Epidemics and Healthcare Evolution in Kutch,  India (1800-1947): A Historical Perspective on  Communicable Diseases

Richa Sharma; Gaurav Sharma

Richa Sharma Deputy Director ICSSR and Assistant Professor, Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, India
Gaurav Sharma Professor, Department of Homeopathy, Materi-Medica, Parul University, India

Keywords: Indigenous Medicine, Communicable Diseases, Epidemic Control, Ayurveda, Public Health in Kutch, Colonial Healthcare, Plague, Cholera, Smallpox

Abstract

This research, Epidemics and Healthcare Evolution in Kutch (1800-1947): A Historical Perspective on Communicable Diseases, explores the evolution of healthcare in Kutch, emphasising the coexistence and transformation of indigenous and modern medical systems. The region, known for its distinct geographical and socio-cultural identity, witnessed significant changes in healthcare due to recurrent epidemics such as plague, cholera, and smallpox. These outbreaks gave opportunity to colonisers to go for incorporation of Western medicine, alongside prevailing Ayurveda and indigenous healing practices like Unani, Siddha, and naturopathy. The study examines how geological factors, historical events, and socio-political influences shaped healthcare strategies in Kutch, leading to the establishment of dispensaries and state-sponsored medical interventions. Using archival sources, historical records, and government reports, this research highlights the role of local leadership, community resilience, and colonial policies in epidemic management. By situating Kutch’s medical history within a broader socio-cultural and environmental framework, this study provides valuable insights into the intersection of traditional medicine and public health, offering perspectives relevant to contemporary infectious disease management and healthcare planning.

How to cite this article:
Sharma R, Sharma G. Epidemics and Healthcare
Evolution in Kutch, India (1800-1947): A Historical
Perspective on Communicable Diseases. J
Commun Dis. 2025;57(2):184-191.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202554

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