Anjar

The history of the town is shrouded in mystery due to lack of written evidence or documentation. Popular stories say that a group of early settlers led by warrior Ajay Pal Chauhan (also called Ajepal), brother of King of Ajmer, Rajasthan arrived and settled there around 650 AD or 805 (Samvat 862).[1] Slowly the settlement flourished and became a center of trade and commerce. Due to its prosperity and wealth, it was an often target of invasion by clan warriors. The founder of the settlement turn ruler of the town, Ajay Pal, dedicated his life to protecting the town. It is believed that he established the first coastal security centre in Kutch somewhere near Anjar. Ajay Pal died due to a mortal wound he suffered while fighting the Khalifas in Vikram Samvat 741 (around 685AD). Due to his efforts to protect the town and surrounding area from invaders, and his selfless sacrifice, he is worshipped as a saint, and his tomb (also called Samadhi in Hinduism) and temple are located on the outskirts of the town. He is fondly known as the ruler of the town till today.

The Chauhan clan eventually lost power in Anjar. At different points in history, the town was ruled by the Chauhan, Chaulukya, Vaghela and Chawda, and lastly the Jadeja, who gained control of the entire region of Kutch. The town was declared the capital of the Kingdom of Kutch in 1545 by King Khengarji I and was fortified by Deshalji II in the early eighteenth century. The fort wall was sixteen feet high and six feet thick. In 1800, the town, port, and dependencies of Anjar were granted to Fateh Muhammad, who busied himself with extending the town's trade and establishing the harbour of Tuna.[1] The town served as the capital of the Kutch region on and off, until finally a nearby settlement, Bhuj became the permanent capital city of the region. Anjar then served as the second-largest settlement in the region and was pushed to the third rank after the rise of the Kandla Port and nearby Gandhidham city, which serves as the powerhouse for the regional economy at present.

On 25 December 1815, Anjar was attacked by Colonel East of the British East India Company, and Tuna was occupied by the next day. In the following year, the fort and dependent villages were handed over to the British, and they were held by the British till 1822.[1][2] Anjar suffered severely from an earthquake in 1819, which destroyed a large number of houses, and caused thousands of deaths.[1][2] The population fell shortly afterwards to about 10,000.[2] In 1822, the East India Company transferred the region back to the Jadeja clan in exchange for an annual fee.[2] The payments were a burden on the local treasury and the entire burden (including arrears) were paid on its behalf by the British government.[2] By 1901 the population had increased to 18,014.[3]

Due to social segregation, complex social structures, and cultural restrictions that dated to antiquity, most of these clans established their separate wards or neighborhoods (locally known as 'fariyas'). However, the culture has opened up today and people of different clans live side by side.

Since the earthquake of 1819, the Kutch region, and especially Anjar, have suffered several major and minor earthquakes every fifty years or so. Anjar experienced a strong earthquake on 21 July 1956, which had its epicentre near the town,[4] and another major earthquake on 26 January 2001, which caused large scale death and destruction. According to the records, more than 1350 houses were destroyed.[5] Most of the damage occurred to the older constructions in the fortified area of the town where buildings and houses were hundreds of years old.[6][7] The earthquake claimed more than 1500 lives, and left many more injured.[8][9] After a decade of rehabilitation work, the town has now recovered from the loss and destruction inflicted by the 2001 earthquake.[10]

Demographics

Most Anjaris are Hindus Jains, or Muslims. These major religious groups are further divided into subgroups (called Jātis), including

Later on, Muslims and the African slaves (locally known as Sidis) of the rulers of Jadeja clan also settled in the town.

Geography
Gate of Anjar

Anjar is located at 23.113424°N 70.027744°E / 23.113424; 70.027744[11] and has an average elevation of 81 metres (270 ft). The land in Anjar is mainly dry and arid flatland. The town is around 75 kilometres (50 mi) away from the Great Rann (the Desert of Kutch), which is a seasonal salt marshland in the north. At the beginning of the 20th century, the city was only 10 miles (16 km) from the Gulf of Kutch to the south,[2][3] but it is now 40 kilometres (20 mi) away. There are 3 small lakes in different parts of the town which often dry up in the long harsh summers. On the eastern side of the town there's a river named 'Saang' which often dries up in the summer too.

Climate

The climate in Anjar is a desert climate. In Anjar, there is no rainfall virtually all year round. The climate is denoted as BWh by the Koppen-Geiger system, with average rainfall is 368mm.

