Rajkot

Rajkot

Rajkot
Rajkot Rajkot
Government
• Mayor	Dhansukh Bhanderi
Population (2001)
• Total	966,642

Rajkot pronunciation^ⓘ (2005 pop. 1,252,400) is a city of Gujarat state in India and administrative headquarters of the Rajkot District.

History

Founded in 1612 by Thakur Saheb Vibhaji Ajoji Jadeja of Jadeja clan. Vibhaji was grandson of Jam Sataji of Nawanagar, present day Jamnagar. During British Rule, it was a regional headquarter (Residency).

It has been seat of Jadeja Clan (Rajkot Branch) since then.

Mahatma Gandhi, great Indian Leader, Father of the Nation and a thinker who is adored in India, spent his early years in Rajkot when his father was a Diwan to one of the Saurastra Nawab, and the house where Gandhi lived is now a museum named Kaba Gandhi No Delo. He went to school in here (Alfred High School, now known as Mahatma Gandhi High School).

Well known Marathi poet, Saleel Wagh was born here in 1967.

Geography and Climate

Rajkot is located at 22°18′N 70°47′E / 22.3°N 70.78°E / 22.3; 70.78^[1]. It has an average elevation of 134 metres (439 feet).The city is located on the bank of river [Aji] which remains dry except the monsoon months of July to September. The city is spread in the area of 104.86 km².

The average maximum temperature is 43.50°C the minimum being 24.20 °C.The city has cooler nights much to the relief of hotter days. The average rainfall is 500mm. There are three seasons observed here in different months of year as winter (October to February), summer (March to June) and monsoon (July to September).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census Template:GR, Rajkot had a population of 966,642. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Rajkot has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average.

Industry

Rajkot is famous for jewellery market, silk embroidery and Watch Parts. The city hosts several of small scale manufacturing industries. Some of the industrial products that Rajkot is popular for includes:

Bearings
Diesel Engines (Largely exported to Africa and Middle East)
Kitchen Knives and other cutting appliances
Watch Parts : Watch Cases & Bracelets
Automotive Parts
Forging industry
Casting industry
Machine tools
Software Development

Rajkot is famous for its Gold purity. It has one of the largest Gold Market called 'Soni-Bazar'.

In the near future Government of Gujarat is allocating large land areas for the development of SEZs (Special Economic Zones) which will be parted in three different areas and will include industries like Software, Auto-Mobiles, etc. As per recent market reviews, Rajkot is becoming Asia's biggest Auto-Mobile Zone.

Transportation

Rajkot is connected to major Indian cities by air, railway and road. Daily flights are operated by Jet Airways and Air Deccan via the Rajkot Airport. The city is well connected to other major cities of Gujarat such as, Junagadh, Amreli, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar Surat etc. by bus services operated by private and state-owned transport corporations. Rajkot is a main railway junction of Saurashtra, trains for the all the major cities of India is available from here.

Interesting Places

Race Course : This is a large ground/garden located in the heart of the city. It accommodates various places of interest like Baalbhavan, Children Traffic Park, Fun World etc. Race course also has various sports facilities like Olympic standard Indoor Stadium, International quality Cricket ground, Football, Hockey & Volleyball grounds, Gym and swimming pool etc. Because of all these attractions, Race Course is the most common place to be visited by the "Rajkotians". One very interesting fact about Race Course is that it provides an extremely large sitting arrangement of cement benches embedded with the outer border of the ground throughout its periphery, which is rarely seen in any other cities.

Aji Dam : This dam is built by Government of Gujarat for water supply to city area. The down stream side of the dam and surrounding area is developed and maintained by Rajkot Municipal Corporation. A beautiful step garden with amusement park for children, zoo, bird aviary, crocodile park have been provided for entertainment of the citizens of the city.

Swaminarayan Temple : This is a temple of Swaminarayan Sampradaya. It is situated on Bhupendra Road. Historically Lord Swaminarayan gave a copy of "shikshapatri", a code of conduct of his followers to Mr. Malcam (political agent of British time to this area). This temple is also well known for its philanthropic activity.

Rajkumar College Rajkot: The Rajkumar College (also known as RKC) in Rajkot is one of the oldest K-12 institutions in India today. RKC has a 26 acre (105,000 m²) campus located in the heart of Rajkot city. The college was founded for the education of the Princely order by the Princes and Chiefs of Kathiawad for the education of their sons and relations. In 1938, on the initiative of its founding members, the College became a Public School (private school in Western terms) - the first such college to do so. The college itself is also a founding member of the Indian Public Schools Conference. RKC has one of the best laboratories for its Science and Mathematics departments giving students cutting edge technology exposure.

Shri Ranchhoddas Ashram : This is the ashram of shri Ranchhoddas bapu. It is situated on Kuvadava Road. This charity trust is running hospital for blind people.

BAPS Swaminarayan Temple : This is a temple built in 1998-99 by Swaminarayan Sampradaya. It is situated on fast developing Kalavad Road near Mahila College. This temple is going to have one of the largest auditorium in the state having capacity of thousands for the so called "Ravi-Sabha" and "Yuvak-Sabha".

Ramakrishna Aashram : This temple was built on Dr. Yagnik road in 1934 on the land donated by Late Shri Dharmendrasinhji, then king of Morbi state. It is second most important place for followers of Swami Vivekananda after Kolkata.

Watson Museum : It was inaugurated in the year 1888 in Jubilee Garden of Rajkot city. It has excellent collection of archiological and ancient traditional items. This museum, along with a huge library, are located in Jubilee Gardens.

Ishwariya Temple : This is a Shiv temple on the outskirts of Rajkot. It is famous picnic spot because of the hilly terrain and a small pond. A small fair is organized here every year.

Mukti Dhama : This is an electric crematorium located in Ramnath para area. It is run and maintained by NGO under grant of Rajkot Municipal Corporation. It has number of small temples, prayer halls, library and beautiful garden displaying historical events which attracts number of people.

Jubilee Garden: A big garden with paths to walk on, trees, and swings. It is known for a special chutney made from peanuts and a spicy mix made from rice flakes called "chevdo". There are also snacks like nut brittle called "chickee" of many different varieties.

Iscon Mall and Big Bazar : There are many Big Shopping Malls in Rajkot like Iscon Prozone Mall, Iscon Mega Mall, Big Bazar, Pentaloons, Jade Blue etc. Big Market Player like Reliance and others are also coming shortly into retail section.

Yagnik Road : Yagnik Road is one of the most busiest road in Rajkot; also famous for big showrooms and shops. It links, famous Galaxy theatre and Shashtri Maidan.

Rotary Midtown Dolls' Museum: India's only Dolls Museum with more than 1500 dolls from more than 95 countries. This Dolls Museum has been recognised in the 'Limca Book of Records' as a National Record. This museum is located on Yagnik Road, RNSB Building. Timings:10:00am to 1:30pm / 3:30pm to 7:30pm (Monday closed)

External links

Template:Million plus cities in India Template:Gujarat state linkbox

^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Rajkot

[1] Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Rajkot

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