Botad

Botad, located in Gujarat's Saurashtra (region), is a significant city and district headquarters of the Botad district. Established as a separate district in 2013, Botad has developed into a key administrative and economic hub, connecting nearby towns and fostering growth across the region.

It is about from Bhavnagar and from Ahmedabad by road distance.

Geography

Botad is situated at a confluence of streams which unite to form a small river, Utavali. In the Gujarati language, it is known as Gatar.

Botad is surrounded by low hills on the east and west, forming a valley. Utavali Creek flows through the town, and Madhu Creek joins the Utavali river near Ten Drains.

The town is a gateway to Kathiawad (toward Gadhada, Lathi and Amreli), and a crossroads of Gohilwad (towards Bhavnagar), Jhalawad ( Limbdi, Surendranagar) and Panchal (towards Paliyad, Vinchiya, Jasdan).

Demographics

According to the 2011 Indian census, the population of the town of Botad was 130,302 (67,778 men and 62,524 women). Total literacy was 94,563 (53,275 men and 41,288 women). The literacy rate is 83.21 percent, of which male and female literacy was 88.89 percent and 74.60 percent respectively. Botad's overall sex ratio is 922 women per 1,000 men, with a child sex ratio of 874 girls to 1,000 boys. There were a total of 16,654 children (from birth to age six), 8,889 boys, and 7,765 girls (12.78 percent of the municipality's total population).

It had a population of 7450 souls according to the census of 1872, which increased to 7755 in 1881.

Climate

Botad has a tropical wet-and-dry climate, with a hot, dry summer from mid-March to mid-June and the monsoon (wet) season from mid-June to October (when the average rainfall is ). From November to February the weather is mild, with an average temperature of about and low humidity. May and June have less rainfall and wind than the post-monsoon period. Thunderstorms are frequent in June and July, and fog is common in winter. Summer temperatures range from , and winter temperatures from .

Economy

Agriculture: Botad’s economy is predominantly agrarian, with fertile soil and favorable climate conditions that support the growth of crops like cotton, groundnut, and wheat. The district is part of the Saurashtra cotton belt, contributing significantly to Gujarat’s agricultural output.

Industries: Small and medium-scale industries have taken root in Botad, particularly in textile production, chemical manufacturing, and engineering workshops. In recent years, the district’s economic focus has shifted from purely agricultural to include industry, creating diverse employment opportunities.

Market and Trade Hub: Botad’s role as a central trade hub is bolstered by its well-established markets. Farmers and traders from surrounding villages bring their produce here for trade. The city’s well-organized markets cater to a wide range of goods, from everyday essentials to agricultural equipment, attracting buyers from across the district.

Textile and Retail: Botad also has a burgeoning textile industry, with several small factories and retail shops involved in processing and selling textiles. This adds variety to the local economy and provides additional income avenues for the residents.

Culture

The diet in Botad is predominantly vegetarian. Hunting is unpopular, and the city has a variety of fauna. Clothing varies with the seasons and their festivals. Women generally wear the Gujarati type of sari, and men wear kurtas and trousers.

Food

"Bateka Bhungla" is famous in Botad.

Places of