CHAPTER DETAILS:

SR. NO. TOPIC PAGE NO.

2.1 India Map 19

2.2 Geographical Back Ground of India 20

2.3 Historical Back Ground of India 21

2.4 Gujarat Map 24

2.5 Geographical Back Ground of Gujarat 25

2.6 Historical Back Ground of Gujarat 25

2.7 Bhavnagar Map 27

2.8 Geographical Back Ground of Bhavnagar 27

2.9 Historical Back Ground of Bhavnagar 29

2.10 History of Talaja 37

2.11 History of Ghogha 38

2.12 History of Sihor 41

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 CHAPTER-2
INTRODUCTION ABOUT RESEARCH AREA

2.1 INDIA MAP

19
2.2 GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND OF INDIA:
India, the major portion of the Indian subcontinent, lies atop the
Indian tectonic plate, a minor plate within the Indo-Australian Plate.
India's defining geological processes commenced seventy-five million
years ago, when the Indian subcontinent, then part of the southern
supercontinent Gondwana, began a northeastwards driftlasting fifty
million yearsacross the then unformed Indian Ocean. The
subcontinent's subsequent collision with the Eurasian Plate and seduction
under it, gave rise to the Himalayas, the planet's highest mountains, which
now abut India in the north and the north-east. In the former seabed
immediately south of the emerging Himalayas, plate movement created a
vast trough, which, having gradually been filled with river-borne
sediment, now forms the Indo-Genetic Plain. To the west of this plain,
and cut off from it by the Aravalli Range, lays the Thar Desert.
The original Indian plate now survives as peninsular India, the
oldest and geologically most stable part of India, and extends as far north
as the Satpura and Vindhya ranges in central India. These parallel ranges
run from the Arabian Sea coast in Gujarat in the west to the coal-rich
Chota Nagpur Plateau in Jharkhand in the east. To their south, the
remaining peninsular landmass, the Deccan Plateau, is flanked on the left
and right by the coastal ranges, Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats
respectively; the plateau contains the oldest rock formations in India,
some over one billion years old. Constituted in such fashion, India lies to
the north of the equator between 644' and 3530' north latitude and 687'
and 9725' east longitude.

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 India's coast is 7,517 kilometers (4,700 mi) long; of this distance,
5,423 kilometers (3,400 mi) belong to peninsular India, and
2,094 kilometers (1,300 mi) to the Andaman, Nicobar, and Lakshadweep
Islands. According to the Indian naval hydrographic charts, the mainland
coast consists of the following: 43% sandy beaches, 11% rocky coast
including cliffs, and 46% mudflats or marshy coast.
Major Himalayan-origin rivers that substantially flow through
India include the Ganges (Ganga) and the Brahmaputra, both of which
drain into the Bay of Bengal. Important tributaries of the Ganges include
the Yamuna and the Kosi; the latter's extremely low gradient causes
disastrous floods every year. Major peninsular rivers, whose steeper
gradients prevent their waters from flooding, include the Godavari, the
Mahanadi, the Kaveri, and the Krishna, which also drain into the Bay of
Bengal; and the Narmada and the Tapti, which drain into the Arabian Sea.
Among notable coastal features of India are the marshy Ran of Kutch in
western India, and the alluvial Sundarbans delta, which India shares with
Bangladesh. India has two archipelagos: the Lakshadweep, coral atolls
off India's south-western coast; and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a
volcanic chain in the Andaman Sea.

