Bhadreswar, Kutch

Bhadreswar / Bhadreshwar is a village in Mundra Taluka, Kutch District of Gujarat State of India.[1] It is situated at a distance of about 32 km from Taluka head quarter Mundra[2] and barely a kilometer away from sea-shore.[3]

Contents

History

Bhadreswar was known as Bhadrawati Nagari in olden times. The ruins of ancient city of Bhadrawati can be found here.[2]The city of Bhadravati has its mention even in Mahabharata.[4]

Bhadrawati was ruled by King Sidhsen in 449 B.C (according to the Hindu calendar) who renovated the place. Later it was ruled by The Solankies who were Jains, and they changed the name to Bhadreshwar. Then in 1315, a great famine struck Kutch, after which the town was renovated by Seth Jagdu Shah, the famous Jain merchant.[2][5]

The Bhadreshwar, today is famous for its centuries old Jain temples known as Bhadreswar Jain Temple. These temples are believed to be one of the oldest Jain temples in India, although they have been renovated and rehabilitated from time to time.[3]It is said a Jain monk named Shravak Devchandra laid the foundation stone of this temple many centuries ago.[4]The temple was renovated by Shrimalis in the year 1134 and two centuries later in year 1315, they have been renovated by Seth Jagdusha.[4][2][5] The temple complex has 53 Jinalays 52 of them built around main Bhadreswar Temple at the center, added over many centuries. The temples have been destroyed many times due to natural calamities like earthquakes and the chronicles of Mistris of Kutch, mention that they were the architects and artisans, who renovated temples during earthquakes of 1819, 1844–45 and 1875.[6][7][8] Recently, the temple complex was again completely devastated in earthquake of 26 January 2001, however, it has now been completely restored and renovated to its ancient glory. A whole new temple complex has been built, as many of the old temples were destroyed to the extent that it could not be rehabilitated.[3][9][10][11][12]

There is also an ancient Shiv temple known as Chakhanda Mahadev situated at the sea-shore and the big square step well known as the Pandavs Kund built by the Pandavs 5000 years ago.[2] This beautiful old temple made with red colored rock was also destroyed in 2001 earthquake and has now been completely restored.[10] Besides there are also centuries old Rokadiya Hanuman temple and other architecture in this ancient site.

There is also are two mosques called Duda Masjid and Duda vaav in Bhadreshwar,[2] which is very old and which are reliably dated to the late 12th century, meaning they predate the well-known Islamic architecture of Ahmedabad by 250 years or so, making them in all likelihood the first mosques built in India.[3]

A battle that was never fought

On December 15, 1815, the army of Kingdom of Kutch was defeated near Bhadreswar, Kutch. As per history the armies of British led by Colonel East and Army of Kutch led by a Muslim commander, Hussain Miyan met near Bahdreshwar. The British army was behind the famous Bhadreswar Jain Temple and temple was coming in between them. Husain Miya respected the sanctity of temple and he didn’t fire on British, fearing temples might be damaged and as such doors were laid open for British Army. The nearest major fortified town of Anjar, Port of Tuna & District of Anjar thus came under British occupation on December 25, 1815. This led to negotiations between rulers of Kutch and British. The Jadeja rulers of Kutch accepted the suzerainty of British in 1818 and Captain James Meckmardo was posted as British Political Resident stationed at Bhuj. The Anjar District, however, remained under direct occupation of British forces for seven years till December 25, 1822, when it was reverted back to Rajya Hukumat ( to Princely State of Kutch ) by way on agreement.[8][13]

Recent Developments

Recently, there are plans to start a thermal power plant at Bhadreswar.[1][14] The Bhadreshwar has been included in special economic zone of Mundra. However, the local fisherman and other communities have protested the development and there is resentment that the traditional livelihoods of residents in the area have also been affected by the new industrial projects, leading to organized protests.[15][16] The power plant project is still awaiting clearance from environment ministry of India.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b CSE analyses: EIA report of thermal power project, Bhadreshwar, Kutch, Gujarat
  2. ^ a b c d e f Bhadreshwar Temple
  3. ^ a b c d Perhaps one of the most under-appreciated sites of great significance for India's religious history is Bhadreshwar, barely a kilometer from the coast, 69 km east of Mandvi, past Mundra, and 75 km south of Bhuj. The Jain religion, like other religions of Indian origin, places considerable importance on the act of pilgrimage and Bhadreshwar is one of the major centers of Jain pilgrimage in Gujarat. Unreliable reports claim the city was founded in 516 BC, and oral accounts state that the first temple was built “2500 years ago, about 45 years after the death of Lord Mahavir,” but there is no evidence to either support or debunk that claim. The main temple is strikingly beautiful, in all white marble with majestic pillars. Around the central one are 52 smaller shrines, one of which reputedly holds the original Parshavanath idol from 500 BC
  4. ^ a b c [1]
  5. ^ a b Gujarat Guide : Kutch
  6. ^ Kadia Kashtriya Itihas. Published in 1896.
  7. ^ 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. This book was given Aank Sidhhi award by Kutch Shakti at Mumbai in year 2000.(They book has year wise details of Railway lines built by Mistris of Kutch. The book also has a section with photos on Historical Monuments & Architects built by Mistris of Kutch.
  8. ^ a b Shree Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Samaj : A brief History & Glory of our fore-fathers : by Raja Pawan Jethwa. (2007) Calcutta.
  9. ^ Newly Built Bhadreshwar Jain Tirth , Kutch
  10. ^ a b Vasai Jain Tirth, Bhadreswar
  11. ^ Photo of old Bhadreshwar Jain Temple Old Jain Temple, with rubble of structure destroyed in earthquake, which can be seen.
  12. ^ 53 Jinalaya Temple of Bhadreshwar Tirth (Construction)
  13. ^ Glimpse of Anjar, Kutch
  14. ^ Adani Power Announces Project Financing of $2,719m For Bhadreswar Coal Fired Power Plant In Gujarat, India - Banking on India Power Needs
  15. ^ A visit to the coastal areas adjoining the Mundra port in the Kutch reveals discontent among fisherfolk, traders and pastoralists over the creation of a special economic zone in the area. Apart from environmental concerns, the traditional livelihoods of residents in the area have also been affected by the new industrial projects, leading to organised protests, as witnessed in Bhadreswar village a few months ago. Development and Displacement: Resentment in the Kutch (20th February 2010)
  16. ^ Fisher Woman Speaks in the campaign Meeting of Leaders of fishing villages at Bhadreswar, Kutch. he story of the land acquisition is itself a pointer to the apathy of the government for conservation and their leaning to big business. The coastal stretch of Mundra had creeks and thick mangrove vegetation even five years back. The business houses first started putting up bunds through their henchmen blocking inflow of sea water. This was a blatant violation of CRZ regulation. The blockage of water inflow killed large parts of the mangroves. Then the business houses moved in to secure formal lease from the government claiming it as waste land.
  17. ^ Adani Power awaits environ min nod for Bhadreshwar plant December 24, 2010