History of Jamnagar
History of
Jamnagar
Jamnagar is a municipal city in the state of Gujarat, India.
The city also serves as the head quarter of Jamnagar district. According to
mythology Lord Sri Krishna, the eight incarnation of the Lord Vishnu, founded
his capital at Dwaraka in Jamnagar district. Dwarkadhish Temple situated in Dwarka
is believed to be built by Vajarnabh, great grandson of Lord Sri Krishna. Jams
of Nawanagar (the earlier name of Jamnagar) are believed to be the descendents
of Yadavas. Jams established their kingdom at Nawanagar. The kingdom was known
as Halar and it was Jam Raval who had founded the city of Jamnagar (then
Nawanagar) in 1540 as the capital fortress of their kingdom. The place where
the main city was set up by Jam Raval forms the inner part of present city of
Jamnagar. This part of city is known as Darbargadh and it houses Darabargadh
palace and other historic buildings belonging to the period 16th
century. Ashapur Temple situated there is also said to be built by Jam Raval.
Jamnagar was ruled by
several descendents of Jams Dynasty. Jamnagar continued to grow even after the
arrival of British in India. Under the British control Jams continued to rule
the city until 1947 when India got freedom from colonial rule. It was in 1949
the Jamnagar district was formed. In 1956 it became the part of Bombay
presidency until 1st May 1960 when the presidency was divided in two
states namely Maharashtra and Gujarat. Jamnagar remained with Gujarat state and
has now grown into an important city of the state.
Tag :
Historical,
Culture in Surat
Surat located in the Indian state of Gujarat is known to be the commercial capital of the state. According to a study it is the fourth developing cities of the world. It is rated third in Cleanliness among other cities of India. In terms of economy it is the fastest growing economy of India with its GDP growth rate standing at 11.5%. The city is generally known for its textiles and Diamond business. About 92% of world’s Diamonds are cut and polished in Surat. Earlier it was a prominent Port of India, the credit was lost to Bombay during British period. Surti cuisines of the city like Ghari (Type of sweet); Locho, Rassawala Khaman and Surti Chinese dishes are very famous. The roadside foods available at the road side carts or Laaris or Rekdis are very popular here.
The Rekdi market on the banks of Tapi River is very popular in Surat where people like to gather to savor Surti delicacies. Surat is almost the only major city in Gujarat where Non Vegetarian food is openly available and relished by the people in the public places. All major festivals like Diwali, Navratri, and Ganesh Chaturthi are celebrated in the city. Makarsankranti the kite flying festival of Uttrayan is celebrated all over. Chandi Padvo occurring in October is a holiday for Surat populace, a lot of Ghari and other sweets are bought on this day.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
Culture of Vadodara
Culture of
Vadodara
Vadodara is also known as Sanskari
Nagari meaning the cultured city. Formerly known as Baroda, Vadodara is the
cultural capital of the state of Gujarat. The city which witnessed the golden
days during Gaekwads rule is also rich in its culture and traditions. Vadodara
is the most sought after location for Garba in the entire state of Gujarat.
Development during the rule of Gaekwads and after the independence helped Vadodara
to become a cosmopolitan city. Presently Vadodara is a major industrial city in
India and is home to the people from different parts of the country and
therefore Vadodara is also called as the multicultural city. Along with
Gujarati, the official language of the state, Marathi, Hindi and English are
also spoken widely in Vadodara.
