Flag of Rajkot Principality until 1948

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, located on the banks of the Aji River and Niari 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.

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 movement.

 

Foundation

Rajkot was founded by Thakur Saheb Vibhaji Ajoji Jadeja of the Jadeja clan and Raju Sandhi in 1612 AD, in the middle of Saurashtra. Vibhaji Ajoji was the grandson of Jam Sataji of Nawanagar, the present day Jamnagar. Rajkot was named in honour of its co-founder, Raju Sandhi.

 

Nawab Rule

Masum Khan conquered Rajkot in the year 1720 AD. He was a deputy Faujdar of Junagadh's Nawab. Masum Khan changed the name of Rajkot to Masumabad. He also built the fortress in 1722 AD, which was about 4 to 5 kilometers in 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

Flag of Rajkot Principality until 1948Masumabad was later conquered by the Jadeja clan 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 Pradumansign Jadeja's reign.