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This
ancient port on the Saurashtra peninsula, on the Arabian Sea is
mentioned in Skanda Purana as Sudamapuri and Ashmavati. It is the
city of a mythological story about the great friendship between
Lord Krishna and Sudama. Porbandar was the last capital of the Jethwa
Rajputs, who ruled this area for about 1200 years- shifting capitals
from Ghumli, Ranpur and Chhaya.
Present day Porbandar was established as a capital by Rana Sartanji
in 1785 AD. Porbandar, originally a fortified town. with high rampart
walls, bastions and five gates, lost its fortification by the order
of Colonel Lally in 1888 AD. Even today, a ritual to circumambulate
the fortification is performed by Hindus.
The prosperity of Porbandar was due to maritime trade and it was
a thriving port in the Mughal period. It was attacked by the Portuguese
in the wake of achieving supremacy over sea trade in 1531 AD. The
Walker Treaty of 1807 AD between the ruling clans of Saurashtra
and the British put an end to the feuds and it resulted in a favorable
environment for the civic development of the Porbandar State.
The most impressive feature of Porbandar is the city planning and
the stone buildings with ashlar masonary and rich carving. The facades
of the houses on either side of the streets, with series of windows,
carved gateways, using eclectic architectural language, invites
tourists to experience the streetscape on foot. The series of vistas
enriched by a skyline of temples and beautiful public buildings
and edifices overlooking the sea on Marine Drive puts Porbandar
on the list of coastal heritage towns of Gujarat.
Kirti Mandir is built next to the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi,
who was born here in 1869 AD. Lacs of Indian tourists visit the
house of the Mahatma and Kasturba, his wife. Kirti Mandir has a
Gandhian library and a prayer hall.
There is no Indian, who has not heard of the legendary friendship
of king and devotee- Krishna and Sudama- starting from the ashram
of Sandipani Rishi and culminating at the court of Lord Krishna,
in the city of gold, Dwarika. The story comes alive with the sight
of a beautiful temple in the middle of Porbandar town. In whole
of India, this is the only temple dedicated to Sudama. The maze
on the platform in the campus is an interesting feature.
Rana Sartanji built Darbargadh, the fortified palace, with a huge
carved stone entrance gate flanked by high turrets and massive wooden
doors. It is a typical example of such royal enclosures situated
within the town of Gujarat. The nearby edifices on the left of the
entrance are also good examples of large mansions with courtyards
and intricately carved wooden elements.
Rana Sartanji built the three-storeyed summer pavilion, Sartanji
Choro, in Rajput style as a retreat in the midst of the garden,
each side representing a different season. The pillars with images
of musicians, profusely carved foliated arches and a single dome
at the top gives an idea of bygone days, when Rana Sartanji used
to compose poems in Braj bhasha, sitting under this pavillion.
Huzoor Palace is located at the end of Marine Drive, in a huge campus.
The sprawling palace, built in the European style with sloping roofs
is a horizontal structure with several wings and big windows, overlooking
the sea. The wings are interspersed with the back and front yards,
bringing nature and the building together by gardens and fountains.
The semi-circular porticos with neo-classical pillars, decorated
entrance gate and commanding view makes it a must for the visitor.
Other such examples of Royal and Public heritage buildings from
the colonial period are public library, old Raj Mahal (now a college),
Victoria Jubilee Madresa, Collectorate, Bhavsinhji High School,
Natwarsinhji Sports Club.
This
ancient port on the Saurashtra peninsula, on the Arabian Sea is
mentioned in Skanda Purana as Sudamapuri and Ashmavati. It is the
city of a mythological story about the great friendship between
Lord Krishna and Sudama. Porbandar was the last capital of the Jethwa
Rajputs, who ruled this area for about 1200 years- shifting capitals
from Ghumli, Ranpur and Chhaya.
