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Rajkot
Brief
Rajkot is a bustling commercial city, with a large number of shopping complexes and accompanying heavy road traffic, but there are also some fine late 19th century colonial buildings and institutions,since the British Resident for the Western Indian States lived here. It has seen rapid industrialization in the last two decades, based especially in the processing of agricultural products. Northern Saurashtra is one of the major groundnut growing regions of India; other crops include millet and wheat.
History
Once the capital of the important princely state of Saurashtra, Rajkot became better known as the city where ,Mahatma Gandhi spent early years of his life. His father was the Diwan or Prime Minister of the King. Today, the city has also emerged as an important industrial and commercial centre of Gujarat.
Culture
Although there is an early Paleolithic site at Rajkot, there is little evidence of such settlement. Rashtriya Shala, where Mahatma Gandhi went to school, is now trying to promote one of the greatest ideals of Gandhi - handloom
Climate & Geogaphical Location
It is hot and dry in summer and cool and pleasant in winter. Rajkot is based in the costal region of the Saurashtra peninsula.
How to Reach
Rajkot is well connected by rail, road and air. By air, Rajkot is connected with Mumbai, which in turn is well connected to different parts of the country. By rail, Rajkot is the nearest railhead and is well connected with Ahmedabad, which in turn is well connected to different parts of the country. But the convenient railhead is Ahmedabad. By road, Rajkot has a good network of roads and it connects Rajkot with Jamnagar, Junagadh, Porbandar, Veraval and Ahmedabad.
Tourist Places
Watson Museum & Library
The Watson Museum and Library, in the Jubilee Gardens, commemorates Colonel John Watson, Political Agent from 1886-89. The entrance is flanked by two imperial lions. Among the exhibits are copies of artefacts from Mohenjodaro, 13th century carvings, temple statues, natural history exhibits and dioramas of local Adivasi costumes and housing styles. Perhaps the most startling piece is a huge marble statue of Queen Victoria seated on a throne, decidedly not amused.
Others
GONDAL - On the Rajkot to Junagadh road, 39km south of Rajkot on the River Gondali, is the town of Gondal. Once the centre of a former prosperous princely state, it still has some impressive buildings.
KABA GANDHI NO DELO - This is the house where Gandhi grew up, and it now holds a permanent exhibition of Gandhi items. It's within the old city on Ghee Kanta Rd, and the old city itself is an atmospheric place to wander around in.
MORVI - About 65km north of Rajkot is Morvi, Morvi is a friendly little town thats well off the main tourist track. The picturesque town, by the river Machchu is well known for the clock assembly, pottery and ceramic tiles manufacture.
SURENDRANAGAR ( WADHWAN ) - This town close to the main route from Ahmedabad to Rajkot, features the very old Temple of Ranik Devi. Ranik Devi was the subject of a clash between local rulers Sidh Raja (who planned to marry her) and Rao Khengar (who carried her off and did marry her).
TARNETTAR - Every year, in the month of Bhadra, the Trineteshwar Temple at Tarnettar, 65km north-east of Rajkot, hosts the three day Tarnetar Fair, which is best known for the different chhatris made specifically for the occasion.
WANKANER - On the bend of the Machchu river, Wankaner, another capital of the Jhala Rajputs is known for its flamboyant lifestyle of the people there. This tiny town is about 38km north of Rajkot.