Samantahfp: further adjusted formatting based on references further and improved wording

2026-03-13T22:54:54Z

further adjusted formatting based on references further and improved wording

>WhoAteMyButter: Rollback edit(s) by MyGujarat1 (talk): Addition of unnecessary/inappropriate external links (RW 16.1)

2021-06-09T04:21:57Z

Rollback edit(s) by MyGujarat1 (talk): Addition of unnecessary/inappropriate external links (RW 16.1)

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Gondal
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline = Gondal, India.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = View of Gondal
| pushpin_map = India Gujarat#India3
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Gujarat, India
| coordinates = {{coord|21.958|N|70.795|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = India
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = [[Gujarat]]
| subdivision_type2 = District
| subdivision_name2 = [[Rajkot district|Rajkot]]
| established_title = 
| unit_pref = Metric
| elevation_m = 132
| population_total = 1,73353<ref name="2011 Census data">{{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/pca/cdb_pca_census/PCA%20CDB-2409-F-Census.xlsx|title=Census of India: 2011|publisher=Census Commission of India|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref>
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank = 30th (Gujarat)
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code = 360311
| area_code_type = STD code
| area_code = 02825
| registration_plate = GJ 03
| website = https://www.gondalnagarpalika.org/
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}

'''Gondal''' is a city and a [[municipality]] in the [[Rajkot district]] of the Indian state of [[Gujarat]]. [[Gondal State]] was one of the eight first-class [[princely states]] of [[Kathiawar Agency]], [[Bombay Presidency]] in [[British India]]. Ruled by a Hindu [[Rajput]] dynasty of the [[Jadeja]] clan, the capital of the state was '''Gondal''' town. In 2011, the Population of the Gondal City Was 113,000 approximately.<ref name="GR|India">{{cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/326-gondal.html|title=Census of India: 2011|publisher=Census Commission of India|access-date=2016-07-03}}</ref>

==History==
{{See also|Gondal State}}
[[File:H.H. Maharaja Thakore Shri Sir Bhagwant Singhji Sagramji Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Gondal, GCSI, GCIE, 1911.jpg|left|110px|thumb|Maharaja [[Bhagvatsinhji]] of Gondal, 1911]]
Gondal is mentioned in texts like ''[[Ain-i-Akbari]]'' (written in the reign of [[Akbar]]) and ''Mirat-i-Ahmadi'' as a Vaghela state in Sorath ([[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]]). The [[Gondal State]] in [[Kathiawar Agency]] was founded in 1634 by [[Thakore Shri Kumbhoji I Meramanji]] from the [[Jadeja]] dynasty, who received [[Ardoi]] and other villages from his father Meramanji.<ref name=gondal/> Kumbhoki's fourth descendant, [[Kumbhoji IV]], increased the size of the state by acquiring [[pargana]]s such as Dhoraji, Upleta, and Sarai.<ref name=gondal>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V12_325.gif Gondal state] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', 1908. v. 12, ''p. 319''</ref>

[[Bhagvatsinhji|Sir Bhagwant Singhji]], who reigned from 1888 until his death in 1944, was noted for tax reforms, compulsory education for women, and also for stopping the practice of [[purdah]] (female seclusion) at a time when the royal households of India were known for this tradition.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,740757,00.html Purdah Women] ''[[TIME]]'', Monday, 24 November 1930.</ref>

In 1901, Gondal city had a population of 19,592, and was a stop on the branch line between Rajkot and Jetalsar on the [[Viramgam–Okha line|Viramgam–Rajkot]] and [[Rajkot–Somnath line|Rajkot–Somnath]] lines.<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V12_327.gif Gondal Town] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', 1908, v. 12, ''p. 321''</ref>

The ancestors of [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], founder of Pakistan, belong to Paneli village in Gondal state.

