TheWorld Health Organization (WHO) and theGovernment of India signed an agreement to establish the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar. This global knowledge centre for traditional medicine, supported by an investment of USD 250 million from theGovernment of India, aims to harness the potential of traditional medicine from across the world through modern science and technology to improve the health of people and the planet.[7]
India's largest private company,Reliance Industries is developing the world's largest zoo at a location of 28 kms from Jamnagar city.
Jamnagar is famous for its traditional Bandhani (tie-dye) textiles, intricate silver and brass jewelry, unique handicrafts like agate paperweights, and specific snacks like Dryfruit Kachori and Ghughra, reflectingGujarat's rich culture and craftsmanship, alongside its status as a major industrial hub for oil refining (Reliance Industries ).[9]
Nawanagar was founded byJam Rawal in 1540 as the capital of the eponymousprincely state.[10] Jamnagar, historically known as Nawanagar (the new town), was one of the most important and the largest princely states of theJadejas in theSaurashtra region. It was a thirteen-gunsalute state.
According to historical records,Bahadur Shah,Sultan ofGujarat bestowed upon Jam Lakhaji twelve villages in recognition of his role in the siege ofPawagadh. Shortly after he took possession of the villages, Jam Lakhaji was killed by his cousins, Tamachi Deda and Jam Hamir Jadeja. His son, Jam Rawal, murdered his father's killers and became ruler ofKutch. TheState of Kutch was semi-independent from theGujarat Sultanate.
Hamirji's sons,Khengarji and Sahibji, served the Sultan of Gujarat. During a hunt, the brothers saved the Sultan from being killed by alion. As a reward for their valour, the Sultan sent an army with them to regain their kingdom. Jam Rawal prepared for battle after hearing that the two princes were returning to Kutch with the imperial army.
Goddess Ashapuraji, the supreme deity of the Jadeja Clan ofRajputs, appeared to Jam Rawal in a dream. She told him that although he had broken an oath taken in her name not to kill Hamirji, she had refrained from punishing him because he had previously honoured her. She said that Jam Rawal was no longer to dwell in Kutch.
As Jam Rawal and his entourage marched out of Kutch, they attacked and killed Tamachi Deda, the main conspirator in the murder of Jam Lakhaji. Jam Rawal also conquered the town of Amran and its dependencies, bestowing the rule ofDhrol province on his younger brother Hardholji. Hardholji died in battle at Mithoi nearKhambhalia, passing the throne to his eldest son Jasoji. Jam Rawal conquered parts of Saurashtra and formed his kingdom with 999 villages namedHalar.
While on a hunting trip in present-day Jamnagar, Jam Rawal's hunting dogs were scared by a hare brave enough to turn on them. Jam Rawal thought that if this land could breed such hares, the men born here would be superior to other men. As a result, he made this place his capital.
On the seventh day of the bright half of the month ofShrawan,V.S.1956 (August 1540) on the banks of theRangmati andNagmati rivers, Jam Rawal laid the foundation of his new capital and named it Nawanagar (new town). After a few centuries, its name changed to Jamnagar or the Town of the JAMs.
During the 18th century, Nawanagar was ruled by the Jadeja Rajputs, who were known for their bravery and military prowess. They fought many battles with the neighbouring states and played a significant role in defending the region against foreign invasions.
In 1807, Nawanagar became a princely state under the British Raj. The first ruler of the state was Maharaja Ranjit Singhji, who was known for his progressive policies and efforts to modernize the state. He built many schools, hospitals, and other public facilities, and introduced a number of reforms to improve the lives of his subjects.[5]
Jamsaib was instrumental in creating the city's modern infrastructure during his reign in the 1920s. Jam Saheb ShriDigvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji expanded the city's development in the 1940s when it was part of thePrincely state ofNawanagar.
There are two important ports close to Jamnagar.Rozi Port is on the shore of theGulf of Kutch;Bedi Port is two nautical miles (4 kilometres (2.5 mi)) inland on theRangamati River. Bedi Port is an all-weather intermediate seaport that exports various commodities, includingbauxite, soya meal extracts, and ground nut extracts. The port's imports include coal, fertilizer, and other items.
Thecoral reef island ofPirotan is one of the 42 islands which compose theMarine National Park. Pirotan lies in theArabian Sea, 12 nautical miles off the coast, and stretches up to 3 square kilometres (1.2 sq mi).
