Dhaneti or Dhanetee is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is at a distance of about 26 km from Bhuj the Taluka and district headquarters of Kutch. Although it is in Bhuj Taluka, the
Anjar Taluka headquarters of Anjar is only 18 km away.[1]
History
About the history of Dhaneti, the village holds a special place in the annals of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris of Kutch, who entered Kutch and fought a battle on the land of the Dhaneti village in late the 12th century around 1177–78 A.D. (V.S. 1234) and got themselves established and settled at this village under the leadership of Patel Ganga Maru.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
Even today, intricate paliyas or memorial stones of their dadas or shurapuras (the ancestors who died while fighting) and deris (pyre alters) of their Satis are standing there near the village pond and other areas of the village, as a mute witness to the war that was fought on this land by these Gurjar Kshatriyas, who are known as Mistris of Kutch.[7] Today, almost a thousand years after the war, the community people visit Dhaneti to pay respect to these memorial stones, built in memory of their forefathers, who gave up their lives fighting to defend their next generations.[7][8]
Later, during the 14th to 15th century Mistris, in due time, left Dhaneti and went on to establish other eighteen villages in Kutch, which were granted to them by the king. They were master craftsmen and architects and played a major role in the erection and construction of the majority of forts, palaces, and architect of Kutch.[3] It was because of their quality they came to be known as Mistris in Kutch.[7]
Temples
The Patleshwar Mahadev Temple of Shiva is the oldest temple of village, located on sides of village pond. Beside which lies to temples of Shurapura of Mistris of Kutch. There is also temple of Ramdev Pir in village.
Present Status
At present, majority of people who live in this village are Ahir, Rabari and Goswami. Dhaneti today is famous for special Ahir & Rabari embroidery done by women of this community, and has developed as major center for this art and tourist attraction.[9]
Ramakrishna Mission is running a School, Students Home and other activities in Dhaneti since 1992.[10]
^Book :Kadia Kshatriya Ithishas : Published by Kumar Praksahan in 1896 in Gujarati Language : Dhaneti was founded (toran bandhyu) in 1179 AD ( Vikram Samvant 1234) by them (Gurjar Kshatriyas a.k.a. Mistris Of Kutch) under leadership of Patel Ganga Maru, when Rao Raydhan Ratto was Ruler of Kachchh.
^ abcdKutch Gurjar Kshatriya Community : A brief History & Glory: by Raja Pawan Jethwa. (2007) Calcutta.