Dabhoi & Gates

Dabhoi was established in the early 6th century AD. Its foundation and fortification is ascribed to the great King of Gujarat, Siddhraj Jaisinh (1093-1143 AD), who made this his frontier fortress. The architectural style and the exquisite stone carving and iconography on the fort walls and gates suggest that it was conceived and constructed in the same period as Rudra Mahalaya and Zinzuwada Fort.

The history of Dabhoi can be roughly divided into 3 parts, viz, the period before Muslim rule, Muslim rule, and the Gaekwadi rule. One of the earliest known names of the town is Darbhavati. During its period as Darbhavati, it was a town that came under the capital Anhilwad (Patan). At the dawn of the 14th century, it came under the control of Muslim rulers in 1300 AD after the fall of Patan. Later when the town came under the Gaekwads in the mid 18th century, it became an important trade center. They also set up a railway line connecting the capital and the other regions with Dabhoi and making it the world’s largest narrow gauge railway network.

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Fort and gates:

The fort of Dabhoi is one of the rare surviving examples of Hindu military architecture, based on the Shastri traditions described in various Vaastu scriptures. There are four gates in the town, one in each cardinal direction, having indirect entry, located in the middle of each side of the fort wall. It was altered during the time of Visaldev and the Muslim rule. Hira Bhagol (named after the architect, Hiradhar), the most exquisitely carved gate, is in the east, with Vadodara Gate in the west, Champaner Gate in the north and Nandod Gate in the south. Dabhoi has many Jain and Hindu temples, devoted to different gods and goddesses.

Dabhoi is the place where the great Gujarati poet, Dayaram, composer of many Garbis (devotional songs) and a devotee of Ranchhodraiji of Dakor took his last breath. Many Jain scholars also stayed here in the past and enriched the Jain Granth Bhandar, which has a collection of ancient Jain manuscripts.

Gates:

Hira Bhagol, the eastern gate: Hira Bhagol was named after its architect, Hiradhar. An interesting story is related to its architect. It is said that he was punished by king, as he stole stones to assigned for the fort and built a lake called Tentalav in the memory of his wife/lover called Ten. Some people say that he was buried alive in the fort wall of the town. The lake that he built is now known as Ten Talav that now has a small settlement around it.

The Gate’s eastern side of the citadel with its adjoining right side has a temple of Kalika Mata. There are six pilasters on each side, three near each and which supported the elaborate corbelled brackets. Both faces of the gate are full of sculptural representations of Hindu deities like Shiva, Lakshmi, Vishnu, scene of the churning of the ocean and legends from the Mahabharata. On the inner side of this gate, is a famous inscription composed by Rajkavi Someshwar Dev.

Nandodi Bhagol, the southern gate: The Nandodi gate is in the southern part of the fort. It has double gates, with an open court between. On its inner sides, figures of Lord Shiva and Vishnu with all his attributes adorn the gate. The gate is famous for its carved brackets.

Vadodara Bhagol, the western gate: It is known as the Vadodara Bhagol as the way out of it lead to Vadodara. Like the other gates, this is also decorated with figures related to Hindu mythology. There are cornices on the back as well as the front.

Mahudi Bhagol/ Champaneri Gate, the northern gate:  This is the gate on the northern side of the citadel which led to Champaner.The gate also has five brackets supports instead of arches springing from pilasters. The mythological figures on the walls include Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Narshimhas and Saraswati etc.

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Apart from the gates, the town preserves a rich collection of monuments, buildings from almost every period. Apart from the gates, the town also has a vav called the Saptmukhi vav and a public library that is situated in center of town & belongs to the reign of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. It also has a whole park dedicated to railway called the Railway Heritage Park.

Although the gates of the town stand prominently, only parts of the fortification are left. Recently the gates were restored by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t know about the hidden gem that is Dabhoi. It is a town that has layers of history starting from the 6th century to becoming a bustling trade town in the Gaekwadi period to becoming a junction in the world’s largest narrow-gauge railway network!!!!