- Nagor
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Nagor — village — Coordinates Country India State Gujarat District(s) Kachchh Time zone IST (UTC+05:30) Codes-
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Nagor or Nagher is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India.
Contents
History
Nagor or Nagher is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistri community, 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 early 7th century and late in 12th century moved into Kutch and established themselves at Dhaneti. Later from 12th century onwards they moved 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.[1][2][3][4][5]
During the years of laying of Railway lines in British India around 1850–1930 many members of Mistri community 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. Although it were Mistris who established this village most of them have migrated and settled themselves in various parts of India. But they often visit village as most of them have their Kuldevis temple and "parias" in and around Nagor. However, majority of old houses of Mistris with unique architect were destroyed in the earthquake of 26 January 2001.
Notable people
The most famous personality to hail from this village was Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan(1887–1974), who built Bally Bridge, Yamuna Bridge, Dehri-on-sone bridge, Calcutta Khiddirpore King George Dockyard extension. and was among the top five industrialist in Bombay in 1940s and founder of Allahabd Glass Works at Naini, Bombay Glass Works at Mumbai, Ambica Air Lines. In 1920 he purchased Rajapur Colliery in Jharia jointly with Manji Jairam Rathod of Madhapar. He was awarded title of Rai Bahadur in year 1923. In 1932 he built a Bhuj Boarding House for their Mistri & other community students in Bhuj, Harijan colony and beautiful Public Garden at Nagor, Dharamsala at Jhusi Asharam at Allahbad which are still standing there. He and Rao Shri Khengarji Bawa shared a personal friendship and he had accompined as personal ADC to Rao of Kutch during Coronation of George VI in 1937. He was the only person from any community of Kutch to have the privilege and honor of being ADC to King of Kutch and attend the Coronation with him in 1937. It was upon insistence of Jagmal Raja, HH Rao Khengarji Bawa decided to build "Kutch Castle" in Bombay, which was built under supervision of Jagmal Raja & other Mistris of Nagor Village. Jagmal Raja was one of the first persons, who owned car in Princely State of Kutch, apart from Royal family.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Other known Railway Contractor who hailed from Nagor and made it big during thate early years of Railway construction in British India during years 1850–1930 were Raja Narayan, Mulji Meghji, Bhoja Kheema, Mavji Punja,Devshi Raja, Ladhha Punja, Madhavjee Raja, Vishram Pancha, Raghu Govind, Raja Ramjee, Bhanjee Dana, Walji Govind, Kunvarji Ruda, Ratna Murji, Nondha Ratna, Bhimjee Pancha.[13][14][15]
Present status
In present times Nagor is famous for Ahir Embrodiery and one of the main centers for this Kutchi hand embroidery. Sorathiya Ahirs live in Nagor. It is said that Ahirs were shepherds who originated from Gokul-Mathura region and are associated with Lord Krishna. They migrated to Kutch and Saurashtra in Gujarat from there. The other communities are Darbar, Jadejas, Rabaris, Ahirs.
After, the devastating earthquake in 2000, many of the 100 years old house were damaged.
The Bhuj-Nagor Road that connects the village has Industrial Area on both sides.
In 2004, Rushey Mead Foundation, has opened a School in Nagor, which has now become a famous landmark of Nagor. The Co-founder of Foundation is Bhaskar Solanki of BBC, London. Please click link below for Photo of School.[16]
References
- ^ History of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas and 18 villages founded by them, Dhaneti founded,etc
- ^ Press report after earthquake on Villages & fame of Mistris
- ^ Pride of Kutch - lies in Shambles - Villages of Mistris
- ^ Gurjar Kshatriyas & their surnamesKutch Gurjar Kshatriyas
- ^ Names of villages belonging to Gurjar Kshatriyas
- ^ Jagmal Raja Chauhan : Ambica Airlines Ltd
- ^ Jagmal Raja (Rajapur) Colliery
- ^ 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 complied by Raja Pawan Jethwa (in English) in 1998.
- ^ 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. Article on Jagmal Raja Chauhan Page : 12 to 20
- ^ "Kutch Darpan" Magazine August 2009 issue (article on Jagmal Raja Chauhan)
- ^ #Modern Bombay & her patriotic citizens : Published by Who's Who Publishers (India), 1941 - Article on Jagmal Raja Chauhan.
- ^ Minutes of proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers : Institution of Civil Engineers (Great Britain) 1934 : Willingdon Bridge & Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Pg 80-110
- ^ 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. Railway Contractors from Nagor
- ^ Society of Glass Technology, Sheffild, England : John Northwood & Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja
- ^ Jagmal Raja, Rai Bahadur, Land-lord, Industrialist and Contractor. Born and educated at Nagher, a village in Cutch. Modern Bombay and Indian states, T. Peters, Who's Who Publishers (India), 1942
- ^ Rushey Mead School & Location of Nagor
Categories:- Villages in Kachchh district
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