morbi report
TRANSCRIPT
Table of Contents
Abstract
1. Overview & Location
1.1. Statistical Data
2. History
2.1. Architecture
3. Industry
4. Education
5. How to reach Morbi
Abstract
To prepare a report on the Home-town is always full of respect
and of course, fun! Here I have tried my best to collect information
regarding my Morbi. Attempts are made to respect all historical
places by finding the best pictures as well. ’79 flood and earthquake
had to be mentioned. Industry is also taken into consideration and
provided the latest facts. Education can never be forgotten from a
report on a town. Statistical data from Census 2011 are also
mentioned. Finally, all the ways to reach my hometown are
provided.
Overview & Location
Morvi or Morbi is a city and a municipality in Rajkot district in
the Indian state of Gujarat. It was a Princely State ruled by Jadeja
clan of Rajputs until Indian independence in 1947. It is situated on
the Kathiawar peninsula. Its chief products are cotton and grain. The
town is a railroad junction. The town of Morvi is situated on the river
Machhu, 22 miles (35 kilometres) from the sea and 60 kilometres
from Rajkot.
Co-ordinates of Morbi are 22.82°N 70.83°E. Gujarati and Hindi
are official languages in Morbi. Pin code of Morbi is 363641 and
telephone code is 02822. Since Morbi is a town of Rajkot district,
vehicles of Morbi are registered under GJ-3.
Statistical Data
As per provisional reports of Census India, population of Morvi
in 2011 is 188,278; of which male and female are 97,860 and 90,418
respectively. The sex ratio of Morvi city is 924 per 1000 males.
In education section, total literates in Morvi city are 140,779 of
which 77,826 are males while 62,953 are females. Average literacy
rate of Morvi city is 84.59 percent of which male and female literacy
was 90.37 and 78.40 percent.
Total children (0-6) in Morvi city are 21,854 as per figure from
Census India report on 2011. There are 11,736 boys while 10,118 are
girls. Child sex ratio of girls is 862 per 1000 boys.
Morvi city is governed by Municipal Corporation which comes
under Morvi Urban Agglomeration. Although Morvi city has
population of 188,278; its urban / metropolitan population is
246,008 of which 128,290 are males and 117,718 are females.
Data (in 2011) Total Male Female
Population 1,88,278 97,360 90,418
Literates 1,40,779 77,826 62,953
Children 21,854 11,736 10,118
Av. Literacy (%) 84.59 90.37 78.40
Sex Ratio 924
Child Sex Ratio 862
History
It’s called once in Morbi, There were rivers of Milk and
Ghee(Butter). This mean Morbi was too prosperous. On that time
Morbi was among the Strongest states of India. Morbi Was ruled by
many Kingdom. From Mughal Empire to Rajputs and Britishers. From
Qutb-ud-din Aybak to Lakhdhirji Thakor.
But Morbi got it’s true shine in the era of Sir Waghjee Thakor
and Lakhdhirji Thakor. After the death of Ravajiraj, In 1870, his son
Waghjee Thakor became the King of Morbi. On that time Waghjee
Thakor was just only 13. So due to his young age, Britishers took the
Control of Morbi. In 1879, After becoming eligible, He was
announced the King of Morbi. From the very next day he started to
increase the prosperity of Morbi Kingdom.The prosperous city-state
of Morbi and much of the building heritage and town planning is
attributed to the efficient administration of Sir Lakhdhiraji Waghji,
who ruled from 1922 until 1948. Sir Waghji acted as a ruler,
manager, patron and policeman of the state with great authority,
always keeping the interests of citizens in mind. Sir Waghji, like other
contemporary rulers of Saurashtra, built roads and a railway network
of seventy miles, connecting Wadhwan and Morbi and the two small
ports of Navlakhi and Vavania, for exporting the state's production of
salt and cloth.
After the death of Waghjee Thakor, Prince Lakhdhirji Thakor
was announced as the King of Morbi. He also did remarkable job in
the History of Morbi. In his time, Electric powerhouse and Telephone
exchange were built. He also built Temples, Technical High School
and Engineering college. This college is now known as the name of
‘L.E.College’.