Jamnagar has a hotsemi-arid climate (Köppen:BSh). There are three defined seasons. The hot season lasts from March to May and is extremely hot and humid. Next is the wet season with extremely erratic monsoonal rainfall[15] that averages around 500 millimetres (20 in). However, rainfall has varied from less than 100 millimetres (3.9 in) in 1911 and 1939 to over 1,500 millimetres (59.1 in) in 2010.[16]Tropical cyclones sometimes affect the region during this period. The cool season is from October to February when it remains hot during the day but has negligible rainfall, low humidity, and cool nights.
The highest recorded temperature in Jamnagar was 47 °C (116.6 °F) on 5 May 1990, while the lowest recorded temperature was 1 °C (33.8 °F) on 5 February 1984.[17]
Jamnagar metropolitan area population in 2025 is 8,77,000.[19]. Jamnagar has an average literacy rate of 82.14%, higher than the national average of 74.04%. Its male literacy rate is 86.90%, and its female literacy rate is 77.05%. In Jamnagar, 10% of the population is under six years of age. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. The urban development authority ofJamnagar is Jamnagar Area Development Authority (JADA).
Most residents of Jamnagar are Gujarati and speak theGujarati language. A small portion of the population speaks theKutchi language, which is written in theGujarati script but not mutually intelligible with Gujarati. TheKathiawadi language, a colloquialdialect of Gujarati, is widely used for day-to-day communication.
Historical religious demographics in Nawanagar Municipality
The local population has given up its ancestral fishing businesses and has adopted different jobs created by industrialization and the arrival of several giant companies. Approximately 10% of the city's population earns their income by producing and exporting traditionalBandhani cloth. Digjam runs a composite mill manufacturingworsted fabrics at Jamnagar. It has been a notable player in the worsted textile industry in India.
Jamnagar was formerly known as theBrass City because it houses more than 5,000 large-scale and 10,000 small-scale workshops that manufacture brass items. Most workshops are in and around the industrial estates of Shankar Tekri, GIDC Phase-III, M P Shah Udhyognagar, and Dared GIDC-II Industrial estate. The workshops make brass parts and extruded rods for export. Jamnagar is the largest producer of brass items in India.
Jamnagar has base stations for theIndian Air Force, theIndian Army, and theIndian Navy. The city has a strategic location close to Pakistan. It also has sizable reserves ofbauxite, with its mines contributing 95% of the total production in the state.[14]
Jamnagar has several temples, such as Sidhnath Mahadev Temple, Badri Kedar Nath, Nilkanth Mahadev Temple, and Bhid Bhanjan Mahadev Temple near the Town Hall and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on K.V. Road. It is also well known for its four marble Jain temples: Vardhman Shah's Temple, Raisi Shah's Temple, Sheth's Temple, and Vasupujya Swami's Temple. All of these temples date to between 1574 and 1622. There are more than 30Jain temples in Jamnagar.
The BalaHanuman Temple on the southeastern side of Ranmal Lake is known for the continuous chanting of themantra "Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram". Starting on 1 August 1964, this chant continues for 24 hours a day, earning the temple a place in theGuinness Book of World Records.[22] Thousands of devotees visit the temple every year. Bholeshwar Mahadev Temple holds a fair every year onShravani Amavas (New-moon day). During the holy month of Shravana, there are Hindu fairs on the dried river banks near Bohra Hajira.[23]
TheBohra Hajira is a white marble mausoleum built by Jam Rawal in 1540.[23] Also known as Mazar E Badri, it is the resting place of the Muslim saint Mota Bawa.[23] Bohra Hajira is on the banks of theNagmati andRangmati Rivers.[23] The mausoleum is of Saracenic style and features intricate carvings.[23]Jamnagar Trimandir is a two-storey structure with a large hall on the ground floor and a temple on the first floor.[24] Wazir Meraman Khawa built theKhambhaliya Gate in the 17th century.[25] It is one of two remaining city gates from that period.[25]
Pratap Vilas Palace
Pratap Vilas Palace, built during the rule of His Royal HighnessRanjitsinhji, features European architectural style with Indian carvings. It is an imitation of theVictoria Memorial Building in Calcutta, but its domes are in the tradition of Indian architecture. Three of the domes are glass. The palace's columns feature carvings of creepers, flowers, leaves, birds, and animals. The2001 earthquake caused some damage to its parapets and the separation of some upper walls at the roof level in some corners.[citation needed]Willingdon Crescent (known Darbargarh Market now) was constructed by Ranjit Singh to replace a slum area.[26][27] Inspired by Singh's European travels, it is an arcade of cusped arches, bigger on the ground floor and smaller on the upper storey. It has pilasters on the curving walls and balusters on the parapet. There is a statue of Jam Saheb in the center of the crescent. The2001 Gujarat earthquake caused slight damage to this shopping area.[citation needed]
