porbandar

Onshore explorations in and around Porbandar brought to light the remains of a Late Harappan settlement dating back to the 16th-14th centuries BCE. There is evidence to suggest that the Harappan legacy of maritime activity continued till the late Harappan period on the Saurashtra coast. The discovery of ancient jetties along the Porbandar creek signifies the importance of Porbandar as an active center of maritime activities in the past.{{cite journal|author=A.S Gaur, Sundaresh, A.D. Odedra|title=New light on the maritime archaeology of Porbandar, Saurashtra Coast, Gujarat|journal=Man and Environment |volume=29|issue=1|pages=103–107|year=2004}}

Indian theology views Porbandar as the birthplace of Sudama, a friend of Krishna. For this reason, it is also referred to as Sudaamapuri or Sudamapuri.

{{Main|Porbandar State}}

Porbandar was the seat of the eponymous princely state in British India. Later the state belonged to the Jethwa clan of Rajputs and had been established in the area since at least the mid-16th century. The state was subordinate to the Mughal governor of Gujarat Subah until being overrun by the Marathas in the latter half of the 18th century. After, they came under the authority of the Gaekwad court at Baroda and eventually of the Peshwa.

Upon the Independence of India in 1947, the state was annexed into the dominion of India. It was merged with the 'United State of Kathiawar', effective 15 February 1948 and eventually came to form part of the present-day state of Gujarat. The last King of Porbandar was Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji Maharaj.

Porbandar is located at {{Coord|21|37|48|N|69|36|0|E|}}.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/09/Porbandar.html|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Porbandar, India|website=www.fallingrain.com}} It has an average elevation of 1 metre (3 ft).

Like most of Gujarat, Porbandar has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh) with three distinct seasons: the “cool” from October to March, the “hot” in April, May and early June, and the monsoonal “wet” from mid-June to September.{{cite web|title=Porbandar - Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table|url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/2820/|access-date=2015-10-29|publisher=Climate-Data.org}}

Almost no rain falls outside the monsoon season, except for a very few late-season tropical cyclones. The most powerful one occurred on 22 October 1975 and produced a storm surge of {{convert|4|m|ft|0|disp=or}}. During the monsoon season, rainfall is exceedingly erratic: Annual rainfall has been as low as {{convert|32.2|mm|in|2|disp=or}} in 1918 and {{convert|34.3|mm|in|2|disp=or}} in 1939, but as high as {{convert|1850.6|mm|in|2|disp=or}} in 1983—when a cyclone caused over {{convert|1100|mm|in|1}} to fall over four daysFrancis P. A. and Sulochana Gadgil; [http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download;jsessionid=55D971E5C651CB56E6DBA7D4FA33EDC7?doi=10.1.1.389.5007&rep=rep1&type=pdf ‘Intense Rainfall Events over the West Coast during the Summer Monsoon Season’] (CAOS REPORT 2002 AS 1); published by Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Studies; Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore—and {{convert|1251.7|mm|in|2|disp=or}} in 1878.

With a coefficient of variation exceeding fifty percent and an expectation of only 41 percent of mean annual rainfall in the driest year in ten, the Porbandar region is among the most variable in the worldDewar, Robert E. and Wallis, James R; ‘Geographical patterning of interannual rainfall variability in the tropics and near tropics: An L-moments approach’; in Journal of Climate, 12; pp. 3457-3466—comparable to northern Australia, the Brazilian sertão and the Kiribatese Line Islands.Van Etten, Eddie J.B.; ‘Inter-annual Rainfall Variability of Arid Australia: greater than elsewhere?’ Australian Geographer; 40 (2009), pp. 109-120

An illustration of Porbandar's extremely variable rainfall can be seen from 1899 to 1905 when seven successive years produced annual falls of:

• {{convert|83.4|mm|in|2}} in 1899
• {{convert|1185.1|mm|in|2}} in 1900
• {{convert|99.8|mm|in|2}} in 1901
• {{convert|756.9|mm|in|2}} in 1902
• {{convert|575.2|mm|in|2}} in 1903
• {{convert|124.5|mm|in|2}} in 1904 and
• {{convert|134.4|mm|in|2}} in 1905

Porbandar, owing to its coastal location, is the least hot of all major cities in Gujarat: Average high temperatures do not reach {{convert|35|C|F|0|disp=or}} in any month.

