CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Pirambet i.e. Piram island (bet means an island) is situated in the Gulf of Khambhat,

close to the eastern fringes of Saurashtra peninsula, ten kilometers south of Ghogha

and six kilometers off the coast opposite Hathab. It is 1800 yards long, 300 - 400

yards wide and surrounded by an extensive rocky reef. This part of the country has a

long history of trade - national and international. Once Khambhat, Bharuch, Surat,

Kavi and Ghogha were important international ports. These ports played significant

role in imports and exports for this country for over 5,000 years.

The geological study of Piram indicates that it was formed during the Pliocene and

Holocene periods i.e. 3.5 to 4 million years ago. The scientific geological study of

Piram was taken up by British Geologists, starting in 1836 by Lush (Anonymous,

1884), which was extended further by Falconer (1845 - 1868), Buist (1855), Fedden

(1884), Lydekker (1874 - 1887), Osborn (1936 - 1942), Pilgrim (1926 - 1932), Colbert

(1938), Babu (1957), Rao and Jain (1959), Datta (1959), and Shringarpure and

Sakhawala (1961). The references of British workers can be found in Anonymous

(1984).

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Fossil fauna, discovered at Pi ram, specially of vertebrates have been known for over

155 years now, when B.C. Von Hugei described Pi ram fossils discovered by Lush

(1836). Prasad (1974) and Sakhawala (1990) have compiled and discussed the fossil

fauna of Piram island. Besides, fossil fauna, architectural fragments of medieval

period have been recently discovered at Pi ram during excavations taken up by

Archaeological Survey of India (Anonymous, 2002). Piram is an ideal site for

discovery of mammalian fossils.

The island is situated at a strategic point as all boats to or from Surat, Bharuch and

Khambhat have to pass through Pi ram. There is a deep channel with wild waves on

the west, and reefs to the south of Piram which make the island unapproachable. It

provides security, a fact which was visualized by Mokhdaji while deciding to

establish a kingdom at Piram and develop a strong naval base there. This latter

proved a wise decision which protected him from Mohammed Tugalaque, the

Emperor of Delhi who camped at Chogha for three months and was tired and

frustrated in not being able to overcome the natural defense provided to Mokhdaji. It

has its disadvantages also as the inhabitants of Piram had to depend on the mainland

for food, drinking water and other commodities. It is the main reason that Piram

remained uninhabited after Mokhdaji's regime. ;-------.-'-.-.-~-; ! BhiJvr1,FI:" ;>~i",·,rsity , ~ L,'...... I j 8 H,c·.c '''<>\ r;:. I' '--.. ~.-... ~--.-,-~-

2

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before we examine the island in detail, it is necessary to know the environs of the

island which include the Gulf of Khambhat, in which the island is situated and the

nearby mainland places like Hathab and Ghogha.

GULFOFKHAMBHAT

Kathiml1ar Gazetteer (Watson, 1886; translated into Gujarati by Narmdashanker

Lalshanker Dave, as Kathawad Sarvasangrall) gives the following description of the

Gulf. he Gulf is the inlet of the Arabian Sea. On western side, it is located between

Gopnath and mouth of Sabarmati river, and on Gujarat side, between the mouth of

river Tapi and Mahi. The Gulf is named after the well-known port city of Khambhat,

located near the mouth of river Mahi. It is 80 miles long and 30 miles wide at its

mouth and 12 miles in the middle. The coast of the Gulf between the mouth of river

Daman and Tapi is surrounded by lush green trees, specially near the mouth of the

rivers. During the tide, the seawater enters the rivers.

On the north side of Tapi, there are small bars, known as 'Suvali Sand Bars'. There

are trees of palm and dates on the shore. There are many creeks and during the high

tide the seawater enters the creeks up to 4 miles. The higher portion of this coast is

near Dahej, which has many sand dunes covered with shrubs. There are many

banyan trees and dates. The area between Dahej and Tankariya is low-lying and wet.