2.3 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF INDIA:

Stone Age rock shelters with paintings at the Bhimbetka rock
shelters in Madhya Pradesh are the earliest known traces of human life in
India. In 2011, an analysis of excavations from sites in Attirampakkam,
Tamil Nadu showed the presence of Ache lean hominines in early
Pleistocene. The first known permanent settlements appeared about 8,500
years ago and gradually developed into the Indus Valley Civilization,
dating back to 3400 BCE in western India. It was followed by the Vedic
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period, which laid the foundations of Hinduism and other cultural aspects
of early Indian society, and ended in the 500s BCE. From around
550 BCE, many independent kingdoms and republics known as the
Mahajanapadas were established across the country.
In the third century BCE, Maurya Empire gradually united the
Indian sub-continent under Chandragupta Maurya, his son Bindusara and
grandson Ashoka the Great.[24] From the third century CE, the Gupta
dynasty over saw the period referred to as ancient "India's Golden Age".
Empires in southern India included those of the Chalukyas, the Cholas
and the Vijayanagara Empire. Science, technology, engineering, art,
logic, language, literature, mathematics, astronomy, religion and
philosophy flourished under the patronage of these kings.
Following invasions from Central Asia between the 10th and 12th
centuries, much of northern India came under the rule of the Delhi
Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire. Under the rule of Akbar the
Great, India enjoyed much cultural and economic progress as well as
religious harmony. Mughal emperors gradually expanded their empires to
cover large parts of the subcontinent. However, in northeastern India, the
dominant power was the Ahom kingdom of Assam, among the few
kingdoms to have resisted Mughal subjugation. Due to Mughal
persecution, the Sikhs developed a martial tradition and established the
Sikh Empire which stood until the Anglo-Sikh wars in the mid-19th
century. The first major threat to Mughal imperial power came from a
Hindu Rajput king Maha Rana Pratap of Mewar in the 16th century and
later from a Hindu state known as the Maratha confederacy, that ruled
much of India in the mid-18th century.

22
 From the 16th century, European powers such as Portugal, the
Netherlands, France, and Great Britain established trading posts and later
took advantage of internal conflicts to establish colonies. By 1856, most
of India had come under the control of the British East India Company. A
year later, a nationwide insurrection of rebelling military units and
kingdoms, known as India's First War of Independence or the Sepoy
Mutiny, seriously challenged the Company's control but eventually failed.
As a result of the instability, India was brought under the direct rule of
the British Crown.
In the 20th century, a nationwide struggle for independence was
launched by the Indian National Congress and other political
organizations. A large part of the movement for independence was led by
Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, which led millions of
people in several national campaigns of non-violent civil disobedience.
On 15 August 1947, India gained independence from British rule,
but at the same time the Muslim-majority areas were partitioned to form a
separate state of Pakistan. On 26 January 1950, India became a republic
and a new constitution came into effect.
Since independence, India has faced challenges from religious
violence, casteism, naxalism, terrorism and regional separatist insurgencies,
especially in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast India. Since the 1990s
terrorist attacks have affected many Indian cities. India has unresolved
territorial disputes with the People's Republic of China, which, in 1962,
escalated into the Sino-Indian War, and with Pakistan, which resulted in
wars in 1947, 1965, 1971 and 1999. India is a founding member of the
United Nations (as British India) and the Non-Aligned Movement.

23
 India is a state armed with nuclear weapons; having conducted its
first nuclear test in 1974, followed by another five tests in 1998.
Beginning 1991, significant economic reforms have transformed India
into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, increasing its
global clout.

2.4 GUJARAT MAP

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2.5 GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND OF GUJARAT:
Gujarat is an ancient city of Pakistan located between two famous
rivers, Jhelum River and Chenab River. Because of its proximity to the
rivers, the land is good for cultivation of rice and sugarcane as main
crops. It is bounded to the northeast by Jammu and Kashmir, to the
northwest by the Jhelum River, to the east and southeast by the Chenab
River, separating it from the districts of Gujranwala and Sialkot; and to
the west by Mandi Bahauddin District.

2.6 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF GUJARAT:

Gujarat was founded by Raja Bachhan Pal Gurjar in 460 BC,
according to General Cunningham, the British historian. Historical
consensus is that it existed in the time of Alexander the Great, and that
the city's Raja Porus put up a fierce challenge to Alexander's invasion at
the bank of the Jehlum River. The establishment of Gujarat City was
realized early in the 1900 century after the British Empire and in support
of regional land lords (e.g., Daswandi Khan of Daswandi Pura).
During the Mughal period, Mughal royalty frequently traveled
through the district en route to Kashmir. When King Jahangir died while
he was returning from Kashmir, the news of his death was suppressed to
avoid any chaos in the empire. His abdominal organs were taken out and
buried in Gujarat. To this day, an annual festival is held commemorating
this event, commonly known as the "Festival of Jahangir".

