Rajkot
Encyclopedia
Rajkot is the 4th largest city in the state of Gujarat, India
. Rajkot is the 28th urban agglomeration in India
, with a population more than 1.43 million as on 2008. Rajkot is ranked 22nd in The world's fastest growing cities and urban areas from 2006 to 2020.
Rajkot is a city of Gujarat state in India
and administrative headquarters of the Rajkot District
, 245 km from the state capital Gandhinagar, located on the banks of the Aji River
and Nyari River. Rajkot was the capital of the then Saurashtra state from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956 before merging in bilingual Bombay State
on 1 November 1956. Rajkot was merged into Gujarat State from bilingual Bombay state on May 1, 1960.
.
. Rajkot was named in honor of its co-founder,vishal kanjariya.
of Junagadh
's Nawab
, conquered Rajkot in the year 1720 AD. and changed the name of Rajkot to Masumabad. In 1722 AD, fortress were built with about 4 to 5 kilometers perimeter and had walls that were 8 feet (2.4 m) wide. There were eight gates, each studded with iron spikes on its outer side, for access to Masumabad: Kotharia Naka, Nava Naka, Raiya Naka, Bedi Naka, Bhichari Naka, Sardhar Naka and Pal no Darwajo. Further, there was a gate without spikes called Khadaki Naka near Nakalank Temple. The ruins of the fort wall can be seen in the bastion in the Ramnath para area. Gates of Bedi Naka and Raiya Naka were modified during the colonial times. The chief Engineer of British Agency, Sir Robert Bell Booth, renovated Bedi gate and Raiya Naka gate and built the present three storied clock towers in 1892.
Masumabad was later conquered by the Jadeja clan
with the help of Raviraj Gadhvi and its name restored to Rajkot. Bavajiraj Jadeja built Darbargadh, the first palace of this princely state. Bavajiraj was succeeded by his son, Sir Lakhajiraj Jadeja, the most prominent ruler amongst the Jadeja rulers to that time, who constructed Lalpari and Randarda lakes. Dharmendrasinhji Jadeja, succeeded his father, Sir Lakhajiraj, but died while hunting of Lion in Sasan Gir and was succeeded by his brother Pradyumansinhji Jadeja, Sir Lakhajiraj Jadeja's second son. Rajkot was merged into Republic of India during Pradumansinh Jadeja's reign.
founded the Saurashtra agency in Rajkot to moderate all princely states. The regional headquarters and residency of this agency was at Kothi Compound. The British constructed many impressive colonial buildings and educational institutions, such as Connaught Hall and The Rajkumar College
.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a.k.a. Mahatma Gandhi, spent the early years of his life in Kaba Gandhi No Delo
when his father was a Diwan to the king of Rajkot. Gandhi fasted to ask to form a people's council and liberation of people of Rajkot at Rashtriya Shala in March 1939.
, headed by U. N. Dhebar
as Chief Minister. Rajkot was merged into the newly-created Gujarat State when it was separated from the bilingual Bombay State
on May 1, 1960.
Thakore Pradyumansinhji died in 1973. His son, Thakore Manoharsinh Pradyumansinh, who has carved out a political career at the provincial level, succeeded him. He served as a Member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly for several years and as the state Minister for Health and Finance. The Heir Apparent, Mandattasinh has embarked on a business career and environmentalism .
and Nyari River which remains dry except the monsoon months of July to September. The city is spread in the area of 104.86 km².
season from mid-June to October, when the city receives 500 mm of rain on average. The months from November to February are mild, the average temperature being around 20°C, with low humidity.
One of the most important weather phenomena that are associated with the city of Rajkot is cyclone. The cyclones generally occur in the Arabian Sea during the months after the rainy season. The region experiences a lot of rainfall and high-speed winds during the time of the year after the monsoon season as well as the months of May and June. However, June experiences lesser amount of rainfall and winds than the post-monsoon time. Thunderstorms are another important part of the Rajkot weather in the months of June and July. During summer time, the temperature ranges between 24°C and 42°C. In the months of winter, Rajkot temperature varies between 10°C and 22°C but on a whole winters are pleasant.
Rajkot city has an average literacy rate of 80.6%, higher than the national average.
A clear majority of the people here are Hindus. Muslim population is more than ten percent. In Muslim population 95% is Sunni Muslim. Many intermarriages between the Hindus and the Jains occur quite frequently.
Rajkot is multicultural. One can find many languages, like Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi. However, only Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, and English are well understood. Rajkot is the part of Kathiyawad. Because of this people of Rajkot are also known as Kathiyawadi.
Rajkot is frequently referred to as "Rangilu Rajkot" (રંગીલુ રાજકોટ) meaning colorful Rajkot. The people of Rajkot like to enjoy themselves to the fullest no matter which season or time of the day. You can find them eating out at 1 am. Shopkeepers mostly close their business between 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm and sleep at home. There is often a saying "સુરત તો સુરત છે પણ રાજકોટ ખુબસુરત છે" (Surat
may be beautiful, but cannot stand against the beauty of Rajkot).
. Other notable points of interest near the Garden include the historic Mohandas Gandhi High School, Kaba Gandhi No Delo
(Mohandas Gandhi's childhood residence), Rashtriya Shala, Watson Museum
, Lang Library and Rotary Midtown Library.
The Rotary Dolls Museum has a collection of more than 1,400 unique dolls from all over the world.
The Lang Library and the G.T. Sheth Library collect thousands of documents and books covering every period in Rajkot and Saurashtra (region) history. Rajkot has many other public libraries with many branches throughout the city. It includes Rotary Midtown of Rajkot City Library and many more.
Other points of interest in Rajkot include Gebanshah Pir Dargah,Hashanshah Pir Dargah, Turkibapu's Dargah, Swaminarayan Gurukul
, Masonic Hall, Jam Tower, Race Course
, Aji Dam
, Ramakrishna Aashram, Shri Ranchhoddas Ashram, Swaminarayan Temple, Nageshwar Parswanath Jain Temple, Balkrishna Haveli, Ishwariya Temple and Garden, Mukti Dhama, Lal Pari Lake, Randerda Lake, Kaba Gandhi no Delo: Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital[ Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital Performing Heart Surgeries Free of Cost]
Gandhiji's ancestral home which now houses the Gandhi Smriti, a permanent exhibition.
Watson Museum And Library:
The Watson Museum today has a collection of human history and culture. Its collection has precious objects of colonial period of India and History of Rajkot.
Located in the pleasant Jubilee Garden, the museum is a good introduction to Saurashtra's cultural heritage. Rajkot Memon Boarding;is head quarter of Muslim activities before 1947. Saurashtra Muslim league held many Muslim convention at Rajkot Memon boarding ground.
Pankaj Bhatt, Raju Trivedi, Shailesh-Utpal and Manoj-Bimal are well-known music directors of Gujarat and full-fladge working with folk song and folklore recently.
Currently in a new young blood music director in Rajkot Rachintan trivedi.
is the most famous sport in the city. One-day internationals, domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy
, the Duleep Trophy
and many inter-school and collegiate tournaments are played at the Madhavrao Sindhia Cricket Ground. Rajkot has produced cricketers such as K S Ranjitsinhji
and Karsan Ghavri
who have been members of the Indian cricket team. Rajkot has many other cricket grounds around city, including Railway Cricket Ground and Rajkumar College South Ground
. Apart from cricket, other sports such as hockey
, football, volleyball
, badminton
, tennis
, table-tennis, chess
, swimming
and squash
are rapidly growing popular in the city. There has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of private sports clubs, gymkhanas and gymnasiums. Kathiawar gymkhana, indoor stadium and swimming pools of Rajkot Municipal Corporation
are major sports clubs in city. Recently, the Gujarat Hockey Team (Under 14) was assembled with all 16 players coming from Rajkot.A new modernized cricket ground is even under construction at the outskirts.Many new talents are arising due to sports facilities like cheteshwar pujara -cricketer.There are numerous swimming pools too.
stations at All India Radio (Akashvani)
(102.4 FM), Gyan Vani
(107.8 FM), BIG FM (92.7 FM), Radio Mirchi
(98.3 FM), and Red FM
(93.5 FM). More stations are available through satellite radio provider 1worldspace with 33 channels. All India Radio also broadcasts on 810 AM.
(DD1), DD Gujarati (DD11) from Doordarshan Kendra, Rajkot. Rajkot Chamber of Cable operators (RCC) has launched a company which provides cable connection to Rajkot City and its suburbs with 94 circulars. Currently RCC is multicasting around 90 channels. BSNL
Telephone Exchange provides PSTN, mobile
, wireless local loop
and broadband
services. Private companies like Idea cellular, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Indicom, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India also provide mobile and broadband services.
classes and laughing club can be found there. Free Ayruvedic medicine (Kadvu Kadiyatu) can be provided in early morning for walkers.
, a dance form, is popular both with men and women and is performed during the Navratri festival. The dance starts before midnight and continues until dawn. Mata Ambe, who rides a Lion, has a special reverential status with any highly religious Gujarati. The 'Janmastami Mela' organizes by for five days at the Race Course grounds to celebrate Janmastami. Diwali
is the New Year for Hindus and people celebrate by doing Ma Laxmi Pujan. Moharam is new year of Muslim. Muslim's also celebrate ramzan Eid and bakri Eid. Rajkot Municipality arranges the Firecracker Show for the citizens of Rajkot. People clean and paint their houses and purchase new clothes to wear on New Year's Day. Dhuleti is the colour festival and Mahashivratri is God Shiva's day. People also celebrate Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) on 14 January by flying kites from their terraces. Other holidays are Ganesh Utsava, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti etc. Since Rajkot has people from many different castes and races, their various celebrations occur throughout the year.
(GIDC) and Gujarat State Financial Corporation (GSFC). The economy of Rajkot got another shot in the arm with 28 crore World Bank aid for development of infrastructure of the city. Many a renowned business houses made a beeline for grabbing the property market in the city, before it skyrockets. The plans are already in place to beautify and modernize the ancient city, including a Rock Garden, ala Chandigarh. Another 25 crore project to rebuild the Kaiser-e-Hind, the only major bridge linking to the city, is already nearing completion. All such infrastructure development will add to the economic wealth and promote the local business houses.
, diesel engines, kitchen knives and other cutting appliances, watch parts (cases & bracelets), automotive parts, forging industry, casting industry, machine tools, share market and software development. The city is also home to one of the largest CNC
machine manufacturer in the country, Jyoti CNC Automation Pvt. Ltd. The Real Estate
sector is also booming in the city, as the land prices in the city are some of the highest in India.Rajkot's Famous For its Precise And Punctual Work Is The 'Krishna Industries' And Its Second Unit 'Siva Sai' In Metoda GIDC Plot No-1896,1897
Rajkot is well known throughout the world for its casting and forging industries. Over the last few years, it has started to play an increasingly important role in the complex supply chains of many global engineering companies that make products such as electric motors, automobiles, machine tools, bearings, etc. Companies such as Echjay Industries, Solar Technocast Pvt. Ltd, Amul Industries, Prashant Castings (P) Ltd, Doctor Pumps Rolex Rings, Topland Engines etc. are prime examples of this trend and due to huge investments by the Government and private sector in local infrastructure such as highways, ports, power plants etc., many more companies are expected to join them.
There are about 500 foundry units in Rajkot. The cluster came-up mainly to cater to the casting requirements of the local diesel engine industry. The geographical spread of the cluster includes Aji Vasahat, Gondal Road and Bhavanagar Road areas. The majority of foundry units in Rajkot produce grey iron castings for the domestic market. A very small percentage (about 2%) of the foundry units export castings such as electric motor castings, automobile castings etc.
Rajkot is also famous for its gold purity. It has one of the largest gold markets in India. Rajkot is also growing up in Software Industries and ITeS. There are many SOHO
companies working in web development and many new multinational software companies and call centers are setting up their operation and development center in Rajkot. Rajkot is also home of one of leading management consulting
firm in India, Ikon Marketing Consultants
.
In the near future, the government of Gujarat will allocate large land areas for the development of Special Economic Zone which will be parted in three different areas and will include industries such as Software, Auto-Mobiles, etc. As per recent market reviews, Rajkot is becoming Asia's biggest Auto-Mobile Zone.
Rajkot is also famous for its textile printing units,this units products Cotton sulvar-suits and Cotton prints sarees, and also make a pure silk patoda.
Once upon a time Rajkot was the hub of India in the field of Diesel engine and submersible Pumps. Still, Submersible pumps are manufactured in a lot and marketed throughout India and some of the big manufacturers also export them.
, Rajkot Urban Development Authority
and bodies like Police Department of Gujarat and Rajkot City Traffic Police Department are serving their best to maintain law and order in the city.
The city civic body has started a 24x7 call center, the first of its kind in Gujarat and the second in the country to take care of all complaints relating to civic management. Citizens can now get all their complaints registered with the Rajkot Municipal Corporation by dialling a single number with an assurance that the problem would be addressed within 72 hours.
.They include 20 schools and learning centers, which consist of 3 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 4 junior high schools, 4 senior high schools, 1 education centers, and 1 special school. There are also some well-known self-financed public schools making a significant contribution to the field of education in Rajkot.
Rajkot also has Union Government HRD Ministry run Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
, now shifted to Jamnagar highway premise. Earlier it started at the Juni Khadki school premise of Sir Lakhajiraj High School and later on moved to its own building on the Jamnagar Road. It is CBSE Board affiliated, residential school for girls and boys, providing a high quality education to those selected at the Class VI level all India entrance test.
List of High Schools
Rajkot ( Rājkot ) is the 4th largest city in the state of Gujarat, India
. Rajkot is the 28th urban agglomeration in India
, with a population more than 1.43 million as on 2008. Rajkot is ranked 22nd in The world's fastest growing cities and urban areas from 2006 to 2020.
Rajkot is a city of Gujarat state in India
and administrative headquarters of the Rajkot District
, 245 km from the state capital Gandhinagar, located on the banks of the Aji River
and Nyari River. Rajkot was the capital of the then Saurashtra state from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956 before merging in bilingual Bombay State
on 1 November 1956. Rajkot was merged into Gujarat State from bilingual Bombay state on May 1, 1960.
.
. Rajkot was named in honor of its co-founder,vishal kanjariya.
of Junagadh
's Nawab
, conquered Rajkot in the year 1720 AD. and changed the name of Rajkot to Masumabad. In 1722 AD, fortress were built with about 4 to 5 kilometers perimeter and had walls that were 8 feet (2.4 m) wide. There were eight gates, each studded with iron spikes on its outer side, for access to Masumabad: Kotharia Naka, Nava Naka, Raiya Naka, Bedi Naka, Bhichari Naka, Sardhar Naka and Pal no Darwajo. Further, there was a gate without spikes called Khadaki Naka near Nakalank Temple. The ruins of the fort wall can be seen in the bastion in the Ramnath para area. Gates of Bedi Naka and Raiya Naka were modified during the colonial times. The chief Engineer of British Agency, Sir Robert Bell Booth, renovated Bedi gate and Raiya Naka gate and built the present three storied clock towers in 1892.
Masumabad was later conquered by the Jadeja clan
with the help of Raviraj Gadhvi and its name restored to Rajkot. Bavajiraj Jadeja built Darbargadh, the first palace of this princely state. Bavajiraj was succeeded by his son, Sir Lakhajiraj Jadeja, the most prominent ruler amongst the Jadeja rulers to that time, who constructed Lalpari and Randarda lakes. Dharmendrasinhji Jadeja, succeeded his father, Sir Lakhajiraj, but died while hunting of Lion in Sasan Gir and was succeeded by his brother Pradyumansinhji Jadeja, Sir Lakhajiraj Jadeja's second son. Rajkot was merged into Republic of India during Pradumansinh Jadeja's reign.
founded the Saurashtra agency in Rajkot to moderate all princely states. The regional headquarters and residency of this agency was at Kothi Compound. The British constructed many impressive colonial buildings and educational institutions, such as Connaught Hall and The Rajkumar College
.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a.k.a. Mahatma Gandhi, spent the early years of his life in Kaba Gandhi No Delo
when his father was a Diwan to the king of Rajkot. Gandhi fasted to ask to form a people's council and liberation of people of Rajkot at Rashtriya Shala in March 1939.
