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61-827: The movement was founded by G. M. Syed , after Bangladesh's independence. He gave a new direction to Sindhi nationalism, founded the Jeay Sindh Tehreek in 1972 and presented the idea of Sindhudesh. Sindhi nationalists sometimes claims the Kutch region of India, the Lasbela District of Balochistan, and sometimes southern Punjab. Sindhi separatists reject the parliamentary path of struggle for attaining freedom and rights. No Sindhi nationalist party has been ever voted into power in Sindh at any level of government. In recent years, several Sindhi nationalists have deserted

122-646: A blind thrust . Villages situated on the blind thrust in the eastern part of the Kutch mainland hill range (viz. Jawaharnagar, Khirsara, Devisar, Amarsar and Bandhdi) were completely erased during the 2001 earthquake. There are ninety-seven small rivers in Kutch District, most of which flow into the Arabian Sea , but some of which feed the Rann of Kutch. Twenty major dams, and numerous smaller dams, capture

183-650: A literacy rate of 71.58%. 34.81% of the population lived in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 12.37% and 1.05% of the population respectively. Kutch district has a Hindu majority and Muslim minority with around 1% of Jains. Most Muslims are rural and Kutchi-speaking, and are concentrated in areas closest to the Pakistan border such as Banni . Lakhpat (41.20%) and Abdasa (38.01%) taluks have significant concentration of Muslims, while rural areas of Bhuj taluk have nearly 40% Muslims. Elsewhere, Gujarati Hindus and Muslims are in proportions consistent with

244-581: A comparatively large group in Kutch And there lives a brave and noble community like Ahir . Because most of the population of the Kutch district is Hindu or Jain , the food of the region is largely vegetarian. Jains also refrain from eating root vegetables ( kandmool in Hindi) such as potatoes , garlic , onions , and yams . The district also features a sizeable population of Muslims, who eat vegetables, chicken, mutton and occasionally camel meat. In

305-503: A geometric style for their embroidery. The Garacia Jats are experts in tiny embroidery on the yoke, which intermingles with red, orange, blue and green threads. The Dhanetah Jats love embroidering broad pear-shaped mirrors using orange, black, yellow and red in chain stitch. J. P. Dutta 's Bollywood film Refugee is shot on location in the Great Rann of Kutch and other locations in the Kutch district of Gujarat , India. This film

366-475: A nomadic tribe in Gujarat. Kutch embroidery is unique in the sense that a net is woven on a cloth using thread. The net is then filled in using the same thread by intricate interlocking stitches. The patterns are usually built around geometric shapes. This embroidery follows its own traditional design logic and juxtaposition of colours and motifs. The Rohanas tribals of Kutch specialise in skirt work. The Sodhas use

427-401: A registration number starting with GJ-12. The district is well connected by road, rail and air. There are four airports in the district: Naliya, Anjar, Mundra, and Bhuj. Bhuj and Anjar are well connected with Mumbai airport . Being a border district, Kutch has both an army and an air force base. The history of Kutch can be traced back to prehistoric times. There are several sites related to

488-808: A trade diaspora. After the partition of India in 1947, about half of the Sindhi Hindu community had to migrate to the Dominion of India from the Dominion of Pakistan . As of the 2011 census, there were about 2.7 million Sindhis living in the Republic of India settled mostly in Western states like Maharashtra , Gujarat and Rajasthan . Earliest groups of Sindhis came to the island of British Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka ) estimated two centuries ago in hopes for business and trade. A majority of them had migrated from Hyderabad city of Sindh via

549-488: Is a district of Gujarat state in western India , with its headquarters (capital) at Bhuj . Covering an area of 45,674 km , it is the largest district of India. The area of Kutch is larger than the entire area of other Indian states like Haryana (44,212 km ) and Kerala (38,863 km ), as well as the country of Estonia (45,335 km ). The population of Kutch is about 2,092,371. It has 10 talukas , 939 villages and 6 municipalities . The Kutch district