25
 The Great Bhangi Sikh Dynasty Ruled by a powerful Jatt Sikh
family of Dhillion Clan (1716-1811) also took control of Gujarat and for
some time it was also there capital city.
Two main battles between British and Sikh armies were fought in
this district: the Battle of Chillianwala and Battle of Gujarat. Only after
winning the battle of Gujarat on 22 February 1849 did the British declare
victory in Punjab. During the Partition of Punjab in 1947 there was a
large Sikh population in Gujarat District and a sizeable Hindu Population
as well. During the partition chaos some fled their native homes and
villages to the other of side of the border. Muslims from east Punjab,
Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir started arriving and crossed the border in to
Pakistan; many were given land in Gujarat District to settle.
There are many historical buildings and ruins in and around Gujrat.
The Grand Trunk Road, commonly abbreviated as G.T. Road, built by
Emperor Sher Shah Suri, also passes through Gujarat. The road still exists
today, along with its period stone wall. Historical buildings and ruins can
be found in nearby towns throughout the area.

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2.7 BHAVNAGAR MAP

2.8 GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND OF BHAVNAGAR

DISTRICT:
Bhavnagar district is situated between 21.05 to 22.18 degree north
latitude and 71.15 to 72.18 degree east long sited. Bhavnagar district is
surrounded by the gulf of Khambhat (Cambay) to its east, Rajkot and
Amreli districts to its west, Ahmedabad and Surendranagar to its north,
and Amreli district and the Arabian sea to its southeast.

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 Total area of Bhavnagar District : 8154.70 Sq. Km
Rural area of Bhavnagar District : 7754.20 Sq. Km
Urban area of Bhavnagar District : 400.50 Sq. Km
Forest area of Bhavnagar District : 19061.88Hec.
Irrigated area of Bhavnagar District : 139235.72Hec.
Unnirrigated area of Bhavnagar District : 409971.17Hec.
Total Villages of Bhavnagar District : 794
Total Population of Bhavnagar District (2001) : 24,69,630
Rural Population of Bhavnagar District (2001) : 15,24,592
Urban Population of Bhavnagar District (2001): 9,34,677

Rivers and water resources

Principal river of the district are Shetrunji, Kalubhar, Malan, Deri,
Bagad nad Gheli. Shetrunji dam has been constructed on Shetrunji river
at Rajastheli village Palitana. About 76000 hectares of land avail benefits
of this major irrigation while Kalubhar, Malan, Bagad and Gheli rivers
are in medium and small irrigation schemes during decade following
important social cultured event, natural incidents, economic and
administrative development and miscellaneous happening took place.
Taluka Name Area Sq. Kms. Total Villages Population
Bhavnagar 1039.7 59 522,718
Ghogha 437.8 47 74,617
Talaja 869.7 114 216,789
Mahuva 1219.5 130 310.877
Gariyadhar 484.4 51 108,551
Palitana 734.7 92 173,447
Sihor 720.9 78 165,211
Umrala 407.3 41 85,377

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There are four geological divisions in Bhavnagar.
The talukas such as Botad, Gadhada and Umrala are situated at a
plateau and so there is a scarcity of water in these areas. The main crops
of these areas are groundnut, cottonseed, sesame and millet (bajri).
The Talaja, Mahuva and have black soil. Amongst these, Talaja
and Mahuva talukas are the coastal areas. The irrigational facility in
Talaja taluka is noteworthy due to the construction of the Shetrunji Dam.
The crops such as groundnut, cottonseed and millet (bajri) are cultivated
heavily in Talaja and Mahuva taluka. The sandy coastal area of Mahuva
is utilized extensively for the coconut plantations.
The fertile land in the Bhal area has a higher capacity to store water
and is devoid of rocks. The Vallabhipur taluka of Bhavnagar consists of
the Bhal region. The principle crops f this area consist of the famous
Bhaliya wheat, cottonseed, sesame and gram. Apart from these crops,
millet, groundnut and barley are also cultivated in the Bhal region.
The talukas such as Sihor and Palitana are the hilly areas of the
district. The principle crops in these areas are groundnut, cottonseed and
millet. The main resources of irrigation in these areas are wells and rivers.

