Mandvi was originally a fortified town having a fort
wall of about 8m high and 1.2m wide stone amsonary. The fort had several gateways
and 25 bastion ; but at present, most of the wall has disappeared. The bastion
on the southwest is largest and acts as a lighthouse.
Mandvi is located on the banks of teh Rukmavati river, barely one km away from
the Arabian Sea at the Gulf of Kutch. The town has a very pleseant climate throughout
the year and was a summer retreat of the Kutch Maharaos. The establishment of
the town dates back to the late sixteenth century (1581 AD) and is attributed
to the first Jadeja ruler of Kutch Rao Khengarji.
In the heydays of maritime trade, before the arrival of steamboats, it was a
rich and prosperous, town earning four times more revenue from export than import.
It was a profit making centre of teh Kutch State surpassing the capital city
of Bhuj, in terms of wealth. In 18
th century, the Mandvi merchants
collectively owned a fleet of 400 vessels trading with East Africa, Malabar
and the Persian Gulf. In the early 19
th century, it was a major port
of entry for the inland trade with Malwa, Marwar and Sindh, Mandvi was at the
junction of two famous trade routes the maritime spice trade-route and the desert
camel caravan route, acting as an important trade centre. Mandvi was a town
of merchants and seamen, both mutually benefiting from each other.
Mandvi is also a 400 year old shipbuilding centre. Teh ships built here used
to sail up to England and return back. One can see the small boats being constructed
in the traditional techniques by master carpenters even today.
The center of attractions at Mandvi is the Vijay Vilas Palace, a Royal above
set in the middle of well-laid gardens with water channels and marble fountains.
The architect and craftsmen from Jaipur designed and constructed the palace
in 1920 AD. The palace has all the elements of Rajput architecture and draws
largely on the plan of palaces of Orchha and Datia. The central high dome on
the pillars, the Bengal domes onsides, the windows with coloured glass, carved
stone jalis, domed bastions at the corners, extended porch and other exquisitely
stone carved elements, make the palace worth visiting. This is an example of
the traditional skill of craftsmen of early 20
th century.
The Vijay Vilas Palace has its own private veacg, maintained in an eco-friendly
manner to preserve its priestine beauty. For these reasons, this palace has
been used as the setting in many Hindi films and has now become a popular tourist
destination.
Mandvi has some very beautiful houses belonging to rich merchants with stone
carving and plaster decorations. Their architectural style reflects the fusion
of Indian and European styles of architecture. The Swami Narayan Temple is also
such an example with its brightly painted exterior and elaborate plaster decorations.
Other interesting buildings are a girls's high school (a former palace)built
by Rao Lakhpat (1741-60AD)and a light house. This old palace is a replica of
the Aina Mahal of Bhuj, with intricate stone carvings. There is a wind farm
on a picturesque beach nearby.
The interesting religious buildings at Mandvi are the Vaishnav Temple at Sundarvan,
Raneshwar Temple, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Swami Narayan Temple, Jami Mosque.
Excursions in Mandvi
Bhadershwar (Jain temples with fresco paintings, amongst the oldest in Gujarat,
one of the oldest mosques in India dating back to pre-Islamic invasions)68 km,
Mundra (ancient fortified town and a port) 44km, Kandla (India's only free trade
port, envisioned by Maharao Kehengarji I and Madansinghji)114 km,Naliya (jain
block printing works)116km, Kera (ancient Shiva Temple, shrine of Gulam Ali
Shah)35 km, Gandhidham (a well planned, prosperous town, Institute of Sindhology)102
km.
Mandvi Travel Information
By Air:
Nearest Airport is Bhuj(50 km)
By Rail:
Nearest Railway Station is Gandhidham (95 km)
By Road:
Bhuj (50 km), Ahmedabad (446 km), Rajkot (268 km)
By Local transport:
Non-Metered Autorickshaws.