610-399: Is also next to the border with Pakistan , a neighbouring country of India. When there were not many dams built on its rivers, the Rann of Kutch remained wetlands for a large part of the year. Even today, the region remains wet for a significant part of year. The district had a population of 2,092,371 as of 2011 census, of which 30% were urban. Motor vehicles registered in Kutch district have

671-524: Is an active militant group based in the Sindh province of Pakistan. A series of minor blasts took place on railway lines — the attacks carried out between November 2010, and February 2011 were claimed by the SDLA, who left pamphlets on the scene that mentioned “atrocities” being carried out against Sindh and promising to continue their “struggle” till Sindh was granted “freedom”. The attacks were condemned by fellow Sindhi nationalists such as Dr Qadir Magsi of

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732-678: Is attributed to have been inspired by the famous story by Keki N. Daruwalla based around the Great Rann of Kutch titled Love Across the Salt Desert which is also included as one of the short stories in the School Standard XII syllabus English text book of NCERT in India. The film crew having traveled from Mumbai was based at the city of Bhuj and majority of the film shooting took place in various locations around in

793-713: Is classified as a dialect of Sindhi . A common misconception is that it is a dialect of Gujarati. The script of the Kutchi language has become extinct. It is now mainly written in the Gujarati script . Samples of Kutch script are available in the Kutch Museum . The increased use of Gujarati language is mainly because of its being a medium of instruction in schools. Important Jain places of Pilgrimage are - Higher education in Kutch has been regulated by Kachchh University since 2003. About 43 colleges in total are affiliated to

854-403: Is considered a gesture of friendship and welcoming, and dispute settlements invariably involve the parties offering milk to each other. Similarly, in Kutchi engagement ceremonies, the bride's family offers milk to the groom's family as a symbol of accepting their relationship. They also extensively drink buttermilk during lunch. Tea is the most popular drink in this region. Historically Kutch

915-560: Is home to the Kutchi people who speak the Kutchi language . Kutch literally means something which intermittently becomes wet and dry; a large part of this district is known as Rann of Kutch which is shallow wetland which submerges in water during the rainy season and becomes dry during other seasons. The same word is also used in Sanskrit origin for a tortoise . The Rann is known for its marshy salt flats which become snow white after

976-523: Is living in exile in Germany under political asylum . Jeay Sindh Students’ Federation is the student wing of various separatist organizations struggling for the freedom of Sindhudesh following the ideology of G. M. Syed , founded in 1969. JSSF was a nationalist outfit which emerged from Anti-Unitary System Struggle in the late 1960s and later joined G. M. Syed in his ideology of a separate homeland for Sindhis in 1972. Since then, it has been working as

1037-837: Is managed by the Kandla Port trust. Kutch is a mineral rich region with a very large reserve of Lignite , Bauxite , Gypsum and other minerals. Kutch received tax break for industries for 15 years after the major earthquake on 26 January 2001. Lignite is mined only by Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) at its two mines in Panandhro and Mata no Madh . The Panandaro mines has now been reserved for GEB and GMDC power plants and GMDC has stopped supplying other industries from there. Kutch also houses cement plants Gujarat Anjan Cement Limited promoted by infrastructure conglomerate Anjan Group and Sanghi Industries Ltd's promoted by Sanghi Group. The companies are now planning to increase

1098-490: Is saline, thus agriculture is not an option. Hence salt production is the only livelihood option for Agariyas. As per the Salt Commission's report there are 45000 Agariyas working in the salt pans of Kutch. Out of the estimated total annual production of India of about 18 million tonnes, Gujarat contributes 75% – mainly from Kutch and other parts of Saurashtra. Kutch is one of the most prolific regions in India in

1159-406: Is the city of Bhuj which is geographically in the center of the district. Gandhidham is the largest city and Financial centre of Kutch. Other main towns are Rapar , Nakhatrana , Anjar , Mandvi , Madhapar , Mundra and Bhachau . Kutch has 969 villages. Kala Dungar (Black Hill) is the highest point in Kutch at 458 metres (1,503 ft). Kutch is virtually an island, as it is surrounded by