2.9 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF BHAVNAGAR DISTRICT:

The History of Bhavnagar goes back a lot further then the city
itself. It begins in the 12th-13th century, when the Gohil Rajputs of the
Surya Vanshi clan, facing severe competition in Marwar, moved down to
the Gujarat coast and finally settled at Gogha port, near present-day
Bhavnagar.

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 Bhavnagar was founded by Bhavsinhji
Gohil, the rulers of Sihor in 1723 AD. It was
the time of persistent Maratha raids of the
States of Saurashtra. The last princely ruler
Late Sir Krishnakumarsinhji handed over the
administration of his State to the people's
representative in 1948 on the advice of Gandhiji.
Founded as a port in 1743, Bhavnagar is still an important trading post for
the cotton goods manufactured in Gujarat. The Bhavnagar lock gate
keeps ships a float in the city's port at low tide.
Bhavnagar was founded by Bhavsinhji Gohil (1703-64 AD) in 1723 AD
near the Gulf of Khambhat, on a carefully chosen strategic location
having potential of maritime trade. Till independence, Bhavnagar State
was ruled by the Gohil Rajput clan.
The Gohil Rajputs came to Gujarat from Marwar in 1260 AD
and had 3 capitals- Sejakpur, Umrala and Sihor; before finally
establishing Bhavnagar as their capital.
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 to Motibag and Nilambag Palace.
Bhavnagar remained a major port, for almost two centuries, trading
commodities 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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 Present day 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.
Bhavnagar is not a very old city - it was founded in 1723 when
the then ruler Bhavsinhji shifted his capital from Sihor (20 Kms. away) to
Bhavnagar. The Gohil Dynasty itself is quite itself is quite old. They were
in Sihor since 1570 and in Umrala/Ghogha and other places prior to that.
It is said that their ancestors were from Marwar.
After the death of Bhavsinhji, the state had many rulers. But the
one who has possibly left the most lasting contribution is Maharaj
Takhtasinhji (born January, 6 1858- died 29th January 1896). When his
father Jaswantsinhji passed away in April 1870, he was only 12 years old.
Hence the Britishers imposed a Joint Administration on the State.
This Joint Administration of one British and one Indian
Administrator continued from 1870 to 1878, i.e. till the time Takhtasinhji
became 20 years old. The state was represented by its legendary Chief
Minister Gaurishankar Udayshankar Oza (after whom the Gaurishankar
Lake or " Bor Talav" is named). The British Representatives in various
periods were E.H. Perieval, Major Watson and Colonel Parr.
The Political Agency at Rajkot set up in 1820 oversaw the affairs of
princely states in Saurashtra. An idea of its importance can be gauged
from the fact that in the entire country there were about 600 small and big
kingdoms out of which 222 were in Saurashtra alone.

