BHUJ: In a historical development, Indian Army has handed over the possession of historic Bhujio fort, which has been an army base for over 200 years, to the state government. The decision was taken after the fort had become dilapidated with several of its ramparts falling apart post-2001 earthquake in Kutch. Bhujio, which served as army base under British Raj since 1819, was retained by Indian Army as ammunition depot post-independence. Given the damage caused by the quake, the army decided to shift the depot elsewhere and decided to hand over the possession of the fort along with the hill to the government. The formal hand over took place on Monday. "It also marked a historical day in the life of thousands of devotees who were deprived of religious ritual performed at Bhujangdev temple, situated atop the hill. Though army would allow pilgrims to climb the hill during the festival of Nagpanchami once in a year, pilgrims stopped visiting the area after the fort was damaged in the quake," said district collector R R Vasani. "The administration willing to undertake the restoration of fort couldn't do so as the area fell under army's domain. We made a representation before the army in 2001 after the quake, urging it to hand it over to the administration. However, it couldn't materialize, as there was a two-year-long procedure on the proposal. Eventually, the army has handed over the fort to us," Vasani said. Meanwhile, senior officers from Indian Army and district administration carried out the demarcation of area on the hill, painting it with white line from the fort to its entrance on Monday. According to district administration officials, the fort will be thrown open to the public in a day or two. According to history books, Bhuj derives its name from the hill Bhujiyo Dungar. The city was established by Rao Khengarji I, first Rajput rulers of Kutch believed to have come to Bhuj from Sind or northern India. Khengarji I chose the strategic location at the base of the hill Bhujiyo Dungar and named the city as Bhuj in 1548 AD. The city served as the capital of the princely state till 1947 AD. The rulers of Bhuj enjoyed great support from Mughal rulers also. But, after the decline of Mughals, rulers felt the need of security. As a result, the city of Bhuj was fortified. In 1819, the British overtook the fort.

BHUJ: In a historical development, Indian Army has handed over the possession of historic Bhujio fort, which has been an army base for over 200 years, to the state government. The decision was taken after the fort had become dilapidated with several of its ramparts falling apart post-2001 earthquake in Kutch.

Bhujio, which served as army base under British Raj since 1819, was retained by Indian Army as ammunition depot post-independence. Given the damage caused by the quake, the army decided to shift the depot elsewhere and decided to hand over the possession of the fort along with the hill to the government. The formal hand over took place on Monday.

"It also marked a historical day in the life of thousands of devotees who were deprived of religious ritual performed at Bhujangdev temple, situated atop the hill. Though army would allow pilgrims to climb the hill during the festival of Nagpanchami once in a year, pilgrims stopped visiting the area after the fort was damaged in the quake," said district collector R R Vasani.

"The administration willing to undertake the restoration of fort couldn't do so as the area fell under army's domain. We made a representation before the army in 2001 after the quake, urging it to hand it over to the administration. However, it couldn't materialize, as there was a two-year-long procedure on the proposal. Eventually, the army has handed over the fort to us," Vasani said.

Meanwhile, senior officers from Indian Army and district administration carried out the demarcation of area on the hill, painting it with white line from the fort to its entrance on Monday. According to district administration officials, the fort will be thrown open to the public in a day or two.

According to history books, Bhuj derives its name from the hill Bhujiyo Dungar. The city was established by Rao Khengarji I, first Rajput rulers of Kutch believed to have come to Bhuj from Sind or northern India.

Khengarji I chose the strategic location at the base of the hill Bhujiyo Dungar and named the city as Bhuj in 1548 AD. The city served as the capital of the princely state till 1947 AD. The rulers of Bhuj enjoyed great support from Mughal rulers also. But, after the decline of Mughals, rulers felt the need of security. As a result, the city of Bhuj was fortified. In 1819, the British overtook the fort.(TOI)