===Historical places of Gondal===
[[File:Naulakha Palace 02.jpg|thumb|Detail of Naulakha Palace]]
[[File:Baroda state 1909.jpg|right|thumb|Gondal, 1909]]
[[File:Clock tower in Gondal.jpg|thumb|Clock tower]]
The Naulakha Palace is the oldest extant palace in Gondal, dating back to the 17th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gujarattourism.com/destination/details/6/208 |title=Gondal, City State, Rajkot, Tourism Hubs, Gujarat, India |website=Gujarat Tourism |access-date=12 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discoveredindia.com/gujarat/attractions/palaces/navlakha-palace-gondal.htm |title=Navlakha Palace Gondal |newspaper=discoveredindia.com |access-date=12 June 2016 }}</ref> It has [[stone carving]]s with [[jharokha]]s (enclosed balconies), a pillared courtyard, delicately carved arches, and a unique spiral staircase. The large chandelier-lit [[durbar (court)|durbar]] (court) contains stuffed [[leopard|panthers]], gilt wooden furniture, and antique mirrors. The Private Palace Museum has a display of silver caskets which were used to carry messages and gifts for Maharajah [[Bhagvatsinhji]] during his [[silver jubilee]] as ruler of Gondal.

The Riverside Palace was built in 1875 by Maharajah Bhagwat Sinhji for his son, Yuvraj Bhojraji. It has groomed lawns and gardens, a living room furnished in typical [[colonial style]] with chandelier, antique wooden furniture and sofas, and an "Indian room" decorated with [[beadwork]], [[brass]]ware and paintings. The palace has now become a heritage hotel.<ref>[http://heritagehotels.com/heritage-hotels-india/gujarat.htm Heritage Hotels in Gujarat]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heritagepalacesgondal.com/ |title=History of Gondal |newspaper=Heritagepalacesgondal.com |access-date= 12 June 2016}}</ref>

The Huzoor Palace is the current royal residence. One wing of this palace, called the Orchard palace, is open to the public. It was built as an annex of the Huzoor Palace in the late 19th century to host guests of the Maharajas. The property gets its name from the fruit [[orchard]]s, lawns and gardens that surround the palace.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heritagepalacesgondal.com/orchard_palace.htm |title=Orchard Palace |newspaper=Heritagepalacesgondal.com |access-date= 12 June 2016}}</ref>

Orchard Palace was converted into a seven-room heritage hotel decorated with 1930s–1940s art deco furniture, antiques and handicrafts. The garden contains many types of birds, including a large population of peacocks. The Room of Miniatures is a sitting room with a collection of [[Indian painting|miniature painting]]s, brass, and furniture. One of the highlights of the palace is the Rail Saloon of the royal family of Gondal which has been converted into a suite with a drawing room, dining room and bedroom. The royal garages have an extensive collection of [[vintage car|vintage]] and [[classic car]]s.<ref>[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Hot-wheels-Vintage-cars-from-Gondal-to-elegantly-parade-in-Mumbai/359502/ Hot wheels: Vintage cars from Gondal to elegantly parade in Mumbai] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014204647/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Hot-wheels-Vintage-cars-from-Gondal-to-elegantly-parade-in-Mumbai/359502/ |date=14 October 2008 }} ''[[Indian Express]]'', 10 September 2008.</ref>

=== Thakurs ===
The rulers of Gondal were Thakurs of the [[Jadeja]] dynasty who had the right to an 11-[[gun salute]]. They bore the title 'Thakur Sahib' from 1866 onwards.

{| class="wikitable"
!Tenure
!Name (birth-death)
|-
|1648–1713
|Sagramji I Kumbhoji (b. 1634 – d. 1713)
|-
|1713–1752
|Haloji Sagramji (b. 1676 – d. 1752)
|-
|1752–1789
|Kumbhoji II Haloji (b. 1712 – d. 1789)
|-
|1789–1791
|Muluji Sagramji (Malubhai Sahib) (b. 1754 – d. 1791)
|-
|1791–1800
|Dajibhai Muluji (b. 1775 – d. 1800)
|-
|1800–1812
|Devaji Sagramji (Devabhai Sahib) (b. 1769 – d. 1812)
|-
|1812–1814
|Nathuji Devaji (Nathubhai Sahib) (d. 1814)
|-
|1814–1821
|Kanuji Devaji (b. ... – d. 1821)
|-
|1821–1841
|Chandrasimhji Devaji (Motibhai Sahib) (b. 1797 – d. 1841)
|-
|1841–1851
|Bhanabhai Devaji (d. 1851)
|-
|1851–1866
|Sagramji II Devaji (Sagramji Bhanabhai) (b. 1822 – d. 1869)
|-
|1866 – 14 Dec 1869
|Sagramji II Devaji (s.a.)
|-
|14 Dec 1869 – 10 Mar 1944
|[[Bhagvatsinhji|Bhagwatsimhji Sagramsimhji]] (b. 1865 – d. 1944)
(from 15 Feb 1887, Sir [[Bhagvatsinhji|Bhagwatsimhji Sagramsimhji]])
(personal style Maharaja from 1 Jan 1888)
|-
|10 Mar 1944 – 15 Aug 1947
|Bhojrajji Bhagwatsimhji (b. 1883 – d. 1952)
(personal style Maharaja)
|}

