Porbandar is a coastal city in the Indian state of Gujarat, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama (Friend of Lord Krishna). It is the administrative center of Porbandar District.

City

The name "Porbandar" came from the combination of two words: "Porai", the name of a local goddess, and "Bandar" means port or harbour. Thus, 'Porbandar' translates to 'Porai's harbour'. Several sources refer to the area as 'Pauravelakul', a name known to have been in use during the 10th century; this ancient name may possibly translate to 'land of Porai's clan' or to that effect. The town finds mention in the Hindu epics as the hometown of Sudama, a beloved friend and class-fellow of lord Krishna; the town has also often been referred to as 'Sudamapuri' on that account.

Porbander skyline in 2007

Rokhadia Hanuman temple in 1958

Places of interest

• Kirti Mandir (Birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi)
• Sudama Mandir
• Bharat Mandir
• Gita Mandir
• Gayatri Mandir
• Ram Dhoon Mandir *Rokhadia Hanuman temple
• Sandipani Vidyaniketan
• Bird Sanctuary
• Rana Bapu's Mahal
• Chowpati
• Satyanarayan's Mandir
• Kamla Nehru park
• Sai BabaDat sai Mandir which is situated on national highway,every thursday many people visit temple and they get "prasad" Khichdi and vegetable.
• Shri Hari Mandir
• Many Vandis(Community Centres)
• Nehru Planetarium
• Tara Mandir
• Swaminarayan Mandir

Educational Institutions

• Arya Kanya Gurukul at Porbandar is amongst the most reputed educational organisations dedicated to female education in India. The unique education system here is a blend of the rich ancient Vedic heritage and the modern educational system. It was established by Shri Nanjibhai Kalidas Mehta.
• M.E.M. School at Porbandar was the first English Medium School in Porbandar.
• Victoria Jubilee (V.J.) Madressa Boys' & Girls' High School, Porbandar was established over 120 years ago by Sheth Haji Abdullaha Jhaveri, the founding President of the Natal Indian Congress and a person who encouraged Gandhi to move to South Africa. V. J. Madressa Girls School is recognised by IGNOU (Indira Gandhi Open University) as a Special Study Centre. This institution is managed by Porbandar Madressa Trust.
• Dr V. R. Godhaniya College, Porbandar is Managed by Shri Maldevji Odedra Smarak Trust. This college is affiliated to Saurashtra University. This institute runs courses for girls in the morning and offers co-education during afternoons. The courses for the morning session are BA and BCom (Gujarati and English Medium), BSc (Home Science). The afternoon courses are BCA, PGDCA, DCS, MA (English Literature) and BEd.

History

Harappan settlement (1600-1400 BC)

Onshore explorations in and around Porbandar brought to light for the first time the remains of a late Harappan settlement dating back to the 16th - 14th century BC, which is similar to that from Bet Dwarka. This is another evidence to suggest that the Harappan legacy of maritime activity continued till the late Harappan period on the Saurashtra coast. The discovery of ancient jetties along the Porbandar creek signifies the importance of Porbandar as an active centre of maritime activities in the past. This is an Darji community

Princely Porbandar (1600 AD onwards)

Porbandar was formerly the seat of the eponymous princely state in British India. The ruling family of the state belonged to the Jethwa clan of rajputs and had been established in the area since at least the mid 16th century. The state was subordinate to the Mughal governor of Gujarat until being overrun by the marathas in the latter half of the 18th century, whereafter they came under the authority of the Gaekwad court at Baroda, and eventually of the Peshwa. In common with the other states of Kathiawar, the state first came into the ambit of British influence in 1807, when the HEIC guaranteed security in the area in lieu of a fixed annual tribute to be paid to the Peshwa and the Gaekwad. In 1817, the Peshwa ceded his share to the HEIC; in 1820, the Gaekwad agreed to have the HIEC collect his due tributes in Kathiawar and remit the same to his treasury.

During the Raj, the state covered an area of 1,663 sq.km, encompassing 106 villages and a population, in 1921, of over 100,000 people. It enjoyed a revenue of Rs.21,00,000/-. By 1947, the rulers held the style of "Highness" and the title of "Maharaj Rana Sahib"; they were entitled to a salute of 13 guns as a hereditary distinction.

Upon the Independence of India in 1947, the state acceded unto the dominion of India. It was merged with the 'United state of Kathiawar' with effect from February 15, 1948 and eventually came to form part of the present-day state of Gujarat.

Current situation

Mahatma Gandhi's image in
the Gita Mandir, Porbandar

Despite being the birthplace of one of the most famous leaders of the world, Porbandar lacks any significant tourism infrastructure, although the area around Mahatma Gandhi's home has been renovated to become a temple of peace.

The major complaint of tourists is that the town is not known well enough, and that the bad traffic scenario means that bus journeys take many hours.

Porbandar has an excellent beach and a brilliant azure sea which could become a tourism hot spot, however the government has failed to assure cleanliness and although the ocean itself is pristine, reconstruction activities were carried on to give the chowpati (Beach) a new look by some collector in around 2003 and now it hold well arranged sitting arrangement for tourist and commuters and there is also a skating platform for children. Although the local civic body is not paying enough attention for cleanliness, their condition can be said to be better than many beaches across the country.

The main business in Porbandar is Fishing and Fish Export, The leading Fish exporter from Gujarat is SILVER SEAFOOD ( www.silverseafoods.com )which is a pride to Porbandar, Fishing industries give a lot of employments to the local and to near by district.

Present Member of Parliament is Harilal Madhavji Patel. Present Member of Gujarat Legislative Assembly is Arjunbhai Modhvadia.

Regarding any collectorate inquiry you can visit http://collectorporbandar.gujarat.gov.in/

Geography

Porbandar is located at .^[1] It has an average elevation of 0 metres (0 ft).

Demographics

India census,^[2] Porbandar had a population of 133,083. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Porbandar has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 67%. In Porbandar, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

220663 illiterate/316172 literate Gujarat govt source

References

1. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Porbandar
2. ↑

• Genealogy of the ruling chiefs of Porbandar
• Application of geological and geophysical methods in marine archaeology and underwater explorations
• http://www.porbander.com/
• http://porbandardistrict.com/

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