Background
MacMurdo was born on 30 November 1785 in Dumfriesshire in Scotland.
MacMurdo was born on 30 November 1785 in Dumfriesshire in Scotland.
He played important role in bringing Cutch under British suzerainty. Lieutenant MacMurdo entered the military service in 1801. Commanded the Resident"s Guard at Baroda State and served as Aide-de-Camp to LieutenantGeneral Oliver Nicolls, Commander-in-Chief of Bombay.
He entered Cutch in the guise of Ramanandi monk.
He resided ar Madhavrai"s Tample in Anjar and his religious activities earned him nickname, Bhuriya Bava. He spoke local language and had understanding of local customs.
In 1816, He was sent to Rao of Cutch state for issues regarding piracy in Arabian Sea and bandits from Vagad region entering into North Gujarat. In 1816, the Rao Bharmalji II agreed to the suzeranity of the British and he was appointed as the British Resident at Bhuj and Collector of Anjar.
In 1819, MacMurdo was posted as British Political Resident stationed at Bhuj.
During Deshalji"s minority, the affairs of the State were managed by Council of Regency, which was composed of Jadeja chiefs and was headed by MacMurdo. During his stay in Anjar, he built bungalow with paintings with the themes from Ramayana which currently seves as Deputy Collector office. In 1819, he experienced the earthquake in Anjar and sent detailed reports regarding it to Bombay.
He wrote several books and reports regarding Sindh and Kutch regions.
He died on 28 April 1820 at Varnu near Rann of Kutch and was buried near the temple of Venudada located in the village. The people of village believe that he slept in the Venudada temple which resulted in his death though his tomb is marked that he died of Cholera.
His tomb reads,
Indiana MEMORIAM
CAPTAIN JAMES MAC MURDO
FIRST BRITISH POLITICAL
RESIDENT Indiana CUTCH
DIED OF CHOLERA AT WARNU
Ontario 28 APRIL 1820.
