Navsari

This article is about the municipality in India. For its namesake district, see Navsari district.
Navsari
નવસારી
city
Navsari

Location in Gujarat, India

Coordinates: 20°57′N 72°56′E / 20.95°N 72.93°E / 20.95; 72.93Coordinates: 20°57′N 72°56′E / 20.95°N 72.93°E / 20.95; 72.93
Country  India
State Gujarat
District Navsari
Elevation 9 m (30 ft)
Population (2011)
 • Total 163,000
Languages
 • Official Gujarati, Hindi
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 396445
Telephone code 02637
Vehicle registration GJ-21

Navsari is a city and municipality in the Surat Metropolitan Region and also the administrative headquarters Navsari District of Gujarat, India. Navsari is also the Twin City of Surat, and only 37 km south of Surat.

History

Navsari, one of the oldest cities of Gujarat, has an inspiring history of over 2000 years. According to the Greek historical writings, a celebrated Egyptian astronomer and geographer named Ptolemy mentioned Navsari's port in his book written about 150 A.D. The geographic location he showed as Narispa, is in fact the Navsari of today.[1]

The origin of the name "Navsari" has a very fascinating history. In the past, the city of Navsari has been associated with many names such as Nag Vardhana, Nag Shahi, Nag Sarika, Nag Mandal, Nav Sarika and Nav Sareh. Some of the legends associated with the various names of Navsari are as follows:

Shayashray Shiladitya, who ruled over Navsari in the seventh century named this city NAG VARDHANA in honor of his Guru Nag Vardhana. During the same period, the name changed to NAV SARIKA as is evidenced by a recovered copper plate dated 669 A.D. The legend is that Shayashray Shiladttya presented a copper plate to a priest in his town. The copper plate read that Shiladitya, the ruler of "Nav Sarika," had bestowed a nearby village upon this priest of the Kashyapclan.

After subduing the rest of Gujarat, Umayyad conquerors were repulsed in the vicinity of Navsari in 120-21 AH/738-39 AD.[2]

Another recovered copper plate dated 821 A.D. implies that the city's name later changed into NAG SARIKA. The copper plate indicates that a Rashtrakut king named Kark Suvarna Varsh gave "Nag Sarika" as a gift to his teacher named AparaJeet, pupil of Sumati kaharishi, who in turn was a pupil of the famous Digambar Jain teacher Acharya Mallavadi. There is a popular legend behind the name "Nag Sarika." Fables suggest that there was a big papal tree on the bank of a pond in the city. A huge Cobra lived in a hollow of this tree. On this same tree, Sarika _ a singing bird _ had her nest. As they resided in the same place, both became friends. Everyday Sarika entertained the Cobra by singing her melodious tunes. The legends have it that due to this remarkable friendship between the Nag (Cobra) and the Sarika (singing bird), the city's name became popular as NAG SARIKA.

Another legend of the Nag talks about the origins of a different name for the city: NAG SHAHI. Historically, a Nag (Black Cobra) temple was situated next to a talav (pond) in the city. People worshiped the Black Cobra for its power and Prowess. Although the pond (talav) does not exist any more, the historical Nag Temple still exists in the area known as "Nag Talavdi" today. Hence the city came to be known as NAG SHAHI, which means the power and prowess of the Black Cobra.

According to the Parsi tradition, in 1142 A.D., when they first came to Navsari, the city was named as NAG MANDAL. The Parsis found the city's atmosphere to that of Sari region of Iran. In the Persian language, "now" means new and "Sari" refers to the region in Iran. Hence, the name NAOO SARI came into being.

The Fourteenth century marked the beginning of Muslim rule in Gujarat. Navsari came under the Muslim rule in the late sixteenth century when its name was changed to NAV SAREH. The anecdote is that according to the Muslim tradition, there were nine "Sarchs" of Muslims in the city and hence the name was derived as NAV (Nine) SAREH (Sarchs).

The above changes in names show that Navsari, like any other city, has passed through many vicissitudes in the matter of political reign. About fourteen hundred years ago, the kings of the Chalukya Dynasty governed the region of Navsari. Later on, the Parsis, who migrated from Iran, virtually ruled this small town. The reign of the Parsis ended as the Muslim rulers took over. For the last one hundred years, until India's independence in 1947, Navsari was the property of the Gaekwads of Baroda.

Jamesetji Tata

Navsari is also the birthplace of Jamsetji Tata, the founder of what would later become the Tata Group of companies; he is regarded as the "father of Indian industry". The house of The Great Jamsetji Tata is preserved and now it is turned into a museum , which shows his journey of success.

Dadabhai Navroji, known as the "Grand Old Man of India," was originally from Navsari. He was an elected Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom between 1892 and 1895.

Sir Jamshedjee Jeejeebhoy.

