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As we tread down the state highway - 46 towards Mandhvi, a village opens up to us, majorly inhabited on the right side of the highway, abuzz with grown-ups in groups on the platform around the huge banyan tree; a usual site for a person who has tramped across Kutch countryside, but there is more to this village; moments from the arrival into the village your gaze would fall upon the stacked up earthenware with characteristic finish and auburn appearance that you have never seen before. As you inquire and analyze, the Gundiyali village pottery is one of a kind, with minimal decorations on the pots and no use of paints in imparting the colors to the patterns. The mining of clay to the preparation and distribution of pots, all is done in Gundiyali only. Having witnessed centuries, this earthenware has not changed since Harrapan period.
Gundiyali-Mandvi
gujarat
6186
Hindi, Gujarati
Augest - March
On state highway-46, 7-8 km from Mandvi, travel by local bus or taxi(Get Directions)
It is a small village, everything is at a walkable distance. locally auto is avalable
No Hotels, Stay at Bhuj or Mandvi
Local chai shop

History

GunDiyali village was established by the artisans who migrated here from Sindh around few years back. The village was the part of Kutch kingdom ruled by Sind tribes of Samma Rajputs, in 1530, Shah Hussain defeated the Samma Rajputs and since then it was ruled by Mughals. During the reign of Emperor Jahangir, Kutch was freed on the request of Raja Bharmal. 

Geography

Gundiyali (22.84°N 69.42°E )  is a village of Mandvi Taluk in Kutch district of Gujarat. Located at 7km distance from Mandvi; this village is 335 km from State capital Gandhinagar. It is well connected through state highway road network (Sh-46). The nearest railway station is 54 km from Gundiyali and the nearest airport is at Bhuj.

Environment

The temperature in Gundiyali spans between the two extremes of summer and winter. It reaches a maximum of 45 degrees Celsius in summers and drops to a minimum of 7 degrees Celsius in the winters. Bajri, Cotton and Jowar are main crops in this region. As rainfall in the region is scanty, cattle rearing, milk production and wool spinning are the major occupations after plantation and agriculture. A good amount of milk is produced which is then sold to dairies. The quality of water is saline because of close proximity to sea shore.

Infrastructure

GunDiyali is a small village; it has a primary school up to secondary level education. There are 126 wells for water out of which only one well contains potable water. The village utilizes a 66 kv power supply. 
Nearest hospital is at 8km distance, in Mandvi; but village has private medical practitioners and health workers. Other physical infrastructure in GunDiyali includes a small bus stand, post-office and a temple.

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Architecture

GunDiyali has 'Y' shaped branching of streets with diversions at regular intervals. Concrete houses are slowly replacing the traditional huts, majority of houses have courtyards and cattle sheds.

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Culture

Hinduism and Islam are the two main religions in GunDiyali, the village has one temple. Majority of people obtain their livelihood from agriculture and fishing. GunDiyali people mostly converse in Sindhi and Gujarati.

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People

There are 891 households in the village with the population about 5353, with sex ratio of 978 women for every 1000 males. Around 20% families have migrated to metropolitan cities for better livelihood and 5% have relocated to other nearby towns. 

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Famous For

GunDiyali village is known for its pottery; being practiced since Harappan era, a little has changed in the traditional process of pottery making. Potters still wok with the wheels and follow the same decorative patterns. If visiting GunDiyali, don't forget to fill your trunk with these congratulatory pieces of earthenware. 

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