Junagadh
|
Junagadh is one of the modern districts of Saurastra, Gujarat. It is located at the southern corner of the peninsula. |
Junagadh is a city, in
Junagadh District, in the
Indian
state of
Gujarat.
Junagadh is a former
princely state of
British India. In the independence and
partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, the 565 princely states were given a choice of whether to join India or
Pakistan. The Muslim nawab of Junagadh, His Highness Nawab Mahabat Khanji,whose Muslim ancestors had ruled Junagadh and connected small principalities over the last seven hundred years, since the time Sultan Mehmood Ghaznavi had attacked Junagadh's famous Somnath Temple; decided that Junagadh should become part of
Pakistan, which was just across the
Arabian Sea. The unsettled conditions in Junagadh had led to a cessation of all trade with India and the food position became precarious. The region was in crisis and the Nawab was forced to flee to
Karachi with his family and established a provisional government. Before leaving the Nawab had emptied the state treasury of its cash and securities. The Dewan of Junagadh, Sir
Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the father of the more famous
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, now decided to invite the Government of India to intervene. Bhutto wrote a letter to Mr.Buch, the Regional Commissioner of
Saurashtra in the Government of India:
"Dear Mr. Buch,:After discussion with Mr. Samaldas Gandhi at Rajkot on October 1, Capt. Harvey Jones, senior member of Junagadh State Council, brought certain proposals for the consideration of the Council. The Council were prepared to accept them under protest but before a final decision could be communicated to Mr. Samaldas Gandhi it was thought necessary to ascertain the opinion of the leading members of the public.A meeting was therefore held this evening and the view of the leaders was unanimously expressed that instead of handing over the administration to the Indian Union through the so-called Provisional Government, it should be directly given over to the Indian Union, through the Regional Commissioner at Rajkot.
The Junagadh Government, therefore, has requested that in order to avoid bloodshed, hardship, loss of life and property and to preserve the dynasty, you should be approached to give your assistance to the administration particularly with a view to preserve law and order, which is threatened by aggressive elements from outside. This arrangement is sought pending an honourable settlement of the several issues involved in Junagadh's accession.We have already wired to His Excellency Lord Mountbatten, Mahatmaji, Prime and Deputy Prime Ministers of India, Hon'ble Abul Kalarn Azad and the Governor-General and Prime Minister of Pakistan.
I hope you will kindly respond to this request.
Yours sincerely, :Sd/S.N.bhutto, :Dewan, Junagadh."
A
plebiscite was held on
20 February 1948, in which only 91 voters out of 190,870 who voted (and an electorate of 201,457) voted not to join India. India then assumed control over the entire state of Junagadh. An Azad Fauj, or liberation army, of 20,000 men with armored cars and other modern weapons entered Junagadh and the state was secured - the ruler had already left with his family for the safer pastures in Pakistan. Officially, the action was taken on the request of the Dewan of Junagadh, who feared disorder and chaos in the state.
The Government of Pakistan protested, saying that since the accession of the state to Pakistan (September 5,1947), the Dewan had no authority to negotiate a settlement with India. Junagadh became a part of the Indian state of
Saurashtra until
November 1,
1956, when Saurashtra became part of
Bombay state. Bombay state was split into the linguistic states of
Gujarat and
Maharashtra in
1960.JUNAGADH:- Situated at foot of mountain GIRNAR has novel past and interesting present. The present old tawn has developed during 19th and current century and is a example of rich princely tradition which now is a valuable heritage.
Interesting tourist spots are :
*SAKKARBAG ZOO - oldest in gujarat 3rd old in India. Gir lions are bred and supplied to other zoos.
*MUSEUM - In the same premises of zoo. Rare specimens of art furniture, stuffed animals, ancient coins, persian sanskrit inscriptions and various other articles of interest.
*MAKABARA - Nawabs were buried. Fine specimen of medieval structure.
*NARSINH MEHTA CHORO - This place is said to be one where the great poet saint and reformer NARSINH MEHTA used to hold his assemblies of discovers in 15th century.
*UPPERKOT - Old then 7th century. Again discovered in 10th century & reformed. The cave, navghan kuva, adichadi vav, kothar, dhaka bari, egypt cast cannon nilam & kadanal.
*DARBAR HALL MUSEUM - Picture gallery , taxtiles, arms gallery, the kacheri, the hall which was used by Nawabs of Junagadh to hold their darbar.
*EDICTS OF ASHOK - Uneven rock with a circumfernce of 75 feet & 12 feet height edits in Brahmi script.
*GAYATRI MANDIR - On the way to girnar talati a beautiful temple.
*SONAPUR - Where many statues of saints are erected.
*DOMADAR KUND - Build in 500 a.d. often reconstructed kund (water reservoir) is a check dam.
*Temple of Damodar Lalaji.
*GIRNAR The Mountain - 5km. From the junagadh city has five principle peaks. Third one GORAKHNATH is highest at 3661 ft above sea level. The area of hills is approx 100 km. To ascend the hills a stepaway is build UPPER KOT certainly worth seeing jain tamples. Spots to visit Bhimkund, Satpuda, Gaumukhi Ganga, Pathar chati, Bhairavjap, Bharatvan Sheshavan, Hanumandhara. The peak of Ambaji hight 3330ft. famous temple of Ambaji. The Gorakhnath peak â€" the highest peak of Girnar mountain. Kamandal kund; stepway diverts between Gorakhnath and Datatray. Datatray - The path is difficult on the top of the peak is small temple on the padukas of Guru Datatray.
*DATAR HILLS - 2779 feet high stepway is built for going up shrine of Jamiyalshah Datar.
*SCIENCE MUSEUM - Gujarat's first and the only private science museum. More then 60 working science projects based on science facts. Which can be operated by visitors. Worth visiting attached one small aquarium and evening open air garden restaurant garden café serves south indian and punjabi dishes since 1981.
*SHREE SWAMINARAYAN TEMPLE - On jawahar road, build in 1826-28 a.d. A magnificent temple and noble structure of 77 feet hight.
*WILLINGDON DAM - Near the foot of Datar hill the three sides and a garden in front it affords an enchanting view.
*MOTIBAG - The best garden the campus of agricultural university and botanical garden.
*SHIVRATRI MELA - At the foot of Girnar mountain ( Talati) in month of MAHA 9 starts on mela for next five days. About ten thousand people visit.
*GIRNAR PRIKRAMA:- Starts from kartik 11 to 15 thousand people. The periferi of Girnar hills on foot about 40 km. Enjoy the religious and natural beauty.
The city of Junagadh is located at the foot of the
Girnar hills. Literally translated, its name means "Old Fort".
*
Girnar Hills & Temple (8 km.Situated at a height of about 610 metres one has to climb nearly 2000 steps to see the magnificent Jain Temples)
* Girnar Mountain
Jain*
Uparkot Fort*
Ashoka's Rock edict
*
Sakkarbag Zoo*
Darbar hall Museum*
Narsinh Mehta's Chora
*
Swaminarayan Temple
*
Damodar Kund*
Tulsi Shyam Hot Spring
*
Asiatic Lions at
Gir Forest National Park*
Somnath Temple
* Chorwad Beach
* Ahmedpur - Mandvi beach
*
Junagadh Agricultural University
