Porbandar

Origin and Foundation (1193 – 1307)

The princely state of Porbandar boasts one of the most ancient lineages in the Kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat, ruled by the illustrious Jethwa Rajput dynasty. The Jethwas claim a divine ancestry, tracing their lineage back to Makardhwaja, the son of the Hindu deity Hanuman. The predecessor state of Porbandar was founded in 1193 by Rana Bhanji Jethwa, who established a strong foothold in the region after the decline of earlier local dynasties. During this early period, the Jethwa rulers held sway over a vast territory in western Saurashtra, battling rival clans and foreign invaders to secure their sovereign rights over the land.

The Medieval Transitions: Ranpur and Chhaya (1307 – 1785)

The geopolitical center of the state shifted multiple times due to strategic military necessities and local conflicts:

• Ranpur (1307): Following intense conflicts and the destruction of their historical capital at Ghumli by the Jadeja rulers of Sindh, the Jethwas shifted their capital to Ranpur under the leadership of Rana Sangaji in 1307. Here, they fortified their positions and adapted to the changing medieval power structure of Gujarat.
• Chhaya (1574): In 1574, Rana Bhanji Ramji chose to move the capital further south to Chhaya. This move was prompted by the expanding influence of the Mughal Empire and the need for a more defensible stronghold. In Chhaya, the Jethwa rulers constructed a formidable fort and successfully preserved their autonomy by navigating complex alliances with the Mughal viceroys of Gujarat.

Establishment of the Porbandar Capital (1785)

The final and most significant relocation occurred in 1785 when Rana Sartanji II shifted the capital from Chhaya to the coastal port city of Porbandar. Recognizing the vast economic potential of maritime trade, Rana Sartanji fortified Porbandar with massive stone walls, bastions, and a protected harbor. The transition to Porbandar transformed the state from a land-bound principality into a prosperous maritime power, dealing in cotton, stone, and spices with Arabian, East African, and Persian Gulf ports.

The British and Maratha Periods

During the late 18^th century, Porbandar faced constant pressure from the Gaekwad dynasty of Baroda and the Peshwas, to whom they were obliged to pay tribute. To secure protection against external threats and internal rebellion, Porbandar entered into a treaty with the British East India Company. In 1807, during the historic Walker Settlement led by Colonel Alexander Walker, Porbandar officially became a British protectorate. It was classified as a First Class State within the Kathiawar Agency. The state was granted a 13-gun salute, and succession was governed strictly by the traditional law of primogeniture.

Prominent Rulers and Key Reformers

Porbandar was blessed with visionary rulers and administrators who steered the state toward modernization:

• The Gandhi Dewan Family: The administrative efficiency of Porbandar was largely managed by capable Dewans. Notable among them was Karamchand Gandhi, the father of Mahatma Gandhi, who served as the Diwan of Porbandar. His son, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi), was born in Porbandar on October 2, 1869, immortalizing the city on the global stage.
• Maharana Bhavsinhji Madhavsinhji (r. 1900–1908): A highly progressive ruler, he established modern educational institutions, introduced the local railway network, and laid the foundation for the famous Porbandar stone quarrying industry.
• Maharana Sir Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji (r. 1908–1948): The last ruling Maharaja of Porbandar, he was an enlightened statesman, writer, and an accomplished musician. A passionate sportsman, he captained the Indian cricket team on its historic first-ever Test tour of England in 1932. He established the Maharana Mills and oversaw the industrialization of the state.

Post-Independence and Modern Era

Following the partition and independence of India in August 1947, Maharana Natwarsinhji signed the Instrument of Accession, merging the state into the Dominion of India. On February 15, 1948, Porbandar officially integrated into the United State of Kathiawar, which later became the Saurashtra State. In 1960, with the linguistic reorganization of Indian states, the region became an integral part of the newly created state of Gujarat.

Today, Porbandar is a thriving port city, an industrial hub famous for its cement and chemical industries, and a world-renowned pilgrimage site. The ancestral home of Mahatma Gandhi, preserved as the Kirti Mandir, stands as a monument to peace and attracts visitors from all over the world.

References and Further Reading

• To explore more about the history of the Kathiawar Agency and the Jethwa rulers, visit the Porbandar State Wikipedia Page.
• For detailed geographical and historical gazetteers, refer to the Encyclopaedia Britannica - Porbandar.
• Read about the life and contributions of the rulers of Saurashtra in the Project Gutenberg Historical Archives.