==Religious sites==
{{More citations needed|date=February 2012}}
[[File:Gondal - Swaminarayan Temple, Gujarat - India (3417863798).jpg|thumb|left|Swaminarayan Temple]]
The people of the Gondal, as in most of the other parts of [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]], are considered highly spiritual.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}}

The temples in Gondal include Akshar Mandir and Deri (BAPS Swaminarayan), Shri Trikamrayji Haveli, Shri Madanmohanji ni haveli (Moti Haveli), Shri Ramji Mandir, Bhuvneshwari Mandir (one of the few temples in India dedicated to this Goddess), Ashapura Mata, Sureshwar Mahadev, Dhareshwar Mahadev, Kashi Vishwanath Mahadev and the massive Ambey Dham (Ramanath) Temple.<ref>http://sriramanathdham.org/</ref> There is also another Pushtimargiya Haveli and Swaminarayan temple in the city centre.

The [[Akshar Deri]], housed within the Akshar Mandir, is the [[Samadhi (shrine)|samadhi sthan]] (memorial site) of [[Gunatitanand Swami]], who was a [[paramhansa]] of [[Swaminarayan]], and is accepted as the first spiritual successor of Swaminarayan by the [[Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha]] (BAPS).<ref>{{cite book|last=Waghorne|first=Joanne|title=Gods Of Flesh. Gods Of Stone|year=1985|publisher=Columbia University Press|location=United States|isbn=978-0-231-10777-8|pages=147}}</ref> This temple is visited by people from all over the world.

Dasi Jeevan Mandir (temple) in Ghoghavadar, {{Convert|6|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Gondal, is a site where [[:gu: દાસી જીવણ|Saint Dasi Jeevan]] lived.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sureshbjani.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/jivan_saheb/ |title=દાસી જીવણ, Dasi Jivan |newspaper= sureshbjani.wordpress.com |access-date= 12 June 2016}}</ref> Every [[Diwali in Gujarat|Gujarati New Year]] day, people gather to celebrate the holy saint's birthday.

Anand Ashrama, located easterly to Gondal close to Ghoghavadar, is a research center for folklore and Gujarati literature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anand-ashram.com/ |title=Anand Ashram, Ghoghavadar |newspaper=Anand-ashram.com |access-date= 12 June 2016}}</ref>

==Geography==
Gondal is located at {{Coord|21.97|N|70.8|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/9/Gondal.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Gondal]</ref> It has an average elevation of 132 metres (433 feet).

==Demographics==
Total Population of Gondal City as per last census was 113,000 Approx. while the Average Literacy rate is 84.3% much higher than the national average of 59% . The Demographic Distribution of the Gondal city as per 2011 census is as mentioned below :
{| class="wikitable"
|+Gondal City Demographics, 2011
!Particulars
!Total
!Males
!Females
|-
|City population
|112,197
|58,300
|53,897
|-
|Literates
|84,394
|45,853
|38,541
|-
|Children (0-6)
|12,037
|6,548
|5,489
|-
|Avg literacy
|84.26%
|88.60%
|79.62%
|-
|Sex ratio
|924
|
|
|}

==Culture and economy==
[[File:Gondal - Swaminarayan Temple, Gujarat - India (3417857288).jpg|thumb|Swaminarayan Temple, Gondal]]
Gondal has a history of art and literature. It is the birthplace of poets, singers and artists like [[Pankaj Udhas]], [[Manhar Udhas]], [[Nirmal Udhas]], [[Dhumketu (writer)|Dhumketu]], [[Makarand Dave]], [[Jay Vasavada]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gujaratishow.com/2014/03/kathiyawad-airlines-sairam-dave.html |title=Kathiyawad Airlines – Sairam Dave – Gujarati Jokes |newspaper=Gujaratishow.com |access-date= 12 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.ovi.com/in/en/nm/Product/Sairam-Dave/Lekhak-Atul-Pandya-Agharo-Kalakar/54978795 |title=Archived copy |access-date=6 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714114228/http://music.ovi.com/in/en/nm/Product/Sairam-Dave/Lekhak-Atul-Pandya-Agharo-Kalakar/54978795 |archive-date=14 July 2014 }}</ref> The first Gujarati dictionary was compiled by the Chief Education Officer, Chandrakant Bechardas Patel in Gondal with the financial support of Sir Bhagvatsighji Maharaj. The Patel family was awarded the king's summer palace on Palace Road called Geeta Bhuvan and its surrounding lands for their life's work. This all-encompassing Gujarati dictionary called the Bhagvat GoMandal is available on both the App Store & Play Store in form of an app<ref>direct descendant/left coast native/lifelong Wikipedia supporter</ref>