1220-496: The 2011 census Kutch District has a population of 2,092,371, roughly equal to the nation of North Macedonia or the US state of New Mexico . This gives it a ranking of 217th in India (out of a total of 640 ). The district has a population density of 46 inhabitants per square kilometre (120/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 32.16%. Kutch has a sex ratio of 908 females for every 1000 males, and

1281-573: The Arabian Sea in the west; the Gulf of Kutch in south and southeast and Rann of Kutch in north and northeast. The border with Pakistan lies along the northern edge of the Rann of Kutch, of the Sir Creek . The Kutch peninsula is an example of active fold and thrust tectonism . In Central Kutch there are four major east-west hill ranges characterized by fault propagation folds with steeply dipping northern limbs and gently dipping southern limbs. From

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1342-679: The Arabian Sea , and most were Hindus who had come for business. Outside the subcontinent, it is estimated that around 24,000 Sindhi of Afghanistan are part of a much larger Sindhi people group. Almost all of the Sindhis in Afghanistan are Hanafite Muslim . There is also a sizeable overseas population of Sindhis in the United Kingdom and United States , other populations include in Australia and Canada . Malta has

1403-742: The Indus valley civilization in the region, and it is mentioned in Hindu mythology . The region is also mentioned in Greek writings during the reign of Alexander the Great . For a time, it was ruled by Menander I of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom , which was then overthrown by Indo-Scythians . The region was later ruled by the Maurya Empire and Sakas . In the first century CE, it was under

1464-513: The Jeay Sindh Tarraqi Passand Party , who warned of negative consequences from violence. The group is currently active. Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz was a “merger/integration” of all the nationalist factions of Jeay Sindh or Sindhudesh movement which was functioning separately before the demise of veteran Sindhi nationalist ideologue GM Syed . Bashir Khan Qureshi was first chairman of party till his death and one of

1525-578: The Western Satraps , followed by the Gupta Empire . By the fifth century, the Maitraka dynasty of Valabhi took over from which its close association with the ruling clans of Gujarat started. Hieun Tsang refers to Kutch as Kiecha in his writings. In the seventh century, Kutch was being ruled by Charans , Kathis , and Chavdas . The Chavdas ruled the eastern and central parts by

1586-684: The Bambhan, the Malwan, the Kankawati , and the Saraswati rivers. However sea water from the Arabian Sea still continues to be driven into the Great Rann by storm tides aided by high winds. Water remains a serious issue in Kutch. Kutch's thirst for water is satisfied by Narmada river flowing from Sardar Sarovar dam. Kutch is divided into four zones: Under the Kutch princely state , Kutch

1647-519: The Jewish acquisition of Jerusalem and suggested "If those who dream have strength, everything is possible" The Gandhian carnival at Delhi's doorsteps won pan-Indian support for Sindhudesh. The concept of Sindhudesh is also supported by some Sindhi diaspora including Sindhis in India , most of whom had to be relocated out of Sindh after Partition, leaving behind their property as evacuee trusts under reciprocal government supervision. Pre-partition, Sindh

1708-584: The Kutch District of the Indian state of Gujarat including the Great Rann of Kutch (also on BSF controlled "snow white" Rann within), Villages and Border Security Force (BSF) Posts in Banni grasslands and the Rann, Tera fort village, Lakhpat fort village, Khera fort village, a village in southern Kutch, some ancient temples of Kutch and with parts and a song filmed on set in Mumbai's Kamalistan Studio. Just after

1769-615: The Partition of India, the majority of the minority Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan migrated to India, while the Muslim migrants from India settled down in Pakistan. Approximately 10 million Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India, while nearly an equal number of Muslims migrated to newly created Pakistan from India. Hindu Sindhis were expected to stay in Sindh following the partition, as there were good relations between Hindu and Muslim Sindhis. At