3

The coast of Kathiawad is 70 miles long, lying between Sabarmati on the north and

Copnath on the south. Here also, there are many creeks into which the tidal water

center deep and spread all over. The coast near Chagha is at a higher level. The coast

between Chagha and Morchand, which is about 20 miles long, is also located at

higher level. There are many ravines and many trees and villages on the coast. The

low-lying coast between Mithivirdi and Copnath is full of sand dunes. The coast

near the mouth near Shetrunji is low-lying and, therefore, during high tide, it gets

inundated with seawater. The area between the south of river Shetrunji and village

Cadhula, is also low-lying and full of sand, while inland area is open and fertile with

trees around the villages.

LICHT-HOUSES

There are light-house at several places in the Culf, like Bhagwa, Tankariya,

K1ioonlJandar, Chogha, Bhavnagar, Gopnath and Piram. The light-house at Bhagwa

is steady and visible up to a distance of 10 miles. The light-house at Tankariya is also

a steady one. At the old port of the Bhavnagar, the light is kept off between 15th June

to 1st September. The light-house at Chogha, built in 1826, is 25 feet high and the light

can be seen up to a distance of 5 miles. The light-house at Bhavnagar New Port is 48

feet high and situated on its southern side. The light is visible up to a distance of 10

miles.

4

The light-house at Piram was built by British Government in 1856. It is 100 feet high

and its light goes up to 12 to 13 miles at the tide time, and up to 14 to 15 miles at the

ebbtime (if the sky is clear). The light-house at Gopnath, built by Maharaja of

Bhavnagar on a small hill with limestone, is 68 feet high.

TIDES

The tides on full moon day and moon less day come at 2:45 am near Surat, at 4:30 am

at Bharuch, 3:00 am at Ghogha and about 2:30 am between Sultanpur and Gopnath.

Near Surat, during high tide, the waves are 19 to 23 feet high and about 12 to 13 high

during low tide. The tide near Ghogha during high tide goes 27 to 34 feet high and

during low tide between 12 to 18 feet high. Near Bharuch, the tides are 30 feet high. It

is interesting to know that the force of the tide is about 10 miles per hour, specially

on the north side of Piram island. Water rises very high and comes with great speed

and force. From a distance it looks as if a mountain is approaching. Water comes and

goes so fast that within a moment a dry spot comes under deep water, to become dry

the next moment. Such high tides come on full moon day, moonless day, the second

day and the third day. It is not so high on the seventh and eighth day. The night tide

is more powerful than the day tide.

5

--------------------------------- --

Though the area of the Gulf is very small, many big rivers pour their waters into it

From Gujarat side, rivers Tapi, Kim, Narmada, Dhadhar, Mahi and Sabarmati, and

from Kathiavad side, Sukhbhadar, Utavali, Kalubhar and Shetrunji empty their

waters, along with mud, during the rainy season. No other Gulf in the world of this

small size receives so much of water as it happens with Gulf of Khambhat. During

rainy season, about 85,28,25,34,640 (i.e. over 85 billion) tones of water is received by

the Gulf every year along with 38, 37, 71, 405 (i.e. over 38.3 million) tones of silt

(mud). It is estimated that this amount of mud silt can create an island 10 feet high,

and of 36 sq. miles in area. The Gulf of Khambhat has an area of 245 sq. miles, and at

the ebb 20 fathoms deep. If this total silt settles in the Gulf, than it could seal the Gulf

in a span of 1000 years. But, the waves of the Arabian Sea take away most of the silt

and not more than 1/100,h of it remains in the Gulf. Even this has created islands in

the Gulf, and they are so high that they go under water only during the high tides.

The high tidal bores (strong waves) rise from a narrow portion of the Gulf about 16

miles away from the port of Khambhat. These high-rising and forceful waves do not

allow the soft bodied small creatures to survive. But, these bores are also high energy

tides, offering the opportunity of generating tidal power electricity.

