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Junagadh
City
Gate of the city of Junagadh
Junagadh Junagadh Show map of Gujarat Junagadh Junagadh (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 21°31′12″N 70°27′47″E / 21.520°N 70.463°E / 21.520; 70.463Coordinates: 21°31′12″N 70°27′47″E / 21.520°N 70.463°E / 21.520; 70.463
Country	India
State	Gujarat
District	Junagadh
Government
• Body	Junagadh Municipal Corporation
• Mayor	Mr. Maulik Bhatt
• Municipal Commissioner	Mr. V. J. Rajput - I.A.S Commissioner
• Member of Legislative Assembly	Bhikhabhai Joshi
• Member of Parliament	Rajesh Chudasama
Area
• Total	160 km2 (60 sq mi)
Area rank	7th
Elevation	107 m (351 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
• Total	319,462
• Rank	137
• Density	2,000/km2 (5,200/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	362 00X[2]
Telephone code	0285
Vehicle registration	GJ-11
Language	Gujarati, Hindi, English
Civic agency	Junagadh Municipal Corporation
Website	www.junagadhmunicipal.org

Junagadh pronunciation (help·info) is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat, located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355  km south west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. Literally translated, Junagadh means "Old Fort". An alternate etymology gives the name as coming from "Yonagadh", literally "City of the Yona (Greeks)," referring to the ancient inhabitants of the city under the Indo-Greek Kingdom. It is also known as "Sorath", the name of the earlier princely state of Junagadh.^[3] After a brief struggle between India and Pakistan, Junagadh joined India on 9 November 1947. It was a part of Saurashtra state and later Bombay state. In 1960, after the Maha Gujarat movement, it became part of newly formed Gujarat state.

History

Early history

Ashoka's Rock Edict at Girnar, Junagadh

An impressive fort, Uparkot Fort, located on a plateau in the middle of town, was originally built during the Mauryan dynasty by Chandragupta in 319 BCE The fort remained in use until the 6th century, when it was abandoned for about 300 years, then rediscovered by Chudasama ruler Graharipu in 976 CE.^[4] The fort was besieged 16 times over an 800-year period. One unsuccessful siege lasted twelve years.

There is an inscription with fourteen Edicts of Ashoka on a large boulder within 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) of Uparkot Fort.^[5] The inscriptions carry Brahmi script in a language similar to Pali and date back to 250 BCE. On the same rock there is an inscription in Sanskrit added around 150 CE by Mahakshatrap Rudradaman I, the Saka (Scythian) ruler of Malwa, a member of the Western Kshatrapas dynasty.^[6] This has been described as "the earliest known Sanscrit inscription of any extent".^[7] Another inscription dates from about 450 CE and refers to Skandagupta, the last Gupta emperor. Old rock-cut Buddhist "caves" in this area, dating from well before 500 CE, have stone carvings and floral work. There are also the Khapra Kodia Caves north of the fort, and the Bava Pyara caves south of the fort. Bava Pyara caves contains artworks of both Buddhism and Jainism.

The Maitraka dynasty ruled Gujarat from 475 to 767 CE. The founder of the dynasty, General Bhatarka, military governor of Saurashtra peninsula under the Gupta empire, established himself as the independent ruler of Gujarat around the last quarter of the 5th century.^{[citation needed]}

Chudasama dynasty

The early history of Chudasama dynasty - who ruled Saurashtra from Junagadh - is almost lost. The bardic legends differs very much in names, order and numbers so they are not considered reliable. Traditionally, the dynasty is said to have been founded in the late 9th century by Chudachandra. Subsequent rulers such as Graharipu, Navaghana and Khengara were in conflict with Chaulukya rulers Mularaja and Jayasimha Siddharaja. Saurashtra was briefly governed by Chaulukya governors during this period. Thus they are mentioned in contemporary and later Jain chronicles. After end of the rule of Chaulukya and their successor Vaghela dynasty in Gujarat, the Chudasamas continued to rule independently or as a vassal of successor states, Delhi Sultanate and Gujarat Sultanate. Mandalika I was the first known ruler from inscriptions during whose reign Gujarat was invaded by Khalji dynasty of Delhi. The last king of the dynasty, Mandalika III, was defeated and forcibly converted to Islam in 1472 by Gujarat Sultan Mahmud Begada, who also annexed the state.^[8][9]

The Uparkot Fort of Junagadh was occupied by Chudasamas during the reign of Graharipu. Later it is said to have been rebuilt by Navaghana who had transferred his capital from Vamanasthali to Junagadh. He is also attributed with construction of Navghan Kuvo and Adi Kadi Vav, a well and a stepwell respectively, in the fort. His descendant Khengara is attributed with a stepwell, Khengar Vav, on the way to Vanthali from Junagadh.^[10][11]

Gujarat Sultanate

Sultan Mahmud Begada changed the name of Junagadh to Mustafabad and built the fortifications round the town and the mosque in the Uparkot.

