DABHOI - A rare specimen of
ancient Indian fortification.
 Dabhoi
is an ancient town originally known as Darbhavati. It was established in
the early 6th century AD. The fortification and its foundation is
ascribed to the great King of Gujarat. Siddhraj Jaisinh (1093-1143 AD),
who made this frontier fortress. The architectural style and the
exquisite stone carving and iconography on the fort walls and gates
suggests that it was conceived and constructed in the same period as
Rudra Mahalaya and Zinzuwada Fort. It is mentioned as an important city
in the jain inscriptions of Girnar (VS 1288). It came under the control
of Muslim rulers, in 1300 AD after the fall of Patan.
The fort of Dabhoi is one of the rate
surviving examples of Hindu military architecture, based on the shastric
traditions described in various Vastu scriptures. There are four gates
in the town, one in each cardinal direction, having indirect entry,
located in the middle of each side of the fort wall. It was altered
during the time of Visaldev and the Muslim rule. Hira Bhagol, the most
exquisitely carved gate named after the architect, Hiradhar, is in the
east. Vadodara Gate in the west. Champaner Gate in the north and Nandol
Gate in the south. Dabhoi has many Jain and Hindu temples, devoted to
different gods and goddesses.
Dabhoi is the birth place of the great
Gujarati poet , Raskavi Dayaram, composer of many garbis (devotional
songs) and a devotee of Ranchhodraiji of Dakor. Many jain scholars also
stayed here in the past and enriched the Jain Granth Bhandar, which has
a collection of ancient Jain manuscripts. For a railway heritage
enthusiast, a visit to Dabhoi railway station - one of the oldest narrow
gauge railway junctions in the world, is a must. |
|