In 1947, India became independent and Morbi had been
associated with the India. After that Modern Morbi come into
existence and Morbi started to grow in all sides.
There are always some disasters associated with any city or
place. Morbi was getting success over success. But suddenly it got
two breaks over it. Yes! Morbi has been survived from 2 biggest
disasters. Even world has noticed these disasters. In 1979, Burst of
Macchu – 2 Dam and in 2000, Biggest earthquake of Indian history.
Morbi Flood
Morbi is situated on the bank of Machchu River. Machchu Dam
was built over the Machchu River for the convenience of Morbi
people.
It was the day of 11 August, 1979. It was raining heavily since
last 2 days. All work had been stopped due to heavy rain. People
were enjoying the rain. Suddenly at 3:30 in the noon, one of the
walls of Machchu Dam fall down and Game of the Death begun.
Within 2 hours whole Morbi had been controlled by the water of
Machchu River.
People with multi-storey building climbed up on the Top floor.
But there were not so many buildings exist that time. Some unlucky
people had been shielded in their house and couldn’t come out alive.
There were near about 12000 people died in this flood. Not
only people but also animals lost lives…. Lots of hands of help came
from around the world to survive the Morbi after this disaster. It
took near about 3 years for Morbi to wake up form this disaster. And
again started to work…
Earthquake
On 26th January 2001, India was celebrating her 52nd Republic
Day. Suddenly a quake of 7.9 ruined some part of Gujarat. The center
point of this earthquake was just 80 kms away from Morbi. This time;
old Morbi, inside area of Nehru Gate, had been affected more. Near
about 250 died in this disaster. Most of Historical places dilapidated
after this disaster.
This time also lots of help came from around the World. Even
Rich citizens helped a lot this time. And now what…. a whole New
Modern Morbi exist! But this help couldn’t save the old Historical
places.
After flood After earthquake
Architecture
In pages of history, Morbi is carved as "Paris of India". So, one
can imagine the prosperous architecure of Morbi. The most
important historical buildings in Morbi are: Darbargadh, Mani
Mandir, Green Tower, Suspension Bridge, Art Deco Palace and
Lukhdhirji Engineering College.
Mani Mandir
Mani Mandir is also well known as Willingdon Secretariat or
Wagh Mahel. In Gujarati ‘Hindu Temple’ is called as ‘Mandir’. The
images of Laxmi Narayan, Mahakali, Ramchandraji, Radha-Krishna
and Shiva are worshiped in this temple. Mani Mandir is made out of
Jaipur stone with excellent workmanship and exquisitely carved
elements: arches, brackets, jalis, chhatris and shikhara. Thus, Mani
Mandir is one of the Great example of the Temple Architecture in
India. It was constructed with expenses of 3 million (30 lakh) in that
time. Mani Mandir was also one of the Hidden place for King. To this
date no one could count total cellars in this Building!
Before the Earthquake, some part of Willingdon Secretariat was
also used by the Morbi Administration. But unfortunately most of
part was fallen down after the deadly earthquake!!
Nehru Gate
Green Chowk is a town square approached by a series of three
gates. European town planning principles inspired the creation of
these gates as landmarks in the town. The Nehru Gate is made out of
stone using elements of Rajput architecture with a central clock
tower, while another one uses elements of western architecture and
is capped by a three-storey cast iron frame structure with a dome.
In 1925, the gate was inaugurated by Sir Lloyd , British
Governor of Bombay, and was named ‘Llyod Gate’. After
Independence, it was renamed as ‘Nehru Gate’. In past, Nehru gate
was the main gate of Morbi Kingdom. So it’s also famous as ‘Nagar
Darwaza’.
After the earthquake, most of it’s part was damaged badly. But
in 2007, It was rebuilt by Morbi Municipality under the supervision of
Hemen Sanghavi and his intern Arpan Raval.
Green Tower
Inspired from the ‘Eiffel Tower’ of Paris, Maharaja Lakhdhirji
planned for Green Tower. It’s totally green. Therefore the tower is
known as ‘Green Tower’. It was inaugurated by Mayer Wood in 1888.
