Rajkot: Encyclopedia II - Rajkot - History

Rajkot - History

Founded in 1612 by Thakur Saheb Vibhaji Ajoji Jadeja of Jadeja clan and Raju Sandhi. Vibhaji was grandson of Jam Sataji of Nawanagar, presentday Jamnagar. During British Rule, it was a regional headquarter (Residency).

It has been seat of Jadeja Clan (Rajkot Branch) since then.

Mahatma Gandhi spent his early years in Rajkot while his father was a Diwan to one of the Saurashtran Nawab, and the house where Gandhi lived is now a museum named Kaba Gandhi No Delo. He went to school in here (Alfred High School, now called as Mahatma Gandhi High School).

After Independence, it became the capital of Saurashtra State. It hosted the State Assembly for the state. Uchhrangrai N. Dhebar(known poprularly as Dhebarbhai) was The First Chief Minister of Saurashtra State. Later, he was named as President of All India Congress Committee. Balwantbhai Mehta was The Second Chief Minister for the states.

When states were created based on Spoken Languages, the city along with Saurashtra State was merged into newly formed Gujarat State.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "History", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki