From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia: Rajkot
Rajkot
(Gujarati:
રાજકોટ,
Hindi: राजकोट,
English: Rājkot,
pronunciation
(help·info))
is the 4th largest city in the state of
Gujarat,
India.
Rajkot is the
28th urban agglomeration in
India,
with a population more than 1.43 million as on
2008.[5][6]
Rajkot is ranked 22nd in The world’s fastest growing cities and urban
areas from 2006 to 2020.[7]
Rajkot is a city of
Gujarat
state in
India and administrative headquarters of the
Rajkot District, located on the banks of the
Aji River and
Niari River. Rajkot was the
capital
of the erstwhile
Saurashtra state from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956 before
merging in bilingual
Bombay State on 1 November 1956. Rajkot was merged into Gujarat
State from bilingual Bombay state on May 1, 1960.
History
-
Rajkot has been under many different
rulers since it was founded. Rajkot has a long history and played a
significant part in
Indian independence movement.
Foundation
Rajkot was founded by King Hemant Patel
Thakur Saheb from Nava Wadaj of the
Patel clan
and Raju Sandhi in
1612 AD,
in the middle of
Saurashtra. Vibhaji Ajoji was the grandson of Jam Sataji of
Nawanagar, the present day
Jamnagar. Rajkot was named in honour of its co-founder, Raju
Sandhi.
Nawab Rule
Masum Khan conquered Rajkot in the year
1720 AD.
He was a deputy
Faujdar
of
Junagadh's
Nawab.
Masum Khan changed the name of Rajkot to Masumabad. He also built the
fortress in
1722 AD, which was about 4 to 5 kilometers in perimeter and had
walls that were 8 feet wide. There were Eight Gates, each studded with
iron spikes on its outer side, for access to Masumabad: Kotharia Naka,
Nava Naka, Raiya Naka, Bedi Naka, Bhichari Naka, Sardhar Naka and Pal
no Darwajo. Further, there was a gate without spikes called Khadaki
Naka near Nakalank Temple. The ruins of the fort wall can be seen in
the bastion in the Ramnath para area. Gates of Bedi Naka and Raiya
Naka were modified during the colonial times. The chief Engineer of
British Agency, Sir Robert Bell Booth, renovated Bedi gate and Raiya
Naka gate and built the present three storied clock towers in 1892.
Culture
The people in Rajkot are predominantly
vegetarians but now a minority of people are emrging to be as non-vegs(they
include migrated people from the south or north and the Gujraties
themselves.. The city is rich in fauna thanks to the efforts of its
citizens.Rajkot women(ie typical bharwads,a caste) used to wear gold
chains and jewelery but now the modern women are emerging with a
strong urge for women upliftment.Things are changing in rajkot.Men
here are normally typical in style(courtesy modern times and
fashion).Rajkot isn't the city which was ruled by kings now.
Rajkot city is best known as a place
that mixes tradition with modernity. This perfect blend is evident in
its architecture and cuisine.One of the most famous dish of
gujarat(particularly rajkotian in nature)is Gujarati thali.It is a
dish combing nearly all the veggies avalible with pickles and
bread(roti)and many curries with salad. The 21st century has not left
Rajkot India trailing behind. Rajkot is bland of multicultural. People
have arrived from various part of the world. One can find many
languages, like Gujarati, Hindi, English, Sindhi, Marathi,Telgu and
Tamil. However, only Gujarati, Hindi and English are well understood.
Tourism
Bandstand, Jubilee Garden, Rajkot.
Rajkot is home to numerous national
landmarks and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the
India. The Jubilee Garden is a large, open park area in the center of
the city featuring many monuments to colonial time. Located
prominently in the center of the garden is the
Connaught Hall. Other notable points of interest near the Garden
include the
Alfred High School,
Watson Museum,
Lang Library .
The Rotary Dolls Museum has collection
of more than 1,400 dolls, which is unique collection of dolls all over
India.
[10]
The
Lang Library and the G. T. Sheth Library collect thousands of
documents and books covering every period in Rajkot and
Saurashtra (region) history. Rajkot has many other public
libraries with many branches throughout the city. It includes Rotary
Midtown of Rajkot City Library and many more.
Other points of interest in the Rajkot
include
Masonic Hall,
Jam Tower,
Race Course,
Aji Dam,
Ramakrishna Aashram,
Shri Ranchhoddas Ashram,
Swaminarayan Temple, Nageshwar Parswanath Jain Temple, Balkrishna
Haveli, Ishwariya Temple and Garden, Mukti Dhama, Lal Pari Lake,
Randerda Lake. Kaba Gandhi no Delo : Gandhiji's ancestral home which
now houses the Gandhi Smriti, a permanent exhibition. Watson Museum
And Library : The Watson Museum today has collection of human history
and culture. Its collections precious objects of colonial period of
India and History of Rajkot. Located in the pleasant Jubilee Garden,
the museum is a good introduction to Saurashtra's cultural heritage. |
