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Jamnagar came into existence a long before 444 years. This
was established on the banks of rivers “Nagmatti” and
“Rangmatti” by Shri Jam Raval, the descendant of Jam Halla,
who is one of the heirs of Lord Krishna, the creator of
“Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta”. The city has seen many ups and
downs during the period’s right from Moghals to the present
time of independent India. Shri Jam Ranjisinhji gave a new
and fresh outlook to the city during 1909 to 1932. And build
broad roads, beautiful markets, and gardens, wide squares
and many building. Because of this once in the past this
city was known as “Jewel of Khathiyawad”. Some of these,
construction still exist.
This city is situated at 220.280 North Altitude and
700.400 East Longitudes. It has been spread in the area of
26.10 square km. It is known as city of temples. It has as
much as 500 temples. Being a Hindu dominated city and many
temples it is known as Chhota Kashi. In addition to various
temples of Gods and Goddesses there are big temples of
different dynasties like Pranami Sampraday, Swaminarayan
Sampraday, Vaishnav Hawali, Arya Samaj, Kabir Ashram, and
Aandabawa Ashram.
The city has places of worship not only of Hindu
religion but many others also. It has big Mosques, Jain
temples, Fire temples, Gurudwara, Churches, Mulla saheb’s
Gadi. It also has institutes imparting religious teachings
like Sanskrit Pathshala, Madresas, Catholic schools, Jain
Shalas, etc... Jamnagar is a city of education too since it
has schools of different mediums, colleges of many faculties
and University of Ayurved. It has a Shainik School, schools
for the blind, deaf and dumb, Stri (Mahila) Vikash Gruh and
Vruddhashrams also.
Jamnagar has given many sportsmen making histories. Prince
Ranjit, Ugghad Master, Dulipsinh, Vinu Mankad, Ajay Jadeja
and Salim Durani are the cricketers form Jamnagar.
It has given intellectuals like Mansukhlal Zaveri, a
critic and a journalist- Gunvantrai Acharya, Sanskrit
critic- Gauri Prashad Zala, a novelist- Umedbhai Maniyar, a
poet- Bhanubhai Vyas, Women writers- Ela Arab Mehta, and
Varsha Adalja, a cartoonist- Ramesh Buch, a scholar of
Sanskrit- Hathibhai Shashtri, an Ayurved Master- Zandu, a
columnist- Kundan Vyas, freedom fighters- Gokaldas Hirji
Thakker, Lavanprashad Shah, Keshauvlal Kundalia and Khuldas
Mehta, the Music Masters- Adityaramji, Sadaram Raval, and
Baldevji Bhatt, the Artists- Nagjibhai Chauhan and Haribhai
Vyas and so on. Because of its flourished port business once
this was known as Liverpool of Saurashtra. Many traded far
in the west from here. Today also the Bedi port and Rozi
port give a business of millions; Jamnagar is a center of
Fisheries. A fish producing Pearls is found in and around
the ocean of Jamnagar. Before independence, Jamnagar had the
department of Pearl separately in its Government. A part
form Fisheries it has many salt works, Oil mills, Textiles
and Woolen Mills, Cement Pipe factories, Solvent plants and
big Scale Industries of Hydrogen plants, Oil engines, and
Machines Industries.
Jamnagar has its own importance for its scale home
industries which fulfil the 80 % needs of the whole country
in the fields of brass parts products. The nylon button,
Cycle tubes and Cycle valves, Kumkum, Surmo, Scents, Knife,
and Sudi and Locks etc..Jamnagar has attracted the whole
country for its Bandhani and Gharchola-Ladies wear. Zari Kam
of Jamnagar has a prime attraction of its own.
After Mumbai, Jamnagar is the only city in India having
all three wings of Defense, i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force.
It has witnessed the bravery of our Jawans during 1965 War
against Pakistan. It has four centre of physical fitness one
is for Body building activities like Vishvnath Vyayayam
Pracharak Mandal. There are Sports club like Sumair Clubs,
Youth Hostel N.C.C., Home guards, Scouting, Blood bank,
Tracking and Mountaineering institute, Nature and adventure
club enhancing the nature of adventure among the youth.
Jamnagar has quite long seashore. Recently one of the biggest
oceanic parks of the country is under development. Rare in
the World, oceanic tortoises have found here.
Jamnagar, thus has been a center of Art, Literature, Music
and many other cultural activities. It has daily News papers
too like “Nobat”, Many Historical places, Radio Institute,
Aeronautical schools. Quite a different and a unique
solarium is situated in the town. The Pratap Vilas is a big
palace where a big collection of Victorian period’s
paintings is preserved. In the centre of town there is a
Lake named “Lakhota Talav” and a Bhujia Kotha, were we found
sculptures of ninth century. There are many tiny gardens and
parks in the city.
The present corporation is taking good care to give a
modern touch to the city as well as to look after the old
monuments. Every year during Diwali Festival the corporation
arranges its “Fire Show” for the entertainment of the common
mass.
We feel happy at heart to welcome you all to enjoy out
town as precious as a jewel. |
History of Jamnagar