124.122.141.203 at 16:33, 16 April 2025

2025-04-16T16:33:20Z

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{{Short description|Fort near Bhuj, Gujarat, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox Military Structure
|name = Bhujia Fort
|native_name =
|partof =
|location = [[Bhujia Hill]], [[Bhuj]], [[Gujarat]]
|map_type=India Gujarat
|map_size = 200
|map_caption = Location within [[Gujarat]]
|type = Hill Fort
|coordinates = {{coord|23|14|47.58|N|69|41|26.67|E|region:IN}}
|built = 1715–1741 AD
|builder = Rao [[Godji I]], Maharao [[Deshalji I]] of [[Cutch State]]
|materials = Stone
|height =
|used = Armory / garrison
|demolished =
|condition = Partially ruined
|ownership = Government of India
|open_to_public = Yes
|controlledby = [[Indian Army]] (formerly)
|garrison =
|current_commander =
|commanders =
|occupants =
|battles = [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] Invasion of Kutch in 1720, Kesarkhan and Sher Bulandkhan of [[Sindh]]'s invasion of Kutch in 1835
|events = [[Nag Panchami]]
|image =Dungar of bhuj.jpg
|caption = Bhujia Fort
}}
'''Bhujia Fort''', also spelled as '''Bhujiya Fort''', is a fort located in the outskirts of the town of [[Bhuj]] in the district of [[Kutch]], [[Gujarat]], India. The fort is built atop [[Bhujia Hill]] overlooking the town.<ref name=x>[http://www.india9.com/i9show/Bhujia-Fort-27943.htm Bhujia Fort]</ref><ref name=y>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.106191 | quote=bhujia fort. | title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency | publisher=Printed at the Government Central Press | last1=Cutch | first1=Palanpur | first2=Mahi | last2=Kantha | page=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.106191/page/n232 218] | year=1880 }}</ref><ref name=v>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/jvblogger/3266821574/ Fort of Bhuj on Bhujia Hill]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.panoramio.com/photo/25270410 |title=View of Bhujia Fort on Bhujia Hill, Bhuj, Kachchh |access-date=28 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024153706/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/25270410 |archive-date=24 October 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=Ray>{{cite news|title=Gujarat to set up quake memorial in Bhuj|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/gujarat-to-set-up-quake-memorial-in-bhuj-104041601028_1.html|first=Joydeep|last=Ray|date=16 April 2004|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref>

==History==
The fort was constructed for the defense of the city by [[Jadeja]] Chiefs. The construction of Bhujia fort was started by Rao [[Godji I]] (1715–1718) ruler of [[Kingdom of Kutch]] as a sort of [[outwork]] defense for Bhuj. However, the major work and completion was done during the rule of his son, [[Deshalji I]] (1718–1741). The hill was fortified as a further aid to the defense of the capital, Bhuj. Devakaran Sheth, [[Dewan|Diwan]] of Kutch during Deshalji I took the lead in fortifying the hill.<ref name=y/><ref name=z>[http://www.onlytravelguide.com/gujarat/historical/bhujia-hill-fort.php Bhujia Hill fort]</ref><ref name=w>[https://books.google.com/books?id=fbUWAQAAMAAJ&q=bhujia+fort] District census handbook</ref> The Fort has seen six major battles since its construction, most of which were fought in the years 1700-1800 AD between the Rajput rulers of Kutch and Muslim raiders from [[Sindh]] and the Mughal rulers of [[Gujarat]].<ref name=y/><ref name=w/><ref name=x/>

The first major battle at Bhujia Fort was fought during the early part of the reign of Deshalji I, when Sher Buland Khan, who was [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] Viceroy of [[Gujarat]] at that time, invaded Kutch. The army of Kutch was in a precarious condition, when a group of [[Naga sadhu|Naga Bawa]]s got the gate of Bhujia Fort opened through a stratagem on pretext of visiting [[Nāga|Nag]] temple for worship and then joined in the fray against Sher Buland Khan's army, putting them to flight. Since that day Naga Bawa and their leader have had a place of importance in a procession held on [[Nag Panchami]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=oPUFiGRH07IC&q=sher+buland&pg=RA1-PA44] Kutch in festival and custom By K. S. Dilipsinh.</ref>

The British Colonel William Coir took over the fort in 1819, when Kutch accepted the [[suzerainty]] of the British.<ref name=x/> The fort has been under occupation of [[Indian Army]] after the [[independence of India]] in 1947. The army left the fort after the new campus was constructed for them following [[2001 Gujarat earthquake]].<ref name=v/><ref name=z/>

==Features==
Bhujia fort is partially in ruins. The Gujarat government is, however, overlooking the restoration of the historical fort. One has to pass two major gates to enter the fort. There are some scattered buildings with an irregular area. Parapet wall is on the top, which is weak and damaged.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/278716.aspx |title=Land-grab in Gujarat border zone - Hindustan Times |accessdate=2011-05-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021191207/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/278716.aspx |archivedate=2012-10-21 }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
Image:Mount de bhuj - fort.jpg|Entrance of fort
Image:Mount de bhuj - fort- entrance.jpg|Entrance of Fort
Image:Inside fort- bhujiyo dunger.jpg|Inside fort
Image:Golden view.jpg|Section of wall
Image:Mount de bhuj.jpg|Section of wall
Image:Amazing golden view.jpg|Section of wall
Image:Bhujang Naga Temple, Bhujia Hill, Bhuj, Kutch Gujarat.jpg|Bhujang Naga Temple and the fort
Image:Smritivan 2001 Gujarat earthquake memorial garden in Bhuj, Gujarat, India.jpg|Smritivan
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Bhujia Hill]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Forts in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Bhuj]]
[[Category:Indian Army bases]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kutch district]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1741]]
[[Category:1741 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Cutch State]]

Bhujia Fort - Revision history

124.122.141.203 at 16:33, 16 April 2025