Under Gujarat Sultanate, Junagadh was governed by an official appointed direct from Ahmedabad styled thanadar. This official collected the tribute and revenue of the crown domain but the Sultan also placed last Chudasama king Mandalika III's son in Junagadh as a jagirdar. The name of this son was Bhupatsingh. The first thanadar was Tatar Khan, an adopted son of the Sultan and after him Mirza Khalil, the eldest son of the Sultan who afterwards succeeded him under the title of Sultan Muzaffar. Prince Khalil during his tenure of office founded the village called Khalilpur. The jagir allotted to Bhupatsingh was the Sil Bagasra Chovisi and his descendants were known as Raizada. They continued to rule there. Bhupatsingh was succeeded by his son Khengar.^[12]

After the accession of Sultan Muzafar and indeed during the latter part of Sultan Mahmud's reign the seat of government was removed from Junagadh to Diu owing to the importance of that island as a naval station and to check the ravages of the Portuguese. Tatarkhan Ghori was left at Junagadh by Malik Eiaz who himself resided at Diu. After the disgrace and death of Malik Eiaz, Tatarkhan Ghori became independent at Junagadh and after the death of Sultan Bahadur, the Ghori family reigned independently at Junagadh though still owing a nominal allegiance to the successive Sultans at Ahmadabad. This state of affairs continued until the first conquest of Gujarat by Akbar when Aminkhan Ghori had succeeded his father Tatarkhan at Junagadh.^[12]

When the Portuguese took over the ports of Diu and Daman in the 16th century, a fifteen-foot cannon, made in Egypt in 1531, was abandoned by a Turkish admiral opposing the Portuguese forces at Diu, which was now at the Uparkot Fort.

Under Mughal Empire

Ghori rule

Khengar was succeeded by his son Noghan in ad 1525 and he lived until ad 1551. Tatarkhan Ghori had now become almost independent. In his time Jam Raval conquered Halar and built Navanagar. Noghan was succeeded by his son Shrisingh in ad 1551. He lived till 1586. During his time Tatarkhan Ghori died and was succeeded by his son Aminkhan Ghori. In his time too Akbar conquered Gujarat though Sorath yet remained independent under the Ghori rule. The exact date of Tatarkhan Ghori's death is not known but from the mention of Aminkhan as his successor it must have been from about ad 1570 to 1575. On the return of the Emperor Akbar to Agra in ad 1573 after the defeat and death of Muhammad Husain Mirzah and Ikhtiyar ul Mulk, he gave orders that Sorath should be conquered from Aminkhan Ghori. Vazir Khan attempted it but was unequal to the task. Great confusion existed now in Sorath. The Moghal conquest of Gujarat, the collapse of the power of the Gujarat Sultans, the encroachments of the Jam and the assumption of independence by the Ghori all augmented the confusion afterwards increased by the escape and partisan warfare of Sultan Muzaffar in ad 1583.^[12]

During these disturbances Amin Khan Ghori and his son Daulat Khan Ghori espoused the cause of Muzafar as did the Jam and Loma Khuman of Kherdi. The exact date of Amin Khan Ghori's death is not known but it was in about ad 1589-90. Raizada Khengar also warmly espoused Mnzafar's side. After the siege and capture of Junagadh in ad 1591-92 by Naurang Khan, Syad Kasim and Gnjar Khan; Khengar was dismissed to his estate of Sil Bagasra and the Raizada were called ceased to rule at Junagadh. Daulat Khan Ghori died of his wounds during the siege and from henceforth Junagadh became the seat of the imperial faujdars of Sorath in subordination to the imperial viceroy at Ahmedabad.^[12]