The climate in Anjar is very dry due to its closeness to the Desert of Kutch. There are three distinct seasons observed in Anjar: Winter, Summer, and Rainy Season (locally better called monsoon). Winters in Anjar could be harsh, with temperatures dropping down to 4 degrees Celsius, and summers could be equally harsh, with scorching temperatures soaring up to 47–48 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is very scarce, with average annual rainfall of around 400mm only. Anjar often experiences drought.

Summer is the longest season, which lasts from around mid-March to July or sometimes until mid-August. Brutal heatwaves in summer often claim the lives of humans and animals. The rainy season lasts from around July to September. During the rainy season, the sky is mostly cloudy, with bursts of brief showers or sweltering hot days with highly humid air blowing from the Gulf of Kutch in south. Winter starts from November and may last up to February.

Places of interest

Temples and Shrines
Timbi Kotha
Om Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple

The Madhavrai temple is a Vaishnav shrine 67 feet by 64 and about 62 high with a domed hall and black and white marble floor. The image of black marble is placed on a table overlaid with silver. The shrine doors also plated with silver bear an inscription dated Samvat 1869 (1812AD). Some of the eight pilasters that support the dome are carved mermaids and Naga figures. Mohanrai's temple, smaller and plainer, with a neatly carved wooden door, is also a Vaishnav shrine. The idols being Krishna with Radha on his left, and Chaturbhuj, the four-armed Vishnu, on his right. The temple was rebuilt between 1814 and 1824. Amba Mata's shrine and the monastery close by were built of fragments of older temples. Over the enclosure gateway is a door of hard reddish stone, carved all round, which from the repetition of Devi on the jambs and lintels may have belonged to a Vaishnav Shakta temple; sculptured slabs also lie about, and are built into the walls.[1]

The adjoining monastery belongs to the Atits of Ajepal. Ajepals shrine, outside the town walls, is a small modern domed room, with images of Ajepal on horseback and of Ganpati. At the door is an inscription dated 1842. The Atits are Shaiv, the sacred bull with brass horns holding a prominent place on the platform at the entrance to the shrine. Their headnien, pirs or gurus, are buried around, and the small cells over their remains are marked by the linga. Their patron saint is a Chauhan king of Ajmer, who gave up his throne, became an ascetic, and ended his days by a voluntary death.[1]

Kalya Mahadev's temple, outside the walls, is comparatively modern, with a dancing yogini as its goddess. Vankal Mata's temple, to the northwest of the town, is dedicated to a form of Bhavani. Bhareswar at some distance to the south-east has an old shrine and spire and a modern hall. To the west of the town is a temple of Dvarkanath, and close to it an unfinished one to Bahuchar Mata, with three shrines on as many sides of the entrance hall.[1] On the outskirts of the town is the ancient Hindu temple of Shiva, namely Bhadeshwar Mahadev Temple. There is Swaminarayan's temple located on the outskirts of the old fortress on the Eastern side of the town. Swaminarayan Sect is a relatively modern sect in Hinduism established by Ramanand swami The Guru of God Swaminarayan in the 19th century. It is believed that God Swaminarayan visited Anjar during his lifetime, and a temple was constructed at the place where he stayed.

Jesal Toral Shrines

To the east of Ajepal's monastery, is a small tiled shed with tombs of Muslim pattern sacred to Jesar or Jesal, a Jadeja, and Turi or Toral, a Kathi. The temple is locally known as Jesal Toral ni Samadhi, which literally means 'the tomb of Jesal and Toral'. The shrine at Anjar is under the charge of the Ajepal monastery.[1]

Legend of Jesal-Toral

In the middle of the fourteenth century, Jesar, grandson of Jam Lakha Jadeja, became an outlaw. He laid waste to fields and villages, killed the people, and carried off the cattle. At that time a Kathi woman, Turi or Toral by name, was famous for her devotion and her skill in making hymns, and still more famous for her beauty. She lived with an ascetic called Savasdhir, who did not regard her as his wife but as one who would bring him salvation. The fame of her beauty reached Jesar, who tried to carry her off by force but failed. Going back in the guise of an ascetic he was well received, and arranged to seize her at some midnight worship. His plans were found out, and, on his confessing, the sect whose rule was to grant the wish of every asker gave him Turi on condition that he became an ascetic. Jesar agreed, but soon tiring of the restraint, again tried to take Turi away by force. She foiled him, and in time changed him into a model ascetic. Settling at Anjar, Jesar died and Turi was buried alive close by his tomb. His descendants, the Jesar' Rajputs have, in each of the twelve villages, a shrine of Jesar and Turi.[1]

