Bhavnagar
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World / India / Gujarat / Bhavnagar
city, taluka headquarter, district headquarter
Tehsil Bhavnagar, District Bhavnagar, Gujarat
Bhavnagar is a city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was founded in 1723 AD by Bhavsinhji Gohil (1703-64 AD) and was named after its founder and ruler. It was capital of Bhavnagar State which was the first princely state to merge with the democratic Indian Union in 1948.
It is currently the administrative headquarters of the Bhavnagar District. It is the fifth-largest city of Gujarat, and the second-largest city in the Saurashtra region. Bhavnagar is also known as the cultural capital of Saurashtra.Early history
The Gohil Rajputs of the Suryavanshi clan, facing severe competition in Marwar, moved down to the Gujarat coast around AD 1260 and established three capitals - Sejakpur, Umrala and Sihor (then known as Sirohi). In 1822-1823, Sihor were raided by Khanthaji Kadani and Pilaji Gaekwad, but they were repulse by Bhavsinhji Gohil. After great losses in the battle, he realized the weakness in location of Sihor. In 1823, he established a new capital near Vadva village, 20 km away from Sihor, and named it Bhavnagar. It was a carefully chosen strategic location having potential of maritime trade. Naturally, Bhavnagar became the capital of Bhavnagar State.
The old town of Bhavnagar was a fortified town with gates leading to other important towns of the region. Bhavnagar remained a major port, for almost two centuries, trading commodities with Africa, Mozambique, Zanzibar, Singapore and the Persian Gulf.
[edit] State of Bhavnagar
File:Flag of bhavnagar.svg
Princely flag of Bhavnagar
Bhavsinhji made various far sighted decisions to ensure revenues from marine trade for Bhavnagar. During that period, marine trade was monopolized by Surat and Cambay. Castle of Surat was commanded by Sidis of Janjira. To protect maritime trade of Bhavnagar, Bhavsinhji entered into agreement with them in 1739 AD[3], giving 1.25% of revenues generated by Bhavnagar port. When the English took over Surat in 1856 AD, Bhavsinhji entered into similar terms with them.
During his period, Bhavnagar rose from a small chieftainship to a considerably important state, with large addition of territories to the state as well as from maritime trade. This tradition was continued by successor of the founder who encouraged trade in similar manners.
Vakhatsinhji Gohil, grandson of Bhavsinhji Gohil, expanded the territory after taking possession of localities belonging to Kolis and Kathis. Also, he obtained Rajula from the Navab Saheb Ahmad Khan. Sultans of Gujarat had given the Ghogha Taluka to Babi family. It fell to Peshwa when Ahmedabad was conquered by the Marathas in 1757 AD. After falling under various hands (Momin Khan, Sher Zaman Khan), it was finally merged into Bhavnagar state by Vakhatsinji Gohil. In 1793 AD, Vakhatsinhji took over Chital, and also conquered forts of Talaja. Later, Mahuva, Kundla, Trapaj, Umrala and Botad became part of Bhavnagar state.
Bhavnagar remained the main port of the state. Other important ports were Mahuva and Gogha. It prospered well among other states of the region. During late 19th century the state built the Bhavnagar State Railway, thus becoming the first state in India to build its railway on its own. This was noted by Sir W. Hunter, in his publicationImperial Gazetteer.On one occasion, Mr. Peile, a Political Agent during that time, described the state as follows: "With flourishing finances and much good work in progress. Of financial matters I need say little; you have no debts, and your treasury is full.
Between the years 1870-78, as the prince Takhtsinhji was a minor, an experiment in joint administration was carried out and Bhavnagar was put under a joint administration. This period produced some notable reforms. The two important people who were responsible for these reforms were Mr. E.H. Percival, of the Bombay Civil Service and Sri Gaurishankar Udayshankar Oza of Bhavnagar.
These reforms were in the areas of administration, revenue collection and judiciaries. Post and telegraph services along with railways were introduced and augmented. The port was also modernized and a new economic policy was introduced.
These reforms and changes in the system caused John Houston to say "Bhavnagar is the most important and the most advanced of the native states of Kathiawar. From a very early date it became friendly with the British authorities.It was the pioneer of civilization and administrative activity in the peninsula and has ever set an example to the neighboring chiefs in the spread of education, in the prosecution of public works, in the development of commerce and in adoption of measures generally conducive to the welfare of its subjects.
Region of Bhavnagar state was also known as Gohilwad.
Merger with the Indian Union in 1947
Till the independence of India, Bhavnagar was an independent state ruled by the Gohil Rajput clan.
In 1947, the Deputy Prime Minister of newly independent Indian Union Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel undertook the ambitious and complex process of political integration of India to unify 565 princely states with the Union of India. The last princely ruler of Bhavnagar Late Sri Krishnakumar Sinhji handed over the administration of his State to the people's representative in 1948, and Bhavnagar became the first state to join the Indian Union. Krishnakumar Sinhji later served as the Governor of Madras Province.
Bhavnagar is a city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was founded in 1723 AD by Bhavsinhji Gohil (1703-64 AD) and was named after its founder and ruler. It was capital of Bhavnagar State which was the first princely state to merge with the democratic Indian Union in 1948.
