#Lakhpat is a small town and sub-district in Kachchh district in the Indian state of Gujarat located at the mouth of Kori Creek The literal meaning of Lakhpat is the city of millionaire as historically town was bustling with port activities and had daily revenue of one lakh (0.1 million) Kutch kori, the former currency. oday it is sparsely populated Ghost town, a city of ruins of buildings and a magnificent fort surrounding them. Historically it has been very important trading post connecting Gujarat to Sindh. 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. The 7 km long fort walls was erected by Jamadar Fateh Muhammed in 1801. After the earthquake of 1819 a natural dam known as the Allahbund was formed, Indus river changed its course of flow and started flowing into the Arabian sea further north. Thus Lakhpat lost its importance as a port. During the period of Muslim invasion, the Khudabadi Sonara Community and other Hindus who had not converted to Islam under the Ghaznavids moved to VighoKot and Lakhpat (in Kutch) around 1028 AD, to avoid genocide at the hands of the invading Muslims and to live peacefully under Hindu Samma rulers. It was the year 1819. An earthquake of high magnitude (over 8 in the Richter scale) shocked Kutch. Lakhpat crumbled. The sea rolled up to the Kori creek (the eastern mouth of Indus which divided Kutch from Sindh) as far westward as the Goongra River. An eyewitness account suggests that from 19th June to 25th June 36 shocks were counted. The river permanently shifted westward and altered its both physical and economic landscape. After the displacement of the Indus River in 1819 the busy port was abandoned and the town that once brimmed with 10,000 people stands almost completely inhabited today. A traveller in 1838 found the only legacy of Lakhpats maritime legacy were the remains of several boats buried in the soil that filled the bed of the old river. Guru Nanak is believed to have camped in Lakhpat on his way to and from Mecca. The house where he said was later converted into a Gurudwara, which still stands though heavily renovated in this deserted village. The Ghaus Mohammed no Kubo is the mausoleum of the mystic Pir Ghaus Mohammed, who became a fakir at the early age of 12. The kubo is a classic example of stone architecture with very intricate carvings. Pirs body rests here along with other members of his family. The mausoleum stands besides a water tank that is believed to possess therapeutic properties, which can cure skin diseases. The other attraction of Lakhpat is the Sayyed Pir no Kubo, a beautiful mausoleum dedicated to Sayyed Pir Shah. It had nine domes with the largest dominating the centre while eight smaller domes surround it. The entire mausoleum is built in stone with exquisite carvings and fine details along the doors and windows. The latticed jails are especially outstanding.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 03:01:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015