Kutch is known for its peace-loving people and stunning locations. But it has bloody history too. The battle of Jara Kutch, or Zara Yudh / Jhara Yudh, was an attack by Ghulam Shah Kalhora on Kutch is an Absolute truth and a story of brave kutchis who fought till their last breath against 70,000 attackers.
The people of Kutch are lovable and respect each community. These make Kutch a better place to live with a lovely fresh atmosphere. But it also has one extensive war history, locked way back from the 17th century in many kutchis hearts. We are talking about the first battle of Jhara. The fierce Battle of Jara Kutch, or Zara Yudh / Jhara Yudh, was an attack by Ghulam Shah Kalhora on Kutch.
Attack of Sindhi Muslim invaders on Gujarat’s Kutch:
Ghulam Shah Kalhora came with an army of 70,000 in the 17th century with the vision of destroying Kutch’s pride. According to the sources, he was invited by Punjo Seth, who was seated in Kutch Sahi darbar.
Punjo Seth was not happy with certain things, so as per sources, to take revenge, he wrote a letter to Ghulam Shah Kalhora to attack Kutch.
When Thakor saheb came to know about the upcoming war, he wrote a letter to his brother Vinjan State Lakhaji Thakor Saheb for help. At that time, Thakor saheb of Bhuj’s health was not good. He said whatever dispute between us is between us, but here an invader is coming to take our land. How can Jadeja sit quietly? Coming from the same family, Lakhaji came to rescue the motherland and the pride of Kutch with his 1400 army. Every caste people of Kutch contributed, from Hindu Jadeja, sodhas, and all Kshatriyas to brahmins, Gadhvis, Ahir, Rabari, and Muslims to every 25 to 80 age.
Sindhi Army was trained as Makranis, Sumras, and Balochis were in the army of Ghulam Shah. All these were trained warriors. On another side, Kutchi Army is not so trained but ready to take on big challenges.
Kutchi knew that Sindhi Sena would attack Kutch on Zara, and all got pumped up. At that time, many said slogans were raised, and people with high spirits started to boost the army by chanting Har Har Mahadev, Jay Ashapura ma, and Jay Mataji.
Mulji Joshi of Godlani:
He was a master in Patebaji. Many need to know here if you make a mistake in Patebaji, you can lose your own life. Mulji Joshi and his group fought bravely against the Ghulam Shah army. His attack was so fierce that the Ghulam Shah army once looked clueless about how to stop Mulji Joshi and his group.
Muhammad Makrani vs Mulji Joshi:
As per sources, Makrani was a famous horse rider and fighter who came against Mulji Joshi in that war. Makrani’s horse jumped at 8 feet height like they were going to kill everyone, but Mulji Joshi got pumped instead of getting scared. Mulji Joshi’s horse jumped 13 feet high looking at that, Makrani was stunned. With this ego of Makrani was thrown in pieces by Mulji Joshi.
Mulji Joshi and his army paltan started to kill Baluchis and Sumra’s army in significant numbers. Many left the war due to heavy attacks done by Mulji and his group. But due to this intense fight, Mulji Joshi too got injured as the number of people on the other side was way higher than the Kutchi army. Mulji Joshi gave his life for the motherland, but his positive spirit remains till today.
Local sources say around 30,000 people from both sides were killed that day. Sindh sena broke the rules as they attacked Kutchi sena in Night too. But the night attack on Kutchi sena backfired on them. Due to heavy fog, they were confuse as soon as they entered the Kutchi camps, and due to lack of visibility at Night, they killed their people. Ghulam Shah and his army became cruel as they poisoned Zara’s jil water.
Bhimji and Visaji vs Ghulam Shah:
Young and courageous Bhimji and Visaji came against Ghulam shah and his enormous army. Both fought courageously against Ghulam Shah’s army. After seeing the aggression, Ghulam Shah got scared and felt like they would lose this battle. The attack was so hard that the Sindhi army started flew away from the war.
In this battle, both Bhimji and Visaji got severely injured and lost their lives. But they did the work. Ghulam Shah had already lost the battle and flew away in women’s clothes to Sindh. Many say the settlement was done from Bhuj’s side with Ghulam Shah, but no fact was written anywhere. Many also say Punjo Seth was poisoned after this war. This war was between maksar sudh pacham to maksar sudh agyarus. This means from Dec 6th to 12th.
Gujarati Writers wrote it beautifully about this war. Kutchi moj gane mot ji….Moju Maran ni lidhi pan Salami na didhi Sindh j badshanu..
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