Imperial rule

The first faujdar of Junagad was Naurang Khan and next Syad Kasim and the most famous were (1) Mirzah Isa Tarkhan (2) Kutb ud din Kheshgi and (3) Sardarkhan. Of these Mirzah Isa Tarkhan ruled Sorath from about ad 1633 34 to ad 1642 when he was appointed viceroy of Gujarat. On this occasion he left his son Inayat Ullah as faujdar at Junagadh and himself repaired to the capital of Gujarat Ahmedabad to conduct the government. In Mirzah Isa Tarkhan's time the fortifications of Junagadh were entirely repaired. Kutb ud din was another famous faujdar his tenure of office lasted from about 1653-1666. He in about ad 1664 conquered Navanagar and annexed it to the imperial domain. Sardarkhan also distinguished himself while faujdar of Sorath both by the firmness of his rule and by his construction of the Sardar Bagh and excavation of the Sardar Talav. He built a mausoleum for himself in the Sardar Bagh but died at Thatta in Sindh and is said to have been buried there and not at Junagadh. He was faujdar from about 1666 to 1686 but in 1670 he went for a short time to Idar and was replaced by Syad Dilerkhan. The date of the construction of the Sardar Bagh is ad 1681 (AH 1092). The last of the faujdars was Sherkhan Babi who afterwards became independent and assumed the title of Nawab Bahadur Khan.^[12]

Junagadh City

Junagadh Nawabs and state officials, 19th century.

Tomb of Mahabat Khan

Mohammad Sher khan Babi, who owed allegiance to the Mughal governor of Gujarat Subah, founded the state of Junagadh and declaring independence in 1730 after Marathas Gaikwad invasion. Muhammad Sher khan Babi, was the founder of the Babi Dynasty of Junagadh State dynasty. His descendants, the Babi Nawabs of Junagadh, conquered large territories in southern Saurashtra and ruled over the state for the next two centuries, first as tributaries of Marathas, and later under the suzerainty of the British. The Nawabs of Junagadh belonged to the Babi or Babai (Pashtun tribe) pashtuns from Afghanistan. They were granted a 13 gun salute by the British authorities:^[13]

• 1730 - 1758 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji or Mohammad sher khan Babi^[14][15]
  


• 1758 - 1774 : Mohammad Mahabat Khanji I


• 1774 - 1811 : Mohammad Hamid Khanji I


• 1811 - 1840 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji II


• 1840 - 1851 : Mohammad Hamid Khanji II


• 1851 - 1882 : Mohammad Mahabat Khanji II


• 1882 - 1892 : Mohammad Bahadur Khanji III


• 1892 - 1911 : Mohammad Rasul Khanji


• 1911 - 1948 : Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III
  

British period

Flag of Junagadh, during the British period.

Junagadh State was founded in 1730. In 1807 it became a British protectorate. The East India Company took control of the state by 1818, but the Saurashtra area never came under the direct administration of British India.^{[citation needed]} Instead, the British divided the territory into more than one hundred princely states, which remained in existence until 1947.^{[citation needed]} The present old town, developed during the 19th and 20th centuries, is one of the former princely states which were outside but under the suzerainty of British India.^{[citation needed]}

The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir temple in Junagadh was constructed on land presented by Jinabhai (Hemantsingh) Darbar of Panchala, and dedicated on 1 May 1828. Swaminarayan appointed Gunatitanand Swami as the first mahant (religious and administrative head of temple), who served in this role and preached there for over 40 years.^[16][17]

Annexation to India

During the period spanning the independence and partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, the 562 princely states that had existed outside British India under British suzerainty were given a choice of acceding to either India or Pakistan or remaining outside them. Although the states were theoretically free to choose, Earl Mountbatten stated that "geographic compulsions" meant that most of them would choose India. Mountbatten took the position that only states that shared a common border with Pakistan should choose to accede to it, but he had no power to impose this point of view on the states.

• 15 Aug 1947 Accedes to Pakistan.


• 15 Sep 1947 Accession to Pakistan accepted.


• 9 Nov 1947 Occupied by India.


• 10 Nov 1947 Rescinds accession to Pakistan, accedes to India


• 24 Feb 1948 Referendum approves accession to India.


• 25 Feb 1948 Accession to India in effect.