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 5th April 1878 is the date to be remembered in the history of
Bhavnagar. On this day, the British Government's management of affairs
of state, assumed during the minority of Maharaja Takhtasinhji came to
an end. His Highness assumed the full sovereign powers of his state. Sir
James B. Piele, the then Political Agent performed the installation
ceremony amongst great splendor. The city of Bhavnagar was full of
rejoicing on that day.
Soon after assuming the full powers, Maharaja Takhtasinhji
accorded sanction for 3 important works of public utility and usefulness.
These were: (a) construction of railway from Bhavnagar to Wadhwan in
the north and Dhoraji in the west with line from Dhasa to Dhoraji funded
by Gondal State (b) The Takhtasinhji wing of Rajkumar College at
Rajkot and (c) The Takhtasinhji Hospital at Bhavnagar.
In the last decade of nineteenth century, the British consolidated
their power and continued to occupy more and territories throughout
Gujarat. They were helped partially by unscrupulous natives and partly
due to the various battles they waged and won.
Dholera Port was taken over by the British through unscrupulous
means. Bhavnagar Durbar ran this port but the Grassia family also held a
minor share. British entered into a transaction with this family through a
Portugese Trader Mr. D'souza. The Grassias gave away the port to the
British Government, even though they were not competent to do so.The
British flag was hoisted at Dholera and the Bhavnagar men expelled.
Under the Treaty of Bassein, much of the territory of the Maratha rulers
was taken over by the British, and the port of Ghogha (hardly 15 Km.
from Bhavnagar) also came under their control.

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 Thus Bhavnagar port had competition on both sides from British
i.e. at Dholera and Ghogha. The British took every conceivable measure
to divert trade from the port of Bhavnagar to their ports of Ghogha and
Dholera.
Duties were considerably lowered on merchandize, which was
taken to the port of Dholera instead of Bhavnagar. Orders were issued to
warn traders who lived in British territory, not to take goods to the port of
Bhavnagar. Even posts were established at Vartej and Nari (the two entry
points of the city), which levied prohibitive duties on goods passing to
Bhavnagar. On the other hand, goods bound of Ghogha were allowed
duty free.
Thanks to the then Maharaja Wajesinhji, who lowered the custom
receipts of the Durbar and lent money to the cotton merchants, some trade
remained and Bhavnagar Port did not collapse totally, even though the
income of the Bhavnagar Durbar through custom fell dramatically.
This move was foresighted as it saved trade and the port from ruin
in Bhavnagar.
An incident of 1857, shows how much harassment the Maharaja
was subjected to by the British.
Some robbers in the way attacked a dancing girl with her relations
returning to Bhavnagar. A chance shot wounded her in the palm but no
casualty occurred. A false case was concocted attributing imaginary
murders to the rulers and a complaint was made.
The District Magistrate of Ahmedabad issued warrants against the
ruler of Bhavnagar and other high officials and forwarded them for
execution to the Mamlatdar, a Magistrate of Ghogha, with direction to

33
take them into custody and send them to Ahmedabad. The Superintendent
of Police of Ahmedabad also ordered his force at Ghogha to render
possible assistance to the Mamlatdar.
The Mamlastdar came to Bhavnagar with a big posse of Police.
This created panic throughout the city. Maharaja Jaswantsinhji
immediately left for Kundla alongwith some other officials. The only
official who stayed behind was Samladas, the Assistant Diwan or
'Karbhari'.
An arrest warrant was served on Samaldas who accepted its service
and offered to go to Ahmedabad and surrender himself to the District
Magistrate. They went under police escort in Durbar conveyances to
Ahmedabad. .......3
The session Judge was also moved for bail upon arrival at
Ahmedabad. The Sessions Judge Mr. Alexandar Kinloch Forbes knew
Bhavnagar and its officials well, having had experience of working as
Political Agent of Kathiawad. He at once passed an order directing the
District Magistrate to release Samaldas and Shamji (another Durbar
official) on bail.
The Chief Minister, Gaurishankar Oza happened to be with the
Political Agent Colonel Lang when all these events took place. The
Political Agent was told about the fabricated accusation and high
handedness of the District Magistrate and the indignities to which the
Bhavnagar State officials had been subjected to.
Maharaja Jaswantsinhji visited Colonel Lang at Mahuva and wanted
such action and oppressive treatment to be checked. Colonel Lang sent his
report to the Governor of Bombay, Lord Elphinstone. Incidentally, Lord

