Dhoraji
| Dhoraji | |
|---|---|
| city | |
|
Tan Darvajaa (Three Gates) Dhoraji | |
  Dhoraji Location in Gujarat, India | |
| Coordinates: 21°44′01″N 70°27′00″E / 21.73367°N 70.449915°ECoordinates: 21°44′01″N 70°27′00″E / 21.73367°N 70.449915°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Gujarat |
| District | Rajkot |
| Elevation | 73 m (240 ft) |
| Population (2014) | |
| • Total | 110,215 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Gujarati, Hindi |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 360410 |
| Telephone code | +912824 |
Dhoraji (
pronunciation ) is a large and flourishing town on the banks of small river Safura, a branch of the river Bhadar. Dhoraji is a city and a municipality in Rajkot district in the state of Gujarat, India.
History
Dhoraji was acquired by Kumbhojl II of Gondal State from Junagadh State about the middle of the eighteenth century.[1] Sir Bhagwatsinhji, the noble ruler of Gondal State, was born at Dhoraji Darbargadh. He established a town planning department and in the late 19th century, introduced town planning principals to regularize and monitor the growth of the fortified town of Gondal, Dhoraji and Upleta and Patanvav.
With the arrival of railways, a new part of the Dhoraji town, between the railway station and the old town, was designed using axial planning, having broad avenues, road junctions, parks, bazaars and public buildings. It is a good. example of urban planning of an Indian town during British Raj.
Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[2] Dhoraji had a population of 80,807. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Dhoraji has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78% and, female literacy is 65%. In Dhoraji, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Major population ratio is of Memons[Muslim], Patels[Hindu] at dhoraji.
Ghar Ni Dhoraji Fort
The fortification of Dhoraji was completed in 1755 AD. The massive fort wall has several bastions, 4 main gates and 3 smaller gates, known as baris. The four main gates are Kathiawadi Darwaja in the East, Porbandar Gate in the West, Halar Gate in the North and Junagadh Gate in the South. The smaller gates are- Darbari Bari, Bhimji Bari and Sati Bari. Darbargadh in Dhoraji is located at the highest point in the town and is approached by Darbari Bari; a beautiful gate adorned with jharokha, resting on brackets of 4 elephant statues in different poses. A finely carved entrance gate leads to Darbargadh in the middle of a courtyard. Darbargadh is a three a multi-storey structure on a high plinth. The facade is ornamented with sculptures of musicians, complex geometric pattern, images of lions in different postures on long caves, profusely carved pillars, horizontal friezes, decorative kanguras and windows framing the skyline. It is designed like a jewel box - in the same architectural style of Navlakha Places at Gondal.
Transport
Air
Rajkot and Porbandar are the nearest airports. kesod and jamnagar is also near by air port.
Road
Dhoraji is on National Highway 8B. It connects Dhoraji with Upleta, Rajkot, Porbandar, Jamnagar, Gondal and Jetpur. State transport corporation and private bus operators provide bus services.
Railway
Dhoraji railway station lies on the Wansjaliya-Jetalsar railway line that connects with Rajkot, the nearest large city. Wansjaliya railway junction is west of Dhoraji and connects with Porbandar, Jamnagar. Dhoraji railway station and Jetalsar railway junction are east of Dhoraji and connect with Rajkot. The railway line is broad gauge.
Environmental Issues
- Major pollution is caused due to Jetpur cotton industries. There are many production units located in Jetpur. Jetpur is located 25 km on upstream of Bhadar river. Polluted water from Jetpur cotton industries is directly thrown in Bhadar river without treatment and it pollutes Bhadar river up to a great extent.
- In Last 5 years, Many of the Jetpur cotton Industries have closed down and business of cotton dyeing has shifted to Pali Town in Rajasthan and the present Cotton units are asked to take pollution control measures and also effluent disposal to avoid pollution of the river hence the pollution is much less now. Water for sanitation and drinking is now better than earlier. People are also more aware about environmental issues as they are educated and know the consequences of pollution.
Major Business
- Edible Oil production industry. There are many oil production units located in Dhoraji due to this, it is called in local terms, "Telia Raja" meaning King of Oil.
- More than 250 plastic production units are located in and near Dhoraji. First a production unit of Plastic Pipes was started in 1978 as Jolly Plastic Industries Limited which is now closed. In fact they were the first in the Saurashtra kutch region.
- Agriculture - main crops are cotton, groundnuts, peanut, sugar cane, corn, vegetables & onion etc.
- Nowadays Dhoraji is developing as a Plastic Hub. Here there are lots of Plastic Industries. Virgin products to Reprocess products are manufactured here by experienced people with using highly skilled employ and latest technology.
- Back in the old days there were lots of sugar factories (sugar mills) located on national highway 8B between Dhoraji and Upleta, Dhoraji and Junagadh and Dhoraji and Bhavnagar.
- There are many Mosaic tiles factories located between Dhoraji and Upleta. The tiles were known for its design and quality for many years.l
- One of the major business is Food business. Dhoraji is also very famous for its love towards delicious food and this tradition has been inherited through generations from many years. Especially, Ganthia. One of the most famous dishes from Dhoraji. Many of the people from Dhoraji start their morning with a plate of Ganthia. Other famous and delicious dishes are Pav Bhaji, Spicy Potato (Lasaniya Batata), Dabeli and lot many Farsan and Sweets.
- Dhoraji is also famous education destination for schooling studies. It has lot many boarding schools, which attracts students of small villages. It has many private schools as well as government schools. Dhoraji has a history to produce the best quality students and citizen of India.
- Some famous recipe of Dhoraji includes, "Gafar na bateta","Pravinbhai na gathiya(pavalo gathiyavalo)","popat ni dabeli", "fauji no khimo", "azad ni pyali", "kailash ni pavbhaji","Raghuveer purisaak","jamaal no golo"," kadariya nu pan", "ambassador na gathiya (nirav).
References
- ↑ Imperial gazetteer of India: provincial series - Volume 9 - Page 395
- ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.