Suspension Bridge
Actually suspension bridge is well known as Julta Pul . This
bridge was constructed with aim for Maharaja to cross river and
reach to his fort from “Darbar Grah”. The principle factor of this
bridge is that it swings in air same as ‘Brooklyn Bridge’. There are
only two bridges of this kind in Bharat. The bridge was built at the
turn of the century. It is 1.25 metres wide and spans 233 metres on
the Machchhu River, connecting Darbargadh Palace and Lukhdhirji
Engineering College.
DarbarGadh
Darbargadh, on the banks of the Machhu, is an original
residence of Morbi rulers. It can be reached by crossing an imposing
gate arcaded facade. Now it is the only heritage hotel at Morbi.
Art Deco Palace
The Art Deco Palace (1931–1944) is a marvelous example of the
influence of the last phase of the European art deco movement. It is
poetry in granite, a low two-storey structure with banded horizontal
fenestration, curves and bays, which resembles the London
underground stations of Charles Holden.
The palace has six drawing rooms, six dining rooms, and
fourteen bedrooms. The decorated subterranean bedroom, with
many erotic murals and a bathroom made from seashells is also
noteworthy.
Railway Station
The Morbi railway station is a beautiful example of railway
architecture, combining Indian and European architectural elements.
According to some sources, the State of Morvi owned an
airport when there were only six airports across India !
Industry
The main industry of Morbi is ceramic manufacturing, with six
hundred plus manufacturing units flanking the 8/A National highway.
The main products of Morbi are ceramic tile, vitrified tiles, floor tiles,
glazed wall tiles, Luster wall tiles, sanitary wares, porcelain tiles,
spartek tiles, glaze tile, roofing tiles and mosaic tiles. Morbi's ceramic
factories belong to small and medium scale units but together they
have the largest ceramic production in India.
Another major industry of Morbi is clock manufacturing. Many
Companies of Morbi are the world's largest clock manufacturers and
lead the clock manufacturing industry. The majority of these
companies' workforce consists of females from neighbouring villages.
Goods are manufactured and exported nationally and
internationally, with major international shipments to Middle-East,
and East Asia.
Today Morbi alone produces 80% of the country's gross
ceramic production and around 80% of compact fluorescent lamp
(CFL) production. There are around 600 ceramic manufacturing unit
alone in Morbi which is considered to be an industry worth 40,000
million rupees (4,000 crore) annually. Morbi ceramic production has
total installed capacity of 1.8 million Square Meter tiles per day.
Ceramic industry of Morbi gives direct and indirect employment to
over 6,00,000 people across India.
Education
Morbi has many schools and colleges that provide good
education in different streams like commerce, arts, science, home
science and different branches of engineering. The Mahila college is
one of the major colleges of Morbi. It is situated behind the new bus-
stand, Shanala road that offers variety of courses including Computer
Applications. Among no. of schools came into picture of Morbi with
time, Sardar Patel Kanya Vidhyalay has been providing very good
opportunity to hundreds of poor village girls to be literate.
Many private educational institutes have been functional in
recent times in and around the city. Maharaja Mahendrasinhji
College and Smt.G.J.Sheth College are well known and old colleges in
the Saurashtra University.
Lukhdhirji Engineering College
Lukhdhirji Engineering College, popularly known as L.E. College,
is one of Gujarat's oldest technical institutions, located in Morbi of
Rajkot District. It was started as a Polytechnic institute in 1931,
known as Morbi Technical Institute. The MTI was upgraded to a full
fledged engineering college in 1951 when The Late Honorable His
Highness Lukhdhirji donated his palace with 40 acres (160,000 m2) of
land on the bank of river Machhu.
How to reach Morbi
By road
One can reach Morbi by road from Ahmedabad in roughly 3
hours. There are buses available, run by the Gujarat State Road
Transport Corporation, and also by private travel companies. Morbi
can also be reached from Rajkot within 1 hour.
By rail
All major trains are connected to Morbi via Wankaner from
which one can get trains to many major cities of Gujarat, a few other
states.
By air
To reach Morbi by air, the nearest airports are about 67 km
away in Rajkot and 247 km away in Ahmedabad. Indian Airlines runs
regular flights from Mumbai to Rajkot and Mumbai to Ahmedabad.