Lunavada Town
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Capital of the State of the same name in the Rewa Kantha Agency, Bombay, situated in 23° 8' N. and 73° 39' E., about 4 miles east of the confluence of the MahT and Panam rivers, and a mile north of the latter stream. Population (1901), 10,277. The town was founded by Rana Bhim Singhjl in 1434. According to the local legend, the chief one day went hunting across the Mahl^ and having become accidentally separated from his companions, found himself near the hut of a sadhu or ascetic. He presented himself before the recluse, saluted him reverentially, and remained standing until bidden to be seated. The sadhu was pleased with his demeanour, and, auguring a great future for him and his descendants, advised him to build a city in the forest. He told him to proceed in an easterly direction, and to mark the point where a hare would cross his path. The Rana did as directed, a hare soon jumping out of a bush.
The Rana pursued and killed it with a spear, and marked the spot, which, it is said, is now within the precincts of the palace. The sadhu was the devotee of the god Luneswar, in honour of whom the Rana called the town Lunavada. The shrine of the god still stands outside the DarkuH Gate. About the beginning of the nineteenth century the town was a flourishing centre for traffic between Malwa and Central Gujarat. Its artisans were remarkable for their skill ; and a brisk trade in arms and accoutrements went on. The municipality has an income (1903-4) of Rs. 2,776, of which Rs. 500 is devoted to the upkeep of a public park. A road has been constructed to Shera, a British village 15 miles north of Godhra, on the Godhra-Ratlam branch of the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway ; and a private service of tongas has been established for the benefit of passengers to and from Lunavada. Two fairs of local importance, one in August and the other in February, are held close to Lunavada on the Panam river.
