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[[Kathiawar]] in the late 1800’s was governed by 193 small Princely States, ruled by local potentates who acknowledged British control in return for local sovereignty. These States comprised the ‘Kathiawar Agency’. The rest of the peninsula, chiefly in the east along the Gulf of Cambay, were districts ruled directly by the British as part of British India's [[Bombay Presidency]], which included part of the peninsula <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathiawar Wikipedia “Kathiawar”]; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017</ref>. | [[Kathiawar]] in the late 1800’s was governed by 193 small Princely States, ruled by local potentates who acknowledged British control in return for local sovereignty. These States comprised the ‘Kathiawar Agency’. The rest of the peninsula, chiefly in the east along the Gulf of Cambay, were districts ruled directly by the British as part of British India's [[Bombay Presidency]], which included part of the peninsula <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathiawar Wikipedia “Kathiawar”]; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017</ref>. | ||
The ‘Kathiawar Agency’ was a political unit formed in 1822 with headquarters were at [[Rajkot]], the town where the British Political Agent used to reside. He reported to the Political Department office at [[Bombay]] <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathiawar_Agency Wikipedia “Kathiawar Agency”]; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017</ref>. The area was divided the area into four regions these being Halar, Jhalavad, Sorath and Gohelvad <ref name=gaz15_164/>. | The ‘Kathiawar Agency’ was a political unit formed in 1822 with headquarters were at [[Rajkot]], the town where the British Political Agent used to reside. He reported to the Political Department office at [[Bombay]] <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathiawar_Agency Wikipedia “Kathiawar Agency”]; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017</ref>. The area was divided the area into four regions these being Halar, Jhalavad, Sorath and Gohelvad <ref name=gaz15_164/>. | ||
In 1872, the [[Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway]](BB&CIR) railway extension from [[Virangam]] reached [[Wadhwan]]<ref name=Admin.p22>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n30/mode/1up “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 22 (pdf30)]; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017</ref>. This started a period of growth in narrow gauge railways financed and operated by the [[Native States]]. The problem was that there were many small states which were crossed. Only the three larger States could afford to build such constructions which led to problems and many partners leading to appeals for compensation from the local Durbar Governments <ref name=R/2/746/306>“British Library” IOR R/2/746/306 ‘Document 3 Paragraph 3’ and IOR/1/14784 (1)</ref>. | In 1872, the [[Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway]](BB&CIR) railway extension from [[Virangam]] reached [[Wadhwan]]<ref name=Admin.p22>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n30/mode/1up “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 22 (pdf30)]; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017</ref>. This started a period of growth in narrow gauge railways financed and operated by the [[Native States]]. The problem was that there were many small states which were crossed. Only the three larger States could afford to build such constructions which led to problems and many partners leading to appeals for compensation from the local Durbar Governments <ref name=R/2/746/306>“British Library” IOR R/2/746/306 ‘Document 3 Paragraph 3’ and IOR/1/14784 (1)</ref>. | ||
There are records that the [[Kathiawar State Railway]] was a title used from 1879-83 to describe the railway from [[Wadhwan]] on the south side of the Bhogawo River (facing [[Surendranager]] on the north side) to [[Bhavanar|Bhavnagar Docks]]. This line opened in December 1880 and was the first a metre gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]]) line to open on the peninsular. This line became the [[Bhavnagar State Railway]]. | |||
There were 3 main operating companies:- | There were 3 main operating companies:- | ||
Line 13: | Line 15: | ||
*[[Bhavnagar State Railway]] operating a meter gauge system | *[[Bhavnagar State Railway]] operating a meter gauge system | ||
*[[Gondal Railway|Gondal State Railway]] using the meter gauge. | *[[Gondal Railway|Gondal State Railway]] using the meter gauge. | ||
The network | |||