6

THE CREEKS

There are many creeks in the Gulf, out of which four VIZ. Bhavnagar, Soonrai,

Bavliyali, and Dholera are big. The narrow portion of the Gulf near Bhavnagar is

known as Bhavnagar creek. Big country ships can go up to 4 miles inside the creek,

which is only 1 mile away from Bhavnagar city. The creek which reaches up to

Dholera at distance of 10 miles from the shore, is known as 'Dholera creek'. Soonrai

creek is at a distance of 8 miles north of Bhavnagar. Two miles north of Soonrai

creek, lies the creek of Bavliyali, it is about 8 miles long and 560 - 600 feet broad.

There are also some small creeks, like the creek of Mahuva port - two miles long, and

Chanch creek - on the back of the Chanch island, which is 5 - 6 miles long.

HATHAB

This site was no doubt aile of the biggest port cities in Illdia during second,

fifth and sixth centuries. Anonymous, 2002

Hathab is the nearest main land point, only 4 miles from Piram. It is assumed that

'once upon a time' in the unrecorded past, Piram and Hathab were one, forming a

portion of the main land, and it was only later that Piram got separated from Hathab

by a channel. Recent excavations at Hathab, which is still going on, by

7

Archaeological Survey of India, links Hathab with the Harrapan settlements (Fig.

1.1). On the out skirt of village Hathab, there is a knoll, which is 5 to 10 meters high,

800 meters long and 600 meters wide. There is a passage for stream around this

place. The ancient references of Hathab mention it as 'Hast Vapra' and

'Hastakvapra'. A Greek writer, who visited India in the second century, mentioned

Hathab as 'Astak Vapra' in his book Peripills of Evtherian (Anonymous, 2002). It is

one of the earliest 'Vav' in the state, whose unique feature is that it is only one of it's

kind where the architecture involved the use of wooden logs. Many rich antiques

have been discovered from Hathab, including a gold signet ring that has been

identified as 'Astakvapra', as referred to by Polerny, and silver coins dating to the

Kshatrap period.

GHOGHA

Located on southern side of Pi ram, Ghogha lies on the north latitudes 2JO - 39° and

east longitude 72° - 15°. It is situated at the south-east corner of Saurashtra peninsula,

about 64 kilometers from the head of the Gulf of Khambhat There is a small creek of

natural basin, almost dry at low tide, but covered with water at high tide, offering

entrance to small crafts. On the shore, the rock is made of sand stone and makes a

very rough conglomeration full of fossil bones. The surface is in some parts covered

with sea shells and gravels, in other, with patches of black and yellow soils.

8

Fig. 1.1 The spiral stepwell that is one of the earliest Vavs in the

state dating back to 2nd century. It was excavated recently by the

Archaeological Survey of India, Vadodara circle at Hathab about 24

km from Bhavnagar (Source: Times of India, 17'" January, 2002)

Chogha is one of the old ports. The Cujarati proverb "Lanka ni Ladi ne Chogha no

Var" (bride of Lanka and bridegroom of Chogha) tells the glory and link with Lanka.

Chogha's first reference is available as Condigadh during the Vallabhi rule (480 -

720). This port has seen many ups and downs. Under the Anahilwad rule (746 -

1297), except as a nursery for seamen, Chogha was not a place worth any name. One

of the earliest mentions of the town is by Friar Jordnaus, who in 1321, while passing

north through Thana and Bharuch, described it as Parocco. Chogha at that time was

under Muslim rule. It is interesting to note that Cujarat' s oldest Arabic inscription on

stone, belonging to year 677, is found here. In 1325, Mokhdaji took over Chogha and

Piram island. In 1347, Chogha was conquered by Mohammed Taghlaque after killing

Mokhdaji. During Dungarji's (Mokhdaji's son) time Chogha was a big town with a

big market.