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Elphinstone had visited Bhavnagar only a year back in 1856 and was much
impressed by the progressive administration of the state.
He relieved the Magistrate and Superintendent of Police,
Ahmedabad of the power of exercising jurisdiction in 116 villages
inclusive of Bhavnagar. They were placed under the Kathiawad Political
Agency and an Assistant Political Agent was invested with powers and
authority of a Magistrate. Gaurishankar, the Chief Minsister was invested
with the powers and authority of Superintendent of Police for Bhavnagar
and the 116 villages. The Maharaja thus returned back to his own capital.
Bhavnagar was the first state in Saurashtra and the third in the
country after Baroda and Hyderabad to start a railway line.
During 1863, Maharaja Jaswantsinhji received a proposal to start a
Narrow Gauge line like in parts of Gaekwad Railway in Baroda. Maharaja
was not inclined, as by that time another company called Ghogha Kathiawad
Light Railway Company had been formed and it could be easily joined at
Vartej, a mere 10 Km away. But nothing materialized.
Meanwhile, the state's proposals to start a Railway from Bhavnagar
and Wadhwan were objected to by the BB&CI Railway officials who feared
that such line would take away all their cotton traffic from Surendranagar.
Moreover, there was a clause in the Government's guarantee to BB&CI that
no competing line will be constructed near 50 miles of their line. Political
considerations of the British favored BB&CI.
The famine in 1877 changed all that. The Governor of Bombay, Sir
Richard Temple felt the need to use the famine labour in building works
of permanent nature. And what better than a new Railway line! For those
doubting the financial returns of the line, Sir Richard Temple said "Think

35
how it will pay in saving life during famine". Not only did the
construction provide employment to many and saved them from
starvation, in later years also (notably 1899-1900) it was instrumental in
distributing tones of food and fodder.
To the objection of the BB&CI, Sir Richard Temple pointed out
that they were guaranteed against competition of other railways in British
Territory only and that Wadhwan (Kathiawad) was not British territory.
This removed one of the major hurdles in the path of railways.
The Bhavnagar- Gondal Railway was a joint venture with funds
from both states. Bhavnagar contributed Rs. 86 lakhs and Rs.29 lakhs was
Gondal's contribution. The Bhavnagar-Wadhwan line had a length of a
166 Kms; the Dhola-Dhasa-Dhoraji line had a length of 144 Kms. The
work was carried out between 1878 and 1880.
In March 1879,Mr. Alexander Izat was appointed as the Engineer-
in-Chief. He was earlier the Chief Engineer of Daund-Manmad line
(which had opened in 1878). Mr. R. Proctor Sims who was Bhavnagar's
state Engineer had carried out the survey from Bhavnagar to Botad. The
survey from Dhasa to Dhoraji was carried out under Mr. Ford who held
analogous post in Gondal. An engineer from BB & CI, Mr. Hargreaves
did the survey from Botad to Wadhwan.
The earth-work was commenced as a famine work with all possible
haste and finished within an astonishingly short time by May 1880. His
Highness requested the Governor of Bombay Sir James Ferguson (who
had succeeded Sir Richard Temple in March 1879) to inaugurate the line
in December and declare it open for traffic.

36
 On 17th December 1880 His Excellency the Governor, along with
his entourage arrived at Bhavnagar by a special steamer from Bombay
named May Frere. A large number of guests- European and natives were
invited.
On approach of the May Frere at Bhavnagar Bundar, Colonel
Barton (the political Agent), Major Woodhouse (the Assistant Political
Agent) and Diwan Sahib Samaldas went in a steam launch and brought
the Governor and his party ashore. His Highness Takhtasinhji received
the Governor at the landing steps and welcomed him. The Governor was
then taken to the town and the evening spent in sight seeing and visiting
the Gaurishankar Lake.
Early next morning on December 18, 1880 (Saturday), His
Excellency drove the last spike of the permanent way at the city station
(now Bhavnagar Terminus) in the presence of a large gathering and
declared the Railway line from Bhavnagar to Wadhwan open. The party
then proceeded by a special train to Limdi (about 140 kilometers, slightly
short of Wadhwan). The ruler of Limdi Sir Jaswantsinhji had organised a
grand welcome to the party at Limdi station.
The party returned by the same train to Bhavnagar in evening in
time for a State Bouquet at Neelambaug City Palace. There was fireworks
display at night in the city.