Buildings
MacMurdo's Bungalow

MacMurdo's Bungalow is a state protected monument due to his wall paintings depicting scenes associated with Ram and Krishna.[12]

Cuisine

Anjar is famous for gher all over India even though the world gher procession only passed in the middle of the city. Anjar is also well known for its cuisine, specifically Dabeli. In Anjar "Bhikha ni Dabeli" is so revered that its fans stretch out all the way to the state of Maharashtra and even outside India to certain countries in the Persian Gulf. Moreover, one can find the real taste of Kesar Keri called Kesar Hagu in Anjar. Anjar is also well known for the Kharek. Local people love to drink buttermilk locally known as Chhash. Other local famous items are Kutchi Pakwan, Kutchi Khaja, Pedas and farsan, etc. Pedha, Gulab Paak and Kharibhat are famous in Anjar and the Mumbai region.

Economy

The town has strong trade and social links with neighbouring Adipur, Bhuj, Gandhidham and Kandla. The GIDC (Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation) estate is situated in Anjar. Anjar is known for its ethnic clothes, jewelry, handicrafts and metal crafts. Swords and knives made in Anjar and nearby villages are popular and are exported outside India. It also houses many multinational companies, such as Welspun Corp, Jindal Saw, PSL, Man Industries and Ratnamani Metals and Tubes as pipeline building hub.[13] Welspun India company selected the city due to good local governance with the benefits of no local taxes for the first five years and no excise duties. The company setup the world's biggest towel factory within 9 months after an earthquake hit the city.[14]

Culture

The people of Anjar come from many different backgrounds and have lived in peace for centuries. Cultural programs held many times in Anjar. Festivals like Holi, Sharad Purnima, Ram Navami, Navaratri, Hindola Mahotsava, Diwali, Eid are celebrated in the town

Notable people

Meghaji Sheth of Anjar, took leadership during princely state and when Kutch State was administered by Rao Rayadhan III (i.e. in 1786 A.D.) Rao Raydhan was keen to covert all Hindus. At that time, Meghaji Sheth went to Bhuj and imprisoned Rao and left the administration in the hands of Bar Bhayat ni Jamat. Meghaji Seth was martyred in Bhuj while fighting for freedom of Kutch. Even today, to remind us Meghaji Seth's presence a memorial place exists at Vaniyavad Naka in Bhuj. One statue in Anjar and a temple in Tuna (a village of Anjar). Meghji Seth is known for his contribution to Kutch as Shivaji did for Maharashtra.

Among the many persons of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya or Mistri community of Anjar, who were noted for sea-trading, architect & railway contracts. Manji Daya Vegad of Anjar and Lakhu Devji Vegad of Anjar during 1887-1912 built Pamban Bridge and lines from Rameshwaram. Narshi Bechar Khodiyar son of Bechar Hardas of the town was given the title of Rai Sahib by the British for Railway Engineering in 1920.[15]

Jagmal Pitambar Rathod of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya of Anjar was Gaidher of Kutch Raaj in 1750. His sons, Gajdhar Jagmal Rathod, Ruda Gajdhar Rathod, and Jairam Ruda Gajdhar Rathod, all of Anjar, were for four generations Gaidher for the Kingdom of Kutch. All constructions of Kutch Raaj the forts of Anjar, Bhuj, Mandvi, Aina Mahal, Prag Mahal, Vijay Vilas Palace, Sharad Bagh Palace, Ashapura Temple, Dhrang Temple, Suralbhit Mahadev Temple, etc. have been done by Mistris of Kutch under their supervision. The Assistant Gaidher to them were from Khedoi.[16]

Vrajlal R. Vora was an astrologer of Kachchh. He wrote two books on astrology. Sheth Khatau Makanji Sethia, one of the founder of Khatau Group also hailed from Anjar.

Education

The most famous schools in Anjar are Sahyog Saraswati Madhyamik Vidhya Mandir "Twinkle Star English, and Gujarati Medium School" "Swami Vivekananda Vidhyalaya", "Smt. K. G. Manek School", "Sheth D. V. High School", Sheth Khatau Mavji Sethia H.S. School. There is also a different school for girls higher education named 'K. K. M. S. Girls' High School started by Chhagan Bapa, Welspun Vidya Mandir, Muralidhar High school, Dungrasi Gangaji Thacker Vidyalaya, Rabari Samaj School. St. Elizabeth's School is an English medium school, which is affiliated to Gujarat State Board and is situated in Nagalpar village. There are 20 primary schools handled by the Municipal Corporation of Anjar and Shree Sahyog Sarswati Vidyamandir. Recently, the government started an I.T.I. in Anjar City. Anjar Education Society has started one college named Smt Hiraben Bhanukant Palan college of arts and commerce. Second college for P.G.D.H.R.M. Moreover, Cdec centre and M.Sc. I.T. Jamiyate ulema e hind has started college of pharmacy and P.T.C. college for girls. SRK Institute of Management and Computer Science

