Bhatias are originally Yaduvanshi Sama dynasty Bhatti Rajputs of Jaisalmer. In 1316 AD 2000 Bhatia families migrated to Sindh & Punjab.In 14th century Bhatias were agriculturist & fisherman in Sindh.Vallabhacharya made them Vaishnav & vegetarian.They began to wear Janoi-thread.Around 1350 AD some Bhatia families migrated to Kutch from Sindh. Here they settled in Tera, Vinjan & Kothara towns of Abdasa Taluka of Kutch.In 16th century Bhatias spread from Abdasa Taluka to newly founded Kutch cities Mandvi, Mundra & Anjar and Saurashtra. They became traders.When Kutch king Khengarji founded Mandvi city in 1581 he invited Sindh big trader Bhatia Topan to Mandvi to develop trade & shipping of city.In 16th century Nagarsheth Bhatia Topan & his castes traders made Mandvi Kutch a major port of western India in middle age.He built Topansar lake in Mandvi.Nagarsheth Bhatia Topan built grand Lakshminarayan temple at Mandvi Kutch in 1607 AD. It is adorned with fine sculpture & stone carving.Kutchi Bhatias whose surname is Toprani are descendants of 16th century Mandvi Kutch Nagarsheth Topan Bhatia.
In mid 19th century, Sheth Gokuldas Tejpal Bhatia of Kothara Kutch settled in Mumbai was one of richest persons of India.He built GT Hospital & GT Hostel in Mumbai.He also built GT Highschool In Mandvi & Kothara in Kutch.Gujarat had the close relation with Zanzibar for centuries.Kutchi Bhatia & Khoja traders played the major role in Zanzibar economy in 19th century.In mid 19th century Zanzibar ruler Muscat now Oman Sultan Sayyid Said encouraged Gujarati & especially Kutchi Bhatias to settle in Zanzibar.In 19 century Bhatia Jeram Shivji was one of biggest slave trader of the world at Zanzibar.When slavery abolished he freed stock of 10000 slaves.After the discovery of Africa Gujarat coastal area people went there in 19th century. Porbandar's Bhatia, Lohana, Memon and Khoja went there.
In 18th & 19th centuries Gujarat trader communities Parsi, Bhatia, Vanik, Lohana, Meman, Khoja & Vora developed newly founded Mumbai and Karachi.237 years ago in 1780 AD population of Mumbai was 47170 of which Gujarati Brahmin 177, Vanik 1637, Bhatia 290, Surati Patel 39 & Parsi 3087.In 1840 Karachi population was 13850.Of which Hindu 9000, Muslim 4850. Brahmin 900,Sindhi & Kutchi Bhatia 600,Khatri 1400,Khoja & Memon 250.
In 18th & 19th century Bhatia traders of Kutch Gujarat were financial advisers of Sultans of Muscat-Oman who were also Sultan of East Africa.20th century Bhatia philanthropist Khimji Ramdas Thakarshi of Mandvi Kutch was big tycoon of Muscat now Oman.
Written by Bipin Thanky
(Tweets from my twitter handle @GujaratHistory)
In mid 19th century, Sheth Gokuldas Tejpal Bhatia of Kothara Kutch settled in Mumbai was one of richest persons of India.He built GT Hospital & GT Hostel in Mumbai.He also built GT Highschool In Mandvi & Kothara in Kutch.Gujarat had the close relation with Zanzibar for centuries.Kutchi Bhatia & Khoja traders played the major role in Zanzibar economy in 19th century.In mid 19th century Zanzibar ruler Muscat now Oman Sultan Sayyid Said encouraged Gujarati & especially Kutchi Bhatias to settle in Zanzibar.In 19 century Bhatia Jeram Shivji was one of biggest slave trader of the world at Zanzibar.When slavery abolished he freed stock of 10000 slaves.After the discovery of Africa Gujarat coastal area people went there in 19th century. Porbandar's Bhatia, Lohana, Memon and Khoja went there.
In 18th & 19th centuries Gujarat trader communities Parsi, Bhatia, Vanik, Lohana, Meman, Khoja & Vora developed newly founded Mumbai and Karachi.237 years ago in 1780 AD population of Mumbai was 47170 of which Gujarati Brahmin 177, Vanik 1637, Bhatia 290, Surati Patel 39 & Parsi 3087.In 1840 Karachi population was 13850.Of which Hindu 9000, Muslim 4850. Brahmin 900,Sindhi & Kutchi Bhatia 600,Khatri 1400,Khoja & Memon 250.
In 18th & 19th century Bhatia traders of Kutch Gujarat were financial advisers of Sultans of Muscat-Oman who were also Sultan of East Africa.20th century Bhatia philanthropist Khimji Ramdas Thakarshi of Mandvi Kutch was big tycoon of Muscat now Oman.
Written by Bipin Thanky
(Tweets from my twitter handle @GujaratHistory)
Please inform me the mobile number of Kanubhai and shashibhai
ReplyDeleteSince I knew them when I was posted at BOB in the year 1977