{{Weather box

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| location = Porbandar Airport (1991–2020, extremes 1969–present)

| Jan record high C = 36.5

| Feb record high C = 39.0

| Mar record high C = 43.1

| Apr record high C = 44.0

| May record high C = 45.5

| Jun record high C = 40.8

| Jul record high C = 35.4

| Aug record high C = 35.4

| Sep record high C = 40.3

| Oct record high C = 41.4

| Nov record high C = 39.7

| Dec record high C = 37.2

|year record high C = 45.5

| Jan high C = 29.4

| Feb high C = 30.9

| Mar high C = 33.6

| Apr high C = 34.1

| May high C = 34.0

| Jun high C = 33.7

| Jul high C = 31.6

| Aug high C = 30.6

| Sep high C = 31.8

| Oct high C = 35.0

| Nov high C = 34.1

| Dec high C = 31.2

| year high C = 32.5

| Jan low C = 14.0

| Feb low C = 16.0

| Mar low C = 19.6

| Apr low C = 22.8

| May low C = 26.4

| Jun low C = 27.9

| Jul low C = 26.9

| Aug low C = 25.9

| Sep low C = 25.0

| Oct low C = 22.9

| Nov low C = 19.3

| Dec low C = 15.6

| year low C = 21.8

| Jan record low C = 2.0

| Feb record low C = 5.9

| Mar record low C = 8.7

| Apr record low C = 15.0

| May record low C = 19.2

| Jun record low C = 20.7

| Jul record low C = 18.7

| Aug record low C = 22.2

| Sep record low C = 19.2

| Oct record low C = 15.3

| Nov record low C = 11.0

| Dec record low C = 6.4

|year record low C = 2.0

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 0.5

| Feb rain mm = 0.2

| Mar rain mm = 0.0

| Apr rain mm = 0.0

| May rain mm = 1.0

| Jun rain mm = 107.0

| Jul rain mm = 280.6

| Aug rain mm = 178.4

| Sep rain mm = 125.0

| Oct rain mm = 10.5

| Nov rain mm = 3.9

| Dec rain mm = 0.2

|year rain mm = 707.4

| Jan rain days = 0.1

| Feb rain days = 0.0

| Mar rain days = 0.0

| Apr rain days = 0.0

| May rain days = 0.1

| Jun rain days = 3.6

| Jul rain days = 10.0

| Aug rain days = 8.1

| Sep rain days = 4.4

| Oct rain days = 1.0

| Nov rain days = 0.3

| Dec rain days = 0.0

|year rain days = 27.7

|time day = 17:30 IST

| Jan humidity = 38

| Feb humidity = 40

| Mar humidity = 45

| Apr humidity = 54

| May humidity = 67

| Jun humidity = 72

| Jul humidity = 78

| Aug humidity = 78

| Sep humidity = 72

| Oct humidity = 52

| Nov humidity = 42

| Dec humidity = 37

|year humidity = 56

|source 1 = India Meteorological Department{{cite web

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf

| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| access-date = April 8, 2024

}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| title = Station: Porbandar (A) Climatological Table 1981–2010

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| pages = 617–618

| access-date = 28 December 2020}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| page = M59

| access-date = 28 December 2020}}

}}

File:Porbandar skyline.JPG

{{As of|2011}} India census, Porbandar (City and urban outgrowth) had a population of 152,760.{{cite web|title=Census of India|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB.html|access-date=15 September 2020|website=Census of India}} Males constituted 51.4% of the population and females 48.6%. Porbandar has an average literacy rate of 86.46%, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 91.69%, and female literacy is 80.92%. In Porbandar, 9.11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

According to the Census in 2011, the population of Porbander contracted 3.85% in 2011. i.e. the growth rate was negative. The sex ration of the city was 943 in 2011.{{clarify|date=September 2020}}

In 01 January 2025, the Gujarat state government elevated Porbandar–Chhaya from a municipality to a municipal corporation, enhancing its administrative capabilities and enabling more comprehensive urban planning and development. This transition is expected to improve infrastructure, public services, and governance for residents. The Porbandar–Chhaya Municipal Corporation now joins the ranks of Gujarat's municipal corporations, reflecting the region's growth and urbanization.{{cite web |title=Gujarat Cabinet Approves Formation of Nine New Municipal Corporations |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/gujarat-cabinet-approves-formation-of-nine-new-municipal-corporations-101735731619055.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=2 January 2025}}

