Bajana

Muslik-Mahmud I Begadha, Sultan of Gujarat, employed the Jats in the siege of Champaner (Chhota Udepur) in 1484, and granted the estate of Bajana with 24 villages to their leader Hadoji. The Jats subsequently conquered Mandal in Viramgam Taluqa from the Jhalas. They were allowed to tetain several of its villages, although Mandal itself was taken by the Sultan. When the Sardar of Bajana incurred the displeasure of the Mughal viceroy of Gujarat, the Latter resumed the grant of the Estate and ordered it partitioned among Jat maleks. Bajana was assigned to Hadoji (Haidar Khan), Valivada to Isaji. Isaji later conquered Warahi. Warahi was known as the senior Jatwad, and Bajana as the Junior Jatwad.

From 1921 to 1947 the ruler was entitled to elect a representative member of the Chamber of Princes. In 1948 his Privy Purse was set at Rs 65,500 a year.

At the time of merger, the area of the State was 183 square miles, and the population (1941) 13,996. From 1943 to 1947 bajana was attached to Baroda. Bajana is now in Surendranagar District.

Captivating Historical Monuments

The land of Gujarat is blessed with several historical monuments and places of worship that tell the saga of forgone days.

Gujarat was once housed the regions of the Indus Valley civilisation and Harappan sites. Around 50 Harappan sites are found in Gujarat. This makes Gujarat an important territory, unfolding the history of India.

And this reflects perfectly in many places of historical importance across Gujarat.

Sun Temple, Modhera

Sun temple of Modhera is one of prime tourist locations of Gujarat. The temple, with splendid carvings, fine architecture and traditional erotic sculptures, was built in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty and is dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God of Hinduism. It is akin to the Konark Temple of Orissa.

The temple complex consists of a Prasad, a Sabha Mandap and a Kund. The niches in the inner sides of the surroundings wall contain twelve images of the Sun-god, fashioned in the Iranian style, characterised by their lofty boots reaching up to the knees. The shrine faces due east to allow the rays of the rising sun at equinoxes to the seat of the deity.

Lothal

Lothal is one of the most prominent cities of the ancient Indus valley civilisation. It is situated near the village of Saragwala in the Dholka taluka of Ahmedabad district. Dating from 2400 BCE, Lothal is one of India’s most important archaeological sites. Discovered in 1954, Lothal was excavated from February 13, 1955 to May 19, 1960 by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The excavations at the site have brought to light a well-planned city with rows of houses. All the discoveries prove that the city must have been a commercial centre and a part carrying on commerce with the hinterland as well as foreign countries.

Lothal’s dock—the worlds earliest—connected the city to an ancient course of the Sabarmati River on the trade route between Harappan cities in Sindh and the peninsula of Saurashtra when the surrounding Kutch desert of today was a part of the Arabian Sea. It was a vital and thriving trade centre in ancient times, with its trade of beads, gems and valuable ornaments reaching the far corners of West Asia and Africa.

Other sites

If you are eager to trace the old-time grandeur of Gujarat, Dhrangadhra Palace and Halwad Darbargadh are worth visiting places. Both the palaces reflect the penchant for art among the rulers of the princely states in Gujarat. Other places of interest are temples at nearby Pipali and Zinzuwada. The temple at Zinzuwadia has its own historical significance as it is one of the most revered places for the Solanki dynasty that ruled Gujarat for long