Ebna-Batvta, a traveler, while returning from Khambhat, visited Chogha in 1342. In

15th century Chogha again went under Muslim rule. In 1513, it was a big market with

a busy port. Its trade links were mainly with Malbar and extended upto Aden. When

the Nawabs of Cujarat came in conflict with Portuguese, in 1531 and 1546, they

attacked and destroyed Chogha twice. It was a blow from which Chogha never

regained its prosperity and trade. In 1591, under the rule of Akbar's Covernor Khan­

E-Azam KokaItash, Chogha was again at a peak of trade and commerce. In 1614,

Portuguese attacked Chogha for a third time and destroyed it. In 1803, Chogha came

9

under British rule, who retrieved it to Maharaja of Bhavnagar in 1866. Chogha

became a port of Export of cotton from Saurashtra. But, after development of old and

new ports of Bhavangar, Chogha lost its importance.

During recent excavations by Archaeological Survey of India, a one and a half meter

high, narrow-mouthed earthen pots have been found (Fig. 1.2), which according to

local seamen, were used earlier for carrying drinking water during sea voyages.

These pots have been dug out without any damage and are being taken to Delhi for

the National Museum.

IMPORTANT PORTS OF THE GULF:

• SURAT

One of the thriving three ports during the time of Mokhdaji, Surat at that time, was a

port with international trade and its prosperity was well known. It has a long

chequered history. During the time of Purans it was known as Suryapur. At that

time, its port was at Rander which is on the northern bank of river Tapi. In 1030

Baruni referred it as Rahenhur (Anonymous, 1961). It is believed that about 1225,

Arab seafarers and merchants established their power over Rander and drove away

the local Muslim merchants who had settled at Surat.

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Fig. 1.2 Ghogha's name has attained national importance as one

and half meter high earthen pots, which can only be compared with

pots found from Nalanda, have been excavated from a place near

Meman Mosque in Grain Market area of Ghogha. Such pots were

used in ships for carrying water. These excavated huge earthen pots

will be kept at National Musium, Delhi.

Barabos, a traveler, who visited this port in the beginning of 16th century, has

described that the rich local Muslim merchants were trading with Bengal, Malakka,

Pegu, Martaban, Sumatra and even with China. Their trade consisted of medicines,

China clay utensils, silk, musk etc. After the Portuguese attacked Rander in 1530,

Rander lost its importance and then developed the port of Surat. The references are

available about Surat during the time of Suba of Gujarat, Zaferkhan and Sultan

Mohammad Taghlaque. Mokhdaji had locked the entrance of the port by sinking two

ships at the mouth of the channel. Surat is also referred in Mirat Sikandari and

Kahanadde Prabandh. During his time there was a considerable increase in the trade

and prosperity of Surat. The Portuguese had attacked Surat thrice, in 1530, 1531 and

1555. To strengthen the safety of the city Khvaja Safer built a fort in 1546 (Desai,

1958).

After receiving license from Emperor Jahangir, the English built their 'Kothi' in 1612

and the Dutch in 1620. At this time ships more than 500 tones in weight, could

anchor in the port. The English, The French, The Arab, Turk, American and Yahoodi

merchants were residing in the city making it colourful and impressive. The Muslims

were using this port to sail for their 'Hajj' pilgrimag to Macka, so it was called by

them as 'Babul Macka'. Shivaji attacked the city, while he was fighting against

Aurangzeb.

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When the harassments of Mogals and local Nawab became unbearable, the English

transferred their 'Kothi' to Bombay in 1687. Thus, Bombay's development started at

the cost of Surat (Anonymous, 1961).

The opening of the Suez Canal and Railways between Bombay and Ahmedabad

(1857), gave a crushing blow on the trade of Surat port. The salt of Tapi almost sealed

the port and it lost its glory forever. (Rajgor, 1987) .

