Porbandar was the last capital of the
Jethwa Rajputs, who ruled this area for about 1200 years- shifting capitals
from Ghumli, Ranpur and Chhaya. Present day Porbandar was established as a capital
by Rana Sartanji in 1785 AD. Porbandar, originally a fortified town. with high
rampart walls, bastions and five gates, lost its fortification by the order
of Colonel Lally in 1888 AD. Even today, a ritual to circumambulate the fortification
is performed by Hindus.
The prosperity of Porbandar was due to maritime trade and it was a thriving
port in the Mughal period. It was attacked by the Portuguese in the wake of
achieving supremacy over sea trade in 1531 AD. The Walker Treaty of 1807 AD
between the ruling clans of Saurashtra and the British put an end to the feuds
and it resulted in a favorable environment for the civic development of the
Porbandar State.
The most impressive feature of Porbandar is the city planning and the stone
buildings with ashlar masonary and rich carving. The facades of the houses on
either side of the streets, with series of windows, carved gateways, using eclectic
architectural language, invites tourists to experience the streetscape on foot.
The series of vistas enriched by a skyline of temples and beautiful public buildings
and edifices overlooking the sea on Marine Drive puts Porbandar on the list
of coastal heritage towns of Gujarat.
Kirti Mandir is built next to the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, who was born
here in 1869 AD. Lacs of Indian tourists visit the house of the Mahatma and
Kasturba, his wife. Kirti Mandir has a Gandhian library and a prayer hall.
There is no Indian, who has not heard of the legendary friendship of king and
devotee- Krishna and Sudama- starting from the ashram of Sandipani Rishi and
culminating at the court of Lord Krishna, in the city of gold, Dwarika. The
story comes alive with the sight of a beautiful temple in the middle of Porbandar
town. In whole of India, this is the only temple dedicated to Sudama. The maze
on the platform in the campus is an interesting feature.
Rana Sartanji built Darbargadh, the fortified palace, with a huge carved stone
entrance gate flanked by high turrets and massive wooden doors. It is a typical
example of such royal enclosures situated within the town of Gujarat. The nearby
edifices on the left of the entrance are also good examples of large mansions
with courtyards and intricately carved wooden elements.
Rana Sartanji built the three-storeyed summer pavilion, Sartanji Choro, in Rajput
style as a retreat in the midst of the garden, each side representing a different
season. The pillars with images of musicians, profusely carved foliated arches
and a single dome at the top gives an idea of bygone days, when Rana Sartanji
used to compose poems in Braj bhasha, sitting under this pavillion.
Huzoor Palace is located at the end of Marine Drive, in a huge campus. The sprawling
palace, built in the European style with sloping roofs is a horizontal structure
with several wings and big windows, overlooking the sea. The wings are interspersed
with the back and front yards, bringing nature and the building together by
gardens and fountains. The semi-circular porticos with neo-classical pillars,
decorated entrance gate and commanding view makes it a must for the visitor.
Other such examples of Royal and Public heritage buildings from the colonial
period are public library, old Raj Mahal (now a college), Victoria Jubilee Madresa,
Collectorate, Bhavsinhji High School, Natwarsinhji Sports Club.
Excursions in Porbandar
Modpar Fort 70 km, Ghumli 50 km, Gop 70 km, Harshad Mata Temple 36 km, Barda
wild life sanctuary 40 km
Porbandar Travel Information
By Air:
Porbandar is connected by air to Mumbai
By Rail:
Railway station on Porbandar-Ahmedabad railway line
Road:
Ahmedabad (412 km), Rajkot (187 km), Jamnagar (124 km)
Local transport:
Non-Metered Autorickshaws and Local Buses.
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