It is currently the administrative headquarters of the Bhavnagar District. It is the fifth-largest city of Gujarat, and the second-largest city in the Saurashtra region. Bhavnagar is also known as the cultural capital of Saurashtra.Early history
The Gohil Rajputs of the Suryavanshi clan, facing severe competition in Marwar, moved down to the Gujarat coast around AD 1260 and established three capitals - Sejakpur, Umrala and Sihor (then known as Sirohi). In 1822-1823, Sihor were raided by Khanthaji Kadani and Pilaji Gaekwad, but they were repulse by Bhavsinhji Gohil. After great losses in the battle, he realized the weakness in location of Sihor. In 1823, he established a new capital near Vadva village, 20 km away from Sihor, and named it Bhavnagar. It was a carefully chosen strategic location having potential of maritime trade. Naturally, Bhavnagar became the capital of Bhavnagar State.
The old town of Bhavnagar was a fortified town with gates leading to other important towns of the region. Bhavnagar remained a major port, for almost two centuries, trading commodities with Africa, Mozambique, Zanzibar, Singapore and the Persian Gulf.
[edit] State of Bhavnagar
File:Flag of bhavnagar.svg
Princely flag of Bhavnagar
Bhavsinhji made various far sighted decisions to ensure revenues from marine trade for Bhavnagar. During that period, marine trade was monopolized by Surat and Cambay. Castle of Surat was commanded by Sidis of Janjira. To protect maritime trade of Bhavnagar, Bhavsinhji entered into agreement with them in 1739 AD[3], giving 1.25% of revenues generated by Bhavnagar port. When the English took over Surat in 1856 AD, Bhavsinhji entered into similar terms with them.
During his period, Bhavnagar rose from a small chieftainship to a considerably important state, with large addition of territories to the state as well as from maritime trade. This tradition was continued by successor of the founder who encouraged trade in similar manners.
Vakhatsinhji Gohil, grandson of Bhavsinhji Gohil, expanded the territory after taking possession of localities belonging to Kolis and Kathis. Also, he obtained Rajula from the Navab Saheb Ahmad Khan. Sultans of Gujarat had given the Ghogha Taluka to Babi family. It fell to Peshwa when Ahmedabad was conquered by the Marathas in 1757 AD. After falling under various hands (Momin Khan, Sher Zaman Khan), it was finally merged into Bhavnagar state by Vakhatsinji Gohil. In 1793 AD, Vakhatsinhji took over Chital, and also conquered forts of Talaja. Later, Mahuva, Kundla, Trapaj, Umrala and Botad became part of Bhavnagar state.
Bhavnagar remained the main port of the state. Other important ports were Mahuva and Gogha. It prospered well among other states of the region. During late 19th century the state built the Bhavnagar State Railway, thus becoming the first state in India to build its railway on its own. This was noted by Sir W. Hunter, in his publicationImperial Gazetteer.On one occasion, Mr. Peile, a Political Agent during that time, described the state as follows: "With flourishing finances and much good work in progress. Of financial matters I need say little; you have no debts, and your treasury is full.
Between the years 1870-78, as the prince Takhtsinhji was a minor, an experiment in joint administration was carried out and Bhavnagar was put under a joint administration. This period produced some notable reforms. The two important people who were responsible for these reforms were Mr. E.H. Percival, of the Bombay Civil Service and Sri Gaurishankar Udayshankar Oza of Bhavnagar.
These reforms were in the areas of administration, revenue collection and judiciaries. Post and telegraph services along with railways were introduced and augmented. The port was also modernized and a new economic policy was introduced.
These reforms and changes in the system caused John Houston to say "Bhavnagar is the most important and the most advanced of the native states of Kathiawar. From a very early date it became friendly with the British authorities.It was the pioneer of civilization and administrative activity in the peninsula and has ever set an example to the neighboring chiefs in the spread of education, in the prosecution of public works, in the development of commerce and in adoption of measures generally conducive to the welfare of its subjects.
Region of Bhavnagar state was also known as Gohilwad.
Merger with the Indian Union in 1947
Till the independence of India, Bhavnagar was an independent state ruled by the Gohil Rajput clan.
In 1947, the Deputy Prime Minister of newly independent Indian Union Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel undertook the ambitious and complex process of political integration of India to unify 565 princely states with the Union of India. The last princely ruler of Bhavnagar Late Sri Krishnakumar Sinhji handed over the administration of his State to the people's representative in 1948, and Bhavnagar became the first state to join the Indian Union. Krishnakumar Sinhji later served as the Governor of Madras Province.
Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhavnagar
Nearby cities:
Coordinates: 21°45'59"N 72°8'40"E
- Sir T. Hospital 0.3 km
- Rasala Camp (Sindhi Society) 0.5 km
- Daxinamurti Campus,Balmandir-Kumar Mandir-Vinay Mandir-Adhyapan Mandir 0.5 km
- Water Treatment Plant 0.6 km
- Police Ground 0.6 km
- New police Line 0.6 km
- Gulista School & Ground 0.8 km
- Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute 0.8 km
- university campus by Galani Vaibhav c. 1 km
- Gandhi Colony 1 km
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