Fort Lakhpat: Remnants of past prosperity: 2012

Fort Lakhpat ( Remnants of past prosperity)

Guru Dwara Of Lakhpat

Until the Indus shifted course, changing the geography of this region, Lakhpat was a prosperous port near its mouth. Lakhpat, the last frontier of Kutch, is an amazing sea fort situated in the mouth of Kori Creek. History says that 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. All this changed with the Earthquake of 1819. A natural dam known as the AllahaBandh was created and Sindhu changed its course of flow. The Sindhu river now drains into the sea. Lakhpat and the area around is very sparsely populated of not more than 400 persons. These walls, overlooking the great Rann to the north, were built in the 18^thcentury. Inside are the remains of an earlier fort. Notable buildings inside Are describe below:

Bhuj Varo Nako & Toll gate:

Entry Gate

You are entering just as camel caravans once did centuries ago, laden with goods destined to be shipped from the Lakhpat port to far corners of the Indian ocean. This entrance Gate in the southern portion of the fort wall on the road from Bhuj was open with a gate on the road just inside the walls. Four other gates service the town along with a pedestrian bari, a ‘window’. Here a toll booth stood ready to collect tolls and customs from visitors and traders before they were allowed access to the rest of the town. Bhungas housed Arab guards nearby, who were employed by the town for protection. Along this road, running north to south, was also the original fort wall, believed to have been built by Rao Lakhpatji in the middle of the 18^th century. Fateh Muhammed expanded it to its present dimension in 1801.

Ghosh Mohammad Kuba

Intricate work at at Ghosh Mohammad kuba

This tomb commemorates Ghosh Mohammad, a holy man revered by both Hindus and muslims and who lived in Lakhpat in the early 19^th century. A student of many religions that flourished in the region, he was known as a great healer and for his songs about Krishna. After Ghosh Mohammad’s death around 1855ad, his brother, Bava Mia began build the tomb. Built with traditional flower motifs and inscribed with passages of Kuran, the kuba has been carved by artisans from the Sompura community. Using the local black stone, Ghosh Mohammad’s kuba celebrates the traditional Islamic octagonal structure. The pond facing the Ghosh Mohammad Kuba is believed by followers to have healing properties. According to local legend, the water of the pond changed colour when it was blessed by him and, since then, it was believed that suffers of skin ailments can be cured by bathing in its water.

Statue At Bibidullah Port Entry gate

Bibidullah Port

Alluding to a mystical romance between Bibi and Abdullah, the Bibidullah port fuses the names f the two, and stood km from the spot, Varo Nako at the port, ships would arrive from Sindh, the Persian gulf and East Africa, as well as from other parts of what is today’s India. Carts would be loaded with goods and transported into town Via this Gate. Today, however, the site is no longer accessible to visitors.

Abu Tarag Dargah

Abu Tarab Dargah

Syed Pir Shah Abu tarab lived in Lakhpat in the late eighteen century, and left this world in 1816. The locally quarred and intricately carved lime and stone dargah was built by his followers in his memory after that. Stories of the Pir’s prophesis and miracles abound in lakhpat and have become part of the popular narratives .

Custom House

One of the main administrative offices for trade, this building dates to the middle of the 19^th century. Traders would pay duties on goods moving into the city before the would be received by wholesalers or prepared for caravans to take the goods further into kutch. The plinths of buildings are raised in this area to accommodate the unloading of carts directly. Camels could feed from supplies placed on the edge of the ornate window on the side of the custom house. The backrooms could be used for storage while the open area up front was where officials would meet with arriving merchants. The house looks out on a square, at some points in history called Bada Bazaar and at others, Chowk Bazaar.

Parliament House

With its intricately carved facade, this important trading building is owned by an influential Bhatia trading family that traces its roots to the town often called the Pashamwala house after the last name of the family, this building oversaw trade in the town and mediated negotiatios that would come up between merchants and shop owners. Trader would make their way down from the Custom House to the Pashamwala family to settle their trade agreements, and disagreements- which is perhaps why it became The Parliament House...

Akbani Mahal

The Akbani family was one of the most prestigious trading families of Lakhpat. Prosperous and generous, the family was knownto offer shelter to the poor during natural calamities such as droughts or cyclones. A local phrase, commonly stated was ‘ ya to Allah jo Aasro ya to Akbani jo” meaning that either god or the Akbani family helps during difficult times. The Akbani home was a massive complex connecting five structures which housed five Akbani brothers, With dozens of rooms and 120 intricately carved windows, the mahal highlights the exceptional wealth generated by trade in the 18 th century in Lakhpat. Belonging to the Memon community, who originated in Sindh, the Akbani family, it is said, placed gold coins in the foundation of the building to indicate wealth!

Lakhpat Gurudwara Sahib

Guru Nank entry gate

An attraction is the Lakhpat Gurudwara Sahib, religious place for the Sikhs. GuruNanak on his way to mecca for Haj stayed over here and even today Guru Nanakji's footwear and the palkhi are worshiped by the Udasi Sect. The Gurudwara is declared a protected monument by the Archeological Department and has won the UNESCO award for restoration after the earthquake. Unfortunately, a concrete enclosure has engulfed the rather pristine place. The hospitality offered is very warm

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