View source for Palanpur

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2015}}
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Palanpur
| native_name        =
| native_name_lang   =
| other_name         =
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| image_skyline      = Kirtistambh of Palanpur Gujarat.jpg
| image_alt          =
| image_caption      = Kirti Stambh, a tower commemorating the history of the town and its former ruling dynasty
| nickname           =
| pushpin_map        = India Gujarat
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt    =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Gujarat, India
| coordinates        = {{coord|24|10|20|N|72|26|00|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of regions of India|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Gujarat]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Banaskantha district|Banaskantha]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[North Gujarat]]
| established_title  = <!-- Established -->
| established_date   =
| founder            =
| named_for          =
| government_type    =
| governing_body     = Palanpur Municipal Corporation
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="citypop"/>
| area_total_km2     = 39.50
| area_rank          =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m        = 209
| population_total   = 141,592
| population_as_of   = 2011
| population_footnotes = <ref name="citypop"/>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank    = 24nd (Gujarat)
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1          = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1        = +5:30
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code        = 385 001
| area_code          = +91 2742
| area_code_type     = Telephone code
| registration_plate = GJ-08
| website            =
| footnotes          =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| official_name      =
}}
'''Palanpur''' ([[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]: {{IAST|Pālanpur}}) is a city and a headquarters of [[Banaskantha district]] in the [[Indian state]] of [[Gujarat]]. Palanpur is the ancestral home to an industry of Indian diamond merchants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theconversation.com/the-rise-and-rise-of-belgiums-indian-diamond-dynasties-32332 |title = The rise and rise of Belgium's Indian diamond dynasties| date=16 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.rediff.com/business/special/how-palanpurs-diamond-merchants-conquered-the-world/20200207.htm| title = How Palanpur's diamond merchants conquered the world - Rediff.com}}</ref>
==Etymology==
Palanpur in early times is said to have been called Prahladana Patan or Prahaladanapura after its founder Prahladana, mentioned in Jain texts. It was afterwards re-peopled by Palansi Chauhan from whom it took its modern name. Others say that it was founded by Pal Parmar whose brother Jagadev founded nearby Jagana village.<ref name=gbp>{{cite book|title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Cutch, Palanpur, and Mahi Kantha|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dLUBAAAAYAAJ|year=1880| ref={{sfnref | Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Cutch, Palanpur, and Mahi Kantha | 2015}}|publisher=Government Central Press| pages=318–324}}</ref>
According to [[Hasmukh Dhirajlal Sankalia]], the name ''Pālanpur'' is derived from ''Pālhaṇapura'', mentioned in a [[Chaulukya dynasty|Chaulukya]]-era inscription.<ref name="Sankalia 1949">{{cite book |last1=Sankalia |first1=Hasmukh Dhirajlal |author-link=Hasmukh Dhirajlal Sankalia |title=Studies in the Historical and Cultural Geography and Ethnography of Gujarat |date=1949 |publisher=Deccan College |location=Pune |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.16229 |access-date=14 July 2023}}</ref>{{rp|71–2}}
==History==
{{main|History of Palanpur|Palanpur State}}
[[File:Jorawar Palce Aerial View Palanpur Gujarat 1936.jpg|thumb|left|An aerial view of Jorawar Palace, 1936]]
The Jain texts mentions that Prahladana, brother of [[Paramaras of Chandravati|Paramara]] Dharavarsha of Abu, founded Prahladanapur in 1218 and built Prahladana-vihara dedicated to Pallaviya Parshwanatha.<ref name="Dhaky1961">{{cite journal|first=Madhusudan A.|last=Dhaky|author-link=Madhusudan Dhaky|year=1961|editor-last=Deva|editor-first=Krishna|title=The Chronology of the Solanki Temples of Gujarat|url=http://vmis.in/Resources/digital_publication_popup?id=136#page/68|journal=Journal of the Madhya Pradesh Itihas Parishad|publisher=Madhya Pradesh Itihas Parishad|publication-place=[[Bhopal]]|volume=3|pages=81}}</ref> The town was re-peopled ruled by [[Chahamanas of Naddula|Chauhans]] around thirteenth century. At the start of the seventeenth century, the [[Palanpur State]] was taken over by Jhalori dynasty of the [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] [[Lohani]] tribe which was founded in 1373 and ruled from [[Jalore]] (Rajasthan). The dynasty came into historical prominence during the period of instability that followed the demise of [[Mughal emperor]] [[Aurangzeb]] in the early 18th century. It was overrun soon afterwards by the [[Maratha]]s; the Lohanis followed the trend of seeking recourse in the [[British East India Company]] against them and finally entered the [[subsidiary alliance]] system in 1817, along with all other neighbouring states, becoming a [[British protectorate]].<ref name=gbp/> After [[independence of India]] in 1947, Palanpur State was dissolved in 1949 and merged with [[Dominion of India|Union of India]] as a part of [[Bombay State]]. Subsequently, Palanpur became the capital of [[Banaskantha district]] of [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/p/palanpur.html |title=Palanpur |access-date=10 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115013656/http://members.iinet.net.au/~royalty/ips/p/palanpur.html |archive-date=15 January 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Geography and climate==
Palanpur is located at {{Coord|24.10|N|72.25|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/09/Palanpur.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Palanpur]</ref> It has an average elevation of 209&nbsp;metres (685&nbsp;ft).
