Bhujia Fort

Bhujia Fort
Bhuj, Gujarat
<div style="position: absolute; top: %; left: -1027.7%; height: 0; width: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> Bhujia Fort
Coordinates	23°14′47.58″N 69°41′26.67″E
Type	Hill Fort
Site information
Owner	Government of India
Controlled by	Indian Army
Open to the public	Yes
Condition	partly in ruins.
Site history
Built	1715Template:From-To1741 AD
Built by	Rao Godaji, Maharao Deshalji of Kingdom of Kutch
In use	Armory / Garrison
Materials	Stone
Battles/wars	Mughal Invasion of Kutch in 1720, Kesarkhan and Sher Bulandkhan of Sindh's invasion of Kutch in 1835

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. The Fort is built on a hill overlooking the town of Bhuj. Bhujia Fort offers a panoramic view of Bhuj city.

History

The city of Bhuj derives its name from the Bhujia hill on which Bhujia Fort was constructed for the defense of the city by Jadeja Chief, Rao Godaji. The Fort is built on a hill overlooking the town.

The construction of Bhujia fort was started by Rao Godaji (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, Maharao Deshalji I (1718–1741). The hill was fortified as a further aid to the defense of the capital, Bhuj. Devakaran Sheth, Diwan of Kutch during Rao Deshalji I took the lead in fortifying the hill. 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.

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 Viceroy of Gujarat at that time, invaded Kutch. The army of Kutch was in a precarious condition, when a group of Naga Bawas got the gate of Bhujia Fort opened through a stratagem on pretext of visiting 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 day.

The British colonel William Coir took over the fort in 1819, when Kutch accepted the suzerainty of the British. Ever since the Bhujia Fort has been under occupation of military personnel.

Temple of Bhujángá Naga

At one corner of the fort is a small square tower dedicated to 'Bhujang Nag' (snake god), who in folklore is said to have been the brother of 'Sheshnag' - Lord of the nether world ('Patal'). It is said He came from Than of Kathiawar and freed Kachchh from the oppression of demons known as 'daityas' and 'rakshasas'.

The Snake Temple was also built at the time of the fortification of the hill during Deshalji I's reign (1718–1740). In a battle that was won with help of Naga Sadhus, who worship the Snake god, by Deshalji, the ruler of Kutch, also built a Chhatri over the temple in 1723. To commemorate this event, ever since, an annual fair is held on the fort-hill on the Nag Panchami day in Shraavana month in the Hindu calendar. The Bhujia hill on which this fort stands gets its name from this snake deity Bhujanga.

Present day

Bhujia Hill fort has been under the jurisdiction of the Indian Army since the independence of India. It is strictly prohibited to enter in on any day except on the day of Nag Panchami fair, held once a year. When you enter there are some scattered buildings with an irregular area. Parapet wall is on the top, which is weak and damaged. At one corner of the fort is the temple of the snake deity, which is well maintained. Other areas are under Army control and off limits for civilians.

An army depot on the Bhujiya fort stores tanks, guns, mortar and high explosives. Any civilian activity within 700 meters of the mountain is illegal.