The network was worked under the administrative coalition of the [[Bhavnagar-Gondal-Junagad-Porbandar Railway]](BGJPR). The coalition was dissolved in 1911, with the constituents going their independent ways. These railways were to come together again, with others in 1948 to form the [[Saurashtra Railway]]. | |||
==Map== | ==Map== | ||
Line 23: | Line 26: | ||
*1863-69: '''Gondal-Ghogha Port Railway Proposals''' ''shown in PINK on map''. | *1863-69: '''Gondal-Ghogha Port Railway Proposals''' ''shown in PINK on map''. | ||
<blockquote> A railway to connect [[Gondal]] to the sea at Ghoga, in the Bay of Cambay was considered important to develop the region. | <blockquote> A railway to connect [[Gondal]] to the sea at Ghoga, in the Bay of Cambay was considered important to develop the region. | ||
*There is an unconfirmed record that states ''‘During 1863, Maharaja Jaswantsinhji received a proposal to start a Narrow Gauge line like in parts of Gaekwad Railway in Baroda. Maharaja was not inclined, as by that time another company called Ghogha Kathiawad Light Railway Company had been formed | *There is an unconfirmed record that states ''‘During 1863, Maharaja Jaswantsinhji received a proposal to start a Narrow Gauge line like in parts of Gaekwad Railway in Baroda. Maharaja was not inclined, as by that time another company called Ghogha Kathiawad Light Railway Company had been formed ..... But nothing materialised.’'' <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110205000410/http:/www.bhavnagar.com:80/history3.asp “Bhavnagar, a little Port City of Gujarat – History” Section 4, Para3]; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017</ref>. | ||
*In 1869 another railway from Gogha Port to [[Gondal]] was planned by private enterprise, but no surveys were made <ref name=Bombay8_247>[https://archive.org/stream/1884GazetteerByBombayPresidencyVol8Kathiawar349D/1884-gazetteerByBombayPresidency-vol8-kathiawar349-d_djvu.txtArchive.org “Gazetteer – Bombay Presidency” Vol.8; page 247 of 756]; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017</ref>. | *In 1869 another railway from Gogha Port to [[Gondal]] was planned by private enterprise, but no surveys were made <ref name=Bombay8_247>[https://archive.org/stream/1884GazetteerByBombayPresidencyVol8Kathiawar349D/1884-gazetteerByBombayPresidency-vol8-kathiawar349-d_djvu.txtArchive.org “Gazetteer – Bombay Presidency” Vol.8; page 247 of 756]; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017</ref>. | ||
Line 34: | Line 37: | ||
*1872: '''Veraval-Junagadh-Dhoraji Railway Proposal''' ''shown in GREEN on map''. | *1872: '''Veraval-Junagadh-Dhoraji Railway Proposal''' ''shown in GREEN on map''. | ||
<blockquote> Another line was proposed from [[Veraval]] to [[Junagadh]] and [[Dhoraji]] and was surveyed by Mr A W Forde C E, but the cost was beyond the means of Junagadh Durbar. This proposal came to nothing <ref name=Bombay8_247/>. | <blockquote> Another line was proposed from [[Veraval]] to [[Junagadh]] and [[Dhoraji]] and was surveyed by Mr A W Forde C E, but the cost was beyond the means of Junagadh Durbar. This proposal came to nothing <ref name=Bombay8_247/>. | ||
<br>''Note – it was only in 1888-89 that the [[Junagadh State Railway]](JunSR) opened the line from | <br>''Note – it was only in 1888-89 that the [[Junagadh State Railway]](JunSR) opened the line from [[Veraval|Verval Docks]] via [[Junagadh]] to [[Jetalsar]] <ref name=Admin.p196>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n201/mode/1up “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 196 (pdf201)]; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017</ref>; where it connected to the [[Bhavnagar State Railway]] to [[Dhoraji ]] '' </blockquote> | ||
== References == | == References == |
Revision as of 12:01, 12 June 2017
Kathiawar Peninsula Railway and Tramway Systems
Kathiawar is a peninsula and today forms part of the Indian State of Gujarat. The peninsula covers an area of 23,345 sq. miles (60,720 sq. Km) and in 1901 had a population of 2,645,805.[1]. Most of the area was under the jurisdiction of the Government of India, and also Portugal had the island colony of Diu on the peninsular which covered 20 sq. miles (51.8sq. Km) with a population of 14,614 [2].
Kathiawar in the late 1800’s was governed by 193 small Princely States, ruled by local potentates who acknowledged British control in return for local sovereignty. These States comprised the ‘Kathiawar Agency’. The rest of the peninsula, chiefly in the east along the Gulf of Cambay, were districts ruled directly by the British as part of British India's Bombay Presidency, which included part of the peninsula [3].