On 15 September 1947, Nawab Mohammad Mahabat Khanji III of Junagadh, a princely state located on the south-western end of Gujarat and having no common border with Pakistan, chose to accede to Pakistan ignoring Mountbatten's views, arguing that Junagadh could access Pakistan by sea. The rulers of two states that were subject to the suzerainty of Junagadh — Mangrol and Babariawad — reacted by declaring their independence from Junagadh and acceding to India. In response, the nawab of Junagadh militarily occupied the two states. Rulers of the other neighbouring states reacted angrily, sending troops to the Junagadh frontier, and appealed to the Government of India for assistance. A group of Junagadhi people, led by Samaldas Gandhi, formed a government-in-exile, the Aarzi Hukumat ("temporary government").^[18]

India asserted that Junagadh was not contiguous to Pakistan and believed that if Junagadh was permitted to accede to Pakistan, communal tension already simmering in Gujarat would worsen, and refused to accept the Nawab's choice of accession. The government pointed out that the state was 96% Hindu, and called for a plebiscite to decide the question of accession. India cut off supplies of fuel and coal to Junagadh, severed air and postal links, sent troops to the frontier, and occupied the principalities of Mangrol and Babariawad that had acceded to India.^[19]

Pakistan agreed to discuss a plebiscite, subject to the withdrawal of Indian troops, a condition India rejected. On 26 October, the Nawab and his family fled to Pakistan following clashes with Indian troops.

On 7 November, Junagadh's court, facing collapse, invited the Government of India to take over the State's administration. The Dewan of Junagadh, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the father of the more famous Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, decided to invite the Government of India to intervene and wrote a letter to Mr. Buch, the Regional Commissioner of Saurashtra in the Government of India to this effect.^[20]

The government of India rejected the protests of Pakistan and accepted the invitation of the Dewan to intervene.^[21] A plebiscite was conducted in February 1948, but it was not internationally monitored and Pakistan claims was not based on the plebiscite but on the logic of Kashmir Annexation, which went almost unanimously in favour of accession to India.^[22] Junagadh became a part of the Indian state of Saurashtra until 1 November 1956, when Saurashtra became part of Bombay state. In 1960, Bombay state was split into the linguistic states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, in which Junagadh was located.

Time periods of various rulers

^[24]

Geography

View of Junagadh

View of Girnar Hills from Damodar Kund.

Junagadh is located at 21°31′N 70°28′E / 21.52°N 70.47°E / 21.52; 70.47. It has an average elevation of 107 metres (351 ft).

Junagadh is situated at the foot of Mount Girnar. Junagadh has Arabian sea to its southwest, Porbandar to its north and Amreli to its east. Junagadh city is divided into number of areas Main city is clustered around M.G. Road and Kalwa Chowk. Other areas are Gandhigram, Zanzarda Road, Talaw Darwaza, Bus-stand, Sakkar Baug, Timbawadi, Joshipara and Girnar Taleti. These areas comes under the administration of Junagadh Municipal Corporation.

Junagadh city has two rivers namesd Sonrakh and Kalwo. However Kalwo is facing major pollution problem because city sewers. Junagadh city has many lakes named Narsinh Mehta Sarovar, Damodarji, Sudarshan Lake etc. There are man made dams around Junagadh named Willingdon dam, Hasnapur Dam, Anandpur Weir. These are the main water sources for the city. Apart from that ground water supply is very widely available in the city so wells are scattered all across the city.

Junagadh city has pretty much similar soil as whole Junagadh district. It is Deep- Medium black coastal alluvium.^[25] It is because proximity of sea and long shore line and also because of the Girnar mountain ridge. Because of many fault lines in proximity Junagadh is in seismically active zone. Junagadh lies in Seismic Zone III region^[26] which means earthquake up to magnitude 6.5 on the Richter-scale may be expected.

Climate^[27]

Junagadh has a tropical wet and dry climate, with three distinct seasons observed, a mild winter from November to February, a hot summer from March to June, and a monsoon from July to October. The Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Cambay are also influential factors affecting the climate and weather of Junagadh. Junagadh faces adverse climatic conditions in the summer months with the temperature ranging from 28° Celsius to 38° Celsius. In the winter months, the temperature ranges from 10° Celsius to 25° Celsius. The city is drained by the south-west monsoon from June to September. It records a rainfall of 1000 to 1200 mm annually. Various factors such as its close proximity to the sea influence the weather of Junagadh. The latent winds from the sea affect the climatic conditions in the region. Highest rainfall in a calendar year was recorded back in 1983 and it was 2800 mm.^[28]

Annual average of weather parameter during 2008^[28]

