Navsari is the ninth biggest city in the state of Gujarat in India. It is the administrative headquarters of Navsari District. Navsari is between Surat and Mumbai. It is a twin city of Surat, 37 km to the north. At the 2011 Census of India, Navsari was the 16th biggest city of Gujarat state. It ranked 10th most populous city of Gujarat in the 1991 Census of India and 2001 Census of India.[2] Dandi village near Navsari was the focal point of the great Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi during civil disobedience movement of India.

Navsari
City
Navsari is located in Gujarat
Navsari
Navsari
Location in Gujarat, India
Coordinates: 20°57′N 72°56′E / 20.95°N 72.93°E / 20.95; 72.93
Country India
StateGujarat
DistrictNavsari
Government
 • TypeMunicipal Corporation
 • BodyNavsari Vijalpore Municipal Corporation
Area
 • City43.71 km2 (16.88 sq mi)
Elevation
9 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • City171,109
 • Rank11th
 • Density3,900/km2 (10,000/sq mi)
 • Metro
292,719
Languages
 • OfficialGujarati, Hindi, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
396445
Telephone code02637
Vehicle registrationGJ-21
Websitehttps://navsari.nic.in/

History

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Jamsetji Tata, the person behind Tata Group and a major Parsi businessman from Navsari.

Navsari was originally known as "Navasarika", and was the capital of a vishya (an administrative unit) in the Lata region.[3][4] It is identified with "Nusaripa", a city mentioned in Ptolemy's 2nd century Greek-language work Geography.[5]

The Chalukyas of Navasarika, who governed the area around Navsari as subordinates of the Chalukyas of Vatapi, repulsed an Umayyad invasion of the area in 738-739 CE.[6]

According to the Parsi tradition, in 1142 A.D., when they first came to Navsari, the city was named Nag Mandal. The Parsis found the city's atmosphere similar to that of the Sari region of Iran. In the Persian language, "now" means new, and "Sari" refers to the region in Iran, hence the name Naoo Sari. Two families of Parsi Zoroastrian priests settled in Navsari in the early 13th century, and the town soon emerged as the main center of the Parsi priesthood and religious authority. As the Parsi community grew at other places in India, the priests from Navsari were sought by the new Parsi settlements throughout the country. It is the home of the Bhagarsath Atash Behram established in 1765 A.D., which is now a World Heritage Site. Surat replaced Navsari as the principal settlement of the Parsi community in the 18th century, following its rise as a major trade center for the European factories, and the Maratha incursions into Surat; Surat itself lost this position to Bombay in the later years.[7]

Geography

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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 9 metres or 30 feet 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. The weather in Navsari is sunny from October to May, and rainy from June to September. The average maximum and minimum temperatures are 42 °C (107.6 °F) and 17 °C (62.6 °F) respectively. The average annual rainfall is 122 cm (48 in).

Demographics

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

According to the 2011 census,[1][8] Navsari had a population of 171,109. Males constituted 52% of the population and females 48%. Navsari had an average literacy rate of 88%, higher than the national average of 74%: male literacy was 92%, and female literacy was 84%. 10% of the population was under 6 years of age.

Gujarati is the main language spoken in Navsari. The other languages spoken are Hindi & English.

Landmarks

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

The Meherjirana library.

This is one of the oldest libraries in the South Gujarat Region. It was established by the first Dastur (Parsi/Zoroastrian priest) Meherji Rana, who was also born in Navsari. He was invited by Akbar in a religious program organised by the Great Akbar. Leaders of all religious groups participated in it. Akbar asked to start a conversation and eventually asked to give information about their religion. All the religious leaders gave information about their religions and gradually tried to show their religions as great except Dastur Meherjirana. Afterward, the leaders asked Akbar his opinion as to whose religion is great. Akbar was really impressed by Dastur Meherjirana, so he asked him. Meherjirana Dastur calmly replied, "All religions 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 stands. Akbar wrote on a scroll about the donation of land which is still preserved by the management of the library.

Dandi

The Dandi seashore is an important location from the point of view of India's Independence Movement. In 1930 Mahatma Gandhi started the "Dandi March" from Sabarmati Ashram up to the Dandi seashore to protest against a tax on salt by the colonial government.

Ajmalgadh

Though it is surrounded by high hills, this 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, the local administration constructed a pillar on the hill of Ajmalgadh describing the story. They also closed the cave which was used to protect the holy fire.

