Bhuj the capital of the former native state of Kutch was chosen by Rao Khengarji I as his capital in 1549. The 7.6 Bhuj earthquake that shook Gujarat on the morning of January 26, 2001 (Republic Day) is one of the most deadly earthquakes to strike India Government figures place the death toll at 19, 727 and the number of injured at 166, 000. 600, 000 people were left homeless, with 348, 000 houses destroyed and an additional 844, 000 damaged. the earthquake affected, 15.9 million people out of a total population of 37.8million.Government estimates place economic losses at $1.3 billion. Some historical structures that survived the 1819 earthquake were destroyed in the 2001 earthquake. The important Aina Mahal 18th century Royal Palace with its famous Hall of Mirrors in the Darbargadh Palace complex, was badly damaged