2.10 HISTORY OF TALAJA

Talaja, located only 54 km from Bhavnagar, is famous for the
Buddhist Caves and a Jain Temple. It is also the birthplace of the famous
Gurati poet Narsingh Mehta.

37
 Tours from Bhavnagar include visiting Talaja, which is situated on
a 350 feet volcanic hill in Gujarat. Talaja is located only 54 kilometers
from the city of Bhavnagar, in the name sake district. The main attraction
of this place is a Jain temple situated at the intersection of Shetrunji and
Talaji rivers.
Talaja is also known for the Buddhist caves. These ancient caves
are now cut and made into small conical rocks. The number of caves
amount to 30, which are facilitated with 16 to 20 water tanks. Ebhal
Mandap, which is a huge hall, is inside one of these caves. There are
vedika broad windows known as chaitya at the entrance of the hall. Ebhal
Mandap measures 23 meters in length, 21 meters in breadth and 15.5
meters in height.
There is another famous cave, which is dedicated to Kalvo Daitya.
Talaja is also known as the birthplace of Narsingh Mehta, who is a
famous Gujarati poet and saint.

2.11 HISTORY OF GHOGHA

Ghogha has a rich historical background. The history of Ghogha is
over 2000 years and more. The first noted history of the town was during
ramayana period.One lake in the town which is said to be named after
bhagwan shri ram is "Ramkund".One of the oldest shiva temple "Ramnath
Mahadev" is located at the corner of the Ramkund Lake. The town was one
of the oldest port in India During maurya period, the port of ghogha had
established the international trades with arabs,shri lanka etc.Maurya emperor
ashoka's son "mahendra" was married to princess of sri lanka & sailed to sri
lanka through ghogha port. During maitrak dynasty,it was the part of the
vallabhi state.Arabs also sated during seventh century in ghogha due to
38
international trades of ghogha with arabs. It is also a jain pilgrimage.Jain
Idol 91 cms high blue coloured idol of Shri Navkhanda Parshwanath
Bhagwan in Padmasan position is present in the Parshwanath temple
established in VS 1168 by Acharya Shri Mahendrasurishwarji Maharaj, with
the help of Shri Nanavati Shri Heeraseth. Teerth is present in Ghogha
Bundar village. No markings are there on the moolnayak idol, but it is said
that the idol was recovered from a well belonging to nearby Badava village.
As per another myth, the idol was recovered along with many other idols
from the well of stones from Peerambet. Acharya Mahendrasurishwarji has
performed the Anjanshalaka of the moolnayak idol in VS 1168; the
expenses were borne by Nanavati Shri Heeraseth. Shreshthi Shri Veera and
Purna have established sangh of Shetrunjay and Girnar teerths in
supervision of Acharya Shri Jinendrasurishwarji in VS 1430. Shri
Jinodayasurishwarji has used worshipping words for the moolnayak Shri
Navkhanda Parshwanath Bhagwan in his notice sent in VS 1431. This gives
indications of the teerth to be established before twelve century. As per the
history available, the Muslim ruler and their soldiers damaged the
moolnayak idol along with other temples and idols. Idol was broken into
nine pieces. Jain shravaks kept these pieces in Lapsi, following orders from
the Adhishthayak Dev in disguised, the idol again joined, but the markings
remained on it. Since then this idol is called as Navkhanda Parshwanath
Bhagwan. Akhand jyoti is still lighting since ancient period. No marking is
present on the moolnayak idol, but it is said that it was recovered from a
well belonging to nearby Badava village. As per another myth, the idol was
recovered along with many other idols from the well of stones from
Peerambet. Acharya Mahendrasurishwarji has performed the Anjanshalaka

