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Rajkot is situated in the Saurashtra region of the western Indian state of Gujarat. Rajkot, now a major industrial town, was once the capital of a princely State. It has the rich heritage of ancient civilization and freedom struggle. Rajkot shares many memories with the political as well as cultural history of India. Gandhi has rightly called the city a priceless laboratory for the freedom struggle based on non-violence.
There are several places of tourist attractions in Rajkot. Located in the Jubilee Gardens, the Watson Museum and Library is a memorial dedicated to Colonel James Watson, who was a political agent of Saurashtra from 1886-89. Two imperial lions flank the entrance of the museum. Among the exhibits are copies of artefacts from Mohenjodaro, 13th-century carvings, temple statues, natural history exhibits, and dioramas of local tribal costumes and housing styles. There is a huge marble statue of Queen Victoria seated on a throne. Some other exhibits here are impressive collections of statues, silverware, textiles, ancient coins and rare books, which provide a glimpse of the cultural traditions of Saurashtra.
There are several places to see and visit near Rajkot too. About 50 km from Rajkot, on the way to Kutch, is the Royal Palace of Wankaner. The palace has been converted into a hotel and is one of the more exotic holiday resorts in the state. A museum, a game reserve, and the erstwhile Maharana's vintage car collection are the other attractions here.
Besides Ahmedabad, Rajkot, too celebrates the International Kite Festival. This festival is held every year in the month of January and kite-flying enthusiasts from all over the country participate in it.
History:
Vibhaji Jadeja and Raju Sandhi founded Rajkot (the City of Princes) in the year 1610. Vibhaji is said to have cooperated with the Mughal army for which he received some villages as a gift for his services. This bustling city was once the capital of the princely state of Saurashtra and the headquarters of the British Government Headquarters. It became the administration centre of the British after the treaty of 1818 imposed by Colonel Walker on behalf of the East India Company, which finally helped freeze borders between nearly 200 kingdoms. Today it is best known as the town where Mahatma Gandhi spent the early years of his life when his father was a Diwan or Prime Minister to the king of Saurashtra. Mahatma Gandhi is also said to have married Kasturba in Rajkot, although she too, like Gandhi, was born in Porbandar. Gandhi started his famous Rajkot Satyagraha from the Rashtriya Shala in Rajkot. Today Rajkot is a city vibrant with business activities and one of the major cities of Gujarat.
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