Sir Jamshedjee Jeejeebhoy passed his childhood in Navsari . He was the first Baronnet Of India and also the co-founder of Jeejeebhoy Groups. His house where he played and grew is still in existence. Now it is turned into a musuem showing his journey. It is located in Panch Hatdi area of Navsari.

Geography

Navsari is located at 20°57′N 72°56′E / 20.95°N 72.93°E / 20.95; 72.93. It has an average elevation of 9m (29') above sea level. The city is located in southern Gujarat and is situated near the Purna River, within a few kilometres of the river's delta, which is west of the city and empties into the Gulf of Khambhat.

Weather in Navsari is sunny from September to May, rainy from June to August. The average maximum and minimum temperatures are 40 °C (104 °F) and 18 °C (64 °F) respectively. The average annual rainfall is 122 cm (48 in).

The soil of the region is black. There are two lakes in the city: Dudhiya Talav (Talāv means Lake in Gujarati), and Sharbatiya Talav.

Demographics

The city's first settlers were the Chalukyas, followed by the Rashtrakutas, and subsequent settlements by the Parsis.

According to the 2001 census,[3] Navsari had a population of 134,009. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Navsari has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 72%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age. Gujarati is the main language spoken in Navsari. Other language spoken is Marathi [4] and Hindi.

Etymology

According to the book Persian Inscriptions on Indian Monuments navsari has two meanings in the Persian language. nav (nov) means new and sari means sarai or home or town. sari also is name of a city Sari, Iran.

According to the Parsi tradition, in 1142 A.D., when they first came to Navsari, the city was named as NAG MANDAL. The Parsis found the city's atmosphere similar to that of Sari region of Iran. In the Persian language, "now" means new and "Sari" refers to the region in Iran. Hence, the name NAO SARI came into being.

Landmarks

The Sayaji Vaibhav Public Library Navsari is an important public building in Navsari.

The Meherjirana Library.

It is one of the oldest library in South Gujarat Region. It was established by First Dastur (Parsi/Zoroastrian Priest)Meherjirana who was also born in Navsari. He was invited by Akbar in a religious programme organised by The Great Akbar. Leaders of all religious group participated in it. Akbar asked to start conversation and eventually asked to give information about their religion. All the religious leader gave information about their religion and gradually tried to show their religion Great except Dastur Meherjirana. Afterall the leaders asked to Akbar that in his opinion whose religion is great? Akbar was really impressed by Dastur Meherjirana, so he asked him. Meherjirana Dastur calmly replied,"All religion are equal in terms of strength and ideology and principle". Akbar was extremely impressed by his personality. He donated a piece of land to Dastur Meherjirana in Navsari,where today The Meherjirana Library is standing. Akbar wrote on a scroll about the donation of land which is still preserved in well-manner by the management of library.

Dandi.

Dandi seashore is a important location from the point of view of India's Independence Movement. In 1930 The Father Of India Mahatma Gandhi started "Dandi March" from Sabarmati Ashram upto Dandi Seashore to protest the tax laid on salt by the British Imperialism.

Ajmalgadh.

Though it is a location surrounded with high hills , it is a historical place. Zoroastrians/Parsis roamed in the forest and cave of Ajmalgadh to save and protect their sacred Fire-Cauldron for nearly 250-350 years! Recently, local administration constructed a pillar on the hill of Ajmalgadh describing the story. They also closed the cave which was used to protect holy fire.j

Transportation

By Air: The nearest Domestic airport is at Surat Airport, 30 km north of Navsari, with the nearest international airports being Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at Mumbai, 230 km to the south and to the north the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad. By Rail: Navsari also lies on the Mumbai-Delhi railway link, one of the busiest railway routes in India. By Road: Navsari is well connected by NH 228 also known as Sabarmati-Dandi Highway. NH 8 also passes through the city. Navsari is only 40 km south of Surat.

Notable People

Education

Universities and colleges

Schools

Late G.C Patel Vidhyalaya

Hospital

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bombay Gazetteer. Record . It is also called lord parsurama 's land between vapi to tapti river.13
  2. ↑ Blankinship, K.Y. (1994). The End of the Jihad State: The Reign of Hisham Ibn 'Abd al-Malik and the Collapse of the Umayyads. State University of New York Press. p. 187. ISBN 9780791418284. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  4. ↑ "गुजरातमधील शेतकरी गटाने घेतली नवे तंत्रज्ञान, प्रयोगांची माहिती" [GujarātamaDhīla śētakarī Gaṭānē Ghētalī Navē Tantrajñāna, Prayōgān̄cī Māhitī]. Agrowon (in Marathi). Pune. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  5. ↑ "Homai gets Padma Vibhushan". The Times of India. Jan 25, 2011.
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