Palitana

Introduction and Origin

The princely state of Palitana, situated in the Kathiawar peninsula of modern-day Gujarat, was a highly influential state ruled by the Gohil Rajput dynasty. The Gohels trace their lineage back to the legendary Suryavanshi (solar) dynasty. Following the decline of their ancestral strongholds in Marwar under the pressure of Rathore expansion, the Gohels migrated to the Saurashtra region. Under the leadership of Sejakji Gohel in the 13^th century, they established their presence, laying the foundation of the predecessor state of Sejakpur in 1194. Over successive generations, a branch of the family carved out an independent principality centered around the sacred hills of Shatrunjaya, which became the State of Palitana.

The Gohel Rajput Dynasty

The rulers of Palitana, styled as Thakore Sahib, shared a common ancestry with the ruling houses of Bhavnagar and Lathi. When the ancestral Gohel territories were partitioned among the heirs of Sejakji, Palitana emerged as an independent entity under Shahji Gohel. The strategic location of the state, situated near the Gulf of Khambhat and controlling the highly revered pilgrim routes, secured its political and economic prominence in the Kathiawar region.

Mughal, Maratha, and British Alliances

During the peak of the Mughal Empire in India, the rulers of Palitana maintained a tributary relationship with the Mughal Viceroys of Gujarat. With the gradual decline of Mughal power in the 18^th century, the Maratha Empire, led by the Peshwa and the Gaekwads of Baroda, asserted dominance over Kathiawar and demanded tribute (Chauth) from the local states.

To secure peace and stability, Palitana entered into diplomatic relations with the British East India Company. During the landmark settlement of Kathiawar in 1807-1808 negotiated by Colonel Alexander Walker, the state accepted British suzerainty. Under the British Raj, Palitana was recognized as a Second Class State in Kathiawar with a hereditary 9-gun salute, retaining its internal administrative autonomy under the supervision of the Kathiawar Agency of the Bombay Presidency.

The Shatrunjaya Hill Dispute and Treaties

A defining feature of Palitana's history was its complex relationship with the Shvetambara Jain community. Mount Shatrunjaya, which boasts 863 marble-carved temples, lay within the territory of the Palitana State.

For centuries, disputes arose regarding the collection of pilgrim taxes and administrative control of the hills. A historic agreement was brokered between the Thakore Sahib and the Anandji Kalyanji Trust (the representative body of the Jain community) under British mediation. The Jains agreed to pay a fixed annual sum to the state in exchange for autonomy over the religious shrines and exemption from certain local duties, a system that successfully preserved the sanctity of the pilgrimage site.

Key Reformers and Progressive Governance

The late 19^th and early 20^th centuries were marked by modernization and administrative reforms. Among the most progressive rulers was Thakore Sahib Sir Bahadursinhji Mansinhji, who assumed full ruling powers in the early 20^th century. Under his leadership, the state introduced several modernization initiatives:

• Free primary education was introduced across the state.
• Modern healthcare facilities, public libraries, and schools were constructed.
• Agricultural reforms and infrastructure projects, including improved road networks and water storage facilities, were implemented.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following India's independence in 1947, the last ruling chief, Thakore Sahib Sir Bahadursinhji, signed the Instrument of Accession on February 15, 1948, merging Palitana into the United State of Kathiawar (later known as Saurashtra State). Saurashtra was later integrated into Bombay State in 1956, and subsequently became part of the newly created state of Gujarat on May 1, 1960.

In contemporary times, Palitana is renowned globally as a prominent religious destination. In 2014, in keeping with the non-violent tenets of Jainism associated with Mount Shatrunjaya, the Government of Gujarat declared Palitana as the world's first legally vegetarian city, banning the sale and slaughter of meat and fish within city limits.

References and Further Reading

• Palitana State - Wikipedia
• Palitana - Encyclopaedia Britannica
• Imperial Gazetteer of India - Internet Archive