Economy

Due to its mountainous region and forest reserves, Junagadh lacks major industries or plants. However main earning sectors for Junagadh are mineral-based cement industry, agriculture-based industry and power sector. Presence of huge reserves of limestone makes the cement industry a thriving industrial sector. Major crops produced in the district are wheat, oil seeds, cotton, mango, banana, onion and brinjal. Total production of oilseeds in Junagadh in 2006-07 was 4,64,400 MT^[30] which was the highest in the state. Junagadh is the largest producer of groundnut and garlic in the state contributing 26% and 34% to total production respectively. Junagadh has Asia's largest ground nut research laboratory.^{[citation needed]} Mango and onions are produced in large quantities in the district.^{[citation needed]}

Some of the large scale industry present in Junagadh are Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt Ltd (Popularly known as Junagadh Dairy in the region), Agro Marine Exports, Creative Castings Ltd., Austin Engineering. With an investment of INR 4,000 crore (USD 975.6million), JSW Power Co. propose to set up coal-based power plant at Simar in Junagadh but unfortunately due to technical problems in establishing port at simar, it has now been shifted to dahej.^[31] The economy of Junagadh is mainly based on agriculture. With the new Government policy of biotechnology, Junagadh has been identified as one of the agriculture biotechnology zone. This will boost setting up of agro-biotech industries in the district.^{[citation needed]}

Junagadh boasts of some of the best tourist destinations in the state so tourism is considered to be a progressing sector. The State Government has sanctioned the project for development of Circuit Tourism project at Junagadh.^[32]

Politics

Politics of Junagadh city has always been closely contested between Indian National Congress and Bharatiya Janta Party. Other national parties with limited activities are Bahujan Samaj Party, Communist Party of India, Nationalist Congress Party. Other state parties active in Junagadh is Mahagujarat Janta Party, Samata Party, Republic Party of India. Junagadh has 194,196 registered voters including 100,050 Male and 94,146 Female.

Junagadh has one state assembly constituencies. BJP has always been a strong party in this arena. BJP won this seat in 2007 election. Total number of voters participated were 118,888. BJP got 52.36% of votes and nearest competitor was INC with 26.32%.^[33] Election for the state assembly is held every 5 years.

Junagadh Municipal Corporation has 17 wards and total of 51 seats. In 2009 elections INC won on 26 seats, BJP won 21 seats, BSP won 3 seats and 1 went to Independent out of 51. Majority went to INC although all in all BJP got more votes which were 134,739 votes which were 45.62% of total, on the other end INC got 120,533 which were 40.81% of total.^[34] The Mayor, Deputy Mayor has terms of 2 and a half years.

Road

Junagadh is connected to Rajkot and Ahmedabad by National Highway NH8D which also connects Junagadh to Veraval and Somnath. Junagadh city Bypass on NH8D obviates the need for through vehicles to enter the city. In the south, Junagadh is connected to Bilkha and Sasan Gir Lion Sanctuary. Kalwo river runs through Junagadh; Ferguson bridge is built over it to connect the two parts of the city. A bridge is also constructed on river Sonrakh in the northern outskirts of the city. Mount Girnar is connected with Junagadh by road. Rickshaws are generally preferred as mode of transportation.

Utility services

Junagadh city has a population of 320,250 and at present the water demand is 30 million litres per day. Water is supplied through 25,000 tap connections by three major surface water sources namely Aanandpur Weir, Hasanapur dam and Wellingdon dam and 32 wells. Junagadh city has more than 1000 hand pumps and 200 stand posts as ground water sources situated all over the city area. Junagadh city area limit were extended in January 2004 increasing its area from 13.47 km². to 57 km². Eight Nos. for Grampanchayats and One Municipality was merged in Junagadh city limit. Newly merge area has its individual ground water supply system through bore wells.^[35]

Daily generation of solid waste in city approximately 150 tonnes. Thus the total waste is within the range of 400 gm per capita per day of domestic waste. The above solid waste is being collected by deploying 400 wheel barrows (six containers) as per the guidelines of Hon'ble supreme court by MSW rule 2000. JMC has set up 800 community bins for solid waste collection.^[36] It covers 90% of city area. Junagadh city's drainage system is 62 km long but it covers only 67% of total area and 60% of total population.^[37]

Electricity is provided and distributed by P.G.V.C.L. which is a state run company. Telecom service is available in the city. It is provided mainly by B.S.N.L., while other service providers include Reliance and Tata. Cell phone coverage is extensive and main service providers are Vodafone, B.S.N.L., Airtel, Idea and Tata Docomo. B.S.N.L. also provides broadband service.

