Nawanagar

Nawanagar (or Navanagar) was an Indian princely state in the Kathiawar region, situated on the south of the Gulf of Kutch. It was ruled by the Jadeja dynasty from its formation in c 1540 until 1948 when it became a part of newly formed India. The district is now known as Jamnagar. It had an area of 3,791 square miles. Its rulers, who used the title of "Jam Sahib" were Hindu Rajput of the same clan as the Rao of Cutch. They were entitled to a 13-gun salute. The state flag was a rectangular red flag with a white elephant, near and facing the hoist. During the British Raj, the state was part of the Kathiawar Agency, within the Gujarat Division of Bombay Presidency. The Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar maintains as his State Forces a regiment of Lancers consisting of two squadrons and a company of Infantry. Both of these units are composed almost entirely of Rajputs, to which race he himself belongs.

Jamnagar came into existence a long before 444 years. This was established on the banks of rivers ‘Nagmatti’ and ‘Rangmatti’ by Shri Jam Raval, the descendant of Jam Halla, who is one of the heirs of Lord Krishna, the creator of ‘Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta’. The city has seen many ups and downs during the period’s right from Moghals to the present time of independent India. Shri Jam Ranjisinhji gave a new and fresh outlook to the city during 1909 to 1932. And build broad roads, beautiful markets, and gardens, wide squares and many building. Because of this once in the past this city was known as ‘Jewel of Khathiyawad’Nawanagar was one of the two largest of the Kathiawar States in Western India. After Mumbai, Jamnagar is the only city in India having all three wings of Defense, i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force. It has witnessed the bravery of our Jawans during 1965 War against Pakistan.

Nawanagar was founded in 1540 by Jam Rawal, a descendant of the Jadeja ruler of Kutch, and was thereafter in an almost constant state of war with its neighbors and with the Mughal Empire. The "Walker Treaty of 1807" brought peace to the Kathiawar states for the first time in several generations. Nawanagar came under British protection on February 22, 1812.

K. S. Ranjitsinhji was one of the world’s greatest cricket players and, later, became Jam Sahib in 1907 until 1933. The inclusive circle of eight players promoted excellence in cricket,both in the county and domestic games. After his death, Ranji Trophy, a domestic first-class cricket championship played in India between different city and state sides, was started in 1934 by Board of Control for Cricket in India.Ranjitsinhji, remained the Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes (1931-1933); after his death in 1933, he was succeeded by his nephew K. S. Digvijaysinhji also remained its Chancellor (1937-1944) and continued to promote the octet circle in excellence in cricket,academics and welfare.

Nawanagar was one of the first princely states to sign the Instrument of Accession in 1948 after Indian independence. Afterwards, the former ruler Jam Shri Sir Digvijaysinhji served as the first Rajpramukh of Kathiawar, then represented his country at the United Nations.

In 1949 after the former princely states of Nawanagar and Dhrol, Dhrafa Thana and part of Jalia Dewani in Kathiawar merged into new the state of Saurashtra. On June 19, 1959, the boundaries of the district were enlarged by the inclusion of the adjoining Okhamandal, and the district was renamed Jamnagar. This district became part of the new State of Gujarat on the division of the State of Bombay on May 1, 1960.