1830-460: The area of textile art. Kutch Embroidery is dense with motifs, and a variation with mirrors sewn into the embroidery is one of the signature arts of this region. Within the category of Kutch embroidery there are several sub-categories as each tribe and sub-tribe produces a unique signature form of art. Kutchi embroidery is an evolving expression of the craft and textile traditions of the Rabaris,

1891-524: The assassination of former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto , ethnic unrest arose. Sindhi nationalists judged the country was being used to the advantage of people from non-Sindhi ethnic groups, alleged Punjabi dominance in the defence sector. and believe this to be the cause of recent troubles in Sindh (see Sindhi nationalism ). Sindhis in India , most of whom had to be relocated out of Sindh after Partition, leaving behind their property as evacuee trusts under reciprocal government supervision. After

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1952-402: The capacity at Abdasa location from 3–9 million tons per annum. By 2015, the company plans to produce 20 million tons. Kutch district has a scanty forest cover. Hence there is negligible risk of illegal cutting of forests. This coupled with the adequate facilities available at Kandla port has helped establish the timber market. In 1987, "Kandla Timber Association" was formed in order to resolve

2013-469: The existence of two major ports i.e. Kandla and Mundra transportation as a business has thrived. Since historical times the people of Kutch have formed the backbone of trade between Gujarat mainland and Sindh. After the formation of Pakistan this trade stopped for good, but due to the inception of the Kandla port, trade boomed again. Kandla port is also in Kutch. It is considered Gateway to India's North. It

2074-487: The far western edge of India has resulted in the commissioning of two major ports: Kandla and Mundra . These ports are closest to the Gulf of Arabia (and thus to Europe by sea). The hinterland of north-western India hosts more than 50% of India's population. Quality of roads is good in Kutch. The large part of the growth of Kutch came after intense development by the state government as part of 2001 earthquake relief. Due to

2135-535: The film shooting of Refugee finished, the film crew of another Bollywood film Lagaan descended on Bhuj in Kutch and shot the entire film in the region, employing local people and villagers from miles around. A set of a full period Village was constructed for the film with typical Kutch style mud houses or huts with thatched straw roofs called boongas . Sindhi diaspora Europe North America Oceania The Sindhi diaspora ( Sindhi : ٻاهري ملڪي سنڌي ) consists of Sindhi people who have emigrated from

2196-487: The gradual increasing dimension of the linear chain of hillocks towards the west along the Kutch mainland fault and the epicentre of the earthquake of 2001 lying at the eastern extreme of Kutch mainland fault, it is suggested that the eastern part of the Kutch mainland fault is progressively emerging upward. It can be suggested from the absence of distinct surface rupture both during the 1956 Anjar earthquake and 2001 Bhuj earthquake , that movements have taken place along

2257-486: The historical Sindh province of British India , as well as the modern Sindh province of Pakistan , to other countries and regions of the world, as well as their descendants. Apart from the Indian subcontinent , there is a large and well-established community of Sindhis throughout different continents of the world including Malaysia , Oman , Singapore , UAE , USA and UK where they have established themselves as

2318-540: The ideology and joined mainstream politics due to disillusionment within ranks, lack of public support, and crackdowns by law enforcement agencies. Some nationalist parties and associations are banned for alleged "terrorist, anti-state and sabotage" activities by the Pakistani government. Europe North America Oceania According to the epic Mahabharata , Sindhudesh, translated as the Sindhu Kingdom ,

2379-700: The largest minority group in Gujarat and Maharashtra included proposals of separatism and a higher degree of autonomy within the Sindhi community in India . Proposed by prominent individuals Participating in the Chetichand celebration within the Sindhi community in Ahmedabad such as at the time Chief Minister ( 14th Prime minister of India ), Shri Narendra Modi . Narendra Modi , in his speech gave an example of

2440-463: The migration of Sindhi Hindus from Sindh to India after partition. That’s why Sindhudesh Movement has been lacking economic, political and diplomatic means to start mass uprising against the decades of slavery, humiliation and oppression. Therefore, the independence of Sindh and establishment of secular republic of Sindhudesh is the need of the history and key to regional peace." The Sind United Party or Sind Ittehad Party ( Sindhi : سنڌ اتحاد پارٽي)