, headed by U. N. Dhebar
as Chief Minister. Rajkot was merged into the newly-created Gujarat State when it was separated from the bilingual Bombay State
on May 1, 1960.
Thakore Pradyumansinhji died in 1973. His son, Thakore Manoharsinh Pradyumansinh, who has carved out a political career at the provincial level, succeeded him. He served as a Member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly for several years and as the state Minister for Health and Finance. The Heir Apparent, Mandattasinh has embarked on a business career and environmentalism .
and Nyari River which remains dry except the monsoon months of July to September. The city is spread in the area of 104.86 km².
season from mid-June to October, when the city receives 500 mm of rain on average. The months from November to February are mild, the average temperature being around 20°C, with low humidity.
One of the most important weather phenomena that are associated with the city of Rajkot is cyclone. The cyclones generally occur in the Arabian Sea during the months after the rainy season. The region experiences a lot of rainfall and high-speed winds during the time of the year after the monsoon season as well as the months of May and June. However, June experiences lesser amount of rainfall and winds than the post-monsoon time. Thunderstorms are another important part of the Rajkot weather in the months of June and July. During summer time, the temperature ranges between 24°C and 42°C. In the months of winter, Rajkot temperature varies between 10°C and 22°C but on a whole winters are pleasant.
Rajkot city has an average literacy rate of 80.6%, higher than the national average.
A clear majority of the people here are Hindus. Muslim population is more than ten percent. In Muslim population 95% is Sunni Muslim. Many intermarriages between the Hindus and the Jains occur quite frequently.
Rajkot is multicultural. One can find many languages, like Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi. However, only Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, and English are well understood. Rajkot is the part of Kathiyawad. Because of this people of Rajkot are also known as Kathiyawadi.
Rajkot is frequently referred to as "Rangilu Rajkot" (રંગીલુ રાજકોટ) meaning colorful Rajkot. The people of Rajkot like to enjoy themselves to the fullest no matter which season or time of the day. You can find them eating out at 1 am. Shopkeepers mostly close their business between 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm and sleep at home. There is often a saying "સુરત તો સુરત છે પણ રાજકોટ ખુબસુરત છે" (Surat
may be beautiful, but cannot stand against the beauty of Rajkot).
. Other notable points of interest near the Garden include the historic Mohandas Gandhi High School, Kaba Gandhi No Delo
(Mohandas Gandhi's childhood residence), Rashtriya Shala, Watson Museum
, Lang Library and Rotary Midtown Library.The Rotary Dolls Museum has a collection of more than 1,400 unique dolls from all over the world.
The Lang Library and the G.T. Sheth Library collect thousands of documents and books covering every period in Rajkot and Saurashtra (region) history. Rajkot has many other public libraries with many branches throughout the city. It includes Rotary Midtown of Rajkot City Library and many more.
Other points of interest in Rajkot include Gebanshah Pir Dargah,Hashanshah Pir Dargah, Turkibapu's Dargah, Swaminarayan Gurukul
, Masonic Hall, Jam Tower, Race Course
, Aji Dam
, Ramakrishna Aashram, Shri Ranchhoddas Ashram, Swaminarayan Temple, Nageshwar Parswanath Jain Temple, Balkrishna Haveli, Ishwariya Temple and Garden, Mukti Dhama, Lal Pari Lake, Randerda Lake, Kaba Gandhi no Delo: Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital[ Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital Performing Heart Surgeries Free of Cost]
Gandhiji's ancestral home which now houses the Gandhi Smriti, a permanent exhibition.
Watson Museum And Library:
The Watson Museum today has a collection of human history and culture. Its collection has precious objects of colonial period of India and History of Rajkot.
Located in the pleasant Jubilee Garden, the museum is a good introduction to Saurashtra's cultural heritage. Rajkot Memon Boarding;is head quarter of Muslim activities before 1947. Saurashtra Muslim league held many Muslim convention at Rajkot Memon boarding ground.
Pankaj Bhatt, Raju Trivedi, Shailesh-Utpal and Manoj-Bimal are well-known music directors of Gujarat and full-fladge working with folk song and folklore recently.
Currently in a new young blood music director in Rajkot Rachintan trivedi.
is the most famous sport in the city. One-day internationals, domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy
, the Duleep Trophy
and many inter-school and collegiate tournaments are played at the Madhavrao Sindhia Cricket Ground. Rajkot has produced cricketers such as K S Ranjitsinhji
and Karsan Ghavri
who have been members of the Indian cricket team. Rajkot has many other cricket grounds around city, including Railway Cricket Ground and Rajkumar College South Ground
. Apart from cricket, other sports such as hockey
, football, volleyball
, badminton
, tennis
, table-tennis, chess
, swimming
and squash
are rapidly growing popular in the city. There has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of private sports clubs, gymkhanas and gymnasiums. Kathiawar gymkhana, indoor stadium and swimming pools of Rajkot Municipal Corporation
are major sports clubs in city. Recently, the Gujarat Hockey Team (Under 14) was assembled with all 16 players coming from Rajkot.A new modernized cricket ground is even under construction at the outskirts.Many new talents are arising due to sports facilities like cheteshwar pujara -cricketer.There are numerous swimming pools too.
stations at All India Radio (Akashvani)
(102.4 FM), Gyan Vani
(107.8 FM), BIG FM (92.7 FM), Radio Mirchi
(98.3 FM), and Red FM
(93.5 FM). More stations are available through satellite radio provider 1worldspace with 33 channels. All India Radio also broadcasts on 810 AM.
(DD1), DD Gujarati (DD11) from Doordarshan Kendra, Rajkot. Rajkot Chamber of Cable operators (RCC) has launched a company which provides cable connection to Rajkot City and its suburbs with 94 circulars. Currently RCC is multicasting around 90 channels. BSNL
Telephone Exchange provides PSTN, mobile
, wireless local loop
and broadband
services. Private companies like Idea cellular, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Indicom, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India also provide mobile and broadband services.
classes and laughing club can be found there. Free Ayruvedic medicine (Kadvu Kadiyatu) can be provided in early morning for walkers.
, a dance form, is popular both with men and women and is performed during the Navratri festival. The dance starts before midnight and continues until dawn. Mata Ambe, who rides a Lion, has a special reverential status with any highly religious Gujarati. The 'Janmastami Mela' organizes by for five days at the Race Course grounds to celebrate Janmastami. Diwali
is the New Year for Hindus and people celebrate by doing Ma Laxmi Pujan. Moharam is new year of Muslim. Muslim's also celebrate ramzan Eid and bakri Eid. Rajkot Municipality arranges the Firecracker Show for the citizens of Rajkot. People clean and paint their houses and purchase new clothes to wear on New Year's Day. Dhuleti is the colour festival and Mahashivratri is God Shiva's day. People also celebrate Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) on 14 January by flying kites from their terraces. Other holidays are Ganesh Utsava, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti etc. Since Rajkot has people from many different castes and races, their various celebrations occur throughout the year.
(GIDC) and Gujarat State Financial Corporation (GSFC). The economy of Rajkot got another shot in the arm with 28 crore World Bank aid for development of infrastructure of the city. Many a renowned business houses made a beeline for grabbing the property market in the city, before it skyrockets. The plans are already in place to beautify and modernize the ancient city, including a Rock Garden, ala Chandigarh. Another 25 crore project to rebuild the Kaiser-e-Hind, the only major bridge linking to the city, is already nearing completion. All such infrastructure development will add to the economic wealth and promote the local business houses.
, diesel engines, kitchen knives and other cutting appliances, watch parts (cases & bracelets), automotive parts, forging industry, casting industry, machine tools, share market and software development. The city is also home to one of the largest CNC
machine manufacturer in the country, Jyoti CNC Automation Pvt. Ltd. The Real Estate
sector is also booming in the city, as the land prices in the city are some of the highest in India.Rajkot's Famous For its Precise And Punctual Work Is The 'Krishna Industries' And Its Second Unit 'Siva Sai' In Metoda GIDC Plot No-1896,1897
Rajkot is well known throughout the world for its casting and forging industries. Over the last few years, it has started to play an increasingly important role in the complex supply chains of many global engineering companies that make products such as electric motors, automobiles, machine tools, bearings, etc. Companies such as Echjay Industries, Solar Technocast Pvt. Ltd, Amul Industries, Prashant Castings (P) Ltd, Doctor Pumps Rolex Rings, Topland Engines etc. are prime examples of this trend and due to huge investments by the Government and private sector in local infrastructure such as highways, ports, power plants etc., many more companies are expected to join them.
There are about 500 foundry units in Rajkot. The cluster came-up mainly to cater to the casting requirements of the local diesel engine industry. The geographical spread of the cluster includes Aji Vasahat, Gondal Road and Bhavanagar Road areas. The majority of foundry units in Rajkot produce grey iron castings for the domestic market. A very small percentage (about 2%) of the foundry units export castings such as electric motor castings, automobile castings etc.
Rajkot is also famous for its gold purity. It has one of the largest gold markets in India. Rajkot is also growing up in Software Industries and ITeS. There are many SOHO
companies working in web development and many new multinational software companies and call centers are setting up their operation and development center in Rajkot. Rajkot is also home of one of leading management consulting
firm in India, Ikon Marketing Consultants
.
In the near future, the government of Gujarat will allocate large land areas for the development of Special Economic Zone which will be parted in three different areas and will include industries such as Software, Auto-Mobiles, etc. As per recent market reviews, Rajkot is becoming Asia's biggest Auto-Mobile Zone.
Rajkot is also famous for its textile printing units,this units products Cotton sulvar-suits and Cotton prints sarees, and also make a pure silk patoda.
Once upon a time Rajkot was the hub of India in the field of Diesel engine and submersible Pumps. Still, Submersible pumps are manufactured in a lot and marketed throughout India and some of the big manufacturers also export them.
, Rajkot Urban Development Authority
and bodies like Police Department of Gujarat and Rajkot City Traffic Police Department are serving their best to maintain law and order in the city.
The city civic body has started a 24x7 call center, the first of its kind in Gujarat and the second in the country to take care of all complaints relating to civic management. Citizens can now get all their complaints registered with the Rajkot Municipal Corporation by dialling a single number with an assurance that the problem would be addressed within 72 hours.
.They include 20 schools and learning centers, which consist of 3 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 4 junior high schools, 4 senior high schools, 1 education centers, and 1 special school. There are also some well-known self-financed public schools making a significant contribution to the field of education in Rajkot.
Rajkot also has Union Government HRD Ministry run Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
, now shifted to Jamnagar highway premise. Earlier it started at the Juni Khadki school premise of Sir Lakhajiraj High School and later on moved to its own building on the Jamnagar Road. It is CBSE Board affiliated, residential school for girls and boys, providing a high quality education to those selected at the Class VI level all India entrance test.
List of High Schools
Rajkot ( Rājkot ) is the 4th largest city in the state of Gujarat, India
. Rajkot is the 28th urban agglomeration in India
, with a population more than 1.43 million as on 2008. Rajkot is ranked 22nd in The world's fastest growing cities and urban areas from 2006 to 2020.
Rajkot is a city of Gujarat state in India
and administrative headquarters of the Rajkot District
, 245 km from the state capital Gandhinagar, located on the banks of the Aji River
and Nyari River. Rajkot was the capital of the then Saurashtra state from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956 before merging in bilingual Bombay State
on 1 November 1956. Rajkot was merged into Gujarat State from bilingual Bombay state on May 1, 1960.
.
. Rajkot was named in honor of its co-founder,vishal kanjariya.
of Junagadh
's Nawab
, conquered Rajkot in the year 1720 AD. and changed the name of Rajkot to Masumabad. In 1722 AD, fortress were built with about 4 to 5 kilometers perimeter and had walls that were 8 feet (2.4 m) wide. There were eight gates, each studded with iron spikes on its outer side, for access to Masumabad: Kotharia Naka, Nava Naka, Raiya Naka, Bedi Naka, Bhichari Naka, Sardhar Naka and Pal no Darwajo. Further, there was a gate without spikes called Khadaki Naka near Nakalank Temple. The ruins of the fort wall can be seen in the bastion in the Ramnath para area. Gates of Bedi Naka and Raiya Naka were modified during the colonial times. The chief Engineer of British Agency, Sir Robert Bell Booth, renovated Bedi gate and Raiya Naka gate and built the present three storied clock towers in 1892.
Masumabad was later conquered by the Jadeja clan
with the help of Raviraj Gadhvi and its name restored to Rajkot. Bavajiraj Jadeja built Darbargadh, the first palace of this princely state. Bavajiraj was succeeded by his son, Sir Lakhajiraj Jadeja, the most prominent ruler amongst the Jadeja rulers to that time, who constructed Lalpari and Randarda lakes. Dharmendrasinhji Jadeja, succeeded his father, Sir Lakhajiraj, but died while hunting of Lion in Sasan Gir and was succeeded by his brother Pradyumansinhji Jadeja, Sir Lakhajiraj Jadeja's second son. Rajkot was merged into Republic of India during Pradumansinh Jadeja's reign.
founded the Saurashtra agency in Rajkot to moderate all princely states. The regional headquarters and residency of this agency was at Kothi Compound. The British constructed many impressive colonial buildings and educational institutions, such as Connaught Hall and The Rajkumar College
.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a.k.a. Mahatma Gandhi, spent the early years of his life in Kaba Gandhi No Delo
when his father was a Diwan to the king of Rajkot. Gandhi fasted to ask to form a people's council and liberation of people of Rajkot at Rashtriya Shala in March 1939.
, headed by U. N. Dhebar
as Chief Minister. Rajkot was merged into the newly-created Gujarat State when it was separated from the bilingual Bombay State
on May 1, 1960.
Thakore Pradyumansinhji died in 1973. His son, Thakore Manoharsinh Pradyumansinh, who has carved out a political career at the provincial level, succeeded him. He served as a Member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly for several years and as the state Minister for Health and Finance. The Heir Apparent, Mandattasinh has embarked on a business career and environmentalism .
and Nyari River which remains dry except the monsoon months of July to September. The city is spread in the area of 104.86 km².
season from mid-June to October, when the city receives 500 mm of rain on average. The months from November to February are mild, the average temperature being around 20°C, with low humidity.
One of the most important weather phenomena that are associated with the city of Rajkot is cyclone. The cyclones generally occur in the Arabian Sea during the months after the rainy season. The region experiences a lot of rainfall and high-speed winds during the time of the year after the monsoon season as well as the months of May and June. However, June experiences lesser amount of rainfall and winds than the post-monsoon time. Thunderstorms are another important part of the Rajkot weather in the months of June and July. During summer time, the temperature ranges between 24°C and 42°C. In the months of winter, Rajkot temperature varies between 10°C and 22°C but on a whole winters are pleasant.
Rajkot city has an average literacy rate of 80.6%, higher than the national average.
A clear majority of the people here are Hindus. Muslim population is more than ten percent. In Muslim population 95% is Sunni Muslim. Many intermarriages between the Hindus and the Jains occur quite frequently.
Rajkot is multicultural. One can find many languages, like Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi. However, only Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, and English are well understood. Rajkot is the part of Kathiyawad. Because of this people of Rajkot are also known as Kathiyawadi.