Porbandar city is governed by a MunicipalCorporation.{{cite web|date=2020-09-04|title=Local body polls Delimitation exercise held in Gujarat|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/local-body-polls-delimitation-exercise-held-in-gujarat-6582403/|access-date=2020-09-05|website=The Indian Express|language=en}} The Municipal Corporation is responsible for supply of water to the city using Narmada as the main source of water supply.{{cite web|date=2016-05-02|title=Hardlook: Thirsty Gujarat cities… fed by Narmada|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/hardlook-thirsty-gujarat-cities-fed-by-narmada-2779765/|access-date=2020-12-09|website=The Indian Express|language=en}} The Municipal Corporation supplies around 14 MLD everyday to the city. As per records available from 2008, the city had a coverage of 39% in terms of water supply connections though the coverage of distribution system was reported as 80%.{{cite web|date=September 2008|title=Urban Water and Sanitation in Gujarat: A Report Prepared by Urban Management Centre|url=https://pas.org.in/Portal/document/ResourcesFiles/pdfs/Urban%20Water%20&%20Sanitation%20Gujarat%20UMC.pdf|access-date=9 December 2020|website=PAS}} As per another assessment in the year 2016, Porbandar ranked the lowest in terms the volume of water supplied per capita at 59 lpcd (liters per capita per day) as compared to Gandhinagar which ranked the highest at 245 lpcd.{{cite web|date=June 2016|title=URBAN WATER & SANITATION IN GUJARAT Summary Report 2009-2016|url=https://pas.org.in/Portal/document/ResourcesFiles/pdfs/Urban%20Water%20_%20Sanitation%20in%20Gujarat_Analysis%20Report%202009-2016.pdf|access-date=9 December 2020|website=PAS}} Municipal Corporation is also responsible for waste management in the city and generates about 66 tonnes per day of waste.{{cite web|date=2017|title=GOVERNMENT OF INDIA URBAN DEVELOPMENT|url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/699561/1/50751.pdf|access-date=9 December 2020|website=Eparlib}}

The current member of Parliament is Mansukh Mandaviya.{{cite web |title=Porbandar Election Result 2024 Highlights: Lok Sabha Winner, Leading MP, Margin |url=https://www.news18.com/amp/elections/porbandar-election-result-2024-live-updates-highlights-lok-sabha-winner-loser-leading-trailing-mp-margin-8917388.html |website=News18 |publisher=Network18 |access-date=17 June 2024}}

{{Travel guide|date=January 2022}}

File:Hari Mandir Porbandar.jpg

File:Birth Place of Gandhi.jpg]]

File:Courtship of Lesser Flamingos at Porbandar photo Dhaval Vargiya.jpg

The best time to visit is October to March.

• Kirti Mandir, It is located at the Main bazaar, Manek Chowk. Timings 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM Everyday. Website : [https://kirtimandirpbr.org/ GandhiBapu - Home Page]
• Bharat Mandir (A permanent exhibition of culture, history and geometry about India. It was established by Shri Nanjibhai Kalidas Mehta)
• Tara Mandir (one of the oldest planetariums of India)
• Shree Sudama ji Mandir: One of the few temples built in India in his name
• Shree Hari Mandir or Sandipani temple (handled by Ramesh Oza): a temple complex
• The Huzoor Palace, Daria Raj Mahal Palace, Darbargadh and the Sartanji Choro
• Porbandar Chowpati
• Porbandar Bird Sanctuary (birds like teals, fowls, flamingos, ibis, curlews can be seen)
• Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (about 15 km from Porbandar, ideal for trekking)
• Porbandar has many wetlands ideal for birdwatching.{{cite web |url=http://mokarsagar.org/wetland.php |title=Wetlands of Porbandar |publisher= Mokarsagar Committee|access-date=31 March 2017}}
• Janmashtami Mela (5 days), celebrated in the month of Shraavana as per Hindu calendar. There are rides, food, and other attractions.
• It is also one of the last coasts remaining where the threatened marine mammal dugong can be found.{{cite news|last1=Kaushik|first1=Himanshu|title=Task force on dugong soon|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Task-force-on-dugong-soon/articleshow/21790491.cms|access-date=16 February 2016|website=Times of India|date=13 August 2013 }}

• Mahatma Gandhi - "The father of the Nation" was born here
• Kasturba Gandhi - wife of Mahatma Gandhi
• Nanji Kalidas Mehta - businessman and philanthropist
• Dr. Savitaben Nanji Kalidas Mehta - Educationist and Manipuri dancer
• Nanabhai Bhatt - film director and producer
• Jaydev Unadkat - Indian cricket player
• Sudama - (also known as Kuchela) friend of Krishna
• Ajay Lalcheta - Oman cricket team Ex-captain & player
• Dilip Joshi - famous for his role in the TV serial Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah as Jethalal Gada

File:PBD Porbandar Airport.jpg]]Porbandar is well-connected by road, rail and air to cities across the country.

