Bhavnagar

This article is about the municipality in India. For its namesake district, see Bhavnagar district.

Template:Infobox Indian jurisdiction Bhavnagar (Gujarati: ભાવનગર, Hindi: भावनगर, ) is a city in the Indian state of Gujarat. Founded in 1723  by Bhavsinhji Gohil (1703–1764), the city was named after its founder and ruler. It has been the capital of Bhavnagar State, which was a princely state before its merger into Indian Union in 1948. It is now the administrative headquarters of the Bhavnagar district.

Bhavnagar is situated 228 km from state capital Gandhinagar and to the west of the Gulf of Khambhat. Bhavnagar is the fifth-largest city of Gujarat, and the second-largest city in the Saurashtra region. It is also known as the cultural capital of Saurashtra.

History

The Gohil Rajputs of the Suryavanshi clan, after facing severe competition in Marwar, moved down to the Gujarat coast around AD 1260 and established three capitals - Sejakpur, Umrala and Sihor. In 1822-1823, Sihor was raided by Khanthaji Kadani and Pilaji Gaekwad, but these attacks were repulsed by Maharaja Bhavsinhji Gohil. After suffering defeat in the battle, he realized the reason was the location of Sihor (old Bhavnagar). In 1823, he established a new capital near Vadva village, 20 km away from Sihor, and named it Bhavnagar. It was a carefully chosen strategic location having potential of maritime trade. Naturally, Bhavnagar City became the capital of Bhavnagar State.

The old town of Bhavnagar was a fortified town with gates leading to other important towns of the region. Bhavnagar remained a major port, for almost two centuries, trading commodities with Africa, Mozambique, Zanzibar, Singapore and the Persian Gulf.

State of Bhavnagar

• Flag Of British granted the Principality of Bhavnagar,
  *FLAG OF BHAVNAGAR STATE

Bhavsinhji made various far sighted decisions to ensure revenues from marine trade for Bhavnagar. During that period, marine trade was monopolized by Surat and Cambay. Castle of Surat was commanded by Sidis of Janjira. To protect maritime trade of Bhavnagar, Bhavsinhji entered into agreement with them in 1739 AD[4], giving 1.25% of revenues generated by Bhavnagar port. When the English took over Surat in 1856 AD, Bhavsinhji entered into similar terms with them.[3]

During his period, Bhavnagar rose from a small chieftainship to a considerably important state, with large addition of territories to the state as well as from maritime trade. This tradition was continued by successor of the founder who encouraged trade in similar manners.

Vakhatsinhji Gohil, grandson of Bhavsinhji Gohil, expanded the territory after taking possession of localities belonging to Kolis and Kathis. Also, he obtained Rajula from the Navab Saheb Ahmad Khan. Sultans of Gujarat had given the Ghogha Taluka to Babi family. It fell to Peshwa when Ahmedabad was conquered by the Marathas in 1757 AD. After falling under various hands (Momin Khan, Sher Zaman Khan), it was finally merged into Bhavnagar state by Vakhatsinji Gohil. In 1793 AD, Vakhatsinhji took over Chital, and also conquered forts of Talaja. Later, Mahuva, Kundla, Trapaj, Umrala and Botad became part of Bhavnagar state.[5]

Bhavnagar remained the main port of the state. Other important ports were Mahuva and Gogha. It prospered well among other states of the region. During late 19th century the state built the Bhavnagar State Railway, thus becoming the first state in India to build its railway on its own. This was noted by Sir W. Hunter, in his publication Imperial Gazetteer.[6] On one occasion, Mr. Peile, a Political Agent during that time, described the state as follows: "With flourishing finances and much good work in progress. Of financial matters I need say little; you have no debts, and your treasury is full."[6]

Between the years 1870-78, as the prince Takhtsinhji was a minor, an experiment in joint administration was carried out and Bhavnagar was put under a joint administration. This period produced some notable reforms. The two important people who were responsible for these reforms were Mr. E.H. Percival, of the Bombay Civil Service and Sri Gaurishankar Udayshankar Oza of Bhavnagar.

These reforms were in the areas of administration, revenue collection and judiciaries. Post and telegraph services along with railways were introduced and augmented. The port was also modernized and a new economic policy was introduced.