Rajkot is frequently referred to as "Rangilu Rajkot" (રંગીલુ રાજકોટ) meaning colorful Rajkot. The people of Rajkot like to enjoy themselves to the fullest no matter which season or time of the day. You can find them eating out at 1 am. Shopkeepers mostly close their business between 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm and sleep at home. There is often a saying "સુરત તો સુરત છે પણ રાજકોટ ખુબસુરત છે" (Surat
may be beautiful, but cannot stand against the beauty of Rajkot).
. Other notable points of interest near the Garden include the historic Mohandas Gandhi High School, Kaba Gandhi No Delo
(Mohandas Gandhi's childhood residence), Rashtriya Shala, Watson Museum
, Lang Library and Rotary Midtown Library.The Rotary Dolls Museum has a collection of more than 1,400 unique dolls from all over the world.
The Lang Library and the G.T. Sheth Library collect thousands of documents and books covering every period in Rajkot and Saurashtra (region) history. Rajkot has many other public libraries with many branches throughout the city. It includes Rotary Midtown of Rajkot City Library and many more.
Other points of interest in Rajkot include Gebanshah Pir Dargah,Hashanshah Pir Dargah, Turkibapu's Dargah, Swaminarayan Gurukul
, Masonic Hall, Jam Tower, Race Course
, Aji Dam
, Ramakrishna Aashram, Shri Ranchhoddas Ashram, Swaminarayan Temple, Nageshwar Parswanath Jain Temple, Balkrishna Haveli, Ishwariya Temple and Garden, Mukti Dhama, Lal Pari Lake, Randerda Lake, Kaba Gandhi no Delo: Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital[ Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital Performing Heart Surgeries Free of Cost]
Gandhiji's ancestral home which now houses the Gandhi Smriti, a permanent exhibition.
Watson Museum And Library:
The Watson Museum today has a collection of human history and culture. Its collection has precious objects of colonial period of India and History of Rajkot.
Located in the pleasant Jubilee Garden, the museum is a good introduction to Saurashtra's cultural heritage. Rajkot Memon Boarding;is head quarter of Muslim activities before 1947. Saurashtra Muslim league held many Muslim convention at Rajkot Memon boarding ground.
Pankaj Bhatt, Raju Trivedi, Shailesh-Utpal and Manoj-Bimal are well-known music directors of Gujarat and full-fladge working with folk song and folklore recently.
Currently in a new young blood music director in Rajkot Rachintan trivedi.
is the most famous sport in the city. One-day internationals, domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy
, the Duleep Trophy
and many inter-school and collegiate tournaments are played at the Madhavrao Sindhia Cricket Ground. Rajkot has produced cricketers such as K S Ranjitsinhji
and Karsan Ghavri
who have been members of the Indian cricket team. Rajkot has many other cricket grounds around city, including Railway Cricket Ground and Rajkumar College South Ground
. Apart from cricket, other sports such as hockey
, football, volleyball
, badminton
, tennis
, table-tennis, chess
, swimming
and squash
are rapidly growing popular in the city. There has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of private sports clubs, gymkhanas and gymnasiums. Kathiawar gymkhana, indoor stadium and swimming pools of Rajkot Municipal Corporation
are major sports clubs in city. Recently, the Gujarat Hockey Team (Under 14) was assembled with all 16 players coming from Rajkot.A new modernized cricket ground is even under construction at the outskirts.Many new talents are arising due to sports facilities like cheteshwar pujara -cricketer.There are numerous swimming pools too.
stations at All India Radio (Akashvani)
(102.4 FM), Gyan Vani
(107.8 FM), BIG FM (92.7 FM), Radio Mirchi
(98.3 FM), and Red FM
(93.5 FM). More stations are available through satellite radio provider 1worldspace with 33 channels. All India Radio also broadcasts on 810 AM.
(DD1), DD Gujarati (DD11) from Doordarshan Kendra, Rajkot. Rajkot Chamber of Cable operators (RCC) has launched a company which provides cable connection to Rajkot City and its suburbs with 94 circulars. Currently RCC is multicasting around 90 channels. BSNL
Telephone Exchange provides PSTN, mobile
, wireless local loop
and broadband
services. Private companies like Idea cellular, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Indicom, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India also provide mobile and broadband services.
classes and laughing club can be found there. Free Ayruvedic medicine (Kadvu Kadiyatu) can be provided in early morning for walkers.
, a dance form, is popular both with men and women and is performed during the Navratri festival. The dance starts before midnight and continues until dawn. Mata Ambe, who rides a Lion, has a special reverential status with any highly religious Gujarati. The 'Janmastami Mela' organizes by for five days at the Race Course grounds to celebrate Janmastami. Diwali
is the New Year for Hindus and people celebrate by doing Ma Laxmi Pujan. Moharam is new year of Muslim. Muslim's also celebrate ramzan Eid and bakri Eid. Rajkot Municipality arranges the Firecracker Show for the citizens of Rajkot. People clean and paint their houses and purchase new clothes to wear on New Year's Day. Dhuleti is the colour festival and Mahashivratri is God Shiva's day. People also celebrate Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) on 14 January by flying kites from their terraces. Other holidays are Ganesh Utsava, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti etc. Since Rajkot has people from many different castes and races, their various celebrations occur throughout the year.
(GIDC) and Gujarat State Financial Corporation (GSFC). The economy of Rajkot got another shot in the arm with 28 crore World Bank aid for development of infrastructure of the city. Many a renowned business houses made a beeline for grabbing the property market in the city, before it skyrockets. The plans are already in place to beautify and modernize the ancient city, including a Rock Garden, ala Chandigarh. Another 25 crore project to rebuild the Kaiser-e-Hind, the only major bridge linking to the city, is already nearing completion. All such infrastructure development will add to the economic wealth and promote the local business houses.
, diesel engines, kitchen knives and other cutting appliances, watch parts (cases & bracelets), automotive parts, forging industry, casting industry, machine tools, share market and software development. The city is also home to one of the largest CNC
machine manufacturer in the country, Jyoti CNC Automation Pvt. Ltd. The Real Estate
sector is also booming in the city, as the land prices in the city are some of the highest in India.Rajkot's Famous For its Precise And Punctual Work Is The 'Krishna Industries' And Its Second Unit 'Siva Sai' In Metoda GIDC Plot No-1896,1897
Rajkot is well known throughout the world for its casting and forging industries. Over the last few years, it has started to play an increasingly important role in the complex supply chains of many global engineering companies that make products such as electric motors, automobiles, machine tools, bearings, etc. Companies such as Echjay Industries, Solar Technocast Pvt. Ltd, Amul Industries, Prashant Castings (P) Ltd, Doctor Pumps Rolex Rings, Topland Engines etc. are prime examples of this trend and due to huge investments by the Government and private sector in local infrastructure such as highways, ports, power plants etc., many more companies are expected to join them.
There are about 500 foundry units in Rajkot. The cluster came-up mainly to cater to the casting requirements of the local diesel engine industry. The geographical spread of the cluster includes Aji Vasahat, Gondal Road and Bhavanagar Road areas. The majority of foundry units in Rajkot produce grey iron castings for the domestic market. A very small percentage (about 2%) of the foundry units export castings such as electric motor castings, automobile castings etc.
Rajkot is also famous for its gold purity. It has one of the largest gold markets in India. Rajkot is also growing up in Software Industries and ITeS. There are many SOHO
companies working in web development and many new multinational software companies and call centers are setting up their operation and development center in Rajkot. Rajkot is also home of one of leading management consulting
firm in India, Ikon Marketing Consultants
.
In the near future, the government of Gujarat will allocate large land areas for the development of Special Economic Zone which will be parted in three different areas and will include industries such as Software, Auto-Mobiles, etc. As per recent market reviews, Rajkot is becoming Asia's biggest Auto-Mobile Zone.
Rajkot is also famous for its textile printing units,this units products Cotton sulvar-suits and Cotton prints sarees, and also make a pure silk patoda.
Once upon a time Rajkot was the hub of India in the field of Diesel engine and submersible Pumps. Still, Submersible pumps are manufactured in a lot and marketed throughout India and some of the big manufacturers also export them.
, Rajkot Urban Development Authority
and bodies like Police Department of Gujarat and Rajkot City Traffic Police Department are serving their best to maintain law and order in the city.
The city civic body has started a 24x7 call center, the first of its kind in Gujarat and the second in the country to take care of all complaints relating to civic management. Citizens can now get all their complaints registered with the Rajkot Municipal Corporation by dialling a single number with an assurance that the problem would be addressed within 72 hours.
.They include 20 schools and learning centers, which consist of 3 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 4 junior high schools, 4 senior high schools, 1 education centers, and 1 special school. There are also some well-known self-financed public schools making a significant contribution to the field of education in Rajkot.
Rajkot also has Union Government HRD Ministry run Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
, now shifted to Jamnagar highway premise. Earlier it started at the Juni Khadki school premise of Sir Lakhajiraj High School and later on moved to its own building on the Jamnagar Road. It is CBSE Board affiliated, residential school for girls and boys, providing a high quality education to those selected at the Class VI level all India entrance test.
List of High Schools
Colleges and universities
The city is home to Saurashtra University
, several colleges, and other institutions of higher education
, both public and private. The city has 12and more engineering colleges namely MEFGI - Marwadi Education Foundations' Group of Institutions, V.V.P. Engg. College (One of the Best 50 colleges of India), Atmiya Institute, Government Engineering College (GEC), R.K. College of Engg., Gardi Engg. College, Darshan Engg. College, Om Shanti Engg college,Takshashila College Of Engineering and Technology,G.K. Bharad,Government Engineering College,Shri Labhubhai Trivedi Institute of Engineering And Technology,etc.Not but listed Performing Arts College (Vocal, Classical dance, Tabla Vadan etc.) opposite Hemu Gadhvi Natya Gruh. The Saurashtra University
is the city's public university; it provides one of the most modern and sophisticated infrastructures in the region for higher studies. It is spread across approximately 410 acres (1.7 km²) of lush green land with 28 post graduation departments.
List of Colleges/University
Rajkot Municipal Corporation
has restored city bus services with Public Private Partnership in 2007. RMC and a private company is providing around 80 CNG
buses under 15 to 20 routs in city and suburbs. RMC is also working for Rajkot Bus Rapid Transit System
(RBRTS) for providing better transportation within city. Rajkot has sufficient number of auto rickshaws, which are running round the clock within city, most of which are converted to CNG from petrol or diesel.
are served by Indian Airlines and Jet Airways and by other carriers. Intermittent services to Ahmedabad and hopping service to Bhavnagar
on the way to Mumbai have been undertaken periodically. Currently Indian Airlines and Jet Airways offer daily flights between Rajkot and Mumbai Airport. A new service planned is for Rajkot-Bhavnagar-Surat
route. Another new service planned by Jet Airways to Mumbai and Bangalore
would enhance aviation.
Direct Flights from abroad arrive at regional International Airport in Ahmedabad, 216 km away.
Rajkot Airport
is located at a short distance from the city centre. The airport is owned by the Airports Authority of India
(AAI) and has a 1,841 metre long runway.
. Leicester Rajkot
Twinning Association is going to build Leicester House with collaboration of RMC in Rajkot.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Rajkot is the 28th urban agglomeration in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, with a population more than 1.43 million as on 2008. Rajkot is ranked 22nd in The world's fastest growing cities and urban areas from 2006 to 2020.
Rajkot is a city of Gujarat state in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and administrative headquarters of the Rajkot District
Rajkot district
Rajkot district is one of the 26 districts of the Indian state of Gujarat. Rajkot city is the administrative headquarters of the district. It is the third-most advanced district in Gujarat....
, 245 km from the state capital Gandhinagar, located on the banks of the Aji River
Aji River, Gujarat
Aji River is one the main river of saurashtra , Gujarat State. It is called life line of Rajkot City and separates Rajkot in east-west parts. There are four dams on Aji River...
and Nyari River. Rajkot was the capital of the then Saurashtra state from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956 before merging in bilingual Bombay State
Bombay State
The Bombay State was a state of India, dissolved with the formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat states on May 1, 1960.-History:During British rule, portions of the western coast of India under direct British rule were part of the Bombay Presidency...
on 1 November 1956. Rajkot was merged into Gujarat State from bilingual Bombay state on May 1, 1960.
History
Rajkot has been under many different rulers since it was founded. Rajkot has a long history and played a significant part in Indian independence movementIndian independence movement
The term Indian independence movement encompasses a wide area of political organisations, philosophies, and movements which had the common aim of ending first British East India Company rule, and then British imperial authority, in parts of South Asia...
.
Foundation
Rajkot was founded by the then ruler of Sardhar 1607 A.D. on the west bank of Aji River, in the middle of Saurashtra. Vibhaji Ajoji was the grandson of Jam Sataji of Nawanagar, the present day JamnagarJamnagar
Jamnagar is a city and a municipal corporation in Jamnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city was built up substantially by Maharaja Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji in the 1920s, when the district was known as Nawanagar. The district lies just to the south of the Gulf of Kutch and is...
. Rajkot was named in honor of its co-founder,vishal kanjariya.
Nawab Rule
Masum Khan, a deputy FaujdarFaujdar
Faujdar/Fouzder/Fouzdar/Foujdar was a title awarded by Muslim rulers to people who had responsibility of protecting some territory.In pre-Mughal times, the term referred to a military officer but did not refer to a specific rank. With the administrative reforms performed by Mughal emperor Akbar,...
of Junagadh
Junagadh
Junagadh is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat. The city is located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355 km south west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. The city is in western India. Literally translated,...
's Nawab
Nawab
A Nawab or Nawaab is an honorific title given to Muslim rulers of princely states in South Asia. It is the Muslim equivalent of the term "maharaja" that was granted to Hindu rulers....
, conquered Rajkot in the year 1720 AD. and changed the name of Rajkot to Masumabad. In 1722 AD, fortress were built with about 4 to 5 kilometers perimeter and had walls that were 8 feet (2.4 m) wide. There were eight gates, each studded with iron spikes on its outer side, for access to Masumabad: Kotharia Naka, Nava Naka, Raiya Naka, Bedi Naka, Bhichari Naka, Sardhar Naka and Pal no Darwajo. Further, there was a gate without spikes called Khadaki Naka near Nakalank Temple. The ruins of the fort wall can be seen in the bastion in the Ramnath para area. Gates of Bedi Naka and Raiya Naka were modified during the colonial times. The chief Engineer of British Agency, Sir Robert Bell Booth, renovated Bedi gate and Raiya Naka gate and built the present three storied clock towers in 1892.
Jadeja rule
Jadeja
Jadeja belong to the Yaduvanshi rajputs or Chandravanshi rajputs. They are one of the 36 royal dynasties of old tracing their origins to Lord Krishna...
with the help of Raviraj Gadhvi and its name restored to Rajkot. Bavajiraj Jadeja built Darbargadh, the first palace of this princely state. Bavajiraj was succeeded by his son, Sir Lakhajiraj Jadeja, the most prominent ruler amongst the Jadeja rulers to that time, who constructed Lalpari and Randarda lakes. Dharmendrasinhji Jadeja, succeeded his father, Sir Lakhajiraj, but died while hunting of Lion in Sasan Gir and was succeeded by his brother Pradyumansinhji Jadeja, Sir Lakhajiraj Jadeja's second son. Rajkot was merged into Republic of India during Pradumansinh Jadeja's reign.
British rule
The British East India CompanyBritish East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
founded the Saurashtra agency in Rajkot to moderate all princely states. The regional headquarters and residency of this agency was at Kothi Compound. The British constructed many impressive colonial buildings and educational institutions, such as Connaught Hall and The Rajkumar College
Rajkumar College, Rajkot
The Rajkumar College in Rajkot is one of the oldest K-12 institutions in India. RKC has a 26 acre campus located in the heart of Rajkot city.-History:...
.
