Bhavnagar
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Bhavnagar lies in
the southeast corner
of the Kathiawar
peninsula in the
Saurashtra plains.
Bhavnagar was
founded by Bhav
Singh ji Gohil
(1703-64 AD) in 1723
AD near the Gulf of
Khambhat, on a
carefully chosen
strategic location
having potential of
maritime trade. Once
the Bhavnagar was
once a flourishing
port but today,
various activities
related to the sea
takes place at the
port of Ghogha and
Alang. Bhavnagar
grew into one of the
15th richest
princely states in
India during the
early 20th century.
Today, the city of
Bhavnagar is the
home of several
lakes and temples.
This city is also
associated with the
Mahatma Gandhi, who
went to the
Bhavnagar
university. It is a
very convenient
place to visit the
Jain temples at
Palitana and the
Velavadar Sanctuary.
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History of Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar was founded by
Bhavsinhji Gohil in 1723
AD near the Gulf of Khambhat.
Till independence, Bhavnagar
was ruled by the Gohil
Rajput clan. The Gohil
Rajputs came to Gujarat
from Marwar in 1260 AD
and had 3 capitals
mainly, Sejakpur, Umrala
and Sihor, before
finally establishing
Bhavnagar as their
capital. Originally,
Bhavnagar was also the
capital of a state of
the same name and ruled
by the Suryavanshi
Rajputs from Marwar. The
old town of Bhavnagar
was a fortified town
with gates leading to
other important towns of
the region. The
Darbargadh (royal
residence) was located
at the center of the
town. The rulers of
Bhavnagar subsequently
shifted their residence
to Motibag and Nilambag
Palace. For almost two
centuries, Bhavnagar
remained a major port and
established trade with
Africa, Mozambique,
Zanzibar, Singapore and the
Persian Gulf. This
flourishing maritime trade
resulted in the high rate of
urbanization, surplus wealth
and cosmopolitan culture of
the town. |
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The present state of Bhavnagar owes much to
the vision of the past
ruler Sir Takhtsinhji
Gohil (1869-96 AD). The
town planning schemes
were designed and
implemented under the
guidance of progressive
rulers of Bhavnagar.
During the reign of Sir
Takhtsinhji, the British
State Engineer Proctor
Sims supervised the
construction of Barton
Library, High Court,
Alfred High School and
Sir Takhtsinhji
Hospital. |
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Tourist Attractions in
Bhavnagar
The two important tourist
attractions in Bhavnagar are
the Takhteshwar Temple, the
Gandhi Smriti and Barton
museum. The Takhteshwar
Temple is located on a small
hillock which provide good
views over the city and the
Gulf of Cambay. The high
shikhara rising above the
pillared rectangular mandapa
makes it an important
landmark. Gandhi Smriti and
Barton Museum is located in
the northeast, by the clock
tower. This museum has a
good collection of Gandhi
memorabilia. The other
tourist attractions in
Bhavnagar are the Victoria
Park, Takht Singh ji
Hospital and Gaurishankar
Lake. |
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How to reach here:
Bhavnagar can be easily
reached by road, rail
and air.
By Air:
Regular flights are
available for Bhavnagar
from Mumbai.
By Rail:
The nearest railway
station is located on
the Ahmedabad - Bhavnagar
railway line.
By Road:
Bhavnagar is located
about 200 kms from
Ahmedabad and 178 kms
from Rajkot. |
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Gujarat Tour