These reforms and changes in the system caused John Houston to say "Bhavnagar is the most important and the most advanced of the native states of Kathiawar. From a very early date it became friendly with the British authorities.It was the pioneer of civilization and administrative activity in the peninsula and has ever set an example to the neighboring chiefs in the spread of education, in the prosecution of public works, in the development of commerce and in adoption of measures generally conducive to the welfare of its subjects." [7]

In 1911, HH Maharani Nundkanvarba of Bhavnagar, was awarded the Order of the Crown of India, the highest Imperial award for women of the Empire.

This region of Bhavnagar, foremerly the princely state of Bhavnagar was also known as Gohilwad; "Land of the Gohils" ( the clan of the ruling family.

The current royal family of Bhavnagar resides in the Nilambagh Palace.

Rulers

Rulers (title Thakur Sahib)

- Guhilot dynasty -

• 1660 - 1703 Ratanji II (b. ... - d. 1703)
• 1703 - 1764 Bhavsinhji I Ratanji (b. 1683 - d. 1764)
• 1764 - 1772 Akherajji II Bhavsinhji (b. 1714 - d. 1772)
• 1772 - 1816 Wakhatsinhji Akherajji (b. 1748 - d. 1816)
• 1816 - 1852 Wajesinhji Wakhatsinhji (b. 1780 - d. 1852)
• 1852 - 1854 Akherajji III Bhavsinhji (b. 1817 - d. 1854)
• 1854 - 11 Apr 1870 Jashwantsinhji Bhavsinhji (b. 1827 - d. 1870)
• 11 Apr 1870 - 29 Jan 1896 Takhatsinhji Jashwantsinhji (b. 1858 - d. 1896)
• 29 Jan 1896 - 1 Jan 1918 Bhavsinhji II Takhatsinhji (b. 1875 - d. 1919) (personal style Maharaja Rao 1 Jan 1909)

Rulers (title Maharaja Rao)

- Guhilot dynasty -

• 1 Jan 1918 - 17 Jul 1919 Bhavsinhji II Takhatsinhji (s.a.)
• 17 Jul 1919 - 15 Aug 1947 Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavsinhji (b. 1912 - d. 1965)

• 1 Apr 1965 -26 Jul 1994 HH Shri Virbhadrasinhji Krishnakumarsinhji Gohil (b. 1932-1994) •26 Jul 1994 - till date HH Shri Vijayrasjsinhji Virbhadrasinhji Gohil,((b.1968-

Freedom Fighters of Bhavnagar State

1. Blavanatrai Maheta 2. Jadavajibhai Modi 3. Jagubhai Parikh 4. Nanabhai Bhatt 5. Akhileshvribahen Maheta 6. Ganjanan Purohit 7. Gunvantbhai Purohit 8. Atmaram Bhatt 9. Rajabali Lakhani 10.Pruthvisinh Azad 11.Tarabahen Modak 12.Gijubhai Badheka

Merger with the Indian Union in 1947

Until the independence of India in 1947, Bhavnagar was an independent state ruled by the Rajput Gohil clan. In 1947, the Deputy Prime Minister of the newly independent Indian Union Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel undertook the ambitious and complex process of unifying 565 princely states with the Union of India. The last Maharaja of Bhavnagar, Krishnakumar Sinhji handed over the administration of his Bombay State to the people's representative in 1948, and Bhavnagar became the first of these states to join the Indian Union. The erstwhile royal family of Bhavnagar continues to lead an active role in the public eye as well as in business (hotels, real-estate, agriculture & ship-breaking) and is held in high regard by the population both in the city as well as areas that comprised the former princely state of Bhavanagar.

Geography and climate

Bhavnagar
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     0     28 12     0     30 14     0     35 18     0     40 23     0     45 25     90     44 26     170     37 25     130     35 25     90     33 23     70     35 21     50     32 17     0     29 13 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: Weatherbase
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0     82 54     0     86 57     0     95 64     0     104 73     0     113 77     3.5     111 79     6.7     99 77     5.1     95 77     3.5     91 73     2.8     95 70     2     90 63     0     84 55 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Topography

Bhavnagar is a coastal city in the eastern coast of Saurashtra, also known as Kathiawar, located at 21.77°N 72.15°E / 21.77; 72.15. It has an average elevation of 24 metres (78 ft). It occupies area of 53.30 km². General slope dips in the northeasterly direction at the apex of Gulf of Khambhat. Small non-perennial river named Kansara Nala passes through outer area of the city.