Kaba Gandhi No Delo
Kaba Gandhi No Delo , Rajkot is the place where the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his stay in Rajkot in the early years of his life. It has now been converted into a museum called Gandhi Smriti....
when his father was a Diwan to the king of Rajkot. Gandhi fasted to ask to form a people's council and liberation of people of Rajkot at Rashtriya Shala in March 1939.
Post independence
After independence Rajkot became capital of Saurashtra StateSaurashtra State
Saurashtra State also known as United State of Kathiawar was a separate State within Union of India from 1948 till 1956 with Rajkot as its Capital.-History:The Saurashtra State was earlier named as United State of Kathiawar...
, headed by U. N. Dhebar
U. N. Dhebar
Uchharangrai Navalshankar Dhebar was active in India's struggle for Independence, and later served as Chief Minister of Saurashtra, and President of the Indian National Congress. As a freedom fighter and right hand to Gandhiji, Dhebar is one of the keys to helping India gain Independence from the...
as Chief Minister. Rajkot was merged into the newly-created Gujarat State when it was separated from the bilingual Bombay State
Bombay State
The Bombay State was a state of India, dissolved with the formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat states on May 1, 1960.-History:During British rule, portions of the western coast of India under direct British rule were part of the Bombay Presidency...
on May 1, 1960.
Thakore Pradyumansinhji died in 1973. His son, Thakore Manoharsinh Pradyumansinh, who has carved out a political career at the provincial level, succeeded him. He served as a Member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly for several years and as the state Minister for Health and Finance. The Heir Apparent, Mandattasinh has embarked on a business career and environmentalism .
Geography and climate
Geography
Rajkot is located at 22.3°N 70.78°E. It has an average elevation of 134 metres (439 ft). The city is located on the bank of Aji RiverAji River, Gujarat
Aji River is one the main river of saurashtra , Gujarat State. It is called life line of Rajkot City and separates Rajkot in east-west parts. There are four dams on Aji River...
and Nyari River which remains dry except the monsoon months of July to September. The city is spread in the area of 104.86 km².
Climate
Rajkot has a semi-arid climate, with hot, dry summers from mid-March to mid-June and the wet monsoonMonsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
season from mid-June to October, when the city receives 500 mm of rain on average. The months from November to February are mild, the average temperature being around 20°C, with low humidity.
One of the most important weather phenomena that are associated with the city of Rajkot is cyclone. The cyclones generally occur in the Arabian Sea during the months after the rainy season. The region experiences a lot of rainfall and high-speed winds during the time of the year after the monsoon season as well as the months of May and June. However, June experiences lesser amount of rainfall and winds than the post-monsoon time. Thunderstorms are another important part of the Rajkot weather in the months of June and July. During summer time, the temperature ranges between 24°C and 42°C. In the months of winter, Rajkot temperature varies between 10°C and 22°C but on a whole winters are pleasant.
Demographics
Rajkot had a total population of 1,003,015. Males are 525,880 and females are 477,134 in percent males are 52.43% and females are 47.57% of the total population in Rajkot (RMC) and its suburbs including Manharpur, Madhapar, Anandpar, Munjka, Mota Mova, Vavdi, Bedi and Kotharia. Figures are as of 2006.Rajkot city has an average literacy rate of 80.6%, higher than the national average.
A clear majority of the people here are Hindus. Muslim population is more than ten percent. In Muslim population 95% is Sunni Muslim. Many intermarriages between the Hindus and the Jains occur quite frequently.
Culture
The people in Rajkot are predominantly vegetarians and are vehemently against any form of hunting. This could be the main reason for the survival of rich fauna in this city. The women in Rajkot are very fond of jewelry. Large chains, pendants and other heavy gold jewelry are a common sight during marriages, festivals and family functions. The attire changes with the season and approaching festivals. The ladies normally wear the Gujarati flavor of the Sari and men can be seen in flowing Kurtas and in the formal wears (shirts and trousers).Rajkot is multicultural. One can find many languages, like Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi. However, only Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, and English are well understood. Rajkot is the part of Kathiyawad. Because of this people of Rajkot are also known as Kathiyawadi.
Rajkot is frequently referred to as "Rangilu Rajkot" (રંગીલુ રાજકોટ) meaning colorful Rajkot. The people of Rajkot like to enjoy themselves to the fullest no matter which season or time of the day. You can find them eating out at 1 am. Shopkeepers mostly close their business between 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm and sleep at home. There is often a saying "સુરત તો સુરત છે પણ રાજકોટ ખુબસુરત છે" (Surat
Surat
Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...
may be beautiful, but cannot stand against the beauty of Rajkot).
Tourism
Rajkot is home to numerous national landmarks and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the India. The Jubilee Garden is a large, open park area in the center of the city featuring many monuments to colonial time. Located prominently in the center of the garden is the Connaught HallConnaught Hall
Connaught Hall may refer to one of two university hall of residences:* Connaught Hall, London — a University of London intercollegiate hall of residence in Tavistock Square, London WC1...
. Other notable points of interest near the Garden include the historic Mohandas Gandhi High School, Kaba Gandhi No Delo
Kaba Gandhi No Delo
Kaba Gandhi No Delo , Rajkot is the place where the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his stay in Rajkot in the early years of his life. It has now been converted into a museum called Gandhi Smriti....
(Mohandas Gandhi's childhood residence), Rashtriya Shala, Watson Museum
Watson Museum
The Watson Museum in Rajkot, India is a museum of human history and culture. Its collections precious objects of colonial period of India and History of Rajkot. It is amongst the largest and most comprehensive museum in State of Gujarat...
, Lang Library and Rotary Midtown Library.
The Lang Library and the G.T. Sheth Library collect thousands of documents and books covering every period in Rajkot and Saurashtra (region) history. Rajkot has many other public libraries with many branches throughout the city. It includes Rotary Midtown of Rajkot City Library and many more.
Other points of interest in Rajkot include Gebanshah Pir Dargah,Hashanshah Pir Dargah, Turkibapu's Dargah, Swaminarayan Gurukul
Swaminarayan Gurukul
Swaminarayan Gurukul is an organisation headquartered in Rajkot. It was established in 1947 in Rajkot by Sadguru Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami. This organization comes under the LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday....
, Masonic Hall, Jam Tower, Race Course
Race Course, Vadodara
Race Course is an area in the western side of Vadodara City in the state of Gujarat in India. It is one of the new areas of the fastest growing western part of Vadodara. During the olden days, it was a home to one of the only Race Course in western Indiaowned by Maharajas of Vadodara. Now, large...
, Aji Dam
Aji River, Gujarat
Aji River is one the main river of saurashtra , Gujarat State. It is called life line of Rajkot City and separates Rajkot in east-west parts. There are four dams on Aji River...
, Ramakrishna Aashram, Shri Ranchhoddas Ashram, Swaminarayan Temple, Nageshwar Parswanath Jain Temple, Balkrishna Haveli, Ishwariya Temple and Garden, Mukti Dhama, Lal Pari Lake, Randerda Lake, Kaba Gandhi no Delo: Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital[ Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital Performing Heart Surgeries Free of Cost]
Gandhiji's ancestral home which now houses the Gandhi Smriti, a permanent exhibition.
Watson Museum And Library:
The Watson Museum today has a collection of human history and culture. Its collection has precious objects of colonial period of India and History of Rajkot.
Located in the pleasant Jubilee Garden, the museum is a good introduction to Saurashtra's cultural heritage. Rajkot Memon Boarding;is head quarter of Muslim activities before 1947. Saurashtra Muslim league held many Muslim convention at Rajkot Memon boarding ground.
Performing arts
Rajkot is a major regional center for the arts, with many venues for the performing arts in the city. Hemu Gadhvi Natyagraha, one of the first non-profit regional theaters, is rich with history and dedicated to the Gujarati Play.Music
Rajkot has its own native music genre, called Dayro, which is used to convey folk stories and sayings. Rajkot also inherited Kathiyawadi folk music.Music Directors
Rajkot City was the home of the great keyboard artist-composer and Kalaguru Shree Kantilala Sonchhatra, who has produced 7 silver-jubilee hit Bangali films in past and "LAKHO LOYAN" in Gujarati. Many known keyboard players of Bollywood and Gujarat learnt from them.Pankaj Bhatt, Raju Trivedi, Shailesh-Utpal and Manoj-Bimal are well-known music directors of Gujarat and full-fladge working with folk song and folklore recently.
Currently in a new young blood music director in Rajkot Rachintan trivedi.
Sports
CricketCricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
is the most famous sport in the city. One-day internationals, domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy
Ranji Trophy
The Ranji Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket championship played in India between different city and state sides, equivalent to the County Championship in England and the Sheffield Shield in Australia...
, the Duleep Trophy
Duleep Trophy
The Duleep Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket competition played in India between teams representing geographical zones of India. The competition is named after Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji .-History:...
and many inter-school and collegiate tournaments are played at the Madhavrao Sindhia Cricket Ground. Rajkot has produced cricketers such as K S Ranjitsinhji
K S Ranjitsinhji
Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar was an Indian prince and Test cricketer who played for the English cricket team...
and Karsan Ghavri
Karsan Ghavri
Karsan Devjibhai Ghavri is a former Indian cricketer who played in 39 Tests and 19 ODIs from 1974 to 1981. He played in the 1975 and 1979 World Cups....
who have been members of the Indian cricket team. Rajkot has many other cricket grounds around city, including Railway Cricket Ground and Rajkumar College South Ground
Rajkumar College, Rajkot
The Rajkumar College in Rajkot is one of the oldest K-12 institutions in India. RKC has a 26 acre campus located in the heart of Rajkot city.-History:...
. Apart from cricket, other sports such as hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
, football, volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
, badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, table-tennis, chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
, swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
and squash
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
are rapidly growing popular in the city. There has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of private sports clubs, gymkhanas and gymnasiums. Kathiawar gymkhana, indoor stadium and swimming pools of Rajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Rajkot. The organization is known, in short, as RMC. It was established in 1973. This civic administrative body administers an area of 104.86 sq. km. RMC is headed by Mayor of Rajkot.The...
are major sports clubs in city. Recently, the Gujarat Hockey Team (Under 14) was assembled with all 16 players coming from Rajkot.A new modernized cricket ground is even under construction at the outskirts.Many new talents are arising due to sports facilities like cheteshwar pujara -cricketer.There are numerous swimming pools too.
Newspapers
Morning newspapers available in the English language are The Times of India, Indian Express, Economic Times, Business Standard, while Gujarati language newspapers are Phulchhab, Jaihind, Jansatta, Sandesh, Gujarat Samachar, Divya Bhaskar, Sambhav. Rajkot also publishes evening newspapers including Akila, Sanj Samachar, Aaj Kal, Aas-Paas all of which have a healthy number of estimated readers per copy rate. A large number of magazines, periodicals and journals are regularly published and circulated across the city.Radio
The city has five FMFM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
stations at All India Radio (Akashvani)
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
(102.4 FM), Gyan Vani
Gyan Vani
Gyan Vani is an educational FM radio station in several cities of India.-Description:Gyan Vani is an educational FM Radio station in several cities of India...
(107.8 FM), BIG FM (92.7 FM), Radio Mirchi
Radio Mirchi
Radio Mirchi is a nationwide network of private FM radio stations in India. It is owned by the Entertainment Network India Ltd , which is one of the subsidiaries of The Times Group....
(98.3 FM), and Red FM
Red FM 93.5
Red FM is an Indian FM radio brand, with stations broadcasting at 93.5 megahertz in the cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Kanpur in addition to Jamshedpur, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Indore, Nashik, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Gulbarga, Kochi, Trivandrum, Thrissur, Kannur,...
(93.5 FM). More stations are available through satellite radio provider 1worldspace with 33 channels. All India Radio also broadcasts on 810 AM.
Television
Prasar Bharti telecasts DD NationalDD National
DD National or DD1 is Doordarshan's flagship channel and the most widely available terrestrial television channel in India.-The Early Years:...
(DD1), DD Gujarati (DD11) from Doordarshan Kendra, Rajkot. Rajkot Chamber of Cable operators (RCC) has launched a company which provides cable connection to Rajkot City and its suburbs with 94 circulars. Currently RCC is multicasting around 90 channels. BSNL
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is a state-owned telecommunications company headquartered in New Delhi, India. It is the largest provider of fixed telephony and fourth largest mobile telephony provider in India, and is also a provider of broadband services...
Telephone Exchange provides PSTN, mobile
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
, wireless local loop
Wireless local loop
Wireless local loop , is a term for the use of a wireless communications link as the "last mile / first mile" connection for delivering plain old telephone service and/or broadband Internet to telecommunications customers....
and broadband
Broadband Internet access
Broadband Internet access, often shortened to just "broadband", is a high data rate, low-latency connection to the Internet— typically contrasted with dial-up access using a 56 kbit/s modem or satellite Internet with inherently high latency....
services. Private companies like Idea cellular, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Indicom, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India also provide mobile and broadband services.
Activities
The indoor stadium also runs sport activities and is near to the International Cricket ground. Many of the free yogaYoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
classes and laughing club can be found there. Free Ayruvedic medicine (Kadvu Kadiyatu) can be provided in early morning for walkers.
Festival
GarbaGarba (dance)
Garba is an Indian form of dance that originated in the Gujarat region. The name garba comes from the Sanskrit term Garbha and Deep . Many traditional garbas are performed around a central lit lamp or picture/statues of different avatars of Goddess Shakti...
, a dance form, is popular both with men and women and is performed during the Navratri festival. The dance starts before midnight and continues until dawn. Mata Ambe, who rides a Lion, has a special reverential status with any highly religious Gujarati. The 'Janmastami Mela' organizes by for five days at the Race Course grounds to celebrate Janmastami. Diwali
Diwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
is the New Year for Hindus and people celebrate by doing Ma Laxmi Pujan. Moharam is new year of Muslim. Muslim's also celebrate ramzan Eid and bakri Eid. Rajkot Municipality arranges the Firecracker Show for the citizens of Rajkot. People clean and paint their houses and purchase new clothes to wear on New Year's Day. Dhuleti is the colour festival and Mahashivratri is God Shiva's day. People also celebrate Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) on 14 January by flying kites from their terraces. Other holidays are Ganesh Utsava, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti etc. Since Rajkot has people from many different castes and races, their various celebrations occur throughout the year.
Economy
The city contributes to the economy of the state with heavy and small scale industries under the patronage of Gujarat Industrial Development CorporationGujarat Industrial Development Corporation
The Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation was established under the Gujarat Industrial Development Act of 1962, with a goal of accelerating industrialization in the state of Gujarat, India...
(GIDC) and Gujarat State Financial Corporation (GSFC). The economy of Rajkot got another shot in the arm with 28 crore World Bank aid for development of infrastructure of the city. Many a renowned business houses made a beeline for grabbing the property market in the city, before it skyrockets. The plans are already in place to beautify and modernize the ancient city, including a Rock Garden, ala Chandigarh. Another 25 crore project to rebuild the Kaiser-e-Hind, the only major bridge linking to the city, is already nearing completion. All such infrastructure development will add to the economic wealth and promote the local business houses.
Industry
Rajkot is famous for its jewellery market(સોની બજાર), silk embroidery and watch parts. The city hosts several small scale manufacturing industries. Some of the industrial products for which Rajkot is known include bearingsBearing (mechanical)
A bearing is a device to allow constrained relative motion between two or more parts, typically rotation or linear movement. Bearings may be classified broadly according to the motions they allow and according to their principle of operation as well as by the directions of applied loads they can...
