One of the unique features of Gujarat is that Garvi is a ‘trading’ tradition that Gujarat has developed over thousands of years. Trading traditions have been unbroken and unbroken. During the Harappan civilization 5000 years ago, the port of Lothal was trading with Iran, Bahrain and Mesopotamia (today’s Iraq). Around 1700 AD, the Lothal civilization was destroyed by the Great Flood, but then Drarka, Porbandar, Koteshwar, Narayan Sarovar and Mangrol rose. After that, starting from the Mauryan period (322 BC – 185 BC) until about the 8th century, Bharuch had 10,000 inhabitants. Gained fame and popularity as an international port for years. In Bharuch, French historian researcher Dr. Michael Rakotozonia and Dr. Sarah Keller in their research centuries ago today’s Bharuch was the Dubai of India in the past.
Gujarati adventurers used to dump goods from India at Bharuch port and export them to other countries. The export of goods from India through Bharuch had such an adverse effect on the Roman Empire that Italian admiral and administrator Pliny (AD 23-79) wrote in Latin in his book ‘Naturalis Historia’. Warned the emperors and the people that “If we continue to trade with Barigaza (ancient Bhrigukach) we will be devastated. Our wealth is being hijacked. Bharuch port draws a lot of gold and silver from here” Cleopatra was also fond of Gujarat’s marimsala and pickles besides jewels. was
Bharuch fell but Stambhatirtha (today’s pillar) flourished there. Coins of Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb were minted at Surat port from 1572 to 1707. It can be said that in Bhrigukach Chandragupta Maurya, Chanakya, Demetrius, Apollodotes, Menendra, Vikramaditya, Samudragupta, Kalidar, Vishakhad, Siddharaj Jayat Singh and 12th The time of Saika’s great Jain ascetic and scholar Archaya Hemachandracharya was a symbol of Hindu times. Surat was the epitome of Jahojlali during the Mughal era.
Bane Aurangzeb captured four Hindu and Jain traders from Surat and destroyed the port of Surat. Hence Shivaji plundered Surat twice. However, nothing like this happened in the case of Bharuch. Gold, silver and copper coins were in circulation in other regions besides Bharuch port. During that time, the port of ‘Stambatheerth’ (Khambhat) rose and developed. After that, Bharuch declined rapidly. However, from the past to today, there is a debate among Gujaratis that ‘Bhangyu Bhangyu To Bharuch’ is famous.
Bharuch – Virendra Singh Attodaria– The views expressed in this article are the author’s own.