Climate

Bhavnagar has a semi-arid climate, with hot, dry summers from March to mid-June, the wet monsoon season from mid-June to October where the city receives around 550 mm of rain on average. The semiarid classification is due to the city's high evapotranspiration. The months from November to February are mild, the average temperature being around 20 °C, with low humidity. Due to proximity to the sea, the climate remains a bit humid throughout the year.

Geology

The region of Saurashtra is a vital geo-dynamic part of the West India of India, and falls in the seismic zone-III of the Zoning Map of Bureau of Indian Standards. The region as a whole and the area around Bhavnagar in particular has been tectonically unstable.

Between 9 August 2000 and 15 December 2000, there was a series of earthquakes in east Saurashtra which started in Bhavnagar. 132 earthquakes of 0.5M to 3.8M were recorded. There were five earthquakes greater than 3M, with maximum magnitude of 3.8. These events were confined to an area which covered southern part of the Bhavnagar city and Tarsamiya village on the outskirts of the town.

According to historical records, an earthquake of magnitude 7 occurred near Bhavnagar in February 1705. Earthquake swarm activity also occurred in and around Paliyad (60 km north of Bhavnagar) during July–August 1938 for about two months, with four earthquakes of magnitude greater than or equal to 5 and maximum magnitude of 6.0.

Culture and arts, socialism and reforms

Home to socialism, reforms and cultural legacy, Bhavnagar is considered a city of education and culture, and is known as the cultural capital of Saurashtra. People of Bhavnagar are considered to be easy-going, and art-loving. The artists and literary luminaries of Bhavnagar have immensely contributed to the culture of the city. Gujarati is the language of normal life, although Hindi is commonly understood. Knowledge of English is limited to the more educated population of the city.

Bhavnagar has produced many reformists, thinkers, socialists, poets, writers, artists, educationists and freedom fighters. Just to name a few:

• Narsinh Mehta - a poet-saint, an exponent of Hindu devotional religious poetry, author of the famous Bhajan 'Vaishnav Jan To', born in the village of Talaja in Bhavnagar district
• Ganga sati - a medieval Gujarati saint and poet who wrote many bhajans on devotional themes, hailed from Samadhiyala village of Umrala Taluka of Bhavnagar district. The Holy Place of Ganga Sati & Panbai is situated on the riverbed of Kalubhar river.
• Kavi Kant - well known poet, served as the royal poet of Bhavnagar, born in Chavand village of Bhavnagar district
• Nanabhai Bhatt - Founder of Lokbharti, educationist, creative writer, thinker
• Gijubhai Badheka - Educationist and reformer
• Jhaverchand Meghani - one of the greatest Gujarati poets and writers of Gujarati folk literature, worked as a teacher in Bhavnagar and produced most of his literary works while living in Bhavnagar
• Kalaguru Ravishankar Raval- a painter, art teacher, art critic, journalist and essayist, born in Bhavnagar.
• Manubhai Pancholi "Darshak": an educationalist, writer and politician, who wrote many books on history and on education and other subjects lived at "lok bharti" 44 km away from Bhavnagar. His famous books are 'socretes', 'Jher to pidha chhe jani jani', 'Itihaas kathao- Greece, rom'. He got awards named as 'GYANPITH AWARD' for socretes, jamanalal bajaj award for services, murthidevi award, ranjeet ram suvarn chandrak etc.
• Prahlad Parekh and Krishnalal Shridharani - Two notable poets.
• Prof. Mehboob Desai, well known thinker,writer and Historian(Honored by Chief Minister & Governor of Gujarat State on 26 January 2012)
• Vinod Joshi is a well known modern Gujarati poet and critic.
• Kismat Qureshi, Nazir Dekhaiya, Barkat Virani are writer of Gazals.
• Prajaram Raval - poet, born in Bhavnagar, worked as principal of Ayurvedic college of Bhavnagar
• Dula Kag - renowned poet, social reformer and freedom fighter, born in Mahuva town of Bhavnagar district
• Morari Bapu - Saint, Teacher, Preacher
• Mukundrai Muni : A well known history teacher lived at "lok bharati" and given a wonderful service to the institute.
• Dr. I. K. Vijliwala : The most famous child specialist of bhavnagar and an author of a best seller Gujarati book Silence please! had wrote many other famous books.
• The famous Gujarati novel Saraswatichandra by Govardhanram Tripathi was based on locations of Bhavnagar and Sihor. A few chaptars were written during his stay in Bhavnagar.
• Somalal Shah painter did all his active work in Bhavnagar.
• Kishor Parekh: Internationally acclaimed photographer was born in Bhavnagar.
• Bhavnagar has rich tradition of having Educationist like Gijubhai Badheka, Nanabahi Bhatt, Mulshankar M. Bhatt]
• Dr Ramkrishna B Mehta- a well known physician (F.R.C.P) of Gujarat belonged to Bhavnagar, his father Dr. Balkrishna N Mehta served as a palace physician of Bhavnagar, and his brother Dr Vishnu B Mehta was also a very famous doctor of the region.
• Classical music group named Abhinav Sangit Kala Mandal run by Shri Mahidharbhai B Dave During the period 1955 to 1970.

