2.2 Geographical Back Ground of India Historical Back Ground of India Geographical Back Ground of Gujarat 25

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1 CHAPTER DETAILS: SR. NO. TOPIC PAGE NO. 2.1 India Map Geographical Back Ground of India Historical Back Ground of India Gujarat Map Geographical Back Ground of Gujarat Historical Back Ground of Gujarat Bhavnagar Map Geographical Back Ground of Bhavnagar Historical Back Ground of Bhavnagar History of Talaja History of Ghogha History of Sihor 41 18

2 CHAPTER-2 INTRODUCTION ABOUT RESEARCH AREA 2.1 INDIA MAP 19

3 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 drift lasting fifty million years across 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 6 44' and 35 30' north latitude and 68 7' and 97 25' east longitude. 20

4 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 21

5 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

6 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 India is a founding member of the United Nations (as British India) and the Non-Aligned Movement. 23

7 India is a state armed with nuclear weapons; having conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, followed by another five tests in 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 24

8 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

9 The Great Bhangi Sikh Dynasty Ruled by a powerful Jatt Sikh family of Dhillion Clan ( ) 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. 26

10 2.7 BHAVNAGAR MAP 2.8 GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND OF BHAVNAGAR DISTRICT: Bhavnagar district is situated between to degree north latitude and to 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. 27

11 Total area of Bhavnagar District : Sq. Km Rural area of Bhavnagar District : Sq. Km Urban area of Bhavnagar District : Sq. Km Forest area of Bhavnagar District : Hec. Irrigated area of Bhavnagar District : Hec. Unnirrigated area of Bhavnagar District : Hec. 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 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 ,718 Ghogha ,617 Talaja ,789 Mahuva Gariyadhar ,551 Palitana ,447 Sihor ,211 Umrala ,377 28

12 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. 29

13 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 ( 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. 30

14 Present day Bhavnagar owes much to the vision of the past ruler Sir Takhtsinhji Gohil ( 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, 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. 31

15 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. 32

16 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

17 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 34

18 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

19 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 ) 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 In March 1879,Mr. Alexander Izat was appointed as the Engineerin-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 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

20 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 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

21 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 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

22 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 Shri Jinodayasurishwarji has used worshipping words for the moolnayak Shri Navkhanda Parshwanath Bhagwan in his notice sent in VS 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 39

23 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 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 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. 40

24 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. 41

25 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. 42