==Demographics==
{{Historical population
| source = <ref name="censusindia1">{{cite web |url=http://www.populstat.info/Asia/indiat.htm|title=Historical Census of India |access-date=23 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217053707/http://www.populstat.info/Asia/indiat.htm|archive-date=17 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 1941 | 20300
| 1951 | 22600
| 1961 | 29100
| 1981 | 61300
| 1991 | 90300
| 2001 | 122300
| 2011 | 141592
}}
In the [[2011 census of India]], Palanpur had a population of 141,592.<ref name="citypop">{{cite web|title=Cities, Towns and Outgrowth Wards |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/php/india-gujarat.php|website=Citypopulation.de |access-date=27 August 2020}}</ref> Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Palanpur has an average literacy rate of 86%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 94%, and female literacy is 78%. In Palanpur, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
{{bar box
|title=Religions in Palanpur
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|orange|74}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|22}}
{{bar percent|[[Jainism]]|pink|3.4}}
{{bar percent|Others†|black|0.6}}
|caption=Distribution of religions<br />
†<small>Includes [[Sikh]]s (0.2%), [[Buddhism|Buddhists]] (<0.2%).</small>
}}
==Places of interest==
[[File:Mira Gate, Palanpur.jpg|thumb|left|Mira Gate, the only surviving gate of the city walls]]
[[File:King George 5th Club.jpg|thumb|King George V Club]]
In 1750 (Samvat 1806), Bahadur Khan built a brick and mortar city-wall, the ''Nagarkot'' of Palanpur. It was 3 miles round, 17 to 20 feet high and 6 feet broad with seven bastioned gateways, and, at the corners, round towers armed with guns. The gateways of the city-walls were Delhi Darwaja, Gathaman Darwaja, Malan Darwaja, Mira Darwaja, Virbai Darwaja, Salempura Darwaja, Sadarpur Darwaja or Shimla Darwaja. Only Mira Darwaja survives today.
Sher Muhammad Khan attended the coronation ceremony of [[King George V]] in Delhi in 1910 and built a club named after him in 1913. In 1918, his successor Tale Muhammad Khan constructed Kirti Stambh, a 22-metre tower near the railway station commemorating the gallantry of his father and the history of town and his dynasty. He also built Balaram Palace between 1922 and 1936 and later Jorawar Palace (Currently used as Judicial Court) also. In 1939, he also built Shashivan, formerly Jahanara Baug, a garden to commemorate his second marriage with a daughter of an Australian businessman.
The old marketplaces are Nani Bazar, Moti Bazar and Dhalvas. Apart from Shahshivan, Chaman Bag is a major public garden in the town. Early Jhalori ruler Malik Mujahid Khan built Mansarovar, a lake dedicated to his queen Manbai Jadeja, in 1628.