• BHARUCH

The port is situated on the northern bank of the river Narmada, which is about 4.8

km on the east of the mouth of the river at sea. The city is mentioned in Buddha

Jatak Katha as Pattangam. According to one belief, the city was founded by King

Bharu. This name suggests its Austro-Asiatic root. (Rajgor, 1987)

The reference of Bharuch in Sunssodi Jatak says that there was a trade relation

between Bharuch and Brahamdesh (Myanmar) for Burmese teakwood. More than

seven hundred passengers were traveling in these ships to reach Sri Lanka,

Brahmdesh (Myanmar) Malaya, Sumatra and Java. (Anonymous, 1961).

12

Bharuch is referred as Baragaza in Periplu of Irithrian Sea which further says that

Roman currency was acceptable here. Cloth, ornaments of agate, medicines and a

special light cloth, as if air-woven, and transparent, of which Roman ladies were very

fond of, was exported from here. Gold was flowing from Rome to purchase all these

materials. Arab traveler Barabasa (1515) has also taken note of its international trade

and about the large income collected from toll tax.

The Portuguese attacked Bharuch twice in 1536 and 1546, and considerably damaged

the trade and commerce of the city. (Anonymous, 1961).

In 1616, Sir Tomas Roe obtained permission from emperor Jahangir to establish a

trading center at Bharuch un very favourable terms. The Dutch also settled here in

1617. Mandelso, a German traveler who visited India in 1638 described Bharuch "so

well built that it may me numbered among the strongest places of all the India". Due

to heavy siltage during the 16th & 17th century the ships only up to three hundred

tones could be anchored.

Thus, the city of Bhrgu Rishi, once a thriving international trade center, famous for

its 'Bafta cloth', visited by Greek, Arab and other travelers, attacked by Portuguese

and Muslim invaders, whose port is sealed forever for big ships by heavy siltage, is

today a medium port of Gujarat.

13

• KHAMBHAT

Khambhat, which gave its name to the Gulf, is situated between two big rivers

Sabarmati and Mahi, near whose mouth the city has flourished. On one side lies

Gujarat. Scandpuran describes this area as Kumarika Kshetra. The geologists believe

that the Gulf of Katchh and the Gulf of Khambhat are but the widened mouths of

some rivers. The mouth of Sindhu river was at the sea where today lies the Ran of

Katchha while the Gulf of Khambhat is the mouth of river Sarasvati. During the

Pauranik Age, its extended flow was going towards Ran of Katchh. Two thousand

year before, that extension was linking both through Nalsarovar, and Kathiawar

(Saurashtra) was an island (Anonymous, 1886).

Even before this age, the geography of this region was still different. Thanks to the

linkage between two Gulfs and link with the mouth of river Sindhu, this area of

Gujarat had relations with Central India, Kurukshetra and with the Northern Part of

Punjab through ships Gote, 1935). It is no wonder that even at that time, due to this

linkage, Khambhat was a center of culture and trade Gote, 1935).

Kumarika Kshetra is ancient, but so is river Mahi, at whose mouth Khambhat is

situated. Mahi is mentioned in Markandaypuran and Shivpuran says that Lord Shiv

killed Andhakasur at Mahi.

14

Whom Mahabharata calls Ma//eya, that same southern bank portion of Mahi is

mentioned in Vayupuran also. The northern bank Janpad is described in

Mahabharata as Mahyuttam. In Scandpuran, a whole Khand describes the

Mahatmya (importance) of Mahi.

Khambhat is known by different names in different context and time. Seven names

like Khambhat, Khmbhayat, Stambhatirth, Trambavat - Tamralipta, Mahinagar,

Pavati and Karnavati.

Khambhat of Khambhayat are names referred by Arab travelers since 915 A.D.

Stambhatirth is mentioned in all reliable Sanskrit books. Trambavati - Tamralipta &

Mahinagar are Pauranik names, while rest are traditional.