The ‘Kathiawar Agency’ was a political unit formed in 1822 with headquarters were at Rajkot, the town where the British Political Agent used to reside. He reported to the Political Department office at Bombay [4]. The area was divided the area into four regions these being Halar, Jhalavad, Sorath and Gohelvad [1].
In 1872, the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway(BB&CIR) railway extension from Virangam reached Wadhwan[5]. This started a period of growth in narrow gauge railways financed and operated by the Native States. The problem was that there were many small states which were crossed. Only the three larger States could afford to build such constructions which led to problems and many partners leading to appeals for compensation from the local Durbar Governments [6].
There are records that the Kathiawar State Railway was a title used from 1879-83 to describe the railway from Wadhwan on the south side of the Bhogawo River (facing Surendranager on the north side) to Bhavnagar Docks. This line opened in December 1880 and was the first a metre gauge(MG) line to open on the peninsular. This line became the Bhavnagar State Railway.
There were 3 main operating companies:-
- Morvi Railway operating meter gauge railway and 2’ 6” Tramways
- Bhavnagar State Railway operating a meter gauge system
- Gondal State Railway using the meter gauge.
The network was worked under the administrative coalition of the Bhavnagar-Gondal-Junagad-Porbandar Railway(BGJPR). The coalition was dissolved in 1911, with the constituents going their independent ways. These railways were to come together again, with others in 1948 to form the Saurashtra Railway.
Map
The Kathiawar Map produced by the Government Photographic Department, Poona dated 1878 [7] has been marked up with colour coding to aid identification and provide the time scale of the construction and other proposals of the Railways/Tramways in the Peninsula.
Timeline
The development of the Network followed a chequered history with many false starts.
- 1863-69: Gondal-Ghogha Port Railway Proposals shown in PINK on map.
A railway to connect Gondal to the sea at Ghoga, in the Bay of Cambay was considered important to develop the region.
- There is an unconfirmed record that states ‘During 1863, Maharaja Jaswantsinhji received a proposal to start a Narrow Gauge line like in parts of Gaekwad Railway in Baroda. Maharaja was not inclined, as by that time another company called Ghogha Kathiawad Light Railway Company had been formed ..... But nothing materialised.’ [8].
- In 1869 another railway from Gogha Port to Gondal was planned by private enterprise, but no surveys were made [9].
It seems probable these two accounts refer to the same proposal, which was not implemented.
- 1872: Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway (BB&CIR) shown in RED on map.
This 39 mile(63km) broad gauge (BG) branch line from Virangam to Wadhwan opened on 23 May 1872 [5]. This being the first railway in the peninsular.
It was subsequently converted to metre gauge(MG) in 1902[5].
- 1872: Veraval-Junagadh-Dhoraji Railway Proposal shown in GREEN on map.
Another line was proposed from Veraval to Junagadh and Dhoraji and was surveyed by Mr A W Forde C E, but the cost was beyond the means of Junagadh Durbar. This proposal came to nothing [9].
Note – it was only in 1888-89 that the Junagadh State Railway(JunSR) opened the line from Verval Docks via Junagadh to Jetalsar [10]; where it connected to the Bhavnagar State Railway to Dhoraji
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 “Imperial Gazette of India” Vol.15. p.164; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017
- ↑ “Imperial Gazette of India” Vol.11. p.362-364; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017
- ↑ Wikipedia “Kathiawar”; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017
- ↑ Wikipedia “Kathiawar Agency”; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 22 (pdf30); Retrieved 10 Jun 2017
- ↑ “British Library” IOR R/2/746/306 ‘Document 3 Paragraph 3’ and IOR/1/14784 (1)
- ↑ Wikimedia “Kathiawar Map, 1878”; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017
- ↑ “Bhavnagar, a little Port City of Gujarat – History” Section 4, Para3; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 “Gazetteer – Bombay Presidency” Vol.8; page 247 of 756; Retrieved 10 Jun 2017
- ↑ “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 196 (pdf201); Retrieved 10 Jun 2017