The city of Wankaner gets its name from the word Wanka which means bend and Ner which means river. This city was found in 1605 AD and was fortified in the 18th century. The fort was built as a protective measure against bandits and the enemies from the neighbouring areas. King Amarsinhji was a noble ruler and made Wankaner a very rich state. He ruled this region till 1947 AD. Under his patronage and care, there are 5 palaces and there were many palaces built and named after the princely states of the various states of Gujarat like Kachchh, Rajkot, Mayurbhanj and Jamnagar. Amongst the few royal families in India he converted the palaces into heritage hotels with guestrooms and the palaces have retained their original style.
Wankaner – Through the Centuries
Wankaner, the Jhala Rajput clan city was the capital of the former princely State of the same name. This state continued to be a state till 1947 AD. It was considered to be one of the princely states of Jhalawar, Wadhwan, Limbdi and Dhrangadhra. The city has a step well, and is the last one to be built in Gujarat. This step well has 3 stories and has 2 underground floors and is made of cool subterranean marble rooms, and exquisite sculptures. It also has a fountain. Most of the Wankaner palaces have been converted into hotels today. Down the ages, Wankaner has grown into a city of beauty, grace and charm.
Wankaner – A Meeting Point
Recreation and relaxation are a part of the life in Wankaner. The swords, shields, daggers and the portraits and paintings, along with the ride in the vintage cars make this place worth a visit. The grandeur, the glamour of the past and the truth of the present has set the city on the chart of royalty. The Wankaner palace is better known as the Ranjit Vilas Palace and is the perfect rendezvous factor for a visitor.
Wankaner – Travel Essentials
Located on the Saurashtrian peninsula and situated in the middle of an island, Wankaner, or the bent river is a small city lying around 49 km from the City of Rajkot. This city is so called as it is located on the bend of the River Machchhu. The travel kitty here consists of enjoying the intriguing mix of styles of architecture that we find here ranging from the Victorian, Gothic, Mughal, Dutch, and even the French influences. The collection of swords and shields and daggers here is worth a watch and the collection of vintage cars is really stupendous. This provides the travel kitty here as well as shopping for the local artifacts and Gujarat handicrafts in the market.
Wankaner – Vibrant Life in the City
Situated on the bend of the River Machchhu is so called as it has all the ingredients and the color of a proper Gujarat city. The city has the best situation for enthusiasm and the structure of a proper tourist spot. Though not really frequented much still the railway junction is a famous spot and is the ideal place for a tourist. The joie de vivre here is to find the right way to enjoy the place along with the available resources. A person coming here can find the following:
Palace
Ranjit Vilas Palace: This palace was built by Amarsinhji. This overlooks the main city. The palace was completed 7 years ago and was designed by Amarsinhji himself. This was inaugurated by Jam Ranjitsinhji from Jamnagar. The palace is located on the Gadhio hill. The palace has a variety of vintage cars and also a collection of Kathiawadi horses. The tourist can enjoy a ride on this horse. The royal artifacts that are found in this museum are worth a visit and a thing to be proud about. The Wankaner rulers were fond of hunting. The trophies related to hunting are found here. There are some enthralling cultural performances by the folk dancers here. They are organized for the guests all over the country and also the world.
This building is three stories high and with an architecture which is a combination of Rajput, Islamic, Venetian, Gothic styles, and has exquisite arches. The minarets and the domes also have an impressive clock tower. With an amazing collection of swords, shields and daggers, this museums holds a lot of stuffed animals, pistols, pig sticking spears, silver, linen chests, silver plated howdahs, thrones, paintings, and portraits. It has a magnificent spiral marble staircase, stained glass galleries. The chandeliers and the furniture are exquisite and really worth a watch.
Vintage Cars:
This palace also has a collection of 1921 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, which is one of the most imposing cars and carriages drawn by horses.
Stable:
The palace has a stable for Kathiyawadi horses. The large grounds look enthralling with a lot of beautiful fountains dotting the area. The fountains are made in the Italian style.
Step wells:
This is one of the main features of Wankaner. This is incidentally the last one to be built in Gujarat.
Towns:
Morbi: With the solemn nod of a martyr and the unwavering pride of a soldier, Morbi stands as an embodiment of elegance and charm amidst a tapestry of diversity and adversity. This city unfolds a narrative rarely heard, resiliently rebuilding itself despite numerous setbacks. Once on the trajectory of significant progress, Morbi, the Waghji city, faced two catastrophic events—the Machchhu Dam burst of 1979 and the 2000 earthquake, India’s most substantial. Despite these challenges, the city, though momentarily setback, continues its resilient journey towards steady development.
Halvad:
Halvad, the Jhala Rajput city, is a place for Brahmins. Today the gourmet Brahmins are a part of this city. This is also the city of the heroic soldiers who fought wars for the State. Down the ages, we can see there are many cenotaphs and stones made out of sandstone that are present at the edge of the town. The memorial stones or paliyas are in memory of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the battles fought for Halvad. They also bring forth the stories of the women who committed sati (the process of jumping into the pyre as an act of sacrifice). Today newly married people come here to perform the practice of untying the nuptial knot. People also pay homage to ancestors here. There is also an annual Laddu eating competition that is organized by the Brahmins at Halvad.
Thus, the city of Wankaner is a place to be visiting simply for its amazing sights and places.
As we leave the city, we think “Tourist is silver but Wankaner is golden”