Entertainment

Bhavnagar has a couple of single screen theaters and a multiplex with 5 screen.

Top 3 is the largest multiplex in Saurashtra with 5 screens, food courts, game stations and a large sprawling Amusement Park besides it. A two screen theatre turned multiplex called Apsara Twins, with big cinemas coming up in mid 2012. The Yashwantrao Natya Gruh is a one of the biggest Play hall in Bhavnagar District. Two Hyper Markets Reliance Super Mall and V-Mart. A large under construction leisure cum entertainment spot called ISCON City (claimed to be the largest organised township of Gujarat) and Himalaya Mega Mall (which is claimed to be the largest of Saurashtra), R.k garden restaurant, Rangoli Resorts and Restaurants like Sankalp, Park View & many more (a complete fun destination at the outskirt of the city), are to name a few which adores beauty of Bhavnagar further.

Hospitality and food

Bhavnagar is also a home of many large hotels and restaurants. Nilambagh Palace Hotel is the only 5 star heritage property in the city and is owned by the royal family. The royal family also has one boutique hotel and a beach resort making it a memorable tourist destination.

Bhavnagar is famous for sweet and snacks especially 'Bhavnagari Ganthiya". There are many famous snacks maker available in Bhavnagar like Das, Khatri, Ramkrushna, Maruti, Shreyas and many more.

Generation Hotel has been launched in Bhavnagar,it is the 1st business hotel in the city with infrastructure made of a class with 24 hrs cafe and to give a treat to your taste bud it has furnished restaurant. There is a Three Star hotel Sun n' Shine located centrally near ST Bus Station, Nilambaugh Palace Hotel a unique Royal Palace turned hotel along with a restaurant and other hotels like R.K garden restaurant White Rose, Blue Hill, Jubilee, etc.

Bhavnagar is also known for its good bud taste with some of the big brands in restaurant chains like Sankalp (for South Indian food), Uncle Sam's & Domino's Pizza and chatkazz etc., Along with other local players like Red Rose Restaurant (an authentic venue for delicious food), Jalsa - The Lounge (continental), Rocks & Logs, Park View Restaurant, Baker's Basket, The Coffee Cafe etc.,

The upcoming ISCON Mega Mall project is an entertainment/shopping plaza at the opposite side of Victoria Park. It is known to be the largest organised shopping area of the Saurashtra Region.

City planning and architecture

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.

Takhteshwar Temple (1893) is located on a hill, on a high plinth, offering a commanding view of Bhavnagar. The high shikhara rising above the pillared rectangular mandapa makes it an important landmark.

Barton Library (1895) is a beautiful two storeyed building, appropriately designed for a road junction. It has two wings and a central tower, constructed in ashlar stone masonry, with Gothic arch windows and a sloping roof with Mangalore tiles. It is one of the oldest libraries of Gujarat and also houses a museum.

Gangajalia (1893) is a temple dedicated to Ganga-devi, with a chhatri, pavilion and bridge all in white marble. It is located in the middle of a former tank. It was designed by Sir John Griffith, principal of Sir J J School of Arts, Bombay.

Nilambag Palace, now a heritage hotel, is a magnificent building set amidst a huge estate of 10 acres (40,000 m²). It was designed by a German architect, as a royal residence in 1859. It combines elements of Indian architecture with a modern outlook.

Town Hall (1932) was formerly a Darbar Hall, where the coronation of Sir Krishnakumarsinhji took place. It is an imposing structure in the colonial style, set in a well laid out garden.

