Jamnagar

Maharaja Jamsaheb Shri of Nawanagar

Flag of the Princely State of Nawanagar

Nawanagar was founded by Jam Rawal in 1540 as the capital of the eponymous princely state.[12] Jamnagar, historically known as Nawanagar (the new town), was one of the most important and the largest princely states of the Jadejas in the Saurashtra region.vIt was a thirteen-gun salute state.

According to historical records, Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat bestowed upon Jam Lakhaji twelve villages in recognition of his role in the siege of Pawagadh. Shortly after he took possession of the villages, Jam Lakhaji was killed by his cousins, Tamachi Deda and Jam Hamir Jadeja. His son, Jam Rawal, murdered his father's killers and became ruler of Kutch. The State of Kutch was semi-independent from the Gujarat Sultanate.

Hamirji's sons, Khengarji and Sahibji, served the Sultan of Gujarat. During a hunt, the brothers saved the Sultan from being killed by a lion. As a reward for their valour, the Sultan sent an army with them to regain their kingdom. Jam Rawal prepared for battle after hearing that the two princes were returning to Kutch with the imperial army.

Goddess Ashapuraji, the supreme deity of the Jadeja Clan of Rajputs, appeared to Jam Rawal in a dream. She told him that although he had broken an oath taken in her name not to kill Hamirji, she had refrained from punishing him because he had previously honoured her. She said that Jam Rawal was no longer to dwell in Kutch.

As Jam Rawal and his entourage marched out of Kutch, they attacked and killed Tamachi Deda, the main conspirator in the murder of Jam Lakhaji. Jam Rawal also conquered the town of Amran and its dependencies, bestowing the rule of Dhrol province on his younger brother Hardholji. Hardholji died in battle at Mithoi near Khambhalia, passing the throne to his eldest son Jasoji. Jam Rawal conquered parts of Saurashtra and formed his kingdom with 999 villages named Halar.

While on a hunting trip in present-day Jamnagar, Jam Rawal's hunting dogs were scared by a hare brave enough to turn on them. Jam Rawal thought that if this land could breed such hares, the men born here would be superior to other men. As a result, he made this place his capital.

On the seventh day of the bright half of the month of Shrawan, V.S.1956 (August 1540) on the banks of the Rangmati and Nagmati rivers, Jam Rawal laid the foundation of his new capital and named it Nawanagar (new town). After a few centuries, its name changed to Jamnagar or the Town of the JAMs.

During the 18th century, Nawanagar was ruled by the Jadeja Rajputs, who were known for their bravery and military prowess. They fought many battles with the neighboring states and played a significant role in defending the region against foreign invasions.

In 1807, Nawanagar became a princely state under the British Raj. The first ruler of the state was Maharaja Ranjit Singhji, who was known for his progressive policies and efforts to modernize the state. He built many schools, hospitals, and other public facilities and introduced a number of reforms to improve the lives of his subjects. [10]

Jamsaib was instrumental in creating the city's modern infrastructure during his reign in the 1920s. Jam Saheb Shri Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji expanded the city's development in the 1940s when it was part of the Princely state of Nawanagar.

Major communities include the Jadeja, Khavas Rjput, Charan (Gadhvi), Satvaras (Dalvadis), Ahirs Sagars, Patels, Bhanushalis, Rajputs, Mers, Jains, Lohanas, Brahmins, Bhoi (Bhoiraj), and Vaghers (Muslim and Hindu)

Mangroves jungle along canal near Pirotan Island

There are two important ports close to Jamnagar. Rozi Port is on the shore of the Gulf of Kutch; Bedi Port is two nautical miles (4 kilometres (2.5 mi)) inland on the Rangamati River. Bedi Port is an all-weather intermediate seaport that exports various commodities, including bauxite, soya meal extracts, and ground nut extracts. The port's imports include coal, fertilizer, and other items.

The coral reef island of Pirotan is one of the 42 islands which compose the Marine National Park. Pirotan lies in the Arabian Sea, 12 nautical miles off the coast, and stretches up to 3 square kilometres (1.2 sq mi)

Khijadia Bird Sanctuary, located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) northeast of Jamnagar, was established 6 November 1982.[13] It features a seasonal freshwater shallow lake, inter-tidal mudflats, creeks, saltpans, saline land, and mangrove scrub.[14] The place is a known breeding ground of the great crested grebe, the little grebe, purple moorhen, coot, black-winged stilt, and pheasant-tailed jiacana.[15] Raptors, including harriers, eagles, hawks, and falcons also live here. The sanctuary also shelters migratory birds such as swallows, martins, wagtails, and waterfowl.

Jamnagar has huge reserves of bauxite, with its mines contributing 95% of the total production in the state.[16]

According to the 2011 Indian census, Jamnagar's population was 479,920, with an urban agglomeration of 600,943. Jamnagar has an average literacy rate of 82.14%, higher than the national average of 74.04%. Its male literacy rate is 86.90%, and its female literacy rate is 77.05%. In Jamnagar, 10% of the population is under six years of age. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. The urban development authority of Jamnagar is Jamnagar Area Development Authority (JADA).

Most residents of Jamnagar are Gujarati and speak the Gujarati language. A small portion of the population speaks the Kutchi language, which is written in the Gujarati script but not mutually intelligible with Gujarati. The Kathiawadi language, a colloquial dialect of Gujarati, is widely used for day-to-day communication.

Bandhej cloth

The local population has given up its ancestral fishing businesses and has adopted different jobs created by industrialization and the arrival of several giant companies. Approximately 10% of the city's population earns their income by producing and exporting traditional Bandhani cloth. Digjam runs a composite mill manufacturing worsted fabrics at Jamnagar. It has been a notable player in the worsted textile industry in India.