Janmashtami is a major and important festival and usually a week-long holiday. The 'Janmashtami Lok Mela' is organized for five to seven days at Sangramsinhji highschool ground (college chowk) to celebrate Janmashtami.{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}}

The largest factors in the economy of Gondal are oil mills and marketing yards. Gondal is the largest producer of ground nut oil in Gujarat, with 300–500 oil mills.{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}} The marketing yard is one of the biggest in the [[Kathiawar Agency|Kathiawar region]] and the second largest in Gujarat, after [[Unjha]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}} Gondal is growing in the cotton trade with the development of many ginning and pressing industries.{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}}

In addition, there are two [[Ayurveda|Ayurvedic]] (alternative) medicine manufacturers in Gondal that export overseas{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}}, as well as businesses involved in jewelry design, timber trading, and hardware manufacturing. Farming is important in the outskirts of Gondal despite a shortage of water.{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}} The markets for most commodities in Gondal are in two areas known as Nani [[Bazaar]] (small market) and Moti Bazaar (large market). The main business areas in Gondal include Town Hall, Gundala Street, Nani Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Kadiyalane, Bus stand road, and Kumbharwada.

Transportation from other parts of the country is primarily by road and rail. [[Gondal railway station]], under the [[Bhavnagar railway division]], serves Gondal city.

The main residential areas in Gondal include Bhojrajpara, G. Parekh Street, Chunara Street, Khandheria Street, Gundala Street, Mahadevwadi, Housing Board, Station Plot, Gundala Road, Yoginagar, Kashi Vishwanath road, Kadavani Nagar, Shajanand Nagar, Khodiyar Nagar and Gokul Dham. The most upscale residential areas in Gondal are Bhojrajpara, Kailashbag and Radha-Krishna Nagar, which are near to the bus station and the main market. Gardens and parks include Tulsi Baugh and Ashapura Gardens.

The schools in Gondal include St. Mary's School, Vidhya mandir, Patel Boarding, Akshar Purshotam Swami Narayan High School, and Highway Gurukul. Monghiba High school is one of the oldest girls' schools in the region.{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}}

Other landmarks in Gondal are the Center Theater, the Roma Theater, College Chowk, and the Victory Cinema.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}}

In 1947, many people who spoke [[Memoni]] migrated to Pakistan.{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}}

==See also==
* [[Bhagvatsinhji]]
* [[Kambojas]]
* [[Kumbhoj]]
* [[Sage Kambhoja]]
* [[Kambu Swayambhuva]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Wikisource1911Enc|Gondal}}
* {{cite book |title=A Short History of Gondal|author=Harikrishna Laishankar Dave|publisher=Education Society's Press|year=1867|pages=[https://archive.org/details/ashorthistorygo00davegoog/page/n213 202] |url=https://archive.org/details/ashorthistorygo00davegoog |quote=Gondal.}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Gondal, India}}
* [http://www.marugondal.com/ History and all information of Gondal http://www.marugondal.com]
* [http://www.gondalonline.com/ Portal of Gondal Business www.gondalonline.com]
* [http://www.heritagepalacesgondal.com/ Portal of Gondal Heritage Palaces www.heritagepalacesgondal.com]

{{Rajkot district}}
{{Gujarat}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Rajkot district]]
[[Category:Former capital cities in India]]
[[Category:1634 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1634]]

Gondal, India - Revision history

Samantahfp: further adjusted formatting based on references further and improved wording

>WhoAteMyButter: Rollback edit(s) by MyGujarat1 (talk): Addition of unnecessary/inappropriate external links (RW 16.1)