File:ICGS Sarthak (21) arriving at the port of Porbandar, Gujarat.jpg

Porbandar is an ancient port city. At present it has an all-weather medium-sized deep water port,{{cite news |last1=Parag |first1=Dave |title=Locations shortlisted for GMB’s port-led city |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/locations-shortlisted-for-gmbs-port-led-city/articleshow/113270015.cms |work=The Times of India |date=12 September 2024}} with direct berthing facilities up to 50,000 DWT ships.{{cite web|title=Porbandar Port | GMB Operated Ports | Ports in Gujarat | Ports | Home | GMB Ports|url=http://www.gmbports.org/showpage.aspx?contentid=1504|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007132550/http://www.gmbports.org/showpage.aspx?contentid=1504|archive-date=7 October 2013|access-date=2013-10-06|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://portfocus.com/india/porbandar/index.html |title=Port of Porbandar, India |publisher=Portfocus.com |date= |accessdate=2022-04-11}} The Porbandar Coast Guard headquarters, designated as Coast Guard District Headquarters 1 (DHQ-1), is located near RGT College in Porbandar, Gujarat.

INS Sardar Patel is a naval base of the Indian Navy in Porbandar, Gujarat and the Station Headquarters of Naval Station, Porbandar. It provides the logistic support to the Indian Navy units deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea

File:"NH8b" Gujarat Highway India 2012.jpg

The city is connected through National Highway 27, connecting to Rajkot and Ahmedabad. National Highway 8E Ext (also known as State Highway 6) connects to Jamnagar, Dwarka in the north and Veraval, Bhavnagar in the south.

Major public transport is covered by the private and government buses.

Many private coaches are available daily to Rajkot, Dwarka, Veraval, Junagadh, Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, Vadodra, Surat, and Mumbai.

Porbandar railway station connects Porbandar with major cities of state and the country. There are daily trains to Rajkot (via Jamnagar, Bhanwad and Upleta, Dhoraji, Gondal as well), Somnath (via Junagadh) and Mumbai (via Ahmedabad, Vadodra and Surat). There are also trains to Delhi, Muzaffarpur and Howrah connecting to major cities of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha and West Bengal. A weekly train service connects Kochuveli, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) and Secunderabad (Hyderabad) with Porbandar via Mangalore, Calicut, Kochi and Quilon(Kollam).

From August 2022, no flights are operational.

• Duleep School of Cricket Ground is one of two cricket grounds in Porbandar. The ground is also the home ground of Saurashtra cricket team. It hosted six cricket matches from 1968 to 1986 before falling of the record. The ground is named after great Indian cricketer and Prince of Nawanagar Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji.
• Natwarsinhji Cricket Club Ground is one of two cricket grounds in Porbandar. It hosted a Ranji Trophy match in October 1960 between Saurashtra cricket team and Maharashtra cricket team. The Maharashtra team won by 10 wickets as the match had a low scores with Saurashtra scored 94 & 139 and Maharashtra scored 187 and 47/0. It was scheduled for three days but was completed in two. This was only cricket played on the ground.

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.porbandaronline.in for more details on Porbandar]
• [http://www.uq.net.au/%7Ezzhsoszy/ips/p/porbandar.html Genealogy of the ruling chiefs of Porbandar]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090112151303/http://www.nio.org/projects/vora/project_vora_1.jsp Application of geological and geophysical methods in marine archaeology and underwater explorations]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130624190255/http://porbandardistrict.com/ Porbandar district]

• [https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Porbandar¶ms=21_38_30.0_N_69_37_45.5_E_type:city(217500)_region:IN-GJ GeoHack – Porbandar]

{{Commons category}}

• {{Wikivoyage-inline}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Port cities in India

Category:Populated coastal places in India

Category:Ports and harbours of Gujarat

Category:Former capital cities in India