People of Vadodara are very proud
of their culture. Entertainment is another important part of social life of the
people of Vadodara. Film studios, theatres, multiplexes etc are found in
abundance in the city. Vadodara is also known for its artworks. Maharaja Fateh
Singh Museum situated in the city displays several beautiful artifacts. Festivals celebrated in Vadodara also form an
integral part of the culture of the people. Navaratri serves to be the biggest
and most charming festival of Vadodara. During the festival people of the city
are found dancing Ras and Garba (folk dance forms of Gujarat). The city of
Vadodara also celebrates major national festival like Deepawali and Dussera
with much fanfare.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
History of Surat
Surat is the commercial capital city of Gujarat state.During Mahabharata period Lord Krishna Once stayed in Surat while going to Dwarka from Mathura. The city was under western Chalukyas rule in 610 AD and was under Hindu rulers till 12Th AD. When Qutub-uddin- Aibak over took the rulings. The Parsis made it their home during 12Thcentury and added to the prosperity of the city. During those days Surat was the gate way to Mecca for central India. During Mogul period Surat was a popular sea port, the charm was lost to Bombay from British Rule onwards. Surat has a history of tragedies struck on it during various occasions. In 1512 and 1530 the city of Surat was burned and destroyed by Portuguese. The British won Surat from Portuguese in 1615 after winning battle of Swally. In 1664 The Maratha king Shivaji conquered the city and looted both Mughal as well as Portuguese trading centers. In 1662 Surat was surrendered to British as a part of dowry for Catherine (The Braganza Princess) on her wedding with Prince Charles II, this was a real blow to the prosperity of the city.
Further downfall of Surat’s economy occurred when British opened their first mill in Bombay in 1668. In 1670 Shivaji Maratha again attacked Surat and looted it. By 1800 AD Surat again came under of British control. There was a relative calm during British rule even during 1857 revolt for India’s Independence the city was at peace. In 1837 A great fire and Floods afterwards destroyed the city. A wealthy family ‘Bawamia family’ helped develop the city by increasing exports and investments in Diamond trade. By 20Th century the city was on the top of trading and manufacturing activities. Cotton Mills, Ginning and Pressing mills, Rice cleaning Mills, paper mills, cotton weaving hand looms, special silk and Gold Embroidery etc were the business flourishing then.
In 1992 a worst kind of Hindu Muslim roits took place in Surat causing a large damage to property and men. In 1994 a very heavy rainfall with blocked drainage caused havoc in the Surat town when the city was submerged under water for weeks. Dead animals and public waste was not removed for days causing epidemic to spread in the town causing heavy damages. The cleaning of the city was undertaken by the then municipal commissioner S.R.Rao with the help of residents of the city.
Even after so many calamities and destructions in history, today Suryapur or Surat (The present name of the Town) is the commercial capital of the Gujarat state in India. It stands second in Gujarat and Thirteenth in India for its population count; it also stands third among the clean cities of India. 92% diamond cutting and Polishing in the world is done in Surat. Recently Diamond Studded Gold jeweler manufactured in Surat is gaining popularity in the world. The GDP of Surat is about 12% which is almost double than the GDP of India.
History of Vadodara
Vadodara History
Formerly known as Baroda, Vadodara is the third largest city
in the Indian state of Gujarat. According to archeological survey history of
Vadodara dates back to the 9th century when it was a small village named
Ankottaka. During the early years of Christian era the region was under the
rule of Gupta dynasty. Then it was Chalukyas who after several fierce battles
captured the region and ruled it till the Solanki Rajputs annexed the region to
their kingdom. Then the region came under the control of Delhi sultans who
ruled it for long time before they were overthrown by the Mughal emperors.
Baroda was formerly princely state in western India. Modern
history of Baroda (Vadodara) dates back to the time of Maratha rule. Pilaji Gaekwad a general of Maratha captured
Songadh in Gujarat from Mughal in 1726. Pilaji Gaekwad brought the Maratha
campaign in southern part of Gujarat and conquered Baroda from Babi Nawabs who
were ruling there under the Mughal kingdom.
Baroda remained under the rule of Gaekwad from 1734 to 1948. Pilaji
Gaekwad was originally assigned the work of collecting the revenue on Maratha’s
behalf but he and his descendents went on to carve a separate state form
themselves. Finally they consolidated
their rule and managed to become the most powerful kingdom in the region. The
treaty with British made Baroda a princely state and permitted Maharajas of Baroda
to have the internal political sovereignty with its foreign affairs being
controlled by British. Thus a form of suzerainty was established in the kingdom
of Baroda. Baroda state witnessed the golden days during the rule of Maharaja
Sayajirao Gaekwad. He ruled Baroda state from 1875 to 1939 and during the
period he made every effort to modernize Baroda. He made the primary education
compulsory in the state. He also established a university and model textiles
and other industrial factories. This helped Baroda to gain the image of modern
industrial hub. For his great works the city of Baroda is also sometimes
referred as Sayaji Nagari.