Modern Bhavnagar comprises Takhteshvar Plots, Krishnanagar, Sardarnagar and surrounding area. During 1935-1937, Krishnanagar area was planned and developed by late Shri Virendrabhai C. Mehta, the official town planner for the State of Bhavnagar. In 1961, he extended his Krishanagar plan towards Sardarnagar while he planned Congress Adhiveshan. In 1975, he again got involved in planning of Bhavnagar and made a master plan of Bhavnagar.

Beautiful garden at junction of the roads is the salient feature of town planning. This kind of foresighted planning has gifted many gardens to the people & visitors of Bhavnagar. like Ghogha Circle, Mahila College Circle, Rupani Circle, Meghani Circle, Shivaji Circle, Sardarnagar Circle, Jewels Circle, Crescent Circle...

The city of Bhavnagar was one of the earliest to have an underground drainage in the whole of Gujarat.

Bhavnagar was among the first cities in Gujarat to have Water Filtration Plant. The filtration plant was the biggest one in entire Asia when it was set up by Krushnakumarsinhji.

Education

Bhavnagar is known for pioneering and laudable efforts in the fields of rural child as well as liberal women's education.

Nanabhai Bhatt, Gijubhai Badheka, Manbhai Bhatt (Founder of Shishuvihar) and Harbhai Trivedi,Gijubhai Badheka,Taraben Modak were the trinity who experimented and sowed new trends in rural and liberal child education. Nanbhai's Dakshinamurti,Bhavnagar, Gram Dakshinamurti,Amala and Lokbharati,Sanosara have prepared three generations of brilliant workers and leaders engaged in reshaping village India. Gijubhai's Dakshinamurti became the cradle of new liberal children's education and charted a new direction in the field. Harbhai Trivedi pioneered a similarly new trend in secondary education and his Home School became a model for contemporary educators in Western India.

Liberal women's education was born in Bhavnagar through the efforts of another illustrious educator-social reformer Amrutlal Dani. What has become a vibrant cluster of women's schools and colleges today is due to his devoted and pioneer work.

Ayurved is the ancient life-science gifted by the past of Incredible India. Sheth J. P. Govt. Ayurved College is one of the colleges of the well-known Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar that offers BAMS (Ayurvedacharya) course (35 seats per year). The college is situated in Vadva area in front of Sardar Baug (Pill Garden). The College is named after Sheth Jivandas Prabhudas. Tapibai Ayurvedic Hospital being the district level Ayurvedic hospital is the part of this college.

Bhavnagar's Shamaldas Arts College is the oldest institution of higher education in the region. Mahatma Gandhi studied here in 1884 AD. Bhavnagar University is well known in the region having nearly 23,000 students, number of graduate colleges, 17 post graduate departments including MBA, MCA, MSc, engineering, and medical college. There are two engineering colleges Shantilal Shah Engineering College and Government Engineering College, Bhavnagar. Both the colleges are affiliated with Gujarat Technological University.

Healthcare

Bhavnagar is having enough healthcare facilities. Wockhardt Hospitals & Sterling Hospitals are multispeciality Hospitals providing many important healthcare services. Also there is a Sir T. Civil Hospital associated with Govt. Medical College. Tapibai Ayurvedic Hospital serves the people providing Ayurvedic Treatment. There are also some trust hospitals & large number of private clinics enhancing the medicare facility. With numerous branded gyms around the city viz Talwalkars , Ravi and Kunas enhancing the health factor in bhavnagar.

Natural heritage sites

Velavadar Black Buck National Park is the only tropical grassland in India recognized as a National park. It is spread over an area of 34.08 Sq.kms. The park comprises mainly of Blackbuck, Antelope, Blue bull, Wolf, jackal, hyena, jungle cat, fox, Wild Boars.Endangered birds like Houbara Bustard, Lesser Florican, Sarus White Storks, White Pelican, Montagu, Pallid Harriers, Marsh and other raptors including the Greater Spotted Eagle, juvenile Imperial Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard are also seen in the park. The climate in Velavdar makes it one of the best places for the migrating birds to breed.

Piram bet. This is an island of 6 km away from Ghogha. It is said that this island was created about 35 lacks years ago and is a wonderful place to visit. It is well known for it diversity of life, including many vulnerable or endangered species. There is a broken fort which was built in 1325.