Jamnagar was formerly known as the Brass City because it houses more than 5,000 large-scale and 10,000 small-scale workshops that manufacture brass items. Most workshops are in and around the industrial estates of Shankar Tekri, GIDC Phase-III, M P Shah Udhyognagar, and Dared GIDC-II Industrial estate. The workshops make brass parts and extruded rods for export. Jamnagar is the largest producer of brass items in India.

Jamnagar is known as the World's Oil City because it is home to the world's biggest oil refineries. The Jamnagar Refinery is a private-sector crude oil refinery owned by Reliance Industries Limited. The refinery was commissioned on 14 July 1999 and is the largest refinery in the world.[21] Nayara Energy owns Vadinar Refinery. India's second-largest single-site refinery is at Vadinar, Gujarat.

Jamnagar has base stations for the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army, and the Indian Navy. The city has a strategic location close to Pakistan. It also has sizable reserves of bauxite, with its mines contributing 95% of the total production in the state.[16]

The Future Projects Fueling Jamnagar’s Economic Growth:

Expansion of RIL’s Jamnagar Refinery: Reliance Industries Limited has unveiled plans for a significant expansion of its Jamnagar refinery. This expansion project aims to enhance the refinery’s capacity, thereby increasing the production of petroleum products and catering to the growing domestic and international demand. The expansion is set to attract substantial investment, generate employment opportunities, and contribute significantly to the city’s GDP.

Development of Jamnagar’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ): The Government of Gujarat, in collaboration with various stakeholders, is actively developing a Special Economic Zone in Jamnagar. This SEZ aims to create a business-friendly ecosystem, attract both domestic and foreign investments, and promote exports. The development of the SEZ is poised to diversify Jamnagar’s industrial landscape, strengthen its economic resilience, and provide a significant boost to the city’s GDP.

Infrastructure Projects: Jamnagar is also witnessing several infrastructure projects that will enhance connectivity and facilitate trade and commerce. These projects include the construction of new highways, the expansion of the local airport, and the development of modern logistics and warehousing facilities. Improved infrastructure will attract more businesses, spur industrial growth, and bolster Jamnagar’s GDP.

Focus on Renewable Energy: In line with the global shift towards sustainability, Jamnagar is actively exploring renewable energy options. The city has great potential for harnessing solar and wind energy due to its geographical location and favorable climatic conditions. Investments in renewable energy projects will not only contribute to a greener future but also generate employment opportunities and diversify the city’s economic base.[22]

Cricket is a major sport in Jamnagar. A number of Indian Test cricketers hail from Jamnagar, including Vinoo Mankad, Indrajitsinhji, Ajay Jadeja, and Ravindra Jadeja. HH Shri Jam Ranjitsinji built the Ajitsinhji Pavilion cricket ground in 1908. The Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy Indian cricket competitions were named in memory of the princes of Jamnagar.

The municipal corporation built the sports complex with a swimming pool, badminton court, and other facilities. There is also an 80-year-old sports club, Summair Sports Club, built by the erstwhile rulers of Jamnagar. It has a swimming pool, tennis, squash, and badminton courts, a billiard hall, a table tennis facility, and a hotel.[30]

Jamnagar has many private and government-granted schools, including Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya; Podar International School; St. Xavier's High School, Jamnagar; Shree Shastri Tryambakram High School; Shri D.C.C. Vividh Lakshi High School; St. Ann's High School; and St. Mary's High School, Jamnagar; S.B. Sharma World School Delhi Public School,Jamnagar .[33]

Engineering colleges in the city include Kalyan Polytechnic Institute, Krishna Institute of Engineering Technology, and Shree Kankeshwari Deviji Institute of Technology. Jamnagar also has dental and health colleges, including M. P. Shah Medical College and Gujarat Ayurved University, Indian Institute of Ayurved Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, and the Government Dental College & Hospital Jamnagar.[34] There are several colleges for arts, commerce, and science.

Dhanvantri Mandir was built under the supervision of Dr. Pranjivan Manekchand Mehta, chief medical officer of Guru Govindsingh Hospital. After independence, it gained the status of Ayurveda University. It has a library and workshops and has been a place for research and international seminars on Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medicinal system.

All India Radio airs at 100.1 MHz. Top FM airs at 91.9 MHz. Radio Mirchi airs at 95 MHz.

Daily local and national newspapers are available in Jamnagar in multiple languages, including The Times of India, Economic Times, Indian Express, and Business Standard. Local newspapers published in Gujarati include Aajkaal, Bhoomi, Jamnagar Bhaskar, Khabar Gujarat, Lokwat, and Nobat. The Princely State is the local English language newspaper.

Ranjitsinhji, English cricketer, former King of Jamnagar princely state, British India.

The following individuals were born or have lived in Jamnagar:

• Ruskin Bond, author
• Ranjitsinhji, King of erstwhile Nawanagar State, first international cricketer of India, represented England cricket team.
• Vinoo Mankad, former cricketer
• Duleepsinhji, former cricketer
• Salim Durani, Indian former test cricketer
• Remo D'Souza, dancer, choreographer, actor, and film director
• Indrajitsinhji, ex test cricketer
• Ajay Jadeja, former ODI cricketer
• Rajendrasinhji Jadeja, first Chief of Army Staff
• Ravindra Jadeja, Indian cricketer
• Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji, Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, also known as The Good Maharaja

• Amrapur-A village in Janmagar

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jamnagar.

• Birds picture and information in Jamnagar
• NavaNagarNa NarBanka and RajSattaNa Rang – Books exploring History of Jamnagar