Kachchh Pincodes

Kutch, formally spelled Kachchh, is a district in western India, in the state of Gujarat. Its main city is Bhuj.

Kutch means a place that sometimes gets wet and sometimes gets dry. A big part of this district is called the Rann of Kutch. It’s a flat area that gets covered in water when it rains and then dries up when it’s not raining. The same word “Kutch” is also used to describe a tortoise in Sanskrit.

History:

Kutch’s history dates back to ancient times, with Indus Valley civilization sites and mentions in Hindu and Greek records from Alexander the Great’s era. It saw rulers like Menander I, Indo-Scythians, Maurya Empire, and Sakas. During the first century, it fell under Western Satraps and later Gupta Empire’s influence. The Maitraka dynasty from Valabhi governed by the fifth century and grew close to Gujarat rulers.

For a long time, Kutch was divided among different Jadeja branches, but in the 16th century, Rao Khengarji I united it. In the 17th century, Pragmalji I succeeded Rayadhan II, founding the current lineage. Despite challenges, Bar Bhayat ni Jamat stabilized the state in the mid-18th century. In 1819, Kutch accepted British rule after a battle, coinciding with a devastating earthquake. Subsequently, it prospered under new rulers. When India became independent in 1947, Kutch joined India and became a separate area. It became a state within India in 1950. On November 1, 1956, Kutch State became part of Bombay state, which was later split into Gujarat and Maharashtra in 1960. So, Kutch became a part of Gujarat.

Geography:

Kutch District is the biggest district in India, covering an area of 45,674 square kilometers. The main office is in the city of Bhuj, which is right in the middle of the district. The highest point in Kutch is a hill called Kala Dungar, and it reaches 458 meters high.

Administration:

Kutch is split into four areas: Wagad (covering Rapar and Bhachau), Kanthi (along the coast, including Mundra and part of Mandvi), Banni Region with Pascham (including Bhuj, Nakhatrana, and nearby places), and Makpat (covering part of Nakhatrana and Lakhpat).

Now, in Kutch District, there are six sub-districts, with each sub-district having two talukas. These sub-districts are Bhuj, Anjar, Bhachau, Mundra, Nakhatrana, and Naliya. So, the entire district is divided into ten talukas: Abdasa (including Nalia), Anjar, Bhachau, Bhuj, Gandhidham, Lakhpat, Mandvi, Mundra, Nakhatrana, and Rapar.

Demographics:

In the 2011 census, Kutch District had a population of 2,092,371, making it the 217th most populous district in India out of 640. The district’s population density is of 46 people per square kilometer. The ratio of females to males in Kutch is 908 females for every 1000 males, and the literacy rate is 71.58%. About 34.81% of the population lives in urban areas.

Kutchi is often mistaken for being a dialect of Gujarati, but it’s actually classified as a dialect of Sindhi. The script of the Kutchi language has disappeared, and now it’s mostly written in the Gujarati script. You can find examples of the Kutch script in the Kutch Museum. The reason why Gujarati is used more is because it’s the language used for teaching in schools.