Bhuj
is a city and a municipality in Kutch district in the state of Gujarat, India.
It was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the state capital by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital laid formally on Vikram Samvat 1604 Maagha 5th (Approx. 25 January 1548). 1947 to 1956 Bhuj Capital of Kutch state after 1960 Kutch part of Gujarat state Currently it is the district headquarters of Kutch District, the largest district in India. Bhuj is home to one of the first Swaminarayan Sampraday temples, built in 1822.
In January 2001, the city was struck by a major earthquake which caused a great deal of damage and loss of life.Bhuj connects you to a range of civilizations and important events in South Asian history through prehistoric archaeological finds, remnants of the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappans), places associated with the Mahabharata and Alexander the Great's march into India and tombs, palaces and other buildings from the rule of the Naga chiefs, the Jadeja Rajputs, the Gujarat Sultans and the British Raj. Over the 4000-year inhabitation of Kutch it developed trading and migratory relationships with ancient civilizations as far abroad as Zanzibar, the Middle East and Greece, fostering a unique ethnic mix of peoples and traditions in the region.