The Arab traveler, AI Masudi, who visited this city during 913-914 A.D. has written

that 'The city is under the rule of Balhar Kings. On both the coasts of the Gulf, there

are green fields, villages, cities, gardens, palm and other trees, making it beautiful

and picturesque. The birds like peacock and parrots add to this beauty. Local shoes

are famous and the officers behave with the foreigners politely". (Bombay Gazetteer

Vol-I part I)

15

During the Solanki period, it was under their rule. Sidhraj Jaysinh himself once

visited the city to make an inquiry regarding the killing of muslims and destruction

of masjids and took stern action. Dandnayak (the governor) Udayan Mantri is a

historical figure and the famous lingUist Hemchandra Charya had taken his diksha

here and wrote his famous book of grammar Siddh Hem.

During the period of Rana Virdhaval, his Dandanayak Vastupal also became

popular for his good administration. He killed Raja Shankh of Bharuch who had

attacked the port and controlled merchant Siddik, a powerful person but disloyal to

the city. During his regime, the trade increased. Vastupal also raised a powerful

military navy and made Khambhat a strong naval base.

Hindu rule ended in 1927, and Muslim rule began after the conquest of Gujarat by

Ulughkhan, the Commander of Allaud-din-Khilji of Delhi. He also won Khambhat.

This period of 430 years can be divided into 3 parts: first rule under Delhi, second

rule under Ahmedabad sultanat, and third under Moguls.

Mogul Emperor, Akbar the great, visited Khambhat in 1573 and for the first time in

his life, he saw a port and the sea. He enjoyed the ship journey for same distance into

the sea (Bombay Gazetteer Vol. VI).

16

Emperor Jahangir arrived at Khambhat on 20th of December, 1618 A.D. and spent ten

days in a joyful mood. He also enjoyed the ship voyage. He ordered to issue gold

coins twice the weight of the normal size, and inscribe 'Jahangirshahi 1027 (1618) on

one side and in the twelfth year of coronation in Khambhat' on the other. Around the

inscription in a circular way the inscription is "when came to Gujarat from Mandu

after the victory of Dakshin". He left Khambhat on 30th December, 1618.

Sir Tomas Roe who had come to India with a letter for Jahangir from King James,

presented the letter to Jahangir while he was in Ahmedabad and received permission

to trade in the country. German traveler Mendelslow, who visited the city in 1638,

has written in detail about the brokers and brokerage system prevailing during that

time. Traveler, who visited about the same time, has noted that sea was about 3 km

away from the fort and big ships had to anchor about 12 km away. Augilbi who

visited in 1670 also describes the city in Bombay Gazetteer Vol. VI.

In 1730, Mirza Jafar Nasmuddaula went to Delhi and received Bahshigiri of Gujarat

and administration of Khambhat. In a short time he received the honour - (llkab)

Nasamuddaula Mominkhan Dilavar Jang Bahadur'. In short time he became the

independent ruler of Khambhat and Khambhat became an independent state till its

merger with Indian union after independence.

17

During the period of Mominkhan - II, James Forbas visited Khambhat from Surat in

a ship. He described that there was area of quick sand near the port and required

great care while walking. He has described the city in detail and has drawn some

pictures including the portrait of Nawab.

The machinery of first cotton mills of Ahmedabad had landed on the port of

Khambhat and reached Ahmedabad by road.

In the beginning of eighteenth century siltage of Mahi filled up most ports of the top

of Khambhat Gulf and slowly but steadily the trade of Khambhat started decreasing.

The silting and high tonnage steam ships, sealed off the port and, thus, the prosperity

forever. The once so famous that Queen Elizabeth - I in her letter had addressed

Mogal Emperor Akbar as 'The great King of Khambhat, often visited and lavishly

described and praised by foreign visitors by Akbar and Jahangir, looted often by

Portuguese, Muslim rulers and Marathas, preserving the memory of Kartikeya, Shiva

and Jain sects, Khambhat has rich history but perhaps poor future.

