Mundra

Mundra is a census town and a headquarter of Mundra Taluka of Kachchh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Founded in about the 1640s, the town was an important mercantile centre and port throughout its history. Mundra Port is the largest private port in India. Mundra was established by Bhojarajji I of Cutch State in the 1640s. According to a legend, a Jain merchant named Vardhaman Sheth asked Pir Hazrat Shah Murad Bukhari to pray for the safety of his sinking cargo ship. Miraculously, the ship was saved when the pir used his dhoti to prevent seawater from entering the ship. Vardhaman Sheth requested the pir to rename the town from Dumra to Muradabad in his respect, but the pir declined and suggested the name Munahara, lit. 'a picturesque town near a river'. The name Mundra is derived from Munahara. Many other miracles are attributed to the pir. The legend also highlights a local custom among seafarers and merchants of visiting the pir's shrine before going to sea.