Kochi was the centre of Indian spice trade for many centuries, and was known to the Yavanas (Greeks) as well as Romans, Jews, Arabs, and Chinese since ancient times. Kochi rose to significance as a trading centre after the port at Kodungallur (Cranganore) was destroyed by massive flooding of the river Periyar in 1341. The earliest documented references to Kochi occur in books written by Chinese voyager Ma Huan during his visit to Kochi in the 15th century as part of Admiral Zheng He’s treasure fleet. There are also references to Kochi in accounts written by Italian traveler Niccolò Da Conti, who visited Kochi in 1440.

The Kingdom of Kochi came into existence in 1102, after the fall of the Kulasekhara Empire. The King of Kochi had authority over the region encompassing the present city of Kochi and adjoining areas. The reign was hereditary, and the family that ruled over Kochi was known as the Cochin Royal Family (Perumpadappu Swaroopam in the local vernacular). The mainland Kochi remained the capital of the princely state since the 18th century.

However, during much of this time, the kingdom was under foreign rule, and the King often only had titular privileges. The formation of Cochin harbor has a violent story of which nature herself was the main character. The harbor was formed in A.D. 1341, when a great flood in the Periyar River led to an outlet in the sea. The floods had meanwhile silted up the mouth of the Muziris harbor and this rich ancient port was banished to the footnotes of history. Meanwhile, the merchants of Muziris shifted to Cochin.
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Kochi formerly known as Cochin, it is a city in the Indian state of Kerala. The city is one of the principal seaports of the country and is located in the district of Ernakulum, about 220 kilometers north of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. It has an estimated population of 600,000, with an extended metropolitan population of about 1.5 million, making it the largest urban agglomeration and the second largest city in Kerala after the capital.

In Kochi there are a number of industries, a large number of export produces, 100% literacy, highly developed social structure, and well laid-out communication facilities and transport infrastructure. These and a few other factors provide enormous scope for the growth of IT industry. The Kerala Government also recently announced an IT policy and created a separate IT department under the Chief Minister to promote IT in the state in a big way.

Since 1102 CE, Kochi was the seat of the Kingdom of Cochin, a princely state which traces its lineage to the Kulasekhara Empire. Heralded as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Kochi was an important spice trading centre on the Arabian Sea coast from the 14th century onwards. Ancient travelers and tradesmen referred to Kochi in their writings, variously alluding to it as Cocym, Cochym, Cochin, and Cochi.

Occupied by the Portuguese in 1503, Kochi was the site of the first European colonial settlement in India. It remained the capital of Portuguese India until 1530, when Goa became the capital. The city was later occupied by the Dutch, the Mysore and the British. Kochi was the first princely state to willingly join the Indian Union, when India gained independence in 1947. (more…)

The acute business sense of the people of Rajkot is their innate character. The Rajkot of yore would remind you of the glittering palaces and thatched roofs. Today’s Rajkot, you see swanky cars, large business houses, glittering multistoried hotels, booming economy jostling with rickshaws, tongas, struggling common man, slums and squalor. This booming business town presently poised at the crossroads is still an attraction for a lot of talent from all over the country.

The industrial revolution in India had already put Rajkot on the world map way back in the 60s, when Rajkot was one of the few cities of Gujarat dotted with the heavy engineering industries. Today this city contributes to the economy of the state with heavy and small scale industries under the able patronage of Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) and Gujarat State Financial Corporation (GSFC).

It is sometimes remarked that the economy of Rajkot is directly linked to the BSE Sensex. It is one of those places in India where share trading is done on tea and pan shops. Today the business acumen of the people of Gujarat is known world over, no wonder the economy would be booming around here. (more…)

Rajkot with its unique geography, totally landlocked in the South and with an open beautiful sea to the North, has imbibed the flavors of both regions. The word Gujarati has originated from Gujjar, the people who invaded the North and West India.

The people here are predominantly vegetarians and are vehemently against any form of hunting. This could be the main reason for the survival of rich fauna in this city. Jains and Marvaris are the main Hindu sects here. They are also the richest business class of India. Some notable global names have their origins in Gujarat such as Azim Premji of Wipro, Dhirubhai Ambani of Reliance Industries and Vikram Sarabhai of ISRO.

The women in Rajkot are very fond of jewelry. Large chains, pendants and other heavy gold jewelry are a common sight during marriages and festivals. The Rajkot men love to flaunt thick gold chains and numerous rings on their fingers. The attire changes with the season and approaching festivals. The ladies normally wear the Gujarati flavor of the Sari and men can be seen in flowing Kurtas. (more…)

The charani folk-songs, duha, chhand etc are a part of folk-music. The saints and devotees of Gujarat have woven the teachings of the Vedas and the Upanishadas in their devotional songs. They have helped dissolving the differences of caste, creed and colour. The bhajans of Abhram Bhagat have reached London. The voice of Ismail Valera had lured lot many people.

Folk-music includes variety of occasions and songs befitting the same. Songs specially meant for recital at morning, evening, marriage, child-birth, festival songs, war-time and death-time songs, story-telling and season songs and number of other occasions are celebrated or marked with specific type of folk-songs and folk-music. Many of such songs were compiled by Meghani and Raichura.

There are good accommodation options available in Rajkot. Most of the hotels are in the budget to mid-range categories. Some of the hotels also provide facilities for currency exchange.

Watson Museum and Library: Located in the Jubilee Gardens, the Museum commemorating Colonel John Watson is a good introduction to Saurashtra’s cultural heritage. Important exhibits are copies of artifacts from Mohenjodaro, 13th century carvings, silverware, natural history exhibits and textiles. A huge 19th century marble statue of Queen Victoria is fascinating. There are many splendid portraits and photographs of royal princes of Saurashtra and European dignitaries, handicrafts, pottery and princely relics. Open from 9 to 12.30 pm and 2.30 to 5 pm.

Aji Dam: This dam is built by Government of Gujarat for water supply to city area. The down stream side of the dam and surrounding area is developed and maintained by Rajkot Municipal Corporation. Beautiful step gardens with amusement park for children, zoo, bird aviary, Crocodile Park have been provided for entertainment of the citizens of the city.

Swaminarayan Temple: This is a temple of Swaminarayan Sampradaya. It is situated on Bhupendra Road. Historically Lord Swaminarayan gave a copy of “shikshapatri”, a code of conduct of his followers to Mr. Malcam (political agent of British time to this area). This temple is also well known for its philanthropic activity. (more…)

Rajkot is connected to major Indian cities by air, railway and road. Daily flights are operated by Jet Airways and Air Deccan via the Rajkot Airport. The city is well connected to other major cities of Gujarat such as, Junagadh, Amreli, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar Surat etc. by bus services operated by private and state-owned transport corporations. Rajkot is a main railway junction of Saurashtra, trains for the all the major cities of India is available from here.

A visit to Tourism of Gujarat, and an attendant trip down the historically significant city of Rajkot, located in Rajasthan, India, offers information that Rajkot, situated in Gujarat, India, is a much visited and well discovered city in the state of Gujarat, India.

Tourism of Gujarat, takes the tourist on a journey across Rajkot, situated in Gujarat, India, which has tonnes of historicity attached to it. Rajkot, situated in Gujarat, India, is home to the princely state of Saurashtra and also had a reputation as former British headquarters. Rajkot, located in Gujarat, India, is home to the Watson Museum and Library, which has copies of artifacts from Gumali, natural history exhibits along with dioramas of local tribal costumes with their housing styles. (more…)

As of 2001 India census, Rajkot had a population of 966,642. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Rajkot has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average.