2501-462: The most popular leader of Sindhudesh movement, widely regarded as hero of Sindh JSMM is one of the major separatist political party in Sindh, Pakistan, that believes in the separation of Sindhudesh from Pakistan. Founded in the year 2000, by the veteran Sindhi nationalists belonging to the Sindhudesh movement who left JSQM . The founder and the current Chairman of party Shafi Muhammad Burfat

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2562-544: The other brothers founded states in Kathiawar . After turbulent periods and battles with the armies of Sindh, the state was stabilized in the middle of the eighteenth century by a council known as Bar Bhayat ni Jamat who placed Rao as a titular head and ruled independently. The state accepted the sovereignty of the British East India Company in 1819, when Kutch was defeated in battle. That same year,

2623-575: The rainy season runoff. While most of these dams do not affect the Ranns, as they are on rivers that feed directly into the Arabian Sea, storage of rainy season water upstream from Kutch and its use in irrigation has resulted in less fresh water coming into the Ranns of Kutch during the rainy season. This is true of the Great Rann, but particularly true of the Little Rann which is fed by the Luni , Rupen ,

2684-623: The rest of Gujarat. Languages of Kutch district (2011) According to the 2011 Census, Kachchhi speakers are a majority in 5 out of the 10 tehsils: Abdasa (76.06%), Lakhpat (69.71%), Mandvi (62.48%), Nakhatrana (54.54%) and Mundra (50.66%). In addition, they are 43.39% in Bhuj, 18.06% in Anjar and 14.13% in Gandhidham. However in Rapar and Bhachau, they are only 0.14% and 1.05% respectively. Kutchi

2745-633: The seventh century, but Kutch came under the rule of the Chaulukya dynasty by the tenth century. After the fall of Chaulukya, the Vaghelas ruled the state. By the thirteenth century, the Vaghelas controlled the whole of Kutch and adopted a new dynastic identity, Jadeja . For three centuries, Kutch was divided and ruled by three different branches of the Jadeja brothers. In the sixteenth century, Kutch

2806-490: The shallow water dries up each season before the monsoon rains. The district is also known for ecologically important Banni grasslands with their seasonal marshy wetlands which form the outer belt of the Rann of Kutch. Kutch is surrounded by the Gulf of Kutch and the Arabian Sea to the south and west, while the northern and eastern parts are surrounded by the Great and Little Rann (seasonal wetlands) of Kutch. It

2867-541: The specific problems of timber importers and timber allied industries coming up during the period. The timber industry is growing at a faster pace with 300 saw mills working in Gandhidham-Kandla Complex. The Little Rann of Kutch is known for its traditional salt production and various references mention this to be a 600-year-old activity. During the British period, this activity increased manifold. It

2928-439: The state was devastated by an earthquake . The state stabilized and flourished in business under subsequent rulers. Upon the independence of India in 1947, Kutch acceded unto the dominion of India and was constituted an independent commissionaire . It was made a state within the union of India in 1950. The state witnessed an earthquake in 1956 . On 1 November 1956, Kutch State was merged with Bombay state , which in 1960

2989-527: The strategy followed by the Pakistani state led Syed to come to a conclusion that the Sindhis would not be given due importance in the country. With his political base largely weakened after election, Syed later advanced his position towards openly demanding separation from Pakistan and the build-up of an independent Sindhudesh in his books Heenyar Pakistan khey tuttan khappey (Now Pakistan Should Disintegrate) and Sindhu Desh — A Nation in Chains . After

3050-533: The students’ front of the Jeay Sindh or Sindhudesh movement. A new left wing party for a politically, culturally, economically and geographically independent Sindh was formed in December 2011. It wants to see Sindh as it was in 1843 before the British conquered it and opposes the development of Zulfikarabad , referring to it as a new Israel . Kutch Kutch district , officially spelled Kachchh ,

