Porbandar

Porbandar is the city of a mythological story about the great friendship between Lord Krishna and Sudama. It is also known as the birthplace (Janmabhoomi) of Gandhiji - The Father of Nation. It lies on the western coast of Suarashtra and is located at 21°37’ N and 69°49’E.

The most impressive feature of Porbandar is the city planning and the stone buildings with ashlar masonry and rich carving. The facades of the houses on either side of the streets, with series of windows, carved gateways, using eclectic architectural language, invites tourists to experience the streetscape on foot. It is also known as "White City" because of its white stone construction.

The series of vistas enriched by a skyline of temples and beautiful public buildings and edifices overlooking the sea on Marine Drive puts Porbandar on the list of coastal heritage towns of Gujarat.

History
The ancient port of the Saurashtra peninsula, on the Arabian Sea is mentioned in Skanda Puran as Sudamapuri and Ashmavati. Porbandar was the last capital of the Jethwa Rajputs, who ruled this area for about 1200 years - shifting capitals from Ghumli, Ranpur and Chhaya. Present day Porbandar was established as a capital by Rana Sartanji in 1785 AD.

Porbandar originally a fortified town, with high rampart walls, bastions and five gates, lost its fortification by the order of Colonel Lally in 1888 AD. Even today, a ritual to circumambulate the fortification is performed by Hindus.

The prosperity of Porbandar was due to maritime trade and it was a thriving port in the Mughal period. It was attacked by the Portuguese in the wake of achieving supremacy over sea trade in 1531 AD. The Walker Treaty of 1807 AD between the ruling clans of Saurashtra and the British put an end to the feuds and it resulted in a favorable environment for the civic development of the Porbandar State.

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