Anjar as Taluka

The following villages belong to this Taluka:

Nagalpar, Nani Nagalpar, Sinugra, Pantiya, Khedoi, Lovariya, Chandiya, Chandroda, Mindiyana, khambhra, Sinugra, Devaliya, Vidi, Meghpar, Bhadroi, Varsamedi, Chandaroda, Bhalot, Lovariya, Pantiya, Dudhai, Lakhapar, Satapar, Ambapar, Tappar, Bhimasar, Modvadar, Ajapar, Bhadroi, Ratnal, Modsar, Sugaria Jaru, Khokhara, Chandarani, Vidi, naga, Bita and Vira valadia, Devaliya, Kumbhariya, Joganinar, Sanghad, RAmpar, Tuna, Sapeda, Maringana, Ningal, Kotada, Hirapar, Navagam, Amarapar, Dhamadaka, Ratnal, etc..

In total, there are 67 villages.

Notes
  1. Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Cutch, Palanpur, and Mahi Kantha. Printed at the Government Central Press. 1880. pp. 210–211.
  2. EB (1878).
  3. EB (1911).
  4. Another earthquake in Rann of Kutch took place on July 21, 1956 at a place called Anjar 80 miles southeast of Allah Band and caused great damage to life and property.
  5. "The deadliest stable continental region earthquake occurred near Bhuj…". Archived from the original on 2 February 2013.
  6. the impacts of the 2001 earthquake was particularly spectacular in the city of Anjar in certain well-defined areas of the city, and striking differences were observed in the damage distribution. The most damaged area was the old Anjar city (Gamtal area; see Figure 1), which was completely destroyed, while recently constructed buildings located across the street from the old city limits (mainly to the east and northeast) experienced only slight or no damage (AFPS 2001)
  7. Some cities were completely destroyed, like Anjar or Bachau. The city of Bhuj, located at around 20 km from the epicenter, suffered important losses.
  8. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 December 2006. Retrieved 2010-11-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. Simpson, Edward (2006). "The Geography of Things That May Become Memories: The 2001 Earthquake in Kachchh-Gujarat and the Politics of Rehabilitation in the Prememorial Era". Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 96 (3): 566–585. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8306.2006.00706.x. S2CID 145770803.
  10. "Anjar Pin Code". citypincode.in. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  11. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Anjar
  12. "અંજાર રાહ જુએ છે, ૨૧મી સદીના મેક મર્ડોની". Gujarat Samachar (in Gujarati). June 2016. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  13. Anklesaria Aiyar, Swaminathan S. (8 April 2006). "Anjar: new global pipeline hub - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  14. Bhasker Solanki, Emily Buchanan (30 January 2011). "Gujarat's astonishing rise from rubble of 2001 quake". BBC News. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  15. Nanji Bapa ni Nondh-pothi published in Gujarati in year 1999 from Vadodara. It is a diary of Railway Contracts done by KGK community noted by Nanji Govindji Tank of Hajapar/Jamshedpur, compiled by Dharsibhai Jethalal Tank of Nagalpar/Tatanagar. This book was given Aank Sidhhi award by Kutch Shakti at Mumbai in year 2000. Railway Contractors from Anjar, Lakhu Devji Vegad & Manji Daya Vegad (Pamban Bridge), Moti Murji, etc and Life-sketch of Bechar Hardas Khodiyar & Narshi Bechar Khodiyar
  16. Nanji Bapa ni Nondh-pothi published in Gujarati in year 1999 from Vadodara.It is a diary of Railway Contracts & architects built by KGK community noted by Nanji Govindji Tank of Hajapar/Jamshedpur, compiled by Dharsibhai Jethalal Tank of Nagalpar/Tatanagar. This book was given Aank Sidhhi award by Kutch Shakti at Mumbai in year 2000.Pages:3-5 On Gaidhers of Anjar :Pitambar Sava, Jagmal Pitambar, Gajdhar Jagmal, Ruda Gajdhar & Jairam Ruda Gajdhar (Rathor) became Gaidher during reign of Rao Pragmalji & continued till reign of Maharao Shri Khengarji Bawa...

References
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