The National Salt Satyagraha Memorial, Dandi

The National Salt Satyagraha Memorial in Dandi, Navsari [9][10] commemorates the historic Salt March of 1930, led by Mahatma Gandhi. This peaceful protest was a landmark moment in India's struggle for independence from British rule. The memorial stands as a testament to Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance (satyagraha). It features a poignant statue of Gandhi, 24 narrative murals depicting the march, and solar evaporation ponds where visitors can learn about salt production. The memorial aims to inspire visitors while recreating the spirit of the Dandi March, a pivotal event that shook the foundations of British colonial power and helped pave the way for India's freedom.

Transportation

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The nearest domestic and international airport is Surat International Airport at Magdalla, Surat, 27 km. There are other two airports nearby, Vadodara Airport, 178 km north from the Navsari city & Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, 239 km south-west from Navsari city.

Navsari also lies on the Mumbai-Delhi railway link, one of the busiest railway routes in India.

Navsari is well connected by NH 64 also known as Sabarmati-Dandi Highway. NH 48 also passes through the city. Navsari is only 30 km south of Surat.

Education

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Navsari Agriculture University

Universities and colleges

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Agriculture Universities and colleges

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Engineering Universities and colleges

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Arts & Commerce Universities and colleges

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Schools

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Hospitals

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Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Navsari City Population Census 2011 | Gujarat". www.censusindia.co.in. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  2. ^ Stevens, Harry. "Play with the Swachh Bharat rankings and make your city "cleaner"". www.hindustantimes.com. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  3. ^ Dilip K. Chakrabarti (2003). The Archaeology of European Expansion in India: Gujarat, c. 16th-18th Centuries. Aryan Books. p. 82. ISBN 978-81-7305-250-7.
  4. ^ D.C. Sircar (2008). Studies in Indian Coins. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 116. ISBN 978-81-208-2973-2.
  5. ^ Jairus Banaji (2015). "'Regions that Look Seaward': Changing Fortunes, Submerged Histories, and the Slow Capitalism of the Sea". In Federico De Romanis; Marco Maiuro (eds.). Across the Ocean: Nine Essays on Indo-Mediterranean Trade. BRILL. p. 117. ISBN 978-90-04-28953-6.
  6. ^ K. Y. Blankinship (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 17 October 2014.
  7. ^ Jesse S. Palsetia (2001). The Parsis of India: Preservation of Identity in Bombay City. BRILL. p. 10. ISBN 90-04-12114-5.
  8. ^ "Navsari Population, Caste Data Navsari Gujarat - Census India". www.censusindia.co.in. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  9. ^ "National Salt Satyagrah Memorial". nssm.in. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  10. ^ "National Salt Satyagraha Memorial". gujrattourism. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Home | Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari". nau.in. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  12. ^ Horticulture Polytechnic, Navsari
  13. ^ N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari
  14. ^ ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari
  15. ^ College Of Agricultural Engineering, Navsari
  16. ^ ASPEE Agribusiness Management Institute (AABMI)
  17. ^ "Mahatma Gandhi Inst. of Technical Education and Research". Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  18. ^ "GIDC Degree Engineering College, Abrama, Navsari (Managed by GIDC Education Society)". gdec.in. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  19. ^ Naranlala College Of Commerce And Management
  20. ^ "Real English School". Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  21. ^ "สล็อต ทดลองเล่นฟรี ถอนได้ 2023: สนุกสุดมันกับเกมสล็อตออนไลน์ใหม่". สล็อต ทดลองเล่นฟรี ถอนได้. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Kejal LifeIn – MultiSpeciality Hospital". Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  23. ^ "Naidu to lay foundation of Nirali Hospital in Navsari". The Times of India. 3 March 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  24. ^ "PM Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates Nirali Multi Speciality Hospital and A.M. Naik Healthcare campus at Navsari | CMO Gujarat". cmogujarat.gov.in. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  25. ^ "Rotary Eye Hospital | – REI". Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  26. ^ Svātantrya saṅgrāmanā laḍavaiyā: Gujarāta Rājya (in Gujarati). Māhitī Khātuṃ, Gujarāta Sarakāra. 1969.
  27. ^ "Service Record for Air Marshal Prakashchandra Khandubhai Desai 10078 AE(M) at Bharat Rakshak.com". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  28. ^ "Hira Jairam". Cricket Archive. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  29. ^ "State BJP President – BJP | BJP Gujarat | Bharatiya janata Party". bjpgujarat.org. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  30. ^ "Homai gets Padma Vibhushan". The Times of India. 25 January 2011. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011.
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