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of the moolnayak idol in VS 1168; the expenses were borne by Nanavati
Shri Heeraseth. Shreshthi Shri Veera and Purna have established sangh of
Shetrunjay and Girnar teerths under the supervision of Acharya Shri
Jinendrasurishwarji in VS 1430. Shri Jinodayasurishwarji has used
worshipping words for the moolnayak Shri Navkhanda Parshwanath
Bhagwan in his notice sent in VS 1431, giving indication of the teerth to be
established before twelth century. But the moolnayak idol is much older
than that.Dharamshala is available with all necessary arrangements for the
pilgrims.Four other temples are present near this temple and two temples are
in the village. Many ancient idols were found by archeologists and they are
kept in the temple of Shri Neminath Bhagwan along with two Guru idols
(said to be of Shri Hemchandracharya and Shri Dharmaghoshsurishwarji)
made of VS 1354. Beautiful Samvasaran made by metals of the beginning
era of 16th century can be seen in nearby Samvasaran temple. Two others
temples are of Shri Suvidhinath Bhagwan and Shri Shantinath Bhagwan.
Beautification work in the temple present in the village where the charan
paduka?s of Shri Vijay Devsurishwarji has been kept, are said to made
during the period of King Kumarpal. The temple of Shri Jeeravala
Parshwanth Bhagwan is situated towards south of the village bears a Guru
idol made during VS 1357 missing the name of Gurudev. In 13th
century,the town was ruled by Mokhadaji Gohil, ruler of pirambet(island
located near ghogha).Mokhadaji Gohil was a great warrior and fought with
Mohammed Tuglak in 13th century.He loss the ghogha after defeat in the
battle.It is said that he fought even after beheaded and caused many casulties
to saltanate army. His temple is still situated in ghogha & pirambet. After
that it was the part of mughal rule & then under maratha rule.

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2.12 HISTORY OF SIHOR:
Established along river Gautami, Sihor is quite an ancient,
historical town and now a medium sized city, a municipality in
Bhavnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.
Immediately being associated with Gautam Rishi, Ahalya, Lord
Ram and scriptures of Ramayana, Sihor, the erstwhile capital of the Gohil
Rajputs (Sisodiya-Suryavanshi Rajputs), is an ancient town located in the
Bhavnagar District, Gujarat. Surrounded by hills, it is situated about 23
km from Bhavnagar. Rulers of Bhavnagar and Sihor have been noble,
kind, farsighted, adventurous and royal, which is evident not just in the
historical accounts and books, it is the people who are proud of them,
they speak up from their heart.
During advent of Jainism, Sihor while resembling to mountain
range, ascends, thick forests, and thriving trails surrounding, it remained a
significant place or the gateway to Shatrunjaya, some 30 kilometers
away. The peaks and the top of Shatrunjaya are seen from a few spots at
Sihor and it was a tradition to pay a tribute to Shatrunjaya from Sihor
before reaching there.
There are some thriving and complex references of this subjected
Sinhpur of West India, on West Coast in various texts and research
works. Sihor or Shihor is a corrupt name of Sinhpur as it has transformed
like this, Sinhapur - Sinhapura - Sihore - Shihor - Sihor. People belonging
to Sihor (Sinhpur) in those times, or the first settlers with associating
Sinhpur name with them, were believed to be of Lion Clan, and are said
to have arrived from Kashmir, Upper North West India/Hindukush,
Himalayan Range and Central Asia during the times of Indus civilization.

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 Sihor has been a happening center hosting variety of businesses
and industrial activities for centuries. Be it Manufacturing of Brass and
Copperwares, Ceramics & Pottery, Snuff works and allied products,
Agriculture Products, Oxygen Plants, Iron & Steel Plants, Rolling Mills
associated with Asia's largest Alng Ship Breaking Yard. There are many
other biz/industrial activities taking place in Sihor as of now. All chief
communities of Sihor have contributed greatly to the progress, prosperity,
growth and development of Sihor.
Presently, Sihor represents a typical Indian cosmopolitan
settlement accommodating people from various states. Earlier it was
purely an estate of Brahmins donated back to them by Gohil Rajputs with
capital changing to Bhavnagar from Sihor. It has been a seat of learning,
scholarship, spiritualism, art, culture, charity and entrepreneurship.

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