Bhuchar Mori 3.09

Bhuchar Mori is a plateau and historic site about two kilometres northwest of Dhrol, a town about 50 kilometres north of Rajkot, Gujarat, India. The place is known for the Battle of Bhuchar Mori and a memorial site dedicated to it. The annual fair dedicated to the event is organised in July and August.EtymologyBhuchar Mori, a cowheard of Mori branch of Maldhari community, used to sit on the plateau while his animals fed on grass. The place was referred to as Bhuchar Mori No Timbo after him. It is said that the bad omens, such as voices of the birds, at the place had foretold about the future battle.Battle of Bhuchar MoriThe battle of Bhuchar Mori was fought between the army of Kathiawar led by Nawanagar State and the Mughal army in July 1591 (Vikram Samvat 1648). It was meant to protect Muzaffar Shah III, the last Sultan of Gujarat Sultanate who had taken asylum under Jam Sataji of Nawanagar after his escape from the Mughal emperor Akbar. The Kathiawar army included the armies of Junagadh and Kundla who betrayed Nawanagar and joined the Mughal army at last. The battle led to a large number of casualties on both sides. The battle resulted in the decisive victory of the Mughal army.