===Mithi Vav===
[[File:Mithi Vav floors, Palanpur.jpg|thumb|Mithi Vav]]
[[Mithi Vav]], a [[stepwell]] is the oldest surviving monument of town. It is situated in the eastern part of the town. The five storey stepwell can be entered from the west. Based on its architectural style, it is believed that it is constructed in late medieval period but the sculptures embedded in the walls may belong to earlier period. The sculptures include that of [[Ganesha]], [[Shiva]], [[Apsara]]s, dancing figures, worshiping couples and floral or geometrical patterns. A worn out inscription found on one sculpture embedded in left wall can not read clearly but the year Samvat 1320 ( 1263 AD) can made out.<ref>{{cite thesis |last= Mehta|first=R. N. |date= 31 March 1977|title= Archaeology of the Banaskantha district, North Gujarat upto 1500 A D (Part 1)|chapter=III: Explorations in the Banaskantha District|publisher=Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, [[Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda]] |chapter-url= http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/10603/72152|access-date=7 March 2017|hdl=10603/72152|pages=77–78}}</ref>
'''Kirti Stambh''' : The 22m(72 feet) high Tower of Fame was built by a wealthy Jain merchant in the 12 century A.D. and is dedicated to Adinathji (Rishabhnatha), the first of the Tirthankaras. The tower is decorated with Jain Pantheons.
===Temples===
Palanpur has several temples dedicated to [[Hinduism]] and [[Jainism]].
;Hindu Temples
The [[Chaulukya dynasty]] ruler [[Jayasimha Siddharaja]] of [[Anhilwad Patan]] is believed to be born in Palanpur. His mother Meenaldevi built Pataleshwar Temple dedicated to [[Shiva]]. Other Hindu temples are Lakshman Tekri temple, Mota Ramji Mandir, Ambaji Mata Mandir.
;Jain Temples
*'''Motu Derasar''': The Pallaviya Parshwanath Temple, also known as Mota Derasar, was built by King Prahaladan which is dedicated to [[Parshwanath]], 23rd tirthankar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=tourismguideindia.com |url=http://ww16.tourismguideindia.com/banaskantha(palanpur).htm?sub1=20240407-1545-42ac-836a-64de043d947b |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=ww16.tourismguideindia.com}}</ref>
*'''Nanu Derasar'''
==Economy==
Dairy, textile, diamond polishing and marble are major industries of Palanpur. [[Banas Dairy]] is one of the largest dairy in the state. The diamond polishing and evaluation industry across India and abroad is dominated by Palanpuri Jain diaspora. Palanpuri Ittars are popular for their fragrance and earned the nickname 'city of flowers' to the town.
==Education and culture==
During rule of Jhalori Nawabs, Palanpur became well known for Gujarati [[Ghazal]]s and poetry. Combination [[Samosa]]s and Kari are popular snack in the town.
Palanpur is an educational hub of Banaskantha. Major schools include Silver Bells English medium school (c.b.s.e), Vividhlakshi Vidyamandir, Shri Ram Vidhyalaya, Aadarsh Vidhyasankool, Matrushree RV Bhatol Eng Med School, M B Karnavat School, K K Gothi Highschool. Palanpur also have various colleges: Banas Medical College, Palanpur Government Engineering College, G D Modi College of Arts, C. L. Parikh College of Commerce, R. R. Mehta College of Science. Apart from these, there are two B.C.A. colleges, B.Ed. colleges, Girls Arts college.
==Notable people==
Several notable persons hails from Palanpur:
* [[Bharat Shah]], a diamond merchant, Hindi film financier and
* [[B. K. Gadhvi]], politician
*[[Chandrakant Bakshi]], (1932–2006), Gujarati author.
* Galbabhai Nanjibhai Patel (Chaudhary), Social Leader of Banaskantha District (Founder Chairman of [[Banas Dairy]] and well known Personality among Farmers community of Banaskantha and North Gujarat)
* [[Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary|Haribhai P. Chaudhary]], politician
* [[Javed Miandad]], Pakistani cricketer
* [[Mehul Choksi]], fugitive Indian-born businessman
* [[Parthi Bhatol|Parthibhai Bhatol]], Politician ( Former [[Banas Dairy]] Chairman)
* [[Pranav Mistry]], computer scientist and the inventor
* [[Rohit Jivanlal Parikh]], mathematician, logician and philosopher
* [[Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri]], Indian scholar of Islam
*
Palanpur is a native of the Palanpuri diamond merchants in Surat and Belgium.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/nirav-modis-palanpuris-eat-pray-live-as-one-control-90-of-diamond-trade-in-india/articleshow/63064638.cms|title=Nirav Modi's Palanpuris eat, pray, live as one; control 90% of diamond trade In India - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-10-25}}</ref>
==Transport==
The town being the headquarters of [[Banaskantha district]] is well-connected by road and rail.
