The city of Gondal originates with a mention in the Ain-i-Akbari that was written in times of Akbar. It is also mentioned in the Mirat-I-Ahmadi as the State of Vaghela in Sorath, which was the present Saurashtra. It is said that the State of Gondal, the Royal city was found by Thakore Shri Kumbhoji I Meramanji from the Jadeja dynasty. He received the Ardoi and the other villages from his father Meramanji. The fourth descendant was Kumbhoji IV when the State of Gondal acquired the parganas of Doraji, Upleta, and Sarai etc. After this, Sir Bhagwant Singhji ruled from 1888 to the 19th century when he died in 1944. Sir Bhagwat Singhji was known for his excellent administration with reforms on tax, education for women and for the removal of the purdah tradition for women.
Gondal – Through the Ages
This town of Gondal, lying on the banks of the Gondali River has been the place, which belongs to the ancestors of the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah. They come from the Paneli village here. This town also has the Riverside Palace that was built in 1875 AD by Maharaja Bhagwat Sinhji for his son. It was ruled by the Jadeja Rajput family. This rule continued until the Indian independence. This town with forts around is the pride of Saurashtra in the latter half of 1900s and the earlier part of the twentieth century.
Gondal – A Meeting Place
Gondal, the Bhagwatsinhji town has the prestigious achievement of having one of the best administrators Sir Bhagwatsinhji. His educational expertise and extensive world tours encouraged his interest to build the town with good taste and his aesthetic knowledge and architectural excellence is seen in the town. The bazaars and the palaces that have been built during the reign of this monarch are of extreme significance.
Gondal – Travel Bag
With its exquisite architectural splendor and the patronage of Sir Bhagwatsinhji, Gondal comes across as a town with a lot of history, pride and grandeur behind it. A tourist coming here will have lot of tales to know, learn and understand. The traveler coming here would be happy to understand that certain towns still know to retain their shine, glamour and prestige. Handlooms are very much in vogue here and the weaving art is prevalent here and is the best travel kitty.
Gondal – Joy of Living
Any place has the ability to attract a tourist if the city or the place has the innate attraction in it. Gondal, the city of palaces is a place that has been developed with a lot of passion, love and care. So the tourist automatically gets attracted to this place with a lot of fervor, ambition and pride. A person coming here would find the following:
Palace
Navlakha Palace
This is amongst the oldest places and is the most gracious of the palaces in Gondal. Situated on the banks of a river it has great masonry work supervised by patrons of architecture. It has a height of 30m above the bed of the river. There is a clock tower from the town side and is seen when there is a majestic gateway at the entrance This entrance is the way to a wide space with a lot of administrative blocks. There is a magnificent stairway with a left side balustrade. This left side leads to a lot of intricately carved structures and has an open terrace. There is a spacious hall called the Durbar Hall, which has a row of windows that face a Verandah. It is supported by brackets, lying in front of the beautiful river.
Riverside Palace
This is found where the River Gondali ends. It has been built in the colonial style and the architectural elegance is astounding. This is found amidst a luscious green expanse. The main hall has been built in absolutely European style. There is also a room built in Indian style with a lot of beadwork brassware, and Indian paintings. There are also many terraces and galleries which enthrall the tourist with their sheer scenic beauty.
Orchard Palace
This was a Guesthouse belonging to the State that was built in the colonial style. It has an open place with arches in beautiful semi circles. It was in between many orchards. There was a beautiful fountain and a garden in the front. A lily pond with marble statues ensured that the place was a living paradise. The sitting room had paintings with a lot of antique furniture and lot of bird eggs besides other items of interest.
Also Read: Most Famous Royal Palaces in Gujarat
Mansions
Darbar Hall: This is a huge hall with grand chandeliers, stuffed animals, and lot of wooden furniture with gilt. The antique Belgian mirrors add to the beauty. There are many artifacts, gifts, messages of Sir Bhagvatsinhji that are on display here.
JasdanThe Jasdan house is around 47kms from Gondal. It was ruled by the Khachar Kathis. This was the great family of warriors. This family found the town of Jasdan, which lies on the banks of the River Bhadar. The Darbargadh of Jasdan is a magnificent of plasterwork with astounding wrought ironwork on it. The house is replete with lovely arches and impressive jharokas.
Collections
Collection of Vintage Cars
The Gondal rulers were lovers of cars and their makes. There are many cars of the classic and vintage category here in the Royal garage. There are two saloons for rail, which have been renovated. The original state of the place has been maintained. The tourists are housed in the palace and the experience here is very grand.
School
Sangramsinhji High School
This school has been designed on the lines of the Eton school in England. The ceilings are of wood and the flooring of Italian marble. It houses a well-equipped laboratory with equipments, which are from Europe.
Sanctuary
Hingolgadh Nature Education Sanctuary
This is near the town of Jasdan. This is nature’s creation at its best. The Jasdan rulers are nature lovers and created this sanctuary. Camps for education about Nature are held so as to understand the environmental awareness.
Besides, this there are places like Jetpur, which is famous for its textile town, which is known for dyeing of yarn, and saris which are hand printed. The, Rajkumar College, Watson Museum, Kaba Gandhi and Ramakrishna Mission, are also places to visit.
Thus, Gondal is an exotic mixture of culture, tradition, development and history.
As we leave this place we think “Old is surely gold. It is Gondal.”