PIRAM AS IT STANDS NOW

Pi ram can be reached by a boat from Ghogha (Fig. 1.3, 1.4). A prior permission from

the local customs officer is required for the visit. When we are near Piram, we get a

18

• Btifl l , "';'l{Ak. I :..----__ J..J

.. ..- .-----""""1

I \ ~ . -- '-,-, .... ~;" .

Fig. 1.3 Ghogha Port, from where powerboats are available for Piram.

V~~ ____ "'M. ______ "''''·7''_IIM· __ ''''''.$-' • t ~.'

If, .• "- ---. .. -re-"···­~ --+0,' --< """",-' -~. '~,"",;.

~ -" ... ' ."",",-,-

It - --...;""~ ,~:~;:-,. '=7 ?l9L;:=-- .-" --,

Fig. 1.4 Piram Island from a distance.

-0--- _ •• -

-- . .,

glimpse of the majestic lighthouse rising above the landscape (Fig. 1.5, 1.6). We land

at the north-east beach. Just after a walking distance, above the high tide mark, there

is a four hundred acre land which always lies above the reach of tidal waters. There

is an old small two-room building where once saint Dukhishyam Bapu used to stay

and perform obeisance. A little distance away, is an old water tank which was made

by Mokhdaji for supply of drinking water. Lots of Prosopis jllliflara trees are now

growing in the tank (Fig. 1.7). On the southern point, there lies a stone elephant (Fig.

1.8) and a cluster of thickly grown mangroves. Just here, facing east word, there is a

natural cave showing various layers of soils - an important place from geological

point of view. Here, there are signs of stone cutting as there is a large slab with side

cuts. One can bathe safely in a portion of the sea on north-east side; the north-west is

not safe for the purpose. There is an idol of Hanumanji and an icon of Mokhdaji

carved on stone (Fig. 1.9, 1.10). There are storage tanks for collecting rainwater for

drinking purposes by fishermen.

Just few yards on the south-west side, lies the Dargah of Gebanshah Pir of Kharkdi,

who was highly respected by Mokhdaji. People of Ghogha and Bhavnagar often visit

the island to pay their homage even now. On the southern side of the tank, a small

footpath leads to the lighthouse which was built on 10 acre land. At the end of the

tank, on south-west side, there are series of sand dunes covered with grass, shrubs

and trees. The boundaries of privately - owned land touch the lighthouse on north,

19

Fig. 1.5 Light house at Piram from a distance .

•

,,: .

Fig. 1.6 Landing site at Piram.

EO;:"."'" ... ,,;ty I ' ,) . . ,.

"'.' . '--'---'

, ." .... -_ .... .. -'

Fig. 1.7 Prosopis julijlora, the dominant plant at the island.

Fig. 1.8 Icon of Elephant which gets inundated during tide.

," '" I" \ _~:\H. --

·".~,:,'.i1' , " I~> 0',:, ,

, -

-r-. ',' •. ' .J'''//

Fig. 1.9 Icon of Hanumanji at Piram.

.. .iT"'. .".. .

, . •

Fig. 1.10 Icon of Mokbadaji at Piram.

Mokhadaji was known as Mokhada Hanuman.

east and south sides. On the west of the lighthouse, is the seashore facing Hathab,

the nearest land point but unapproachable due to the deep channel with wild

currents. On the south-east side of the lighthouse, is a big stretch of a private form

with two wells of drinking water. The lighthouse still has two old wells supplying

drinking water. There are big water storage tanks near staff quarters of the

lighthouse, to collect rainwater.

There is an excellent beach around the island. After landing, if we go on the beach

towards south, on the right, there are remnants of the old fort built by Mokhdaji and

which was badly damaged by Mohammed Taghlaque. On the left side, is the sea. Just

on the east-south side, we come across the fossils in the stones.

THE ATTRACTION OF PIRAM HAS NOT CEASED.

20