Dhoraji
is a large and flourishing town on the banks of small river
Safura, a brnach of the river Bhadar. Th efortification of
Dhoraji was completed in 1755 AD. The massive fort wall has
several bastions, 4 main gates and 3 baris (small gates).
The four main gates are Kathiawadi Darwaja in east, Porbandar
Gate in west, Halar Gate in north and Junagadh Gate in south.
The smaller gates are- Darbari Bari, Bhimji Bari ane Sati
Bari. Darbargadh of a Dhoraji is located at the highest point
in the town and is approached by Darbari Bari; a beautiful
gate adorned with jharokha, resting on brackets of 4 elephant
statues indifferent poses. A finely carved entrance gate leads
to the Darbargadh in the middle of a courtyard. Darbargadh
is a three storeyed structure on a high plinth. The facade
is ornamented with sculptures of musicians, complex geometric
pattern, images of sitting lions in different postures on
long caves, profusely carved pillars, horizontal freizes,
decorative kanguras and windows framing skyline. It is designed
like a jewel box - in the same architectural style of Navlakha
Places at Gondal.
The temple of Goddess Ashapura is located on the left of Darbargadh.
At present, the royal campus badly needs conservation. Not
very far from the Darbargadh, one can walk into the streets
having some of the most beautiful houses of wealthy Memon
merchants.
Sir Bhagwatsinhiji the noble ruler of Gondal State was born
at Dhoraji Darbargadh. He was a fellow of Bombay University
and received honours from Edinburough University. During his
extensive travels to Europe and England, he was greatly impressed
by Paris and got interested in the principles of European
town planning. On his return to Gondal, he established a town
planning. On his return to Gondal, he established a town planning
department and in the late 19th century, introduced town planning
principals to regularize and monitor the growth of the fortified
town of Gondal, Dhoraji and Upleta.
With the arrival of railways, a new part of Dhoraji town,
between railway station and old town, was designed using axial
planning, having broad avenues, road junctions, parks, bazaars
and public buildings. It is a good example of urban planning
of an Indian town during British Raj.
