Junagadh

About City :
Junagadh is the 7th largest city in Gujarat and is situated at the foot of Girnar hills. Very few places in Gujarat offer what Junagadh has, a rich Historical significance and Cultural Diversity. The word Junagadh literally translates to the “Old Fort”. The proof of this fact is that it comprises of historical monuments starting from the very ancient age 500 BC till the most recent history of partition of India in 1947 AD. The rulers which have inhabited the city so far have contributed to shaping the city as per their own interests and cultural diversity. Hence, you can see edicts of Ashoka inscribed in Pali language on granite stones, the grand Uparkot Fort which has been the abode of many kings, masterpieces which were built in Indo-Islamic style coupled with Gothic art forms such as Mohabat Maqbara in Junagadh.

Monuments is not the only thing which these rulers have given to Junagadh. So far, it has been known by various names like “Raivatachal”, “Raivatnagar”, “Revant”, “Manipur”, “Chandraketapur”, “Puratanpur”, “Pratappur”, “Narendrapur”, “Girinagar”, “Karan Kunj”, “Jirna Durg”, “Mustafabad” and finally the present name “Junagadh” was given by the British Government in 1820 AD. This city has been a tourist attraction for over years not only because of it’s immense Cultural and Historical importance but also because of it has a plethora of temples and mosques which provides peace to the soul of religious people. Every day hundreads of tourists visit the city for religious, entertainment and educational purpose.

The two main reasons which give the tag of fame to Junagadh are “Parikrama” (Held in October-November during the period of five days concluding on the full-moon day of Kartik Month) and “Maha Shivratri” (Held in February-March on the No-Moon-day of Magha Month) every year. The importance of these festivals is not only up to local level but has also spread over the national and international level. NagaBawa’s or Naked Sages come to take part in these festivals from all over India. Every year on an average more than 1 Million people visit Junagadh during these two festivals only and it’s a major economic source as well.

Apart from this, the major attractions from Junagadh are:
Mount Girnar which is older than even the Himalayas and is one of the main pilgrim places for Jains, Sakkarbaug Zoo which is the second oldest and fourth biggest zoo in India, various step -wells and caves built during different eras, homes dating back to the time of yore reminding of the time when India was known as Golden Bird and you can keep exploring till you are satisfied.


How Junagadh got Freedom
The issue of Junagadh’s accession formally arose when on 17 August 1947, the Indian Press reported that the Nawab of Junagadh had chosen to join Pakistan . On 13 September, Pakistan informed India that it had accepted the accession and had signed a standstill agreement with the state. Junagadh’s decision infuriated the other Kathiawar states and protests poured into Delhi . Lord Mountbatten, now Governor General of India , dispatched his Chief Staff, Lord Ismay, to Karachi for consultations. On his return, Lord Ismay stated that, in his opinion, the Government of Pakistan was trying to provoke India into taking a step which would discredit her in the eyes of the world and obtain sympathy for Pakistan as an aggrieved party. Junagadh, he stressed, was an economic and administrative unit firmly embedded in Kathiawar , and as such could only be a liability to Pakistan in every sphere.

The Sheikh of Mangrol, a very small state adjoining Junagadh, who had not announced his choice, now signed a standstill agreement and instrument of accession with India . The Nawab of Junagadh refused to recognise this accession, asserting that as an “attached state”, Mangrol was his vassal and had no right to conduct negotiations without his authority. The Sheikh maintained that with paramountcy lapsing, he was independent. Apprehensive that other “vassals” might follow Mangrol’s example, the Nawab dispatched his state force troops into Babariawad, an area comprising estates whose rulers challenged the Nawab’s overlordship and had acceded to India . The Government of India, thereupon, requested the Nawab of Junagadh to remove his state troops from Babariawad. In order to protect the areas that had acceded to India , an infantry brigade of the Indian Army was dispatched to Kathiawar . The brigade commander was ordered not to violate Junagadh territory and not even to enter Mangrol and Babariawad, but to deploy his troops only in other territories that had acceded to India . Exchange of communications between India and Pakistan bore no fruit. Eventually, on November 1, India dispatched civil administrators, each accompanied by a small token force, to take over the administration of Mangrol and Babariawad.

The unsettled conditions in Junagadh had led to a cessation of all trade with India and the food position became precarious. The people organised a popular movement. forced the Nawab to flee to Karachi with his family and established a provisional government. Before leaving the Nawab had emptied the state treasury of its cash and securities. The Dewan of Junagadh, Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the father of the more famous Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, now decided to invite the Government of India to intervene. Indian troops thereafter marched into the state.

On 9 November 1948, with the unanimous approval of the state council and leaders of public opinion, the administration of the state was handed over to India . In the absence of any constructive proposal from Pakistan , the Government of India held a referendum on 20 February 1948, to ascertain the wishes of the people regarding accession. In Junagadh, more than 190,000 votes were cast out of an electorate of 200,000. Those voting for Pakistan totalled 91, and the rest voted for India . In Mangrol, Manavadar and certain adjoining estates, Pakistan ’s share of the 31, 434 votes cast was 39. Thus ended a chapter full of incident, but one, which could have been avoided if Pakistan had not encouraged the Nawab of Junagadh in his absurdity. Pakistan still continues to include Junagadh within its territory in its official maps.


Public Transport
Public Transport in Junagadh is limited to City Bus and Auto rickshaws. As the old city area is very congested, city bus service is not available in some old city areas. However the city is not that big in area. City bus service is operated by a partnership mode between Municipal Corporation and a private firm. Taxi service is very limited but taxis are available in numbers though mostly for intercity journeys. Junagadh is well connected by Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation buses with most cities in Gujarat.

Road
Junagadh is connected to Rajkot and Ahemadabad by National Highway NH8D which also connects Junagadh to Veraval and Somnath. Junagadh city Bypass on NH8D obviates the need for through vehicles to enter the city. In the south, Junagadh is connected to Bilkha and Sasan Gir Lion Sanctuary. Kalwo river runs through Junagadh; Ferguson bridge is built over it to connect the two parts of the city. A bridge is also constructed on river Sonrakh in the northern outskirts of the city. Mount Girnar is connected with Junagadh by road. Rickshaws are generally preferred as mode of transportation.

Rail
Junagadh comes under Western Railway zone of Indian Railways. Junagadh is connected with Rajkot, Ahemadabad and Veraval by railway lines. Many long distance trains connect Junagadh to other cities in India.

Air
Junagadh city does not have an airport due to mountainous terrain. Keshod Airport, 40 km. southwest of Junagadh, used to have a scheduled daily flight from Mumbai though no scheduled services operate from it currently.Other nearest airports are Rajkot Airport 99 km and Porbandar 113 km.
Junagadh has a Heliport at Zafar Maidan in Gandhigram area opposite Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Private Limited manufactuuring plant. Regular flights were made in past for helicopter service provided on mount Girnar. Otherwise it is used for visiting V.I.P.

Sea
Junagadh district has a long shore line of 192 km in total. But Junagadh city is not on the shore line. The nearest sea port is Veraval and it is mainly used for commercial product exports and imports. Passenger ferries are very limited.