Jamnagar state was founded by Jam Raval Jadeja sometime around 1535-40 AD. The Jams ruled here ever since but the city of Nawanagar or Jamnagar as it is known today, undoubtedly owes a lot to the Maharaja Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji. The previous Maharajas built forts and castles such as the Darbargarh Fort and Lakhota Fort. Maharaja Ranjitsinhji built dams to ensure water supply, a modern palace, the Pratap Vilas Palace, Willingdon Crescent, a European style shopping center and a building worth a visit. The Lakhota Fort and Kotha Bastion are now museums that preserve relics of a glorious past.
From a broader perspective, Jamnagar itself is like a museum. You come across numerous instances of history ranging from the buildings, parks and monuments put up by the Jams to the beautiful Jain temples. However, if you have a narrow focus then you will want to visit Lakhota Fort and Kotha Bastion on Lakhota Lake.
Lakhota Fort Jamnagar
The Lakhota Fort is a circular structure said to have been constructed as part of drought relief operations during the drought of 1834-1846. Jam Ranmalji is credited with its construction and the tower also known as Lakhota Palace is now the Lakhota Museum. The Museum houses numerous artifacts from the 9th to the 18th century collected from the surrounding areas and also articles collected by the rulers. Noteworthy items on display are the statue of Maharaja Shri Ranjitsinhji in marble. The Ranji Trophy won by the Jamnagar cricket team is also on display here. You can admire an old stone relic with an intricately beautiful floral design, a sculpture of a nymph wearing a garland, a stone sculpture of a lion, a sculpture of Devi Mahisasurmardini with four hands and another with twenty hands. As you proceed you come across a sculpture of the feet of Surya dating back to the 10th century and a sculpture of Uma Maheshwara. Then there is a collection of rifles and pistons used in the early days by the princes. The Museum showcases embroidery work of the Ahirs, Mers, Rajputs, Satvara and Patel communities of this region with fine samples. Samples of bead work are also on display. Of interest is the turban of Jam Shri Vibhaji of Navanagar who ruled here from 1852 to 1903. Then you proceed to the section showcasing images of past rulers of Jamnagar. Read More.......
Kotha Bastion Jamnagar
Kotha Bastion is close to the Lakhota Fort on the banks of the lake and here you can admire the inscribed copper plates, the skeleton of a huge whale, old coins and the unique well where water gushes out when you blow into a hole in the floor. It was previously the arsenal of the Fort.
The main Lakhota fort on the island is accessible only through the north causeway though there are two such causeways connecting it to the mainland. Visiting hours are from 10.30 AM to 2PM and 2.30 PM to 5.30 PM on all days. Entry fee is Rs. 2 for Indians and Rs. 50 for foreigners. Read More........
Jamnagar is accessible by road, air and bus and is close to the historic city of Dwarka, home of Lord Krishna and a 2500 year old Dwarkadhish Temple.
From a broader perspective, Jamnagar itself is like a museum. You come across numerous instances of history ranging from the buildings, parks and monuments put up by the Jams to the beautiful Jain temples. However, if you have a narrow focus then you will want to visit Lakhota Fort and Kotha Bastion on Lakhota Lake.
Lakhota Fort Jamnagar
The Lakhota Fort is a circular structure said to have been constructed as part of drought relief operations during the drought of 1834-1846. Jam Ranmalji is credited with its construction and the tower also known as Lakhota Palace is now the Lakhota Museum. The Museum houses numerous artifacts from the 9th to the 18th century collected from the surrounding areas and also articles collected by the rulers. Noteworthy items on display are the statue of Maharaja Shri Ranjitsinhji in marble. The Ranji Trophy won by the Jamnagar cricket team is also on display here. You can admire an old stone relic with an intricately beautiful floral design, a sculpture of a nymph wearing a garland, a stone sculpture of a lion, a sculpture of Devi Mahisasurmardini with four hands and another with twenty hands. As you proceed you come across a sculpture of the feet of Surya dating back to the 10th century and a sculpture of Uma Maheshwara. Then there is a collection of rifles and pistons used in the early days by the princes. The Museum showcases embroidery work of the Ahirs, Mers, Rajputs, Satvara and Patel communities of this region with fine samples. Samples of bead work are also on display. Of interest is the turban of Jam Shri Vibhaji of Navanagar who ruled here from 1852 to 1903. Then you proceed to the section showcasing images of past rulers of Jamnagar. Read More.......Kotha Bastion Jamnagar
Kotha Bastion is close to the Lakhota Fort on the banks of the lake and here you can admire the inscribed copper plates, the skeleton of a huge whale, old coins and the unique well where water gushes out when you blow into a hole in the floor. It was previously the arsenal of the Fort. The main Lakhota fort on the island is accessible only through the north causeway though there are two such causeways connecting it to the mainland. Visiting hours are from 10.30 AM to 2PM and 2.30 PM to 5.30 PM on all days. Entry fee is Rs. 2 for Indians and Rs. 50 for foreigners. Read More........
Jamnagar City as a Museum in Itself
Apart from these two designated museums, you could also consider the whole city as a museum and visit the Jain temple complexes to admire the murals, carved colonnades and arches as well as domes, repositories of culture and crafts of the Jains. The Pratap Vilas Palace and Darbargarh may not be accessible but from the outside, you can admire the grandeur and envision the once glorious times of the rulers, the pomp and pageantry of those times. Willingdon Crescent shows how Europe had a strong influence on our rulers who were inspired to put up people friendly structures. The Crescent is still in public use today.Jamnagar is accessible by road, air and bus and is close to the historic city of Dwarka, home of Lord Krishna and a 2500 year old Dwarkadhish Temple.
