Godpar - The Village

Containing the only trees of its kind in the area of Kutch, probably even Gujarat - Chhamakli (Adansonia aka baobab or Dedo in local vernacular) - and surrounded by rivers, farms and forests, Godpar is situated around 20 km South of Bhuj Town and is to the west of Bhuj-Mandvi highway.

The main entrance leading to the village is off a bridge built in late 1970s over three rivers. The rivers run on the sides of the village and join up into one which flows by Kera and Kundalpur to join the Arabian Sea. For this reason, this place is known as Triveni Sangam.

Nearby there are isolated seats and seats around trees planted on the banks of the river. These have been constructed from funds donated by ex-patriots and the Godpar branch of the Bank of India. Villagers, especially ex-patriots, go to this area in the mornings and evenings to sit around Jaksh. They get to enjoy the cool breezes in summer and green environment in the monsoon and winter seasons. During the monsoon and winter seasons, the water reservoirs created by building check-dams on the rivers are full. Regular watering of trees and other maintenance such as cleaning is carried out by retired members of our community on voluntary bases.

These activities keep them both physically and mentally fit. Jaksh Baunter: What we call Jaksh were originally Iranians who sailed from their land and arrived at the Jakhau Port in Kutch around 400 years ago, because they were seventy two (Baunter) in number, they are known as Jaksh Baunter.

Upon their arrival, they helped the poor and destitute people of the area who were being taken advantage of by the rich people who made them work very hard without adequate remuneration. The Jakshs helped the poor and unwell people by providing them with food and medicine. The locals thought that God Almighty had sent these Jakshs to help them. Some time after the Jakshs had left; the local communities decided to do something in their remembrance and built Jaksh Baunter memorials at various places including Godpar, Madhapar and Kakar-Bhet. In the memorials, they installed white coloured statues of horses and their riders. The statues are coloured white because the Jakshs used to wear white clothes and rode white horses as it was very sunny and hot at the time in Kutch.

In Godpar, on the auspicious day of Jakshs, the whole community goes to Jakh, offers coconuts and spends the day there rejoicing in Jakshs memory. There is a Jaar (tree) next to the Jakshs Memorial which is the same age as the memorial - around 400 years.

The main welcoming entrance arch near the Jaksh was built from monies donated by UK Godpar community members, as was Gandhi Pool (Road Bridge over the river where it meanders from east to west) which was first built in 1989 and then rebuilt at higher level in I 998. After crossing Gandhi Pool we enter Godpar Gaam via another welcoming arch (built from donation by UK Godpar community member) and come to the primary school on the right and Gaurakshan on the left. The bus station is directly opposite.

Godpar Gaam is currently occupied by a wide range of communities, Kanbis being the majority (1400) as far as the households are concerned but for economic reasons about half the population has either permanently migrated overseas to countries in Europe, Africa and Australia or temporarily gone to work in Middle East Countries such as UAE and Seychelles. The remaining population consists of Kumbhaar, Harijans, Suthars, Vadands, Darjis, Lohanas, Rabbaris and Kolis. With the exception of some minor arguments, all the communities live in relative harmony.

According to information passed on from generation-to-generation and officially from Rajkot, Godpar Gaam, as it is currently known, was first settled in by a Lohana family in the 18th Century circa year 1745 AD.

History

Kanbis, hard working agriculturalists fled from Punjab, India, where they were known as Kurmis, following attacks by outside forces such as moguls and came to settle in Gujarat and Kutch. Some of the surnames are derived from the places they initially settled in Gujarat. They eventually moved to Kutch and settled in villages already there. Kanbis of Godpar moved to Godpar from other Kanbi villages in early 19th Century.

Maya Bapa, whose descendents are Dhanji and Shamji Bhimji Wagjiani's families, was first to come to Godpar from nearby Meghpar. Kerai family's Lalji Bapa whose descendants are Khimji and Keshra Ramji and Kanji Dhanji Dungar's families came from West Sukhpar (Roha). Amba Bapa of Kerai Family whose descendants are Mavji, Premji and Ananda Arnba's families and Hirani's Karsan Bapa (descendants Lalji, Parbat and Nanji Murji's families) came to Godpar from Meghpar. Halai (Pethani)'s Raghu Bapa whose descendants are Kurji and Ramji Dhanji's families and Halai (Limbani)'s Parbat Bapa whose descendants are Karsan, Khimji, Ananda and Ravji Ruda's families, both came from Dahisra. Kara families also migrated from Dahisra. Kabaria family's Hira Bapa, whose families are Ramji and Arjan Ravji's families and Kurji and Ruda Vasta came from Kera and so has Mepani family. Bhudia family's Valji Bapa (Mavji, Shamji and Arjan Gangdas's descendants) and Hirani family's Karsan Bapa (descendants Punja Kunverji's familes) both came here from Madhapar. Devraj Bapa of Wagjiani's family whose descendants are Murji Manji's families and Premji Bapa's families originally came from Tapar and temporarily moved to Mandvi and came back to Godpar. Pindoria and Rabadia families have come to Godpar as dependents of their families and settled.

Although Kanbis are traditionally farmers and farming was the only work done by Kanbis some 3 generations back economic situation caused by failing rains and growing population forced them to go overseas, initially Africa, then Europe and in 1970s to Middle East countries to earn a decent living. All the hard work carried out by our forefathers and their wise investment in our education has made it possible for our community members to carry out wide spectrum of occupations. Construction, engineering, pharmacy, retail, surveying, law and travel are some of the variety of fields our members have successfully taken up.

Although approximately half the Godpar Kanbi Community members are permanently settled in Europe, Africa and Australia, they still have deep rooted feelings for the Gaam and help in improving the Gaam by taking active interest and proving funds. They also hold functions in their countries of residence to maintain contact with each other. Lastly, it should be noted that considering the small size of the village, Godpar members both at home and abroad, take a proactive role in community organisations and events, both within the Samaj and the Mandirs. Members of Godpar are at the forefront in helping to make improvements in the village for future generations and take very active part, both physically and financially, in all the organisations such as education, environment, health, Samaj, Mandirs etc wherever they reside, in India, Africa, UK or anywhere else in the world. Our ancestors have enshrined this caring sense of duty and community spirit in the present generations.