3111-408: The time of partition there were 1,400,000 Hindu Sindhis, though most were concentrated in cities such as Hyderabad , Karachi , Shikarpur , and Sukkur . The concept of Sindhudesh is often also supported by Indian Sindhis most of whom want to return to their native homeland Sindh while retaining their lives in India. Suggestions for a Sindhi political party India as an ethnic empowerment movement for

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3172-493: The university, offering courses in humanities, science, commerce, medicine, nursing, education and computer science. Professional courses in engineering, pharmacy and management are regulated through the Gujarat Technological University . Kutch district is inhabited by various groups and communities. One can find various nomadic, semi nomadic and artisan groups living in Kutch. Rabari constitute

3233-466: The villages of the district, staple foods include kadi-khichdi , milk, and bajra (pearl millet). The latter of these was introduced to the region by a king named Lakho Fulani, who was himself introduced to the grain during his period of exile. Bajara na rotla with curd and buttermilk is also a staple among the Gujarati people. In the region, milk is considered to be a sacred food; an offering of milk

3294-760: Was a political party in Sind , British India . The party was founded in June 1936, the same year that the Sind province had been created. The party was modelled on the Punjab Unionist Party . In the 1937 election to the Sind Legislative Assembly , the party emerged as the largest party with 21 seats in the Assembly and formed a provincial government. The Sindhu Desh Liberation Army or SDLA

3355-431: Was a relative peaceful province, with communal violence only erupting sporadically and during partition. This peace stopped after partition, with post-partition migrants to Sindh angry at the "non-co-operation" in the killing of Hindus; and communal hatred multiplied post partition. according to a Sindhi nationalist organisation "The only backdrop for Sindhudesh movement has been the absence of national capitalist because of

3416-419: Was always considered a backward region due to its location and submerged geography. The situation seemed to have worsened after the disastrous Kutch earthquake in 2001. But in the next decade, the economy took an almost miraculous jump start due to the intense efforts of the Gujarat government. Kutch today is a growing economic and industrial hub in one of India's fastest growing states – Gujarat. Its location on

3477-581: Was divided into Bani, Abdasa, Anjar, Banni, Bhuvad Chovisi, Garado, Halar Chovisi, Kand, Kantho, Khadir, Modaso, Pranthal, Prawar, and Vagad. Kutch District is further divided into six subdistricts, each comprising one or two taluka : From the city Bhuj various ecologically rich and wildlife conservation areas of the Kutch district can be visited such as Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary , Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary , Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary , Kutch Bustard Sanctuary , Banni Grasslands Reserve and Chari-Dhand Wetland Conservation Reserve . According to

3538-436: Was divided into the new linguistic states of Gujarat and Maharashtra , with Kutch becoming part of Gujarat as Kutch district. The district was affected by a tropical cyclone in 1998 and the earthquake in 2001 . The state saw rapid industrialization and growth in tourism in subsequent years. Kutch District, at 45,674 square kilometres (17,635 sq mi), is the largest district in India . The administrative headquarters

3599-459: Was the ancient name for modern Sindh . In 1972 G. M. Syed proposed the formation of an independent nation for the Sindhis under the name Sindhudesh . He was the first nationalist politician in Pakistan to call for the independence of Sindh in a Pakistan. The movement for Sindhi language and identity led by Syed drew inspiration from the Bengali language movement . In post independence Pakistan,

3660-414: Was unified under one rule by Rao Khengarji I of these branches, and his direct descendants ruled for two centuries and had a good relationship with the Gujarat Sultanate and Mughals . One of his descendants, Rayadhan II, left three sons, of whom two died, and a third son, Pragmalji I took over the state and founded the current lineage of rulers at the start of the seventeenth century. The descendants of

3721-413: Was used to fund a substantial part of the military expenses of the British government. Communities involved in salt production are mainly Chunvaliya Koli, Ahir and Miyana (Muslim), residing in 107 villages in the periphery of Lesser Rann of Kutch. These communities are traditionally known to have the skills of salt production and are known as 'Agariyas'. Water quality in 107 villages of Lesser Rann of Kutch

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