History
Sir Bhagwatsinhji, the noble ruler of Gondal State, was born at Dhoraji Darbargadh. He was a fellow of Bombay University and received honours from Edinburough University. During his extensive travels to Europe and England, he was greatly impressed by Paris and got interested in the principles of European town planning. On his return to Gondal, 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.
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[update] India census[1], 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.
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.
Environmental Issues
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Girnar Hills from Damodar Kund
- 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.
- Back in the old days there were lots of sugar factories (sugar mills) located on national highway 8B between Dhoraji and Upleta.
- There are many Mosaic tiles factories located between Dhoraji and Upleta. The tiles were known for its design and quality since many years.
Food Speciality
- Ganthia – a product of Chick peas flour is a specialty. This is consumed especially during evening and night.
Pakoras
- Bhajiya – is another specialty of the town. Raghuvir bhajiya is favourite places for food-freaks. Bhajiya are usually consumed in rainy season but in Dhoraji people eat it every day.
- Pani Puri – called 'gol gappa' is available near Darbar Garh, station road and other places.
Pav bhaji Dhoraji- Pav Bhaji – Near Tan Darwaja 'Kailash Pav Bhaji center' is very famous.
- Non vegetarian food – 'FAUJI' is famous for its tandoori chicken, omelettes, Samosa, Kabab, mutton etc.
- Pakoda – are also famous and available at many places.
- Potato( Lasaniya Batata) – boiled potatoes with spicy masala is also very famous in this town. Most famous is served by man named many places. Its located in station road the name is annpurna dabeli.
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Lasaniya Batata dhoraji
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Discover how to make Lasaniya Batata using our easy to make Lasaniya Batata recipes and videos. Share and Recommend Lasaniya Batata recipes. - "GAFAR" ( Lasaniya Batata) This potato item is available up to lunch time and people including school students religiously consume every day; even those travelling to places like Surat, Ahmedabad etc carry a parcel with them. Also the potatoes served by another shop is named "Malek na Batata"
- Dabeli – (It is like bread sandwich with masala.) Oil / Butter DABELI is very tasty and available at
- The Sweets and Farsan of Gautam sweets are very popular. Mava Penda (Sweet), Kajjo Katri, Dotha Puri, Khajli and other Barfi sweets made from good quality Mava are very tasty.
- Lemonade and other cold drinks are also quite famous.
Education
Dhoraji was known as the knowledge hub of Saurashtra, and people used to come here even from big cities;
Students of Dhoraji are very talented. Teachers and schools take care of their education. Students form different areas join different schools in Dhoraji affiliated to the Gujarat Higher Secondary Board. Very famous schools in Dhoraji are A.Z.Kaneria and Adarsh Education Trust. Scholars from these schools get admission in all prestigious graduate colleges including medical and engineering. A large school including high school was built by and named after Sir Bhagwatsinhiji, the noble ruler of the Gondal State
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