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Flowers of the Sun: The People and Land of Kutch, c.1740–2020 examines Kutch’s rich and fascinating history, spanning nearly three centuries. It highlights the strong Sufi tradition of Kutch, the shared love of the land and the awareness that survival in the harsh environment requires cooperation and innovation, ‘mil and mithas’, friendship and sweetness.

The early years of the nineteenth century witnessed efforts by the British to establish political and military control over Kutch, Sindh and north-west India. Thwarted by effective Kutchi resistance under the able leadership of military commander Jamadar Fateh Mahomed, this period constitutes a significant marker in Kutch’s history. His death in 1813 was followed by increasing British domination over the princely state, until India (and Kutch) gained Independence in 1947.

Special attention is paid to Kutch’s participation in the Indian national movement, hitherto almost absent from history books. The role of important leaders, notably, Yusuf Meherally, K.T. Shah, M.M Mehta, Jilubha Jadeja  among others, reveal the dominant concerns of the people of Kutch. This historical study concludes with the devastating earthquake of 26 January 2001 and the significant changes that have taken place thereafter.

Contents

List of Illustrations

Acknowledgements

Preface: A Personal Journey into the History of Kutch

Prologue: Flowers of the Sun

Introduction: Kutch’s Distinctive Culture and Identity

SECTION I: CULTURE, CRAFTS AND THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF KUTCH c.1740–1870

Shared Land, Shared Culture: Kutch, Sindh and the River Indus
Maharao Lakhpatji and the Promotion of Arts and Crafts in Kutch c.1740–1780
Jamadar Fateh Mahomed and British Ambitions in Kutch c.1780–1820
Political Manoeuvres and Geographical Explorations in Kutch c.1820–1870
Maritime Trade and the Port-Towns of Kutch c.1820–1870
SECTION II: KUTCH IN A GLOBALIZING WORLD c.1870–2020

Kutchi Crafts and the International Market c.1870–1910
Kutch and the Nationalist Movement c.1910–1950
A New Order: Kutch c.1950–2000
Transforming Adversity: The Earthquake and its Aftermath, 2001–2020
Conclusion: Preserving the Diverse and Distinct

Bibliography

Index