Economy and industry profile

Industrial development in Bhavnagar district could be attributed to the presence of a large number of diamond cutting and polishing units, salt and marine chemicals, plastics, ship building, and breaking industries. Bhavnagar is an important center for the diamond cutting and polishing industry in Gujarat as well as India. Thousands of skilled diamond-polishing workers are employed in diamond-cutting and polishing firms,whose subsidiary offices involved in cities like Surat, Mumbai, and Antwerp. Bhavnagar stands second in diamond cutting & polishing industry after Surat in India, with 6,000 units operating from the district and employing more than 3 lakh people. Bhavnagar’s commercial importance is enhanced by its proximity with the Gulf of Cambay and the Arabian Sea.Bhavnagar is the largest producer of salt, with 34,500 tons of salt being produced annually in the district. Alang ship breaking yard is the biggest in the world, recycling about 50% of the salvaged ships of the world. This has also helped developing supporting industries, such as oxygen bottling plants, re-rolling mills and induction furnaces. Bhavnagar manufactures FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) boats and steel vessels at ship building facility of Alcock Ashdown (Gujarat) Ltd. The prominent industries located in Bhavnagar are Alcock Ashdown (Government of Gujarat Undertaking), Tamboli Castings Limited., Excel, SteelCast Bhavnagar, Investment & Precision Castings, Sound Build Care Pvt Ltd etc. Ruvapari Road and Nari Road are areas where most industries are clustered. Bhavnagar has about 150 units manufacturing plastic monofilaments, and more than 400 units manufacturing plastic cloth, twine, ropes, films, and multifilament yarn. Some sections of the society depends upon agriculture for their livelihood. The city is a prominent trading post for cotton products. There are 112 medium and large scale industries located in Bhavnagar district.

Small Scale Industries (SSI)

The district has 10,080 SSI units with employment of 49,587 involving a total investment of INR 28,955 lakhs (USD 70.62 million). Around 4,460 SSI units are present in Bhavnagar taluka, witnessing investments to the tune of INR 9,956 lakhs (USD 24.28 million). Maximum number of industries are engaged in repairing & servicing, textiles, chemicals, glass & ceramics, and wood products.

Faculty of Management (FOM)

The faculty has added a number of service in terms of consultancy and technical seminars to the SSI sector in the city under the leadership of Dr A Kumar.

Industry investment trends

As per the Industrial Entrepreneur Memoranda (IEMs) filed, the total investment during 1988-97 was INR 2,693 Crore (USD 657 million), and during 1998-2007 investments worth `4,775 Crore (USD 1,164.6 million). Around 87% of the investments during 1998-07 has been contributed by infrastructure projects, cement and gypsum, and chemicals sector, while 89% of the investments during 1988-97 was contributed by industries such as chemicals, cement and gypsum Miscellaneous machinery and engineering sector showed increase in number of units while chemicals, plastic and food processing industries showed remarkable growth in investments during 1998-2007.

Investment trends: 1998-07

Infrastructure sector attracted the highest investment of INR 2,200 Crore (USD 536.5 million) contributing 46% to total investments generated during 1998-07. The next highest investment was generated by cement and gypsum sector of INR 1,637 Crore (USD 399.26 million) growing by 39% and contributing 34% to the total investments. Highest employment was generated by the chemical sector creating 3,997 jobs contributing 36% to the total jobs created Food processing industries grew by over 250 times during 1998-07 with an investment of INR 79 Crore (USD 19 million).

Investments in pipeline

A total of 11 MoUs were signed during Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summits (VGGIS) 2003, 2005 and 2007, in several sectors, such as, ports, power, agro & food processing, tourism and mineral-based industries. The power sector witnessed investments of over INR 4000 crore (USD 975.60 million) during VGGIS 2003 and 2005 by Nirma Chemicals Limited and Gujarat Petro Chemical Limited respectively. Port sector witnessed maximum number of MoUs during 2003 and 2005 in the district. Gujarat State Petronet Corporation (GSPC), has signed an MoU during Vibrant Gujarat 2007, for the privatisation of Bhavnagar port.

Economy drivers

Major investments were witnessed in infrastructure projects during 1998-07 which would further enhance the image of the district as a commercial region. Recent surge in the growth of food processing industries in the district has increased employment opportunities for the masses. Presence of Bhavnagar port has helped in catalyzing the growth of industries, making it an important terminal for export and import of goods. Proximity with other major industrial hubs of the State, such as Ahmedabad, and Rajkot has helped the district in attracting investments. Small scale industry sectors such as repairing & servicing, textiles, chemicals, glass & ceramics and wood products are the supporting pillars of the economy providing numerous employment opportunities.

Agriculture

Main Crops:

• Groundnut, onion, cotton, and bajra.
• Guavas and pomegranates. Local red colored variety is especially well known.

chitrakala arts & net world

Commerce

• Exports of cotton, ship machinery and dehydrated onions.
• Diamond cutting, polishing, marketing, Diamond jewellery manufacturing.
• Plasting ropes, yarns, twines Manufacturing.
• Re-rolling mills due to ship-breaking yard at Alang.
• Other large scale manufacturing industries like fertilizer, soda-ash, steel casting etc.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Bhavnagar had a population of 510,958. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%.Estimated population in 2010 is approx. 1300000. Bhavnagar has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 77% and female literacy of 66%. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Transportation

Bhavnagar Airport

Bhavnagar is well connected to other major cities of Gujarat such as Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Surat and more by road, with bus services operated by state-owned transport corporation Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation as well as private operators.

The city is also connected to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Surat and Vadodara and other major cities of Saurashtra by rail road.

Bhavnagar was one of the first cities in Gujarat to have an airport. Daily flights to Mumbai are operated by Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines from Bhavnagar Airport.

Intracity bus service is operated by VTCOS. Private auto rickshaw, Bicycle, Motorcycle is other mode of transport within the city and nearby villages.

Tourism

• Takhteshwar Temple Located at the centre of the city one of the highest point to view the whole city
• Nilambag Palace The residence of the current Maharaja of Bhavnagar, HH Maharaol Vijayrajsinhji Virbhadrasinhji Gohil & his family; is now also a swanky palace hotel.
• Mangalsinhji Mahal Palace This palace is the residence of the members of the Bhavnagar royal family (family of Maharajkumar Mangalsinhji Takhatsinhji of Bhavnagar).It is a historical property in the heart of Bhavnagar city and is designed on traditional Kathiawari architectural principles.It is now the formal residence of the descendants of Rajkumar Chandrajitsinhji Mangalsinhji of Bhavnagar.
• Bhav Vilas Palace This palatial property was formerly the club-house for the royal family of the erstwhile princely state of Bhavnagar, now the residence of Maharajkumar Shivbhadrasinhji Krishnakumarsinhji Gohil & his family. It is famous for its wildlife collection & lake-side views.
• Seashore at Ghogha (About 22 km. from Bhavangar): Sea-side palace retreat of the Bhavnagar royal family, also now a hotel-guesthouse for travellers wth excellent sea-side views & cuisine
• Victoria Park - It covers an area of about 500 acres (2 km²) with diverse flora and fauna. This park is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers.
• Nava Bandar (New Port)
• Barton Library
• Darbargadh:Once the seat (Main Palace) of the Bhavnagar royal family, now rented out to the State Bank of India is also their head-quarters (formerly the State Bank of Saurashtra
• Ganga Deri (Ganga Jalia Talav) The whole marble construction monument, one of the master piece of old times gifted by the Maharaja, a miniature of Taj Mahal
• Gaurishankar Lake (Bor Talav) - named after a very able 19th century minister of the king, is a reservoir originally planned for water supply to the town. It is a popular picnic spot where one can watch a setting sun over lake and enjoy a stroll on the parapet wall of the lake.
• Alang Ship Breaking Yard (About 50 km from Bhavangar on way of Talaja)
• Gandhi Smriti - a memorial, with a library of Gandhian books and photographs about the life of Mahatma Gandhi. It also has a fine collection of art objects representing the culture of the Saurashtra region.
• BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Aksharwadi, Bhavnagar.
• CSMCRI (Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute): The only constituent laboratory of CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) in Gujarat. It has worked a lot in developing Bio-Diesel from Jatropha.
• Ghogha Beach (19 km away from Bhavnagar, a favorite outing spot around.)
• Piram Bet (About 20 km away from Ghogha Beach, treasures fossils and old caves)
• Malnath Shiv Temple and Trambak Water Fall (About 15 to 20 km from Bhavnagar, Trambak is very beauty full place, you can have tracking along Malnath to Trambak, which is about 5 km.)
• Khodiyar Temple.
• Pillgarden. A beautiful garden in middle of the city. Also called Sardar Baug.
• Palitana. famous for its beautiful Jain temples. A pilgrimage place for Jains.
• Velavadar. A black buck National park.

Photo gallery

<gallery> File:Nilambaug_palace.jpg|Nilambaug Palace

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