Bhavnagar

Bhavnagar is a city in the Gujarat region in India. Bhavnagar is connected by daily flights to Mumbai. The airlines are Indian, Air Deccan and Jet Airways. Most people in Gujarat travel by private buses (these are excellent modes of transport as the roads are among the best in India.

The Rajputs came to the region from Marvar and established their capital at Bhavnagar. Initially, the royal family lived at Darbargadh and later shifted to Motibaugh and Nilambaugh Palace. The city remained a major port for about two centuries. The trade was carried out mainly with Africa, Mozambique, Zanzibar, Singapore and the Persian Gulf. This resulted in enormous revenue generation and developmental activities. The progressive rulers of Bhavnagar contributed immensely to the design and construction of the excellent buildings in the city.

Today bhavnagar owes much to the vision of the past ruler Sir Takhtsinhji Gohil (1869-96 AD). The town planning schemes were designed and implemented under the guidance of progressive rulers of Bhavnagar. During the reign of Sir Takhtsinhji, the British State Engineer Proctor Sims supervised the construction of Barton Library, High Court, Alfred High School and Sir Takhtsinhji Hospital. Takhteshwar Temple (1893 AD) is located on a hill, on a high plinth, offering a commanding view of Bhavnagar. The high shikhara rising above the pillared rectangular mandapa makes it an important landmark. Barton Library (1895 AD) is a beautiful two storeyed building, appropriately designed for a road junction. It has two wings and a central tower, constructed in ashlar stone masonary, with Gothic arch windows and a sloping roof with Mangalore tiles. It is one of the oldest libraries of Gujarat and also houses a museum. Gangajalia (1893 AD) is a temple dedicated to Gangadevi, with a chhatri, pavilion and bridgeall in white marble. It is located in the middle of a former tank. It was designed by Sir John Griffith, principal of Sir J J School of Arts, Bombay.Nilambag Palace, now a heritage hotel, is a magnificant building set amidist a huge estate of 10 acres. It was designed by a German architect, as a royal residence in 1859 AD. It combines elements of Indian architecture with a modern outlook.