Adhiakharu Kutch: Anjar: First invasion of the British

Naveen Joshi

Kutch is a region that can be seen and experienced here like nowhere else. The past of this region is unique, though very conflicted. Some such characters have lived here whose causes have been completely forgotten from the minds of the present people, it is not certain whether the unknown heroes will be remembered or fully known even by their fourth, fifth or seventh generation heirs. Very few people would realize that the British first set foot in Kutch during the reign of Kutch when there were 841 villages and the tyrannical rule of Ra Bharmalji, these wise rulers took full advantage of the internal dissensions and hunsatunsi of the Kutch Raj and gradually established their foothold. Don't ask the Kutch Raj in golden shackles! The written evidence of the administration of this company government was created and Devchand Dharamshi Shethia, an aware citizen of the old generation, translated most of the mutual agreements between the Raj of Kutch and the company government of the British into Gujarati and kept a separate record. Today, that note has become a chapter of history. Originally a native of Anjar, our hero Devchandbhai Shethia, who built his financial empire in Mumbai and Zaria by business, is also fond of politics in addition to being a businessman. So he already kept an eye on the treaties of the British of Kutch Raj and whenever he got a chance he translated the treaties and preserved them. Based on the notes of this Devchand Shethia, a book was republished 46 years ago today with a preface called 'Samsmriti' by Kantiprasad Ch. Antani wrote and Prakash Dulerai Karani published one-and-a-half pages on the contracts written at that time under the title 'Avkar', in the old Kutch weekly 'Jai Kutch', these Devchand Shethi contracts were serialized. given in book form. This Devchand Shethia was born on 25th March 1887 and died on 24th June 1955 during which he joined Lokmanya Tilak's 'Swarajya Movement', was active in the National Mahasabha session chaired by Pandit Motilal Nehru and was one of the founders of Kutch People's Council for Responsible Government. In addition to this, one of his most important, but largely forgotten, acts was the use of his authority after the communal riots broke out in Mumbai in 1922-23 when he invited four Gorkhas to accept the 'Gurkhali' as a post for the purpose of peace and security in the Vadgadi-Mandvi area. Gorkha posts were also set up in many suburbs. Instead of that, in 1927, he established the 'Gurkha Sangh' in Mumbai and thus Gorkhas or Gurkhas were accepted all over the country as guards, due to honesty and responsibility towards work, these people are still involved in this work. Which today no Gorkha-Gurkha Chowkidar would know. Along with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Vitthalbhai Patel, Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi, this Anjarvasi Kachchi Shethia participated in the freedom movement. Founded a labor union in 1920 and became its first president. Dear J.M. Sengupta and A.B. As a member of the Bajpayee Working Committee, he joined the talks as president to resolve the Calcutta tram workers' strike. Despite this social worker, the industrialist who did the work of public awareness without seeking fame, did the work of a journalist more meticulously than a writer and recorded, printed and preserved the agreements of the British with the Raj of Kutch in such a way that even the smallest person could read and understand it, it is considered a great job… If this book is called 'Arrival of the British on Kutch', then even a few notes of it are informative even today. As Ra Raidhanji oppressed Kutch with bigotry, many brothers were very angry and many nobles migrated away from Kutch by loading goods in ships to save the honor of their sisters and daughters besides religion and sanskar and then earned a lot by setting up business jobs wherever they settled. Lawlessness prevailed in Kutch to such an extent that the British got an opportunity to intrude. In 1802 the East India Company made its first contact with Cutch in an almost state of war, on behalf of the Company Captain Shaton met Ra Raidhan in 1802 and a Minister of Kutch Raj named Hansraj Laxmidas Shah negotiated on Ra Raidhan's behalf, Jamadar Fateh Muhammad Notiyar violated certain agreements between the Company and the Raj of Kutch. Actions were taken so that Ra Raidhan was imprisoned and Kampan concluded a treaty with Jamadar Fateh Muhammad, but after the Jamadar's death there was a dispute between his two sons Hushen Mian and Ibrahim Mian and Jamadar Hushen Mian befriended the British. When Ibrahim Mian opposed the whites. In July 1814, MacMurdo took over Kutch and the British demanded surrender from Hushen Mian, which Hushen refused. So the British attacked Anjar with an army of four thousand and the Union Jack was hoisted on Anjar on 25th December 1815. The British wanted to dominate Anjar in the vicinity of Tuna port. After crossing Anjar, the British army set its sights on Bhuj and encamped at Lakhonda on 3rd January 1816. (Discussion of certain agreement between Company Government and Cutch Raj next Wednesday)