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Ancient ports of Gujarat
P. S.Thakker
Scientist,
SAC, Ahemdabad
M. H. Raval
Ex. Director, Directorate of
Archaeology, Ahemdabad
A. R. Dasgupta
Deputy Director, SIIPA,
SAC, Ahemdabad
arup@sac.ernet.in
Gujarat
state is situated on the West Coast of India between Latitude 20o02’N
and 24o41’N and Longitude 68008’E and 74o23’E.
On the basis of geographical features, Gujarat comprises three regions, namely,
- Gujarat region, runs north south and covers the central and eastern area of
the state,
- Saurashtra peninsular region and
- Kachchha region.The state has about 1660 km long coastline along the Arabian
Sea, the Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay) and the Gulf of Kachchha in the west. The
vast expanse of the Rann area in the north is a unique feature as it remained
under sea from about 9th BC to 15th AD and is a dry salt encrusted plain at
other times.
Fig. 1: Some of the
ancient/historical ports of Gujarat
People have lived in
Gujarat for hundreds of thousands of years and there are many traces of primeval
life here. Archaeologists have discovered ruins of port towns, which existed in
the 3rd or the 2nd millennium BC indicating that marine trade was prevalent
then. Gujarat had trade relations with many countries in those days. Gujarat’s
relations with other countries were weakened after the abandonment of cities of
the Indus Valley Civilisation. Little is known of the inhabitants of the times
gone by except what can be gleaned from the artefacts left behind by them. Trade
and navigation, both oceanic and riverine, again grew tremendously in the
Mauryan period which extended from 321 to 180 BC. The Arabian Sea was mainly
used for the purpose of maritime trade. Thus, Gujarat is known for its
navigation from ancient times and had established trade links with ancient
countries like Sumer, Phoenicia, Rome, Egypt, Arabia, Iran, East Africa, Lanka,
Brahmadesh, Malaya, Java, Sumatra, China etc.
Fig. 2: Mosaic of IRS
imagery of Gujarat region
Historical information about the
ports of Gujarat is found in Mahabharat, Harivansh Purana, Bhagvat and in
Matsaya Purana. It is mentioned in Harivansh Purana that the prosperity of
Yadavas was due to the sea trade. Kautilya has mentioned in his ‘Arthashstra’
that the main occupation of people living on the coastline was navigation. The
ancient Greek and Roman books refer to the names of many ports of Gujarat, which
were famous during that period. Greek author Galazy has written in his book
‘Batiyas’ about the shipping of Kachchha (c.150). Greek author Peryaksa has
described the shipping of Kachchha in circa 246. The author of the ancient
African book ‘Tibu-tib’ has appreciated the strongly built Kachchhi vessels,
which used to sail up to Africa in those days.
A book which was written
after the Solanki period named ‘Nabhi Nandan Jinoddhar Prabandh’ mentions about
Gujarat: “Residents of this region are small traders doing trade at ports and
hence prosperous.”
At present, along the coastline of Gujarat, there are about 38 ports. Out of
these one is an important major port Kandla in Kachchha district, 11 ports are
medium or second grade ports and 26 are small ports. It is believed that Gujarat
had a longer coast line in ancient times. Historical information shows that
there were 84 ports in Gujarat during the medieval period. There were 62 ports
in Saurashtra as late as 1842. It is also mentioned in the literature that ships
from 84 different ports from various countries having different flags on them
used to visit Mandavi port in Kachchha before hundred years. Figure 1 shows some
of the ancient and historical ports of Gujarat. Figure 2 shows a mosaic of IRS
imagery over Gujarat. Table shows ancient and historical ports of Gujarat
mentioned in literature.
Fig. 3: A boat coming
from Tharad and a prominent citizen receiving a guest.
As
per historical evidence, Saurashtra was an island in the 2nd millennium BC.
Kachchha also was an island up to 18th century AD and ships were plying in the
present Rann area. It is found from literature that Thirpur Nagar, the present
Tharad of Banaskantha district, was a prominent Hindu and Jain centre from the
Rajput period onwards. A picture in one of the manuscripts written by
Kalyansevak Dhanyakumar shows Tharad as a port, (Figure 3). There are some
scattered references to navigational activities during the Solanki period also.
Siddharaj Jaysinh visited Varahi of Santalpur taluka, Banaskantha district in a
chariot and handed over the chariot to the mahajana of Varahi town to take care
and went to Sanchor by ship and boat from Varahi (Prabandh Chintamani). It is
said that the old name of Varahi was Fabava or Fabavah (port). There was a
flourishing wooden shipbuilding industry in Gujarat at Mandavi, which played a
significant role in shaping the destiny of nations, which ventured across the
seas to extend their influence. Historical evidences show that the Rann of
Kachchha was once a Gulf and was suitable for shipping and up to the seventh
century ships were plying in this area. Figure 4 shows that in the 8th century
BC, the Rann area was part of the sea or the Gulf of Kachchha. Around 6th BC,
during the Buddha period, Bharuch was a prosperous port. Trade relations were
established with the Middle East countries. Ships were plying in the Gulf of
Khambhat for centuries.
Fig. 4: Rann of Kachchha as
a part of the Arabian Sea (8th to 6th century BC)