Navanagar Town
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
(or Jamnagar). — Capital of the State of the same name in Kathiawar, Bombay, situated in 22° 26' N. and 70 degree 16' E., 310 miles north-west of Bombay, and 5 miles east of the port of Bedi. Population (1901), 53,844, of whom Hindus numbered 32,005, Musalmans 17,027, and Jains 4,621. The town was founded by Jam Rawal in 1540. It is almost entirely built of stone and is surrounded by a fort erected in 1788. Navanagar is a flourishing place, nearly 4 miles in circuit, with a large trade. In the sea, north of the town, are some beds of pearl oysters ; but the pearls are of inferior quality and the fishery appears to be mismanaged. The out-turn realizes about Rs. 4,000 annually. The town is also known for silken and gold embroidery, for incense and perfumed oils, and for the kankii or red powder which is used to make the sectarian mark on the forehead of Hindus. The value of imports at Bedi in 1903-4 was 17-2 lakhs, and of the exports 5-3 lakhs. The dyeing is famous, and the water of the Rangmati river is supposed to be especially favourable to this industry. The climate is pleasant, and the palaces of Kotha, Lakhota, &c., are very picturesque. Large quantities of plantains are grown in the Navanagar gardens. Near by is the tomb of Jasa Ladhak. The town possesses a clock-tower and a vegetable market.