City has a good network of street lights. There are total 12,545 tube lights and 1523 central sodium lighting. Solar light project is also approved for the Narsinh Mehta Sarovar.^[38]

Demographics

As of the^[update]2011 census, Junagadh municipality had a population of 319,462.^[1] The municipality had a sex ratio of 955 females per 1,000 males and 9% of the population were under six years old.^[1] Effective literacy was 88%; male literacy was 92.46% and female literacy was 83.38%.^[1]

Junagadh has relatively low to medium housing and land costs in comparison to cities like Rajkot. The city is rapidly expanding and available land inside the limits of Municipal Corporation are now limited. Total area under slums is 19.5 km² (14.5% of total municipal area) and total slum population accounts for around 25% of total population.^[39]

The religions represented in Junagadh includes Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Christians, Buddhists. Among these Hindus are majority and Muslims are the largest minority group. Jains and Christians are also in considerable numbers. Sikhs and Parsis are very few in numbers. There are Tibetan migrants who practice Buddhism. Main linguistic group is Gujarati. Other groups are Hindi, Sindhi. A small community of African origins known as "Siddis" also reside in and around the Gir Sanctuary, but some of them have moved to the city. There are around 8816^[40]Siddi in the state and 65% of them resides in Junagadh.^[41]Swaminarayan Faith is also widely followed in the city. There are two Swaminarayan temples in the city: the old temple is managed by the Vadtal diocese and the new temple is managed by Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha.^[42]

Culture

Junagadh has a zoo named Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden known as Sakkarbaug Zoo established in 1863 in the area of around 200 hectares. The zoo provides purebred Asiatic lions for the Indian and the international endangered species captive breeding program for the critically endangered species. Currently, it is the only zoo in the country to hold African cheetahs.^[43] The zoo also has museum of natural history.

Junagadh has witnessed rules of many famous dynasties like Babi Nawabs, Vilabhis, Kshatraps, Mauryas, Chudasamas, Gujarat Sultans and several others. It has also seen major religious upsurges. All these have greatly influenced the architectural developments of Junagadh.

Buddhist cave in Uperkot Fort

Junagadh Buddhist Cave Groups, with their intricately carved gateways, Chaitya halls, sculptured pillars and sanctums are classic examples of rock cut architectural style. The Chudama Rajputs have left specimens of their architectural style in Nabghan Kuvo and Adi Kadi Vav. Religious monuments like Jami Masjid remind us of the glorious Muslim architectural patterns. The Ashokan Edicts is a classic example of old rock engraving styles. The Maqbaras and numerous age-old palaces in Junagadh tell the story of its rich historical and architectural past.^[44]

About 2 km east of Junagadh and 3 km from the foot of Girnar Hill, between the two places, is an edict of Emperor Ashoka inscribed on a rock dating from the 3rd century BC. The Ashokan edicts impart moral instructions on dharma, harmony, tolerance, and peace. An uneven rock, with a circumference of seven metres and a height of ten metres, bears inscriptions in Brāhmī script etched with an iron pen.^[45]

The people of Junagadh celebrate both western and Indian festivals. Diwali, Maha Shivratri, Holi, Janmastami, Muharram, Navratri, Christmas, Good Friday, Dussera, Moharram, Ganesh Chaturthi, are some of the popular festivals in the city.^[46]

Shivratri Mela is organized at the foot of Mount Girnar (Talati) in the month of MAHA (9th day of the month of Maagha). The mela lasts for the next five days. About 500,000 people visits Junagadh on this occasion.^[47] Girnar Parikrama is also organized annually. It starts in the month of Kartik and draws 1 to 1.5 million people. People walk the periphery of the Girnar Hills on foot (about 32 km) to enjoy the religious and natural beauty.^[48]Muharram is also celebrated by muslims. The sej which belongs to the peer or the gurus of nawabs is been taken out and a fair is been organized by muslims. Apart from these religious and national festivals, Junagadh also celebrates its accession to India on 9 November 1947 annually and it is celebrated as independence day of the city.^[49] 1 May is Gujarat day, to celebrate the formation of Gujarat state on 1 May 1960.^[50]

Education

Schools in Junagadh are either "municipal schools" (run by the JMC) or private schools (run by trusts or individuals), which in some cases receive financial aid from the government. The schools are either affiliated with Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, Central Board of Secondary Education or International General Certificate of Secondary Education. English or Gujarati is the predominant language of instruction.

See also

• Girnar


• Gir Forest National Park


• Siddis


• Baradiya

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Junagadh.

• 
  Junagadh travel guide from Wikivoyage