The unprecedented earthquake of 26th January 2001 left Bhuj absolutely shattered, the worst ever disaster, in last 50 years. Almost the entire state reeled under its catastrophic impact. About 13,800 people died and 1,67,000 suffered injury. Nearly 1.2 million houses were damaged. All the civic facilities like - schools, hospitals, health centers and public buildings - suffered massive destruction. The utility infrastructures, which included water supply, electricity and telecommunications, were also completely disrupted. The massive damage put the government to pose an enormous challenge to evolve and execute a comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction programme. The four towns of Kachchh-Bhuj, Bhachau,

Anjar and Rapar- needed much attention as they suffered very large-scale devastation. In Bhuj city itself, 2370 people died, 3187 suffered massive injuries, 11036 houses were fully collapsed and 27617 houses were partially collapsed. The reasons of large number of casualties were attributed to collapse of large number of multistoried buildings due to design failure, haphazard, narrow lanes which gave very little space or no space to the congested city to escape at the time of disaster. The nature and extent of the damage in these four towns needed a special package, addressing various issues like relocation, In situ construction, Town Planning and infrastructure. A resolution was taken in the cabinet meeting of 24th April 2001 calling for formation of new Area Development Authority for all the four towns. Thus Bhuj Area Development Authority came in force from 9th May 2001 vide Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, Gandhinagar notification no. GHV/76 of 2001/TPV-102001-1764-V under Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development Act 1976 to recover and regulate development within its area of control. Its jurisdiction covers the total area of 5642.67 hectares comprising of Bhuj City and also includes nearby areas of Mirzapar & Madhapar villages. The plan aims at:

and
1. Chief Executive Officer (Additional Collector)
2. Deputy Town Planner
3. Mamlatdar (Administration)
4. Junior Town Planner

and other 22 technical & administration staff was sanctioned vide UD & UHD, Gandhinagar resolution no. UDA/102001/2067/V dated 9th May 2001.

The word Kutch is derived from its resemblance to tortoise (Kachdo) its geographical shape. The district lies in the extreme west of India between 22 44’ 8’ to 24 41’ 30’ North latitude and 68’ 7’ 23’ and 71’ 46’ 45 East longitude. It is bounded on the South by the Gulf of Kutch and on the west by the Indian ocean, in the North east and South east by the districts of Banaskantha and Mehsana.

The total area of the district is 45,612 sq.km. making it the biggest district in state of Gujarat. For administrative purpose the district has been divided into 9 talukas viz. Bhuj, Anjar, Nakhatrana, Lakhpat, Mandvi, Mundra, Bhachau, Rapar and Abdasa. According to the 1991 census the population of the district was recorded as 12,65,507 : 6,42,823 male, 6,19,684 female. The population in the rural area is 8,74,650 and that in the urban area is 3,87,857.

There are 875 inhabited villages and 10 towns. The climate of the district is generally hot with a maximum temperature of 45 c during summer and a minimum temperature of 2 c during the winter. The average rain fall in 474 mm. June is the hottest month; August has the maximum rainfall and December severe cold. The District has a transport network of 63 km of broad gauge and 191 km of metreguage railway line. The District has 4,943 km of road. The free trade zone at Kandla is connected to Bombay by air.

The Chief mode of transportation is the road In the desert camels are the main means of transportation. (The camel is the ship of the desert) Kutch district has one major port Kandla and three minor ports Mandvi, Mundra and Jakhau. Kutch provides a breeding place for flamingoes migrating in November – December from Europe and Africa.

As proven by the stone implements found by explorations and excavations at various places, Kutch was inhabited from prehistoric times. Some traces of the remarkable Indus valley civilization (3000 to 1500 B.C.) have been discovered at Dholavira-Kutch.

RULERS OF KUTCH

Bhuj the capital of the former native state of Kutch, is now the head quarter of the Kutch District. Bhuj was chosen by Rao khengarji-I as his capital in 1549. The fort walls around the capital were built by Rao Deshalji in 1723. Bhuj has been attacked six times, In two cases the defence was successful but four times it failed. The great earthquake in 1819 destroyed nearly 7000 houses and killed 1140 people.

The city wall, thirty five feet high and 4 feet thick with towers at irregular intervals was formerly armed with fifty one guns. The walls on the east and the west were demolished for the town's expansion.

Bhuj contain some old historic building: Jamadar Fathehmohmad's Tomb, the Mohmed Pannah Masque, Rao Pragmalji's Palace, the Shared Baugh Palace. Bharatiya Sanskruti Darshan (Folk museum) the aina mahal, Rao Lakhpatji's Chhatri, Ramkund, the Kalyaneshwar temple, the old Court, the Jain Derasers, Havelis, the Jubilee Hospital and the Elephant stable. The Desalser and Hamirsar tanks beautify the town.

The population of the Bhuj town has increased from 23,282 in 1941 and 40,180, in 1961 to over 1,20,000 in 1991 The town is picturesquely situated, It has a beautiful background of the Bhujjia hill fort in the east. In the heart of the town is Palace with Gothic structure.

Bhuj is known for its nutcrackers penknives, embroidery, batik work and bandhani (tie-dye) Its silver and enamel work known as "Kutch work " introduced by Ramsang Malam, is well known even today.