The municipal corporation built the sports complex with a swimming pool, badminton court, and other facilities. There is also an 80-year-old sports club,Summair Sports Club, built by the erstwhile rulers of Jamnagar. It has a swimming pool, tennis, squash, and badminton courts, a billiard hall, a table tennis facility, and a hotel.[28]
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Amusement Park is a popular public amusement park located on Mehulnagar 80 Feet Road near Kamdar Colony inJamnagar,Gujarat,India It is named after the Indian statesman Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and spread over approximately 19,500 sq m, offering a mix of recreational facilities for families and children. The park features a variety of attractions including rides, a musical fountain, rain dance zone, food court, game area, jogging track, yoga hall and amphitheatre, making it a desirable picnic and leisure destination. Operated by theJamnagar Municipal Corporation, it is frequented by locals and visitors alike for outdoor fun and fitness activities.[29]
The Kotha Bastion museum contains sculptures, coins, inscriptions, copper plates, and the skeleton of a whale. The museum also has an old well where water is drawn by blowing into a small hole in the floor.[citation needed] The Lakhota Museum is in the former Lakhota Palace. This small museum has a collection of sculptures from the 9th to the 18th centuries, antique weapons, and pottery found in medieval villages from the surrounding area.[30]
Lakhota palace
TheMarine National Park on theGulf of Kutch is India's first marine sanctuary.[31] Located about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from the city centre, the park includes an archipelago of 42 islands noted for their coral reefs and mangroves. The area attracts birds, dolphins, finless porpoises, sea turtles, and tropical fish.[citation needed]
Vantara Animal Shelter and Wildlife Conservation Centre
Vantara is a 300 acre animal shelter conservatory launched byAnant Ambani and supported by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation. The facility focuses on providing and caring for abused, injured and endangered animals. The conservation centre is equipped with cutting-edge healthcare hospital facilities, a research institute and academic zones.[32]
Amritsar–Jamnagar Expressway(NH-754) is an under-construction 1,257 km long, 6-lane wide expressway in the north-western part of India. The expressway will reduce the distance between Amritsar and Jamnagar from earlier 1,430 km to 1,316 km (including Kapurthala-Amritsar section) and the time travel from 26 hours to only 13 hours. It is a part of the Bharatmala and Amritsar–Jamnagar Economic Corridor (EC-3). It will pass through four states ofPunjab,Haryana,Rajasthan andGujarat.[34] The expressway is strategically important, as it will connect 3 big oil refineries of HMEL Bathinda, HPCL Barmer andReliance Industries Limited(RIL) Refinery near Jamnagar. It will also connect Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (Bathinda) and Suratgarh Super Thermal Power Plant (Sri Ganganagar).[34] The expressway will meet the Ludhiana-Bathinda-Ajmer Expressway of the Pathankot–Ajmer Economic Corridor at Bathinda. The construction work on the expressway started in Haryana and Rajasthan in 2019. The Rajasthan section of the expressway from Jakhrawali in Hanumangarh district to Khetlawas in Jalore district was completed in early 2023 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 July 2023, while the entire expressway is expected to be opened by September 2023.[34]
Jamnagar Railway Station platform
On 24 November 2025, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel inauguratedSaurashtra's longest flyover bridge, constructed at a cost of ₹226.99 crore (₹2,269,900,000) inJamnagar. The total length of the four-lane elevated flyover bridge from Sat Rasta Circle to Subhash Chandra Bose Statue, including 4 approaches, is 3,750 metres. The main bridge consists of four lanes measuring 16.50 metres, while the approaches on Indira Marg and Dwarka Road consist of two lanes of 8.40 metres.[35]
India’s first IGBC platinum-rated net-zero green waste-to-energy campus is located in Jamnagar, established by Abellon Clean energy and designed by INI Design Studio. Per year, the facility processes 220,000 tons of municipal solid waste into 7.5 MW clean energy. The facility’s design involves almost no human interface during the process and also has a see-through design inside the processing plant making it an educational hub for schools and visitors. The campus uses only 20% of its land for the facility and the other 80% is used for community activities and interactions.[37][38]
^"A Heaven for Waders".Waders Wildlife and Birding Tours of Gujarat and Kutch. Web Archive. 21 July 2011. Archived fromthe original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved12 November 2022.
