In the south-central state of Gujarat lies the busy port of Veraval sharing its coast to the Arabian Sea in the Kathiawar peninsula. Veraval is a bustling town of the Gir Somnath district with one of the country’s largest fishing ports. The worth-noticing part of the port is the Kharwa or the fisherfolks of Veraval who still incorporate the traditional trawlers and boats for catching the fish. Also, the seafood industry of Veraval has expanded its boundaries to the world. Veraval not only deals in fishing but also trades in chemicals, cement, and timber products.
Veraval enjoys the vicinity of the famous Somnath Temple and Gir National Park. Veraval can aptly be said as a place of the interchangeable relationship between history and economy. The history of Gujarat starts from the Indus Valley Civilization and thus Veraval also dates back to an ancient era that gifted it with beautiful architecture and engaging stories.
Veraval is an ancient port of Gujarat that still caries its tradition of fishing and other port activities. Though the roots of the Veraval go deep into the era of Ramayana and Mahabharata, its actual visibility as a town begins from around the 13th century.
Veraval was founded and named after a Rajput king Rao Veravlaji Vadher in the 13th or 14th century. Before Surat emerged as the important port of Gujarat in medieval and recent times, Veraval used to be the gateway for the pilgrims traveling to Mecca. As the other ports embraced the technological advancement with time, Veraval held close the age-old tradition that was passed to every generation and is still nurtured.
Veraval has an intriguing history dating from the time of the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Let’s trace back our steps to witness the birth of Veraval.
In Ramayana, when Lord Rama killed the monkey king Bali by hiding and not facing him from the front, he gave a boon to the king. The boon was to even the consequences of this fight in the next life of Lord Rama. Years later, Lord Rama was incarnated as Lord Krishna. And soon began the era of Mahabharata. The Pandavas with the assistance of Lord Krishna defeated Kauravas in the great war. When Lord Krishna went to Gandhari, the mother of Kauravas, to offer his condolences, Gandhari in a fit of rage and immense sorrow cursed Lord Krishna that he along with his Yadav Dynasty would perish in 36 years. Lord Krishna somehow wanted this to happen as he felt the arrogance and envy had already engulfed his people. Thus, he embraced Gandhari’s curse.
After 36 years, the curse proved right and the Yadavas killed each other in a fight. Lord Krishna exiled to a forest near the coast in present-day Gujarat and started meditating under a tree. One day, a hunter named Jara has shot an arrow at what he thought to be a deer. But when he came close, he realized his mistake of shooting the arrow at Lord Krishna’s feet. Lord Krishna consoled Jara by telling him about Jara’s past life as King Bali and himself as Lord Rama. Now the consequences of the fight were balanced and Lord Krishna left his earthly body and ascended to the eternal abode. Since then the region came to be known as Bhalka. And it is just 4 km from the present-day Veraval.
Ages later, Gujarat flourished under the rule of the Hindu rules of the Gupta Dynasty in the 3rd century. After their decline, the land of Gujarat came under other dynasties like Maitraka, Gurjara Pratihara, Rashtrakuta, and Pala.
Due to limited information about the evolution of Veraval, we only know that it was founded by a Rajput Ruler Rao Veravalji Vadher in the 13th or 14th century. The actual events of the discovery lie in obscurity.
In the 13th century, Gujarat faced an invasion from the Delhi Sultanate under the command of Allaudin Khilji. After the political turmoil in the Delhi Sultanate, the Governor of Gujarat, Zafar Shah declared his independence and created the Sultanate of Gujarat. Till the late 16th century, The Sultanate of Gujarat emphasized the sea trade from the state and thus captured various ports including the port of Veraval.
The Nawabs, supposedly of the Babi Dynasty, might have ruled the land of Veraval with the assistance of the Mughal Empire. Thus, one can still feel the vibe of Nawabi heritage in Veraval in its forts and gates. So far Veraval witnessed the rule of Hindu and Muslim rulers. But being a flourishing port, the next part of the history of Veraval took shape with the invasion of Britishers.
After the Nawabs, Veraval was ruled by Marathas and ultimately was submerged under the British Raj in India. After Independence of India in 1947, Veraval kept on flourishing as one of the busiest ports of Gujarat, still holding its roots and nurturing its history.
Veraval is a land that connects spirituality, culture, heritage, and many stories that marks a memorable experience in the heart of the one who visits the place.