[[File:Palanpur, 1952.jpg|thumb|Palanpur Railway Station, 1952]]
===Rail===
[[Palanpur Railway Station]], on the [[Agra-Jaipur-Ahmedabad mainline]], comes under the administrative control of [[Western Railway Zone (India)|Western Railway]] zone of the [[Indian Railways]]. It has direct rail links on the broad gauge to the cities of [[Chennai]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Mysore]], [[Bangalore]], [[Pune]], [[Mumbai]], [[Jaipur]], [[Jodhpur]], [[Delhi]], [[Dehradun]], [[Muzaffarpur]], [[Bareilly]] and [[Jammu (city)|Jammu]]. It is connected to most of the cities and towns in [[Gujarat]] such as [[Ahmedabad]], [[Surat]], [[Vadodra]], [[Bhuj]], [[Rajkot]], [[Jamnagar]] and [[Porbandar]]. Indian Railways’ proposal to double the broad gauge line between Palanpur and Samakhiali has received government backing. The doubling will benefit the districts of Kutch, Patan and Banaskantha in the state of Gujarat.
===Road===
[[National Highway 27 (India)|National Highway 27]] connecting [[Beawar]] in [[Rajasthan]] with [[Radhanpur]] in [[Gujarat]] passes through Deesa-Palanpur, thus connecting it with the cities of (Sirohi), (Udaipur) and (Pali). State Highways SH 712, SH 132 pass through Palanpur and connect it with nearby towns in Gujarat. State Highway SH 41 connects it with [[Mehsana]] & [[Ahmedabad]].
===Air===
The nearest Airport is the [[Deesa Airport]], originally built to serve the princely state of Palanpur.<ref name=toi11>{{cite news|title=Helipad in every taluka {{sic|headqua|ters|nolink=y}} |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Helipad-in-every-taluka-headquaters/articleshow/11273994.cms|access-date=2 January 2017|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=28 December 2011}}</ref> It is just 26&nbsp;km from Palanpur city. The nearest International Airport is [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport]], [[Ahmedabad]] which is 139&nbsp;km far from Palanpur.
===Surrounding Cites===
{{Geographic Location (8-way)
|Northwest = [[Dhanera]]
|North     = [[Abu Road]],
|Northeast = [[Udaipur]]
|West      = [[Deesa]]
|Center    = Palanpur
|South     = [[Mahesana]], [[Ahmedabad]]
|Southwest = [[Patan, Gujarat|Patan]]
|Southeast = [[Himmatnagar]]
|East      = [[Ambaji]]
|}}
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Delhi Gate area of Palanpur Gujarat.jpg|Delhi Gate area
File:Market of Palanpur Gujarat.jpg|Market scene
File:Shimla Gate Market Palanpur.jpg|Shimla Gate market
Image:Kirti_Stambh,_Palanpur.jpg|Kirti Stambha
Image:Patthar_Sadak,_Palanpur.jpg|Patthar Sadak
</gallery>
==Nearby places of interest==
* [[Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary]], a reserve forest sprawling over 180&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> is located in Jessore is about {{convert|15|km|mi}} away.
* [[Rani ki vav]], [[Patan district|Patan]]
* [[Sun Temple]], [[Modhera]]
* [[Dantiwada Dam]]
* [[Balaram Palace]] Resort
* Kedarnath Mahadev Temple, located in Jessore, about {{convert|32|km|mi}} from Palanpur and Balaram Mahadev temple, located about 14&nbsp;km from the town are major temples dedicated to Shiva. A temple of Dharmata, who is a patron goddess of Sundhiya family is situated near Balaram Mahadev Temple.
==See also==
* [[Patan, Gujarat|Patan]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage}}
{{Banaskantha district}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Cities and towns in Banaskantha district]]