After the independence of India 1947, the princely state of
Baroda was annexed to Indian republic. Earlier (after the independence) it was merged
into Bombay state which was in 1960 divided into states namely Gujarat and
Maharashtra with Gujarat retaining the region of Baroda. It was in 1974 that
the name of Baroda was changed to Vadodara.
Tag :
Historical,
Fair and Festivals in Shimla
Fair and Festivals in Shimla
Though having British lineages from
the past the city of Shimla looks
traditional when it comes to the celebration of fairs and festivals. The Pahadi people celebrate most of the Hindu
festivals along with their own tribal festivals. Apart from all these
traditional festivals the city of Shimla celebrates the onset of snow fall by
holding snow sports.
For the people of Shimla Diwali,
Navratri and Christmas are the major events related to religious festivities.
Like elsewhere in India these festivals are celebrated with much fun. They also
celebrate harvest festivals lie Baisakhi, and Lohri. Baisakhi is called as
Bissu here. Lohri marks the beginning of Rabi (crop) sowing. Rhyali festival is
celebrated before the rains begin to please the rain God.
Bhoj fair, Lavi fair and the Sipi
fair are the fairs of Shimla. Bhoj fair is a tribal fair of Devata Bansor (the
deity) held in November for three days. ‘Natti’ dance will be performed before
the deity. Lavi fair is a business fair commemorating the trade between Tibet
and the ancient Bushar rule. It is held usually in November and is called the
fair of Rampur. Sipi festival is celebrated during May to please the Sip deity.
This fair is celebrated with a variety of acrobats and Pahadi dance shows.
Shimla celebrates two festivals
related to seasonal changes: Summer festival and winter festival. The summer
festival would be held in May and the winter festival will be organized in the
winter months (December, January and February). Ice skating and skiing on snow
clad slopes are the highlights of this festival.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
Culture of Shimla
Culture of Shimla
If we go through the history of Shimla we notice that the city was
under the British influence for a long duration. As a result the lifestyle in
the main parts of the city reflects the British influence. But, as we move in
and around the hill station we get to see the Pahadi lifestyle. The people living in the main parts are
modernized, speak Hindi and English.
The Pahadi life style is based on
agriculture and livestock rearing. We can observe men and women with a cone
shaped basket on their back working in the open field or in an apple orchard. People
here are simple and friendly; are exposed to modernity. The Pahadi people practice
either Buddhism or Hinduism. The Kayang dance is a part of their culture. Their
music is accompanied by Chimta, Ghungaru, and Ektara. They still practice
traditional forms of dance and music that is unique to their tradition. Shimla
happens to be a fine blend of tradition
and modernity.
Tag :
Indian Festivals,
History of Shimla
Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh and also a popular hill station. The formation of Shimla city began during the British rule. The British take the credit of identifying many hill stations in India. One among them is Shimla.
To trace the history of the city, one would have to begin with the Gurkha occupation. The Gurkhas of Nepal had occupied this region for about a decade. Prithvi Narayan Shah of Nepal had occupied Shimla in 1806. The region was just a small area which was known for the temple of Shyamala Devi. The time was around 1804. The people of Shimla asked the British to intervene in this matter to free their land from the Gurkha occupation. Around 1815, the British evacuated Gurkha occupation from Shimla and seized the territory. The pact of Sugauli confirmed the ownership of Shimla and the British officers started building their summer houses here.
The first officer to construct a house was Charles Kennedy in 1822. Gradually the region was formed into a proper city. Soon it became the summer capital of the British officers. The Kalka-Shimla railway line was built in 1906 comprising of more than 800 bridges and more than 100 tunnels. Shimla retains most of the British structures (the Auckland house, the Kennedy house and the Viceregal Lodge) intact. In 1972 Shimla was made a district and now it is a part of Himachal Pradesh State.
Tag :
Historical,