Devaria, Kachchh

Devaria
—  village  —
Coordinates
Country	India
State	Gujarat
District(s)	Kachchh
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Codes • Vehicle • GJ-

Devaria or Devaliya or Deoria is a village in Anjar Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 3 km from Anjar town of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.

History

Devaria it is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris, as they are known in Kutch. These group of warriors were also skilled architects and have contributed to the erection of many historical monuments of kutch.

These Mistris first moved in to Saurashtra in early 7th century and later a major group entered Kutch in 12th century and established themselves at Dhaneti. Later from 12th century onwards they moved to settle themselves between Anjar and Bhuj and founded the villages of Anjar, Sinugra, Khambhra, Nagalpar, Khedoi, Madhapar, Hajapar, Kukma, Galpadar, Reha, Vidi, Ratnal, Jambudi, Devaliya, Lovaria, Nagor, Chandiya, Meghpar and Kumbharia. During the years of laying of railway lines in British India around 1850-1930 many members of Mistris of Kutch moved out and made themselves in to big railway contractors throughout India. Some of them entered in to Coal mines business as well. The Mistris of these villages have built and developed the old infrastructure around the villages in late 1890 from their earnings during those time.^{[1] [2] [3][4]} However, majority of old houses of Mistris with unique architect were destroyed in the earthquake of 26 January 2001.

Notable Persons

One Hirji Karamshi Chauhan had done major railway works in 1870-90 between Ranchi and Purulia. His son Lalji Hirji Chauhan of Devaliya was later given title of Rai Sahib by British during 1920 for his magnificent works in railways construction. There is also a road by his name in Ranchi, named Lalji Hirji Road.^[5] Others from Devaria, who need mention, in field of railway construction during years 1860 to 1940 are Patel Kunwarji Ramji Chawda,Pragji Madhavji Varu, Premji Govind, Premji Jeeva, Ratna Mepa, Kunwarji Narayan, Dana Premji, Karman Vasta, Bhimjee Dossa, Mepa Ramji, Valji Premji, Magha Devji, Virjee Khimjee, Gova Karamshi, Premji Ananda, Lira Kachra, Vishram Lira, Mepa Vasta, Devji Jutha, Daya Devji, Naryan Bhawan Maru, Patel Bhavanjee Kunawaji, Karamshi Govind Maru, Karamshi Ghela Chawda, Viram Ghela Chawda.^[6][7]

Bhanji Dhanji Rathod of village did the rehabilitation of Dwarka Temple in year 1923 upon request of Commissioner. Bhanji Dhanji and his sons Mulji Bhanji and Bhimji Bhanji Rathod have done major works of railways in Manmad-Bhusaval Section. Dana Premji Maru, Ratna Mepa, Ghela Devraj Chawda & his sons Karamshi Ghela, Viram Ghela all established colliery at Jharia along with other fellow Mistri during 1910 to 1920.^[8] Devji Jutha Taunk of village with Vishram Karman Chawda of Chandiya laid the lines from Anjar to Tuna Port in 1900 for Cutch State Railway.^[9][10]

Temples

At entrance of village is a very famous and big temple complex known as Khakchok Mandir. The main saint name is Shree Ramchandra Das Maharaj. At present time this temple is good for village peoples there all facility for water,food and rest-house in this temple. Every year on Guru Purnima celebration is held in this temple and many people form far and near, attain this celebration.

Kuldevi temples of many clans of the Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas communities can also be found in the village. The Kuldevi temples of Chamunda Mata of Chawda, Taunk, Sikotar Mata of Maru are located in the village. Further, the Mistri community have also built a Hanuman temple, few years back from their personal donations. Also there are parias and deris of Dadas and Satis of their community in a walled compound in back side of village, where many members of different clans come to pay their respects. These parias are several centuries old.

Coordinates: 23°01′37″N 69°59′49″E / 23.027°N 69.997°E / 23.027; 69.997

References

1. ^ Press Report after Earthquake giving details of Villages of Mistris & their art
2. ^ Report on Villages of Mistri, skills, art
3. ^ Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas - Dhaneti & 18 villages founded by them, their history, surnames
4. ^ Gurjar Kshatriyas, also known as Mistris, came to Kutch from Rajasthan. They are skilled in building construction. They first established themselves at Dhaneti and were granted 18 villages by the rulers of Kutch. They are famous designers and developers of buildings and bridges.
5. ^ Nanji Bapa Ni Nond-pothi:1999 Life-sketch of Hirji Karamshi Chauhan & Rai Sahib Lalji Hirji Chauhan of Devaria
6. ^ 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 of Hajapar/Jamshedpur, complied by Dharsibhai Jethalal Tank of Nagalpar/Tatanagar. This book was given Aank Sidhhi award by Kutch Shakti at Mumbai in year 2000.Notable Railway Contractors from Devaria
7. ^ Kadia Kshatriya Abhudaya: Published in 1897 by Kumar Prakashan
8. ^ Diary of Golden Days at Jharia - A Memoir & History of Gurjar Kashtriya Samaj of Kutch in Coalfields of Jharia - written by Natwarlal Devram Jethwa of Calcutta/Sinugra : 1998
9. ^ 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 of Hajapar/Jamshedpur, complied by Dharsibhai Jethalal Tank of Nagalpar/Tatanagar. This book was given Aank Sidhhi award by Kutch Shakti at Mumbai in year 2000. Page 85 :Dwarkadheesh Temple Rehabilation: with photo of Tablet mentioning name of Bhanji Dhanji Rathod of Village Devaria, Kachchh. Pg:85 and Cutch State Railway contracts Page:92
10. ^ Ratna Bhagat Ni Chopdi : 1930