Lakhpat

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Lakhpat
town
Lakhpat fort gate
Gate of Lakhpat fort
Lakhpat
Location in Gujarat, India
Coordinates: 23°49′34″N 68°46′37″E / 23.82611°N 68.77694°E / 23.82611; 68.77694Coordinates: 23°49′34″N 68°46′37″E / 23.82611°N 68.77694°E / 23.82611; 68.77694
Country  India
State Gujarat
District Kachchh
Population (2001)[1]
 • Total 436
Languages
 • Official Gujarati, Hindi
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Vehicle registration GJ-12
Coastline 10 kilometres (6.2 mi)
Nearest city Bhuj
Sex ratio 0.99[1] ♂/♀
Literacy 60%%
Lok Sabha constituency Bhuj
Climate Dry (Köppen)
Avg. summer temperature 42 °C (108 °F)
Avg. winter temperature 20 °C (68 °F)

Lakhpat is a small town and sub-district in Kachchh district in the Indian state of Gujarat located at the mouth of Kori Creek.[1] The town is enclosed by 7km long 18th-century fort walls. As of 2001 it had a population of 436 in 87 households.[1]

Etymology

The literal meaning of Lakhpat is the city of millionaire as historically town was bustling with port activities and had daily revenue of one lakh (0.1 million) Kori, the former currency.

History

Today it is sparsely populated Ghost town, a city of ruins of buildings and a magnificent fort surrounding them. Historically it has been very important trading post connecting Gujarat to Sindh. The waters of Sindhu River used to flow into Lakhpat and further onto Deshalpar (Gunthli). Rice used to be cultivated and Lakhpat used to give an annual revenue of 800,000 Koris just from rice. It is also said that Lakhpat used to generate an income of 100,000 Koris everyday from maritime activities. The 7 km long fort walls was erected by Jamadar Fateh Muhammed in 1801. After the earthquake of 1819 a natural dam known as the Allahbund was formed, Sindhu changed its course of flow and started flowing into the Arabian sea further north. Thus Lakhpat lost its importance as a port.

During the period of Muslim invasion, the Khudabadi Sonara Community and other Hindus who had not converted to Islam under the Ghaznavids moved to VighoKot and Lakhpat (in Kutch) around 1028 AD, to avoid genocide at the hands of the invading Muslims and to live peacefully under Hindu Samma rulers.

Places of Interest

Sayyed Pir Shah Dargah has nine-domed with intricate carvings. Nani Mai Dargah, Hatkeshwar Temple amongst others in the old town are reminisces of the glorious past.

Pir Ghaus Muhammed tomb

Pir Ghaus Mohammed Kubo tomb

Pir Ghaus Muhammed, a Sufi saint, is buried here. He was revered by both Hindu and Muslims. His tomb known as Kubo have fine stone carvings and flower lattice patterns. The water tank opposite the tomb is believed to have healing characteristics for skin diseases.

Lakhpat Gurudwara Sahib

Lakhpat Gurdwara Sahib

Lakhpat Gurudwara Sahib is a religious place for the Sikhs. It is believed that Guru Nanak on his way to Mecca for Haj stayed over here. This Gurdwara have his relics like footwear and palkhi. They are worshiped by the Udasi Sect. The Gurudwara is declared a protected monument by the state archeological department and has won the UNESCO award for restoration after the earthquake.[2][3][4][5][6]

BSF Post

The seaward side of the fort is guarded by Border Security Force (BSF) of India soldiers as it is not far away from international border between India and Pakistan marked in salt marsh land. There are BSF guards posted on the fort's fortifications and the nearby Border Outpost.[7][8][9][10]

In popular culture

  • Hindi film Refugee directed by J P Dutta featured Lakhpat fort as a fictitious town located across the international border in neighboring Pakistan.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "View Population". Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 25 March 2012. 
  2. ↑ BOTTOMLINE - THE AWARD COMES AS A GIFT FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS, NONE OF THEM SIKH, WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE RESTORATION PROJECT. Stone by stone, they restored gurudwara to bag UNESCO award; by Rupam Jain Nair; September 09, 2004; The Indian Express
  3. ↑ A gurdwara in no man's land; With Sunil Raghu in Lakhpat; Jan 03, 2006; CNN-IBN
  4. ↑ Google Book Review: History of Sikh Gurus Retold: 1469-1606 C.E; By Surjit Singh Gandhi; Published by Atlantic Publishers and Distributors (P) Ltd.; ISBN 978-81-269-0859-2
  5. ↑ Gurudwara Pehli Patshahi (Lakhpat); Gateway to Sikhism. Also posted at
  6. ↑ A year of cycling across India to save youth from drugs; 31st January, 2009; IANS; Bombay News.Net. Also posyed at
  7. ↑ Rann of Kutch terrain comes in way of fast border fencing; 7 December 2009; Times of India
  8. ↑ Concrete road in Sir Creek to help BSF in patrolling; by Roxy Gagdekar; August 1, 2009; DNA india
  9. ↑ Drawing a line in the sand; Janyala Sreenivas; Apr 17, 2005; Indian Express Newspaper
  10. ↑ Lakhpat heard there was a war, knows little else; by Dharmendrasinh Chavda; August 28, 1999; The Indian Express

External links

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