, diesel engines, kitchen knives and other cutting appliances, watch parts (cases & bracelets), automotive parts, forging industry, casting industry, machine tools, share market and software development. The city is also home to one of the largest CNC
Numerical control
Numerical control refers to the automation of machine tools that are operated by abstractly programmed commands encoded on a storage medium, as opposed to controlled manually via handwheels or levers, or mechanically automated via cams alone...
machine manufacturer in the country, Jyoti CNC Automation Pvt. Ltd. The Real Estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
sector is also booming in the city, as the land prices in the city are some of the highest in India.Rajkot's Famous For its Precise And Punctual Work Is The 'Krishna Industries' And Its Second Unit 'Siva Sai' In Metoda GIDC Plot No-1896,1897
Rajkot is well known throughout the world for its casting and forging industries. Over the last few years, it has started to play an increasingly important role in the complex supply chains of many global engineering companies that make products such as electric motors, automobiles, machine tools, bearings, etc. Companies such as Echjay Industries, Solar Technocast Pvt. Ltd, Amul Industries, Prashant Castings (P) Ltd, Doctor Pumps Rolex Rings, Topland Engines etc. are prime examples of this trend and due to huge investments by the Government and private sector in local infrastructure such as highways, ports, power plants etc., many more companies are expected to join them.
There are about 500 foundry units in Rajkot. The cluster came-up mainly to cater to the casting requirements of the local diesel engine industry. The geographical spread of the cluster includes Aji Vasahat, Gondal Road and Bhavanagar Road areas. The majority of foundry units in Rajkot produce grey iron castings for the domestic market. A very small percentage (about 2%) of the foundry units export castings such as electric motor castings, automobile castings etc.
Rajkot is also famous for its gold purity. It has one of the largest gold markets in India. Rajkot is also growing up in Software Industries and ITeS. There are many SOHO
Small office/home office
Small office/home office, or SOHO, refers to the category of business or cottage industry which involves from 1 to 10 workers. SOHO can also stand for single office/home office....
companies working in web development and many new multinational software companies and call centers are setting up their operation and development center in Rajkot. Rajkot is also home of one of leading management consulting
Management consulting
Management consulting indicates both the industry and practice of helping organizations improve their performance primarily through the analysis of existing organizational problems and development of plans for improvement....
firm in India, Ikon Marketing Consultants
Ikon Marketing Consultants
Established in 2001 by Azaz Motiwala, IKON Marketing Consultants is a Management Consulting firm in India, helps Indian and International companies to solve their marketing problems and achieve business objective with his core expertise in to Marketing Strategy, Market Research, International...
.
In the near future, the government of Gujarat will allocate large land areas for the development of Special Economic Zone which will be parted in three different areas and will include industries such as Software, Auto-Mobiles, etc. As per recent market reviews, Rajkot is becoming Asia's biggest Auto-Mobile Zone.
Rajkot is also famous for its textile printing units,this units products Cotton sulvar-suits and Cotton prints sarees, and also make a pure silk patoda.
Once upon a time Rajkot was the hub of India in the field of Diesel engine and submersible Pumps. Still, Submersible pumps are manufactured in a lot and marketed throughout India and some of the big manufacturers also export them.
Local government
Rajkot is governed by many government bodies, including Jilla Seva Sadan (Rajkot District Collector Offices), Rajkot Municipal CorporationRajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Rajkot. The organization is known, in short, as RMC. It was established in 1973. This civic administrative body administers an area of 104.86 sq. km. RMC is headed by Mayor of Rajkot.The...
, Rajkot Urban Development Authority
Rajkot Urban Development Authority
The Rajkot Urban Development Authority is a civilian government body responsible for overseeing and sanctioning construction and infrastructure development across the suburbs of the city of Rajkot, in the state of Gujarat in India...
and bodies like Police Department of Gujarat and Rajkot City Traffic Police Department are serving their best to maintain law and order in the city.
The city civic body has started a 24x7 call center, the first of its kind in Gujarat and the second in the country to take care of all complaints relating to civic management. Citizens can now get all their complaints registered with the Rajkot Municipal Corporation by dialling a single number with an assurance that the problem would be addressed within 72 hours.
Education
Rajkot is famous for providing education to Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhiji), at the Alfred High School. A number of schools in the city are run by Rajkot Municipal CorporationRajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Rajkot. The organization is known, in short, as RMC. It was established in 1973. This civic administrative body administers an area of 104.86 sq. km. RMC is headed by Mayor of Rajkot.The...
.They include 20 schools and learning centers, which consist of 3 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 4 junior high schools, 4 senior high schools, 1 education centers, and 1 special school. There are also some well-known self-financed public schools making a significant contribution to the field of education in Rajkot.
Rajkot also has Union Government HRD Ministry run Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya known as JNV are Indian schools for talented children and form a part of the system of gifted education. The objectives of the scheme are to provide good quality modern education to the children predominantly from rural areas, without regard to their family's...
, now shifted to Jamnagar highway premise. Earlier it started at the Juni Khadki school premise of Sir Lakhajiraj High School and later on moved to its own building on the Jamnagar Road. It is CBSE Board affiliated, residential school for girls and boys, providing a high quality education to those selected at the Class VI level all India entrance test.
List of High Schools
Rajkot ( Rājkot ) is the 4th largest city in the state of Gujarat, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Rajkot is the 28th urban agglomeration in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, with a population more than 1.43 million as on 2008. Rajkot is ranked 22nd in The world's fastest growing cities and urban areas from 2006 to 2020.
Rajkot is a city of Gujarat state in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and administrative headquarters of the Rajkot District
Rajkot district
Rajkot district is one of the 26 districts of the Indian state of Gujarat. Rajkot city is the administrative headquarters of the district. It is the third-most advanced district in Gujarat....
, 245 km from the state capital Gandhinagar, located on the banks of the Aji River
Aji River, Gujarat
Aji River is one the main river of saurashtra , Gujarat State. It is called life line of Rajkot City and separates Rajkot in east-west parts. There are four dams on Aji River...
and Nyari River. Rajkot was the capital of the then Saurashtra state from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956 before merging in bilingual Bombay State
Bombay State
The Bombay State was a state of India, dissolved with the formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat states on May 1, 1960.-History:During British rule, portions of the western coast of India under direct British rule were part of the Bombay Presidency...
on 1 November 1956. Rajkot was merged into Gujarat State from bilingual Bombay state on May 1, 1960.
History
Rajkot has been under many different rulers since it was founded. Rajkot has a long history and played a significant part in Indian independence movementIndian independence movement
The term Indian independence movement encompasses a wide area of political organisations, philosophies, and movements which had the common aim of ending first British East India Company rule, and then British imperial authority, in parts of South Asia...
.
Foundation
Rajkot was founded by the then ruler of Sardhar 1607 A.D. on the west bank of Aji River, in the middle of Saurashtra. Vibhaji Ajoji was the grandson of Jam Sataji of Nawanagar, the present day JamnagarJamnagar
Jamnagar is a city and a municipal corporation in Jamnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city was built up substantially by Maharaja Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji in the 1920s, when the district was known as Nawanagar. The district lies just to the south of the Gulf of Kutch and is...
. Rajkot was named in honor of its co-founder,vishal kanjariya.
Nawab Rule
Masum Khan, a deputy FaujdarFaujdar
Faujdar/Fouzder/Fouzdar/Foujdar was a title awarded by Muslim rulers to people who had responsibility of protecting some territory.In pre-Mughal times, the term referred to a military officer but did not refer to a specific rank. With the administrative reforms performed by Mughal emperor Akbar,...
of Junagadh
Junagadh
Junagadh is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat. The city is located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355 km south west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. The city is in western India. Literally translated,...
's Nawab
Nawab
A Nawab or Nawaab is an honorific title given to Muslim rulers of princely states in South Asia. It is the Muslim equivalent of the term "maharaja" that was granted to Hindu rulers....
, conquered Rajkot in the year 1720 AD. and changed the name of Rajkot to Masumabad. In 1722 AD, fortress were built with about 4 to 5 kilometers perimeter and had walls that were 8 feet (2.4 m) wide. There were eight gates, each studded with iron spikes on its outer side, for access to Masumabad: Kotharia Naka, Nava Naka, Raiya Naka, Bedi Naka, Bhichari Naka, Sardhar Naka and Pal no Darwajo. Further, there was a gate without spikes called Khadaki Naka near Nakalank Temple. The ruins of the fort wall can be seen in the bastion in the Ramnath para area. Gates of Bedi Naka and Raiya Naka were modified during the colonial times. The chief Engineer of British Agency, Sir Robert Bell Booth, renovated Bedi gate and Raiya Naka gate and built the present three storied clock towers in 1892.
Jadeja rule
Jadeja
Jadeja belong to the Yaduvanshi rajputs or Chandravanshi rajputs. They are one of the 36 royal dynasties of old tracing their origins to Lord Krishna...
with the help of Raviraj Gadhvi and its name restored to Rajkot. Bavajiraj Jadeja built Darbargadh, the first palace of this princely state. Bavajiraj was succeeded by his son, Sir Lakhajiraj Jadeja, the most prominent ruler amongst the Jadeja rulers to that time, who constructed Lalpari and Randarda lakes. Dharmendrasinhji Jadeja, succeeded his father, Sir Lakhajiraj, but died while hunting of Lion in Sasan Gir and was succeeded by his brother Pradyumansinhji Jadeja, Sir Lakhajiraj Jadeja's second son. Rajkot was merged into Republic of India during Pradumansinh Jadeja's reign.
British rule
The British East India CompanyBritish East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
founded the Saurashtra agency in Rajkot to moderate all princely states. The regional headquarters and residency of this agency was at Kothi Compound. The British constructed many impressive colonial buildings and educational institutions, such as Connaught Hall and The Rajkumar College
Rajkumar College, Rajkot
The Rajkumar College in Rajkot is one of the oldest K-12 institutions in India. RKC has a 26 acre campus located in the heart of Rajkot city.-History:...
.
Kaba Gandhi No Delo
Kaba Gandhi No Delo , Rajkot is the place where the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his stay in Rajkot in the early years of his life. It has now been converted into a museum called Gandhi Smriti....
when his father was a Diwan to the king of Rajkot. Gandhi fasted to ask to form a people's council and liberation of people of Rajkot at Rashtriya Shala in March 1939.
Post independence
After independence Rajkot became capital of Saurashtra StateSaurashtra State
Saurashtra State also known as United State of Kathiawar was a separate State within Union of India from 1948 till 1956 with Rajkot as its Capital.-History:The Saurashtra State was earlier named as United State of Kathiawar...
, headed by U. N. Dhebar
U. N. Dhebar
Uchharangrai Navalshankar Dhebar was active in India's struggle for Independence, and later served as Chief Minister of Saurashtra, and President of the Indian National Congress. As a freedom fighter and right hand to Gandhiji, Dhebar is one of the keys to helping India gain Independence from the...
as Chief Minister. Rajkot was merged into the newly-created Gujarat State when it was separated from the bilingual Bombay State
Bombay State
The Bombay State was a state of India, dissolved with the formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat states on May 1, 1960.-History:During British rule, portions of the western coast of India under direct British rule were part of the Bombay Presidency...
on May 1, 1960.
Thakore Pradyumansinhji died in 1973. His son, Thakore Manoharsinh Pradyumansinh, who has carved out a political career at the provincial level, succeeded him. He served as a Member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly for several years and as the state Minister for Health and Finance. The Heir Apparent, Mandattasinh has embarked on a business career and environmentalism .
Geography and climate
Geography
Rajkot is located at 22.3°N 70.78°E. It has an average elevation of 134 metres (439 ft). The city is located on the bank of Aji RiverAji River, Gujarat
Aji River is one the main river of saurashtra , Gujarat State. It is called life line of Rajkot City and separates Rajkot in east-west parts. There are four dams on Aji River...
and Nyari River which remains dry except the monsoon months of July to September. The city is spread in the area of 104.86 km².
Climate
Rajkot has a semi-arid climate, with hot, dry summers from mid-March to mid-June and the wet monsoonMonsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
season from mid-June to October, when the city receives 500 mm of rain on average. The months from November to February are mild, the average temperature being around 20°C, with low humidity.
One of the most important weather phenomena that are associated with the city of Rajkot is cyclone. The cyclones generally occur in the Arabian Sea during the months after the rainy season. The region experiences a lot of rainfall and high-speed winds during the time of the year after the monsoon season as well as the months of May and June. However, June experiences lesser amount of rainfall and winds than the post-monsoon time. Thunderstorms are another important part of the Rajkot weather in the months of June and July. During summer time, the temperature ranges between 24°C and 42°C. In the months of winter, Rajkot temperature varies between 10°C and 22°C but on a whole winters are pleasant.
Demographics
Rajkot had a total population of 1,003,015. Males are 525,880 and females are 477,134 in percent males are 52.43% and females are 47.57% of the total population in Rajkot (RMC) and its suburbs including Manharpur, Madhapar, Anandpar, Munjka, Mota Mova, Vavdi, Bedi and Kotharia. Figures are as of 2006.Rajkot city has an average literacy rate of 80.6%, higher than the national average.
A clear majority of the people here are Hindus. Muslim population is more than ten percent. In Muslim population 95% is Sunni Muslim. Many intermarriages between the Hindus and the Jains occur quite frequently.
Culture
The people in Rajkot are predominantly vegetarians and are vehemently against any form of hunting. This could be the main reason for the survival of rich fauna in this city. The women in Rajkot are very fond of jewelry. Large chains, pendants and other heavy gold jewelry are a common sight during marriages, festivals and family functions. The attire changes with the season and approaching festivals. The ladies normally wear the Gujarati flavor of the Sari and men can be seen in flowing Kurtas and in the formal wears (shirts and trousers).Rajkot is multicultural. One can find many languages, like Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi. However, only Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, and English are well understood. Rajkot is the part of Kathiyawad. Because of this people of Rajkot are also known as Kathiyawadi.
Rajkot is frequently referred to as "Rangilu Rajkot" (રંગીલુ રાજકોટ) meaning colorful Rajkot. The people of Rajkot like to enjoy themselves to the fullest no matter which season or time of the day. You can find them eating out at 1 am. Shopkeepers mostly close their business between 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm and sleep at home. There is often a saying "સુરત તો સુરત છે પણ રાજકોટ ખુબસુરત છે" (Surat
Surat
Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...
may be beautiful, but cannot stand against the beauty of Rajkot).
Tourism
Rajkot is home to numerous national landmarks and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the India. The Jubilee Garden is a large, open park area in the center of the city featuring many monuments to colonial time. Located prominently in the center of the garden is the Connaught HallConnaught Hall
Connaught Hall may refer to one of two university hall of residences:* Connaught Hall, London — a University of London intercollegiate hall of residence in Tavistock Square, London WC1...
. Other notable points of interest near the Garden include the historic Mohandas Gandhi High School, Kaba Gandhi No Delo
Kaba Gandhi No Delo
Kaba Gandhi No Delo , Rajkot is the place where the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his stay in Rajkot in the early years of his life. It has now been converted into a museum called Gandhi Smriti....
(Mohandas Gandhi's childhood residence), Rashtriya Shala, Watson Museum
Watson Museum
The Watson Museum in Rajkot, India is a museum of human history and culture. Its collections precious objects of colonial period of India and History of Rajkot. It is amongst the largest and most comprehensive museum in State of Gujarat...
, Lang Library and Rotary Midtown Library.
The Lang Library and the G.T. Sheth Library collect thousands of documents and books covering every period in Rajkot and Saurashtra (region) history. Rajkot has many other public libraries with many branches throughout the city. It includes Rotary Midtown of Rajkot City Library and many more.
Other points of interest in Rajkot include Gebanshah Pir Dargah,Hashanshah Pir Dargah, Turkibapu's Dargah, Swaminarayan Gurukul
Swaminarayan Gurukul
Swaminarayan Gurukul is an organisation headquartered in Rajkot. It was established in 1947 in Rajkot by Sadguru Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami. This organization comes under the LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday....
, Masonic Hall, Jam Tower, Race Course
Race Course, Vadodara
Race Course is an area in the western side of Vadodara City in the state of Gujarat in India. It is one of the new areas of the fastest growing western part of Vadodara. During the olden days, it was a home to one of the only Race Course in western Indiaowned by Maharajas of Vadodara. Now, large...
, Aji Dam
Aji River, Gujarat
Aji River is one the main river of saurashtra , Gujarat State. It is called life line of Rajkot City and separates Rajkot in east-west parts. There are four dams on Aji River...
, Ramakrishna Aashram, Shri Ranchhoddas Ashram, Swaminarayan Temple, Nageshwar Parswanath Jain Temple, Balkrishna Haveli, Ishwariya Temple and Garden, Mukti Dhama, Lal Pari Lake, Randerda Lake, Kaba Gandhi no Delo: Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital[ Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital Performing Heart Surgeries Free of Cost]
Gandhiji's ancestral home which now houses the Gandhi Smriti, a permanent exhibition.
Watson Museum And Library:
The Watson Museum today has a collection of human history and culture. Its collection has precious objects of colonial period of India and History of Rajkot.
Located in the pleasant Jubilee Garden, the museum is a good introduction to Saurashtra's cultural heritage. Rajkot Memon Boarding;is head quarter of Muslim activities before 1947. Saurashtra Muslim league held many Muslim convention at Rajkot Memon boarding ground.
Performing arts
Rajkot is a major regional center for the arts, with many venues for the performing arts in the city. Hemu Gadhvi Natyagraha, one of the first non-profit regional theaters, is rich with history and dedicated to the Gujarati Play.Music
Rajkot has its own native music genre, called Dayro, which is used to convey folk stories and sayings. Rajkot also inherited Kathiyawadi folk music.Music Directors
Rajkot City was the home of the great keyboard artist-composer and Kalaguru Shree Kantilala Sonchhatra, who has produced 7 silver-jubilee hit Bangali films in past and "LAKHO LOYAN" in Gujarati. Many known keyboard players of Bollywood and Gujarat learnt from them.Pankaj Bhatt, Raju Trivedi, Shailesh-Utpal and Manoj-Bimal are well-known music directors of Gujarat and full-fladge working with folk song and folklore recently.
Currently in a new young blood music director in Rajkot Rachintan trivedi.
Sports
CricketCricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
is the most famous sport in the city. One-day internationals, domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy
Ranji Trophy
The Ranji Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket championship played in India between different city and state sides, equivalent to the County Championship in England and the Sheffield Shield in Australia...
, the Duleep Trophy
Duleep Trophy
The Duleep Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket competition played in India between teams representing geographical zones of India. The competition is named after Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji .-History:...
and many inter-school and collegiate tournaments are played at the Madhavrao Sindhia Cricket Ground. Rajkot has produced cricketers such as K S Ranjitsinhji
K S Ranjitsinhji
Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar was an Indian prince and Test cricketer who played for the English cricket team...
and Karsan Ghavri
Karsan Ghavri
Karsan Devjibhai Ghavri is a former Indian cricketer who played in 39 Tests and 19 ODIs from 1974 to 1981. He played in the 1975 and 1979 World Cups....
who have been members of the Indian cricket team. Rajkot has many other cricket grounds around city, including Railway Cricket Ground and Rajkumar College South Ground
Rajkumar College, Rajkot
The Rajkumar College in Rajkot is one of the oldest K-12 institutions in India. RKC has a 26 acre campus located in the heart of Rajkot city.-History:...
. Apart from cricket, other sports such as hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
, football, volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
, badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, table-tennis, chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
, swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
and squash
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
are rapidly growing popular in the city. There has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of private sports clubs, gymkhanas and gymnasiums. Kathiawar gymkhana, indoor stadium and swimming pools of Rajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Rajkot. The organization is known, in short, as RMC. It was established in 1973. This civic administrative body administers an area of 104.86 sq. km. RMC is headed by Mayor of Rajkot.The...
are major sports clubs in city. Recently, the Gujarat Hockey Team (Under 14) was assembled with all 16 players coming from Rajkot.A new modernized cricket ground is even under construction at the outskirts.Many new talents are arising due to sports facilities like cheteshwar pujara -cricketer.There are numerous swimming pools too.
Newspapers
Morning newspapers available in the English language are The Times of India, Indian Express, Economic Times, Business Standard, while Gujarati language newspapers are Phulchhab, Jaihind, Jansatta, Sandesh, Gujarat Samachar, Divya Bhaskar, Sambhav. Rajkot also publishes evening newspapers including Akila, Sanj Samachar, Aaj Kal, Aas-Paas all of which have a healthy number of estimated readers per copy rate. A large number of magazines, periodicals and journals are regularly published and circulated across the city.Radio
The city has five FMFM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
stations at All India Radio (Akashvani)
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
(102.4 FM), Gyan Vani
Gyan Vani
Gyan Vani is an educational FM radio station in several cities of India.-Description:Gyan Vani is an educational FM Radio station in several cities of India...
(107.8 FM), BIG FM (92.7 FM), Radio Mirchi
Radio Mirchi
Radio Mirchi is a nationwide network of private FM radio stations in India. It is owned by the Entertainment Network India Ltd , which is one of the subsidiaries of The Times Group....
(98.3 FM), and Red FM
Red FM 93.5
Red FM is an Indian FM radio brand, with stations broadcasting at 93.5 megahertz in the cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Kanpur in addition to Jamshedpur, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Indore, Nashik, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Gulbarga, Kochi, Trivandrum, Thrissur, Kannur,...
(93.5 FM). More stations are available through satellite radio provider 1worldspace with 33 channels. All India Radio also broadcasts on 810 AM.
Television
Prasar Bharti telecasts DD NationalDD National
DD National or DD1 is Doordarshan's flagship channel and the most widely available terrestrial television channel in India.-The Early Years:...
(DD1), DD Gujarati (DD11) from Doordarshan Kendra, Rajkot. Rajkot Chamber of Cable operators (RCC) has launched a company which provides cable connection to Rajkot City and its suburbs with 94 circulars. Currently RCC is multicasting around 90 channels. BSNL
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is a state-owned telecommunications company headquartered in New Delhi, India. It is the largest provider of fixed telephony and fourth largest mobile telephony provider in India, and is also a provider of broadband services...
Telephone Exchange provides PSTN, mobile
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
, wireless local loop
Wireless local loop
Wireless local loop , is a term for the use of a wireless communications link as the "last mile / first mile" connection for delivering plain old telephone service and/or broadband Internet to telecommunications customers....
and broadband
Broadband Internet access
Broadband Internet access, often shortened to just "broadband", is a high data rate, low-latency connection to the Internet— typically contrasted with dial-up access using a 56 kbit/s modem or satellite Internet with inherently high latency....
services. Private companies like Idea cellular, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Indicom, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India also provide mobile and broadband services.
Activities
The indoor stadium also runs sport activities and is near to the International Cricket ground. Many of the free yogaYoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
classes and laughing club can be found there. Free Ayruvedic medicine (Kadvu Kadiyatu) can be provided in early morning for walkers.
Festival
GarbaGarba (dance)
Garba is an Indian form of dance that originated in the Gujarat region. The name garba comes from the Sanskrit term Garbha and Deep . Many traditional garbas are performed around a central lit lamp or picture/statues of different avatars of Goddess Shakti...
, a dance form, is popular both with men and women and is performed during the Navratri festival. The dance starts before midnight and continues until dawn. Mata Ambe, who rides a Lion, has a special reverential status with any highly religious Gujarati. The 'Janmastami Mela' organizes by for five days at the Race Course grounds to celebrate Janmastami. Diwali
Diwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
is the New Year for Hindus and people celebrate by doing Ma Laxmi Pujan. Moharam is new year of Muslim. Muslim's also celebrate ramzan Eid and bakri Eid. Rajkot Municipality arranges the Firecracker Show for the citizens of Rajkot. People clean and paint their houses and purchase new clothes to wear on New Year's Day. Dhuleti is the colour festival and Mahashivratri is God Shiva's day. People also celebrate Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) on 14 January by flying kites from their terraces. Other holidays are Ganesh Utsava, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti etc. Since Rajkot has people from many different castes and races, their various celebrations occur throughout the year.
Economy
The city contributes to the economy of the state with heavy and small scale industries under the patronage of Gujarat Industrial Development CorporationGujarat Industrial Development Corporation
The Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation was established under the Gujarat Industrial Development Act of 1962, with a goal of accelerating industrialization in the state of Gujarat, India...
(GIDC) and Gujarat State Financial Corporation (GSFC). The economy of Rajkot got another shot in the arm with 28 crore World Bank aid for development of infrastructure of the city. Many a renowned business houses made a beeline for grabbing the property market in the city, before it skyrockets. The plans are already in place to beautify and modernize the ancient city, including a Rock Garden, ala Chandigarh. Another 25 crore project to rebuild the Kaiser-e-Hind, the only major bridge linking to the city, is already nearing completion. All such infrastructure development will add to the economic wealth and promote the local business houses.
Industry
Rajkot is famous for its jewellery market(સોની બજાર), silk embroidery and watch parts. The city hosts several small scale manufacturing industries. Some of the industrial products for which Rajkot is known include bearingsBearing (mechanical)
A bearing is a device to allow constrained relative motion between two or more parts, typically rotation or linear movement. Bearings may be classified broadly according to the motions they allow and according to their principle of operation as well as by the directions of applied loads they can...
, diesel engines, kitchen knives and other cutting appliances, watch parts (cases & bracelets), automotive parts, forging industry, casting industry, machine tools, share market and software development. The city is also home to one of the largest CNC
Numerical control
Numerical control refers to the automation of machine tools that are operated by abstractly programmed commands encoded on a storage medium, as opposed to controlled manually via handwheels or levers, or mechanically automated via cams alone...
machine manufacturer in the country, Jyoti CNC Automation Pvt. Ltd. The Real Estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
sector is also booming in the city, as the land prices in the city are some of the highest in India.Rajkot's Famous For its Precise And Punctual Work Is The 'Krishna Industries' And Its Second Unit 'Siva Sai' In Metoda GIDC Plot No-1896,1897
Rajkot is well known throughout the world for its casting and forging industries. Over the last few years, it has started to play an increasingly important role in the complex supply chains of many global engineering companies that make products such as electric motors, automobiles, machine tools, bearings, etc. Companies such as Echjay Industries, Solar Technocast Pvt. Ltd, Amul Industries, Prashant Castings (P) Ltd, Doctor Pumps Rolex Rings, Topland Engines etc. are prime examples of this trend and due to huge investments by the Government and private sector in local infrastructure such as highways, ports, power plants etc., many more companies are expected to join them.
There are about 500 foundry units in Rajkot. The cluster came-up mainly to cater to the casting requirements of the local diesel engine industry. The geographical spread of the cluster includes Aji Vasahat, Gondal Road and Bhavanagar Road areas. The majority of foundry units in Rajkot produce grey iron castings for the domestic market. A very small percentage (about 2%) of the foundry units export castings such as electric motor castings, automobile castings etc.
Rajkot is also famous for its gold purity. It has one of the largest gold markets in India. Rajkot is also growing up in Software Industries and ITeS. There are many SOHO
Small office/home office
Small office/home office, or SOHO, refers to the category of business or cottage industry which involves from 1 to 10 workers. SOHO can also stand for single office/home office....
companies working in web development and many new multinational software companies and call centers are setting up their operation and development center in Rajkot. Rajkot is also home of one of leading management consulting
Management consulting
Management consulting indicates both the industry and practice of helping organizations improve their performance primarily through the analysis of existing organizational problems and development of plans for improvement....
firm in India, Ikon Marketing Consultants
Ikon Marketing Consultants
Established in 2001 by Azaz Motiwala, IKON Marketing Consultants is a Management Consulting firm in India, helps Indian and International companies to solve their marketing problems and achieve business objective with his core expertise in to Marketing Strategy, Market Research, International...
.
In the near future, the government of Gujarat will allocate large land areas for the development of Special Economic Zone which will be parted in three different areas and will include industries such as Software, Auto-Mobiles, etc. As per recent market reviews, Rajkot is becoming Asia's biggest Auto-Mobile Zone.
Rajkot is also famous for its textile printing units,this units products Cotton sulvar-suits and Cotton prints sarees, and also make a pure silk patoda.
Once upon a time Rajkot was the hub of India in the field of Diesel engine and submersible Pumps. Still, Submersible pumps are manufactured in a lot and marketed throughout India and some of the big manufacturers also export them.
Local government
Rajkot is governed by many government bodies, including Jilla Seva Sadan (Rajkot District Collector Offices), Rajkot Municipal CorporationRajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Rajkot. The organization is known, in short, as RMC. It was established in 1973. This civic administrative body administers an area of 104.86 sq. km. RMC is headed by Mayor of Rajkot.The...
, Rajkot Urban Development Authority
Rajkot Urban Development Authority
The Rajkot Urban Development Authority is a civilian government body responsible for overseeing and sanctioning construction and infrastructure development across the suburbs of the city of Rajkot, in the state of Gujarat in India...
and bodies like Police Department of Gujarat and Rajkot City Traffic Police Department are serving their best to maintain law and order in the city.
The city civic body has started a 24x7 call center, the first of its kind in Gujarat and the second in the country to take care of all complaints relating to civic management. Citizens can now get all their complaints registered with the Rajkot Municipal Corporation by dialling a single number with an assurance that the problem would be addressed within 72 hours.
Education
Rajkot is famous for providing education to Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhiji), at the Alfred High School. A number of schools in the city are run by Rajkot Municipal CorporationRajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Rajkot. The organization is known, in short, as RMC. It was established in 1973. This civic administrative body administers an area of 104.86 sq. km. RMC is headed by Mayor of Rajkot.The...
.They include 20 schools and learning centers, which consist of 3 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 4 junior high schools, 4 senior high schools, 1 education centers, and 1 special school. There are also some well-known self-financed public schools making a significant contribution to the field of education in Rajkot.
Rajkot also has Union Government HRD Ministry run Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya known as JNV are Indian schools for talented children and form a part of the system of gifted education. The objectives of the scheme are to provide good quality modern education to the children predominantly from rural areas, without regard to their family's...
, now shifted to Jamnagar highway premise. Earlier it started at the Juni Khadki school premise of Sir Lakhajiraj High School and later on moved to its own building on the Jamnagar Road. It is CBSE Board affiliated, residential school for girls and boys, providing a high quality education to those selected at the Class VI level all India entrance test.
List of High Schools
Rajkot ( Rājkot ) is the 4th largest city in the state of Gujarat, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Rajkot is the 28th urban agglomeration in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, with a population more than 1.43 million as on 2008. Rajkot is ranked 22nd in The world's fastest growing cities and urban areas from 2006 to 2020.
Rajkot is a city of Gujarat state in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and administrative headquarters of the Rajkot District
Rajkot district
Rajkot district is one of the 26 districts of the Indian state of Gujarat. Rajkot city is the administrative headquarters of the district. It is the third-most advanced district in Gujarat....
, 245 km from the state capital Gandhinagar, located on the banks of the Aji River
Aji River, Gujarat
Aji River is one the main river of saurashtra , Gujarat State. It is called life line of Rajkot City and separates Rajkot in east-west parts. There are four dams on Aji River...
and Nyari River. Rajkot was the capital of the then Saurashtra state from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956 before merging in bilingual Bombay State
Bombay State
The Bombay State was a state of India, dissolved with the formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat states on May 1, 1960.-History:During British rule, portions of the western coast of India under direct British rule were part of the Bombay Presidency...
on 1 November 1956. Rajkot was merged into Gujarat State from bilingual Bombay state on May 1, 1960.
History
Rajkot has been under many different rulers since it was founded. Rajkot has a long history and played a significant part in Indian independence movementIndian independence movement
The term Indian independence movement encompasses a wide area of political organisations, philosophies, and movements which had the common aim of ending first British East India Company rule, and then British imperial authority, in parts of South Asia...
.
Foundation
Rajkot was founded by the then ruler of Sardhar 1607 A.D. on the west bank of Aji River, in the middle of Saurashtra. Vibhaji Ajoji was the grandson of Jam Sataji of Nawanagar, the present day JamnagarJamnagar
Jamnagar is a city and a municipal corporation in Jamnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city was built up substantially by Maharaja Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji in the 1920s, when the district was known as Nawanagar. The district lies just to the south of the Gulf of Kutch and is...
. Rajkot was named in honor of its co-founder,vishal kanjariya.
Nawab Rule
Masum Khan, a deputy FaujdarFaujdar
Faujdar/Fouzder/Fouzdar/Foujdar was a title awarded by Muslim rulers to people who had responsibility of protecting some territory.In pre-Mughal times, the term referred to a military officer but did not refer to a specific rank. With the administrative reforms performed by Mughal emperor Akbar,...
of Junagadh
Junagadh
Junagadh is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat. The city is located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355 km south west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. The city is in western India. Literally translated,...
's Nawab
Nawab
A Nawab or Nawaab is an honorific title given to Muslim rulers of princely states in South Asia. It is the Muslim equivalent of the term "maharaja" that was granted to Hindu rulers....
, conquered Rajkot in the year 1720 AD. and changed the name of Rajkot to Masumabad. In 1722 AD, fortress were built with about 4 to 5 kilometers perimeter and had walls that were 8 feet (2.4 m) wide. There were eight gates, each studded with iron spikes on its outer side, for access to Masumabad: Kotharia Naka, Nava Naka, Raiya Naka, Bedi Naka, Bhichari Naka, Sardhar Naka and Pal no Darwajo. Further, there was a gate without spikes called Khadaki Naka near Nakalank Temple. The ruins of the fort wall can be seen in the bastion in the Ramnath para area. Gates of Bedi Naka and Raiya Naka were modified during the colonial times. The chief Engineer of British Agency, Sir Robert Bell Booth, renovated Bedi gate and Raiya Naka gate and built the present three storied clock towers in 1892.
Jadeja rule
Jadeja
Jadeja belong to the Yaduvanshi rajputs or Chandravanshi rajputs. They are one of the 36 royal dynasties of old tracing their origins to Lord Krishna...
with the help of Raviraj Gadhvi and its name restored to Rajkot. Bavajiraj Jadeja built Darbargadh, the first palace of this princely state. Bavajiraj was succeeded by his son, Sir Lakhajiraj Jadeja, the most prominent ruler amongst the Jadeja rulers to that time, who constructed Lalpari and Randarda lakes. Dharmendrasinhji Jadeja, succeeded his father, Sir Lakhajiraj, but died while hunting of Lion in Sasan Gir and was succeeded by his brother Pradyumansinhji Jadeja, Sir Lakhajiraj Jadeja's second son. Rajkot was merged into Republic of India during Pradumansinh Jadeja's reign.
British rule
The British East India CompanyBritish East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
founded the Saurashtra agency in Rajkot to moderate all princely states. The regional headquarters and residency of this agency was at Kothi Compound. The British constructed many impressive colonial buildings and educational institutions, such as Connaught Hall and The Rajkumar College
Rajkumar College, Rajkot
The Rajkumar College in Rajkot is one of the oldest K-12 institutions in India. RKC has a 26 acre campus located in the heart of Rajkot city.-History:...
.
Kaba Gandhi No Delo
Kaba Gandhi No Delo , Rajkot is the place where the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his stay in Rajkot in the early years of his life. It has now been converted into a museum called Gandhi Smriti....
when his father was a Diwan to the king of Rajkot. Gandhi fasted to ask to form a people's council and liberation of people of Rajkot at Rashtriya Shala in March 1939.
Post independence
After independence Rajkot became capital of Saurashtra StateSaurashtra State
Saurashtra State also known as United State of Kathiawar was a separate State within Union of India from 1948 till 1956 with Rajkot as its Capital.-History:The Saurashtra State was earlier named as United State of Kathiawar...
, headed by U. N. Dhebar
U. N. Dhebar
Uchharangrai Navalshankar Dhebar was active in India's struggle for Independence, and later served as Chief Minister of Saurashtra, and President of the Indian National Congress. As a freedom fighter and right hand to Gandhiji, Dhebar is one of the keys to helping India gain Independence from the...
as Chief Minister. Rajkot was merged into the newly-created Gujarat State when it was separated from the bilingual Bombay State
Bombay State
The Bombay State was a state of India, dissolved with the formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat states on May 1, 1960.-History:During British rule, portions of the western coast of India under direct British rule were part of the Bombay Presidency...
on May 1, 1960.
Thakore Pradyumansinhji died in 1973. His son, Thakore Manoharsinh Pradyumansinh, who has carved out a political career at the provincial level, succeeded him. He served as a Member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly for several years and as the state Minister for Health and Finance. The Heir Apparent, Mandattasinh has embarked on a business career and environmentalism .
Geography and climate
Geography
Rajkot is located at 22.3°N 70.78°E. It has an average elevation of 134 metres (439 ft). The city is located on the bank of Aji RiverAji River, Gujarat
Aji River is one the main river of saurashtra , Gujarat State. It is called life line of Rajkot City and separates Rajkot in east-west parts. There are four dams on Aji River...
and Nyari River which remains dry except the monsoon months of July to September. The city is spread in the area of 104.86 km².
Climate
Rajkot has a semi-arid climate, with hot, dry summers from mid-March to mid-June and the wet monsoonMonsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
season from mid-June to October, when the city receives 500 mm of rain on average. The months from November to February are mild, the average temperature being around 20°C, with low humidity.
One of the most important weather phenomena that are associated with the city of Rajkot is cyclone. The cyclones generally occur in the Arabian Sea during the months after the rainy season. The region experiences a lot of rainfall and high-speed winds during the time of the year after the monsoon season as well as the months of May and June. However, June experiences lesser amount of rainfall and winds than the post-monsoon time. Thunderstorms are another important part of the Rajkot weather in the months of June and July. During summer time, the temperature ranges between 24°C and 42°C. In the months of winter, Rajkot temperature varies between 10°C and 22°C but on a whole winters are pleasant.
Demographics
Rajkot had a total population of 1,003,015. Males are 525,880 and females are 477,134 in percent males are 52.43% and females are 47.57% of the total population in Rajkot (RMC) and its suburbs including Manharpur, Madhapar, Anandpar, Munjka, Mota Mova, Vavdi, Bedi and Kotharia. Figures are as of 2006.Rajkot city has an average literacy rate of 80.6%, higher than the national average.
A clear majority of the people here are Hindus. Muslim population is more than ten percent. In Muslim population 95% is Sunni Muslim. Many intermarriages between the Hindus and the Jains occur quite frequently.
Culture
The people in Rajkot are predominantly vegetarians and are vehemently against any form of hunting. This could be the main reason for the survival of rich fauna in this city. The women in Rajkot are very fond of jewelry. Large chains, pendants and other heavy gold jewelry are a common sight during marriages, festivals and family functions. The attire changes with the season and approaching festivals. The ladies normally wear the Gujarati flavor of the Sari and men can be seen in flowing Kurtas and in the formal wears (shirts and trousers).Rajkot is multicultural. One can find many languages, like Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi. However, only Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, and English are well understood. Rajkot is the part of Kathiyawad. Because of this people of Rajkot are also known as Kathiyawadi.
Rajkot is frequently referred to as "Rangilu Rajkot" (રંગીલુ રાજકોટ) meaning colorful Rajkot. The people of Rajkot like to enjoy themselves to the fullest no matter which season or time of the day. You can find them eating out at 1 am. Shopkeepers mostly close their business between 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm and sleep at home. There is often a saying "સુરત તો સુરત છે પણ રાજકોટ ખુબસુરત છે" (Surat
Surat
Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...
may be beautiful, but cannot stand against the beauty of Rajkot).
Tourism
Rajkot is home to numerous national landmarks and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the India. The Jubilee Garden is a large, open park area in the center of the city featuring many monuments to colonial time. Located prominently in the center of the garden is the Connaught HallConnaught Hall
Connaught Hall may refer to one of two university hall of residences:* Connaught Hall, London — a University of London intercollegiate hall of residence in Tavistock Square, London WC1...
. Other notable points of interest near the Garden include the historic Mohandas Gandhi High School, Kaba Gandhi No Delo
Kaba Gandhi No Delo
Kaba Gandhi No Delo , Rajkot is the place where the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his stay in Rajkot in the early years of his life. It has now been converted into a museum called Gandhi Smriti....
(Mohandas Gandhi's childhood residence), Rashtriya Shala, Watson Museum
Watson Museum
The Watson Museum in Rajkot, India is a museum of human history and culture. Its collections precious objects of colonial period of India and History of Rajkot. It is amongst the largest and most comprehensive museum in State of Gujarat...
, Lang Library and Rotary Midtown Library.
The Lang Library and the G.T. Sheth Library collect thousands of documents and books covering every period in Rajkot and Saurashtra (region) history. Rajkot has many other public libraries with many branches throughout the city. It includes Rotary Midtown of Rajkot City Library and many more.
Other points of interest in Rajkot include Gebanshah Pir Dargah,Hashanshah Pir Dargah, Turkibapu's Dargah, Swaminarayan Gurukul
Swaminarayan Gurukul
Swaminarayan Gurukul is an organisation headquartered in Rajkot. It was established in 1947 in Rajkot by Sadguru Shri Dharmajivandasji Swami. This organization comes under the LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday....
, Masonic Hall, Jam Tower, Race Course
Race Course, Vadodara
Race Course is an area in the western side of Vadodara City in the state of Gujarat in India. It is one of the new areas of the fastest growing western part of Vadodara. During the olden days, it was a home to one of the only Race Course in western Indiaowned by Maharajas of Vadodara. Now, large...
, Aji Dam
Aji River, Gujarat
Aji River is one the main river of saurashtra , Gujarat State. It is called life line of Rajkot City and separates Rajkot in east-west parts. There are four dams on Aji River...
, Ramakrishna Aashram, Shri Ranchhoddas Ashram, Swaminarayan Temple, Nageshwar Parswanath Jain Temple, Balkrishna Haveli, Ishwariya Temple and Garden, Mukti Dhama, Lal Pari Lake, Randerda Lake, Kaba Gandhi no Delo: Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital[ Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospital Performing Heart Surgeries Free of Cost]
Gandhiji's ancestral home which now houses the Gandhi Smriti, a permanent exhibition.
Watson Museum And Library:
The Watson Museum today has a collection of human history and culture. Its collection has precious objects of colonial period of India and History of Rajkot.
Located in the pleasant Jubilee Garden, the museum is a good introduction to Saurashtra's cultural heritage. Rajkot Memon Boarding;is head quarter of Muslim activities before 1947. Saurashtra Muslim league held many Muslim convention at Rajkot Memon boarding ground.
Performing arts
Rajkot is a major regional center for the arts, with many venues for the performing arts in the city. Hemu Gadhvi Natyagraha, one of the first non-profit regional theaters, is rich with history and dedicated to the Gujarati Play.Music
Rajkot has its own native music genre, called Dayro, which is used to convey folk stories and sayings. Rajkot also inherited Kathiyawadi folk music.Music Directors
Rajkot City was the home of the great keyboard artist-composer and Kalaguru Shree Kantilala Sonchhatra, who has produced 7 silver-jubilee hit Bangali films in past and "LAKHO LOYAN" in Gujarati. Many known keyboard players of Bollywood and Gujarat learnt from them.Pankaj Bhatt, Raju Trivedi, Shailesh-Utpal and Manoj-Bimal are well-known music directors of Gujarat and full-fladge working with folk song and folklore recently.
Currently in a new young blood music director in Rajkot Rachintan trivedi.
Sports
CricketCricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
is the most famous sport in the city. One-day internationals, domestic tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy
Ranji Trophy
The Ranji Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket championship played in India between different city and state sides, equivalent to the County Championship in England and the Sheffield Shield in Australia...
, the Duleep Trophy
Duleep Trophy
The Duleep Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket competition played in India between teams representing geographical zones of India. The competition is named after Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji .-History:...
and many inter-school and collegiate tournaments are played at the Madhavrao Sindhia Cricket Ground. Rajkot has produced cricketers such as K S Ranjitsinhji
K S Ranjitsinhji
Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar was an Indian prince and Test cricketer who played for the English cricket team...
and Karsan Ghavri
Karsan Ghavri
Karsan Devjibhai Ghavri is a former Indian cricketer who played in 39 Tests and 19 ODIs from 1974 to 1981. He played in the 1975 and 1979 World Cups....
who have been members of the Indian cricket team. Rajkot has many other cricket grounds around city, including Railway Cricket Ground and Rajkumar College South Ground
Rajkumar College, Rajkot
The Rajkumar College in Rajkot is one of the oldest K-12 institutions in India. RKC has a 26 acre campus located in the heart of Rajkot city.-History:...
. Apart from cricket, other sports such as hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
, football, volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
, badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, table-tennis, chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
, swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
and squash
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
are rapidly growing popular in the city. There has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of private sports clubs, gymkhanas and gymnasiums. Kathiawar gymkhana, indoor stadium and swimming pools of Rajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Rajkot. The organization is known, in short, as RMC. It was established in 1973. This civic administrative body administers an area of 104.86 sq. km. RMC is headed by Mayor of Rajkot.The...
are major sports clubs in city. Recently, the Gujarat Hockey Team (Under 14) was assembled with all 16 players coming from Rajkot.A new modernized cricket ground is even under construction at the outskirts.Many new talents are arising due to sports facilities like cheteshwar pujara -cricketer.There are numerous swimming pools too.
Newspapers
Morning newspapers available in the English language are The Times of India, Indian Express, Economic Times, Business Standard, while Gujarati language newspapers are Phulchhab, Jaihind, Jansatta, Sandesh, Gujarat Samachar, Divya Bhaskar, Sambhav. Rajkot also publishes evening newspapers including Akila, Sanj Samachar, Aaj Kal, Aas-Paas all of which have a healthy number of estimated readers per copy rate. A large number of magazines, periodicals and journals are regularly published and circulated across the city.Radio
The city has five FMFM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
stations at All India Radio (Akashvani)
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
(102.4 FM), Gyan Vani
Gyan Vani
Gyan Vani is an educational FM radio station in several cities of India.-Description:Gyan Vani is an educational FM Radio station in several cities of India...
(107.8 FM), BIG FM (92.7 FM), Radio Mirchi
Radio Mirchi
Radio Mirchi is a nationwide network of private FM radio stations in India. It is owned by the Entertainment Network India Ltd , which is one of the subsidiaries of The Times Group....
(98.3 FM), and Red FM
Red FM 93.5
Red FM is an Indian FM radio brand, with stations broadcasting at 93.5 megahertz in the cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Kanpur in addition to Jamshedpur, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Indore, Nashik, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Gulbarga, Kochi, Trivandrum, Thrissur, Kannur,...
(93.5 FM). More stations are available through satellite radio provider 1worldspace with 33 channels. All India Radio also broadcasts on 810 AM.
Television
Prasar Bharti telecasts DD NationalDD National
DD National or DD1 is Doordarshan's flagship channel and the most widely available terrestrial television channel in India.-The Early Years:...
(DD1), DD Gujarati (DD11) from Doordarshan Kendra, Rajkot. Rajkot Chamber of Cable operators (RCC) has launched a company which provides cable connection to Rajkot City and its suburbs with 94 circulars. Currently RCC is multicasting around 90 channels. BSNL
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is a state-owned telecommunications company headquartered in New Delhi, India. It is the largest provider of fixed telephony and fourth largest mobile telephony provider in India, and is also a provider of broadband services...
Telephone Exchange provides PSTN, mobile
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
, wireless local loop
Wireless local loop
Wireless local loop , is a term for the use of a wireless communications link as the "last mile / first mile" connection for delivering plain old telephone service and/or broadband Internet to telecommunications customers....
and broadband
Broadband Internet access
Broadband Internet access, often shortened to just "broadband", is a high data rate, low-latency connection to the Internet— typically contrasted with dial-up access using a 56 kbit/s modem or satellite Internet with inherently high latency....
services. Private companies like Idea cellular, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Indicom, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India also provide mobile and broadband services.
Activities
The indoor stadium also runs sport activities and is near to the International Cricket ground. Many of the free yogaYoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
classes and laughing club can be found there. Free Ayruvedic medicine (Kadvu Kadiyatu) can be provided in early morning for walkers.
Festival
GarbaGarba (dance)
Garba is an Indian form of dance that originated in the Gujarat region. The name garba comes from the Sanskrit term Garbha and Deep . Many traditional garbas are performed around a central lit lamp or picture/statues of different avatars of Goddess Shakti...
, a dance form, is popular both with men and women and is performed during the Navratri festival. The dance starts before midnight and continues until dawn. Mata Ambe, who rides a Lion, has a special reverential status with any highly religious Gujarati. The 'Janmastami Mela' organizes by for five days at the Race Course grounds to celebrate Janmastami. Diwali
Diwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
is the New Year for Hindus and people celebrate by doing Ma Laxmi Pujan. Moharam is new year of Muslim. Muslim's also celebrate ramzan Eid and bakri Eid. Rajkot Municipality arranges the Firecracker Show for the citizens of Rajkot. People clean and paint their houses and purchase new clothes to wear on New Year's Day. Dhuleti is the colour festival and Mahashivratri is God Shiva's day. People also celebrate Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) on 14 January by flying kites from their terraces. Other holidays are Ganesh Utsava, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti etc. Since Rajkot has people from many different castes and races, their various celebrations occur throughout the year.
Economy
The city contributes to the economy of the state with heavy and small scale industries under the patronage of Gujarat Industrial Development CorporationGujarat Industrial Development Corporation
The Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation was established under the Gujarat Industrial Development Act of 1962, with a goal of accelerating industrialization in the state of Gujarat, India...
(GIDC) and Gujarat State Financial Corporation (GSFC). The economy of Rajkot got another shot in the arm with 28 crore World Bank aid for development of infrastructure of the city. Many a renowned business houses made a beeline for grabbing the property market in the city, before it skyrockets. The plans are already in place to beautify and modernize the ancient city, including a Rock Garden, ala Chandigarh. Another 25 crore project to rebuild the Kaiser-e-Hind, the only major bridge linking to the city, is already nearing completion. All such infrastructure development will add to the economic wealth and promote the local business houses.
Industry
Rajkot is famous for its jewellery market(સોની બજાર), silk embroidery and watch parts. The city hosts several small scale manufacturing industries. Some of the industrial products for which Rajkot is known include bearingsBearing (mechanical)
A bearing is a device to allow constrained relative motion between two or more parts, typically rotation or linear movement. Bearings may be classified broadly according to the motions they allow and according to their principle of operation as well as by the directions of applied loads they can...
, diesel engines, kitchen knives and other cutting appliances, watch parts (cases & bracelets), automotive parts, forging industry, casting industry, machine tools, share market and software development. The city is also home to one of the largest CNC
Numerical control
Numerical control refers to the automation of machine tools that are operated by abstractly programmed commands encoded on a storage medium, as opposed to controlled manually via handwheels or levers, or mechanically automated via cams alone...
machine manufacturer in the country, Jyoti CNC Automation Pvt. Ltd. The Real Estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
sector is also booming in the city, as the land prices in the city are some of the highest in India.Rajkot's Famous For its Precise And Punctual Work Is The 'Krishna Industries' And Its Second Unit 'Siva Sai' In Metoda GIDC Plot No-1896,1897
Rajkot is well known throughout the world for its casting and forging industries. Over the last few years, it has started to play an increasingly important role in the complex supply chains of many global engineering companies that make products such as electric motors, automobiles, machine tools, bearings, etc. Companies such as Echjay Industries, Solar Technocast Pvt. Ltd, Amul Industries, Prashant Castings (P) Ltd, Doctor Pumps Rolex Rings, Topland Engines etc. are prime examples of this trend and due to huge investments by the Government and private sector in local infrastructure such as highways, ports, power plants etc., many more companies are expected to join them.
There are about 500 foundry units in Rajkot. The cluster came-up mainly to cater to the casting requirements of the local diesel engine industry. The geographical spread of the cluster includes Aji Vasahat, Gondal Road and Bhavanagar Road areas. The majority of foundry units in Rajkot produce grey iron castings for the domestic market. A very small percentage (about 2%) of the foundry units export castings such as electric motor castings, automobile castings etc.
Rajkot is also famous for its gold purity. It has one of the largest gold markets in India. Rajkot is also growing up in Software Industries and ITeS. There are many SOHO
Small office/home office
Small office/home office, or SOHO, refers to the category of business or cottage industry which involves from 1 to 10 workers. SOHO can also stand for single office/home office....
companies working in web development and many new multinational software companies and call centers are setting up their operation and development center in Rajkot. Rajkot is also home of one of leading management consulting
Management consulting
Management consulting indicates both the industry and practice of helping organizations improve their performance primarily through the analysis of existing organizational problems and development of plans for improvement....
firm in India, Ikon Marketing Consultants
Ikon Marketing Consultants
Established in 2001 by Azaz Motiwala, IKON Marketing Consultants is a Management Consulting firm in India, helps Indian and International companies to solve their marketing problems and achieve business objective with his core expertise in to Marketing Strategy, Market Research, International...
.
In the near future, the government of Gujarat will allocate large land areas for the development of Special Economic Zone which will be parted in three different areas and will include industries such as Software, Auto-Mobiles, etc. As per recent market reviews, Rajkot is becoming Asia's biggest Auto-Mobile Zone.
Rajkot is also famous for its textile printing units,this units products Cotton sulvar-suits and Cotton prints sarees, and also make a pure silk patoda.
Once upon a time Rajkot was the hub of India in the field of Diesel engine and submersible Pumps. Still, Submersible pumps are manufactured in a lot and marketed throughout India and some of the big manufacturers also export them.
Local government
Rajkot is governed by many government bodies, including Jilla Seva Sadan (Rajkot District Collector Offices), Rajkot Municipal CorporationRajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Rajkot. The organization is known, in short, as RMC. It was established in 1973. This civic administrative body administers an area of 104.86 sq. km. RMC is headed by Mayor of Rajkot.The...
, Rajkot Urban Development Authority
Rajkot Urban Development Authority
The Rajkot Urban Development Authority is a civilian government body responsible for overseeing and sanctioning construction and infrastructure development across the suburbs of the city of Rajkot, in the state of Gujarat in India...
and bodies like Police Department of Gujarat and Rajkot City Traffic Police Department are serving their best to maintain law and order in the city.
The city civic body has started a 24x7 call center, the first of its kind in Gujarat and the second in the country to take care of all complaints relating to civic management. Citizens can now get all their complaints registered with the Rajkot Municipal Corporation by dialling a single number with an assurance that the problem would be addressed within 72 hours.
Education
Rajkot is famous for providing education to Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhiji), at the Alfred High School. A number of schools in the city are run by Rajkot Municipal CorporationRajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Rajkot. The organization is known, in short, as RMC. It was established in 1973. This civic administrative body administers an area of 104.86 sq. km. RMC is headed by Mayor of Rajkot.The...
.They include 20 schools and learning centers, which consist of 3 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 4 junior high schools, 4 senior high schools, 1 education centers, and 1 special school. There are also some well-known self-financed public schools making a significant contribution to the field of education in Rajkot.
Rajkot also has Union Government HRD Ministry run Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya known as JNV are Indian schools for talented children and form a part of the system of gifted education. The objectives of the scheme are to provide good quality modern education to the children predominantly from rural areas, without regard to their family's...
, now shifted to Jamnagar highway premise. Earlier it started at the Juni Khadki school premise of Sir Lakhajiraj High School and later on moved to its own building on the Jamnagar Road. It is CBSE Board affiliated, residential school for girls and boys, providing a high quality education to those selected at the Class VI level all India entrance test.
List of High Schools
- Alfred High School
- A S Chowdry High School
- Akshar Purshottam Swaminarayan High School
- Central School
- Delhi Public School
- G T High School
- Holy Saints School (Previously known as St. Karve's School)
- Kadvibai Virani Kanya Vidyalaya
- Kendriya Vidyalaya
- Matru Mandir
- Pathak School
- Rajkumar CollegeRajkumar CollegeRajkumar College may refer to :-Rajkumar College, RajkotRajkumar College, Raipur...
- Saraswati Madhyamik Vidhya Mandir
- Saraswati Shishu Mandir
- Saurastra High School
- SN Kansagara School
- Saint Mary's High School
- Samji Velji Virani High School
- Shree Rashtriya Shala
- Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Vidyalaya
- Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Vidhyalaya
- Aapnishala Madhyamik School
- Shri Raj Vidhyamandir
- Shri Virani Highschool
- Shri P.V. Modi High School
- Shri Krishna Higher Secondary School
- Sun Shine School
- Swaminarayan Gurukul
- St. Paul's School
- New Era School
- Masum Vidhyalaya
- Nirmala Convent School
- Lal Bahadur Shastri High School
- Sister Nivedita Higher Secondary School
- Dhuleshia school
- Shree Navyug High school & Secondary School.
- The School Of Science (SOS).
Colleges and universities
The city is home to Saurashtra University
Saurashtra University
The Saurashtra University is one of the significant universities in Gujarat state in India. This university was established on 23 May 1967 in Rajkot city, the administrative headquarters of Rajkot district. Presently, 272 colleges in Amreli, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Porbandar, Rajkot and Surendranagar...
, several colleges, and other institutions of higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
, both public and private. The city has 12and more engineering colleges namely MEFGI - Marwadi Education Foundations' Group of Institutions, V.V.P. Engg. College (One of the Best 50 colleges of India), Atmiya Institute, Government Engineering College (GEC), R.K. College of Engg., Gardi Engg. College, Darshan Engg. College, Om Shanti Engg college,Takshashila College Of Engineering and Technology,G.K. Bharad,Government Engineering College,Shri Labhubhai Trivedi Institute of Engineering And Technology,etc.Not but listed Performing Arts College (Vocal, Classical dance, Tabla Vadan etc.) opposite Hemu Gadhvi Natya Gruh. The Saurashtra University
Saurashtra University
The Saurashtra University is one of the significant universities in Gujarat state in India. This university was established on 23 May 1967 in Rajkot city, the administrative headquarters of Rajkot district. Presently, 272 colleges in Amreli, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Porbandar, Rajkot and Surendranagar...
is the city's public university; it provides one of the most modern and sophisticated infrastructures in the region for higher studies. It is spread across approximately 410 acres (1.7 km²) of lush green land with 28 post graduation departments.
List of Colleges/University
- Saurashtra University.
- RK University
- Darshan Institute of Engineering & Technology (DIET)
- B.H.Gardi college of engg and tech
- Smt. M. T. Dhamsania Commerce College
- Atmiya Institute of Technology and Science
- Christ College
- AV Parekh Technical Institute
- Government Engineering College(GEC-R)
- BK Mody Government Pharmacy College
- Geetanjali Collage Of Commerce
- Government Medical College
- Government Polytechnic
- H and HB Kotak Institute of Science
- Kundaliya College
- Lukhdhirji Engineering College
- Saurashtra Hi-Tech College of Advance Computers and Information Technology
- M and N Virani Science College
- Matushree Virbaima Mahila College
- OM SHANTI ENGINEERING COLLEGE
- PD Malaviya College
- V.V.P. Engineering College
- Shri G.T.Sheth Vidhyalay
- R.P. Bhalodiya College
- J.H. Bhalodiya College
- Takshashila College of Engineering and Technology
- T.N.Rao College
- Mohandas Gandhi Vidhalaya Jublie Baag
- Department of Computer Science Saurashtra University
- Harivandana College
- Shri H.D.Gardi MBA College (nyara)Rajkot
- Shri Murlidhar Institutes -(Kalipat) Rajkot
- Vivekanand Institute of Hotel and Tourism Management
Roads and highways
The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) runs regular buses to and fro from Rajkot to other cities of Gujarat.There are more than 81000 people travels daily with GSRTC .Rajkot is very well connected with Gujarat State Highways and Rajkot is allocated the vehicle registration code GJ-3 by RTO. There are a number of private bus operators connecting city with other cities of Gujarat state and other states of IndiaRail and Internal Transport
Trains for the all the major cities of India are available from here.Rajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation
Rajkot Municipal Corporation is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Rajkot. The organization is known, in short, as RMC. It was established in 1973. This civic administrative body administers an area of 104.86 sq. km. RMC is headed by Mayor of Rajkot.The...
has restored city bus services with Public Private Partnership in 2007. RMC and a private company is providing around 80 CNG
Compressed natural gas
Compressed natural gas is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline , diesel, or propane/LPG. Although its combustion does produce greenhouse gases, it is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels, and it is much safer than other fuels in the event of a spill...
buses under 15 to 20 routs in city and suburbs. RMC is also working for Rajkot Bus Rapid Transit System
Rajkot BRTS
The Rajkot BRTS project is a bus Rapid Transit Project being built to serve the city of Rajkot.In the first phase, 29 km long stretch on Ring Road would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 110 crore. This stretch would be known as Blue Corridor...
(RBRTS) for providing better transportation within city. Rajkot has sufficient number of auto rickshaws, which are running round the clock within city, most of which are converted to CNG from petrol or diesel.
Aviation
Aviation is developing slowly in the city. Daily multiple flights to MumbaiMumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
are served by Indian Airlines and Jet Airways and by other carriers. Intermittent services to Ahmedabad and hopping service to Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar
-Topography:Bhavnagar is a coastal city in the eastern coast of Saurashtra, also known as Kathiawar, located at . It has an average elevation of 24 metres . It occupies area of 53.30 km². General slope dips in the northeasterly direction at the apex of Gulf of Khambhat...
on the way to Mumbai have been undertaken periodically. Currently Indian Airlines and Jet Airways offer daily flights between Rajkot and Mumbai Airport. A new service planned is for Rajkot-Bhavnagar-Surat
Surat
Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...
route. Another new service planned by Jet Airways to Mumbai and Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
would enhance aviation.
Direct Flights from abroad arrive at regional International Airport in Ahmedabad, 216 km away.
Rajkot Airport
Rajkot Airport
-Modernisation Plans:Rajkot Urban Development Authority and Rajkot Municipal Corporation have proposed a plan to extend Rajkot airport runway from current to to accommodate larger aircraft and to provide connectivity to major cities than Mumbai to cater to a large demand from the Manufacturing...
is located at a short distance from the city centre. The airport is owned by the Airports Authority of India
Airports Authority of India
The Airports Authority of India is an organization working under the Ministry of Civil Aviation that manages most of the airports in India. The AAI manages and operates 126 airports including 16 international airports, 89 domestic airports and 26 civil enclaves. The corporate headquarters are at...
(AAI) and has a 1,841 metre long runway.
Sister cities
Rajkot has one sister cityTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
. Leicester Rajkot
Twinning Association is going to build Leicester House with collaboration of RMC in Rajkot.
| Leicester Leicester Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest... , England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... , UK (December 20, 1996) |
See also
- List of most populous cities in India
- List of most populous metropolitan areas in India
- Status of Indian citiesStatus of Indian citiesThe Status of Indian cities comprises two ranking systems used by the Government of India to allocate compensatory allowances to the cities in the country...
- List of cities in India
- List of million-plus cities in India