Later in the day I travelled to Lakhpat. It was once the major port that connected Gujarat to Sindh. It got its name from Rao Lakha who ruled the area. However they also say it used to generate Lakhs of rupees (or whatever currency it was during 18th century) of income. So it was called Lakhpat.
The whole city is surrounded by a 7km long fort. And it opens into the sea on one side (obviously, it was a port). This part is called the Small or Chota Rann.
The Sindhu river used to join the sea at Lakhpat. So it was an ideal place for building a port and a good trading location. The fort was built in 1801 and in 1819 (just 18 years later) and earthquake hit Lakhpat. The fort stayed intact but the Sindhu river changed it course. Post that, this place was no more used as a port and lost all its trade almost immediately.
There are hardly 500 people living here now and it’s looks like a poorly maintained poverty stricken place. The fort has been used for some movie shootings and the place where I am standing features in an Abhishek Bachan & Katrina Kaif’s movie. Don’t know which one.
Since it was a trading place, many spiritual people also have visited it. Guru Gobind Singh stayed in Lakhpat and the place he stayed is now a Gurudwara. There was a Sufi saint called Pir Ghaus Mohammad whose tomb is present. There is also a Katkeshwar temple. All religions thrived here once.
There are some old houses like the Akbani Mahal (those days Ambanis). There was a Customs office (it was a port back then). There are shops houses all in a dilapidated state.
Just like the people of Lakhpat the Government has also ignored this beautiful place. In my opinion this is much more richer and beautiful than the White Rann and the Rann Ustav. If maintained well it could be an amazing tourist attraction. But I think fate has it that this town will never be in the limelight.
The guide told me that the King wanted stones to build the fort. The stones were available in a neighbouring state but he was not able to take over it as the ruler was strong. When the ruler went to Mecca he used that time to conquer the neighbouring state and took the stones from there to build the fort. It is that curse that caused the downfall of this city.
While it’s nice to hear, I don’t subscribe to it so much. There have been enough cities and countries that been built from loots and have thrived for centuries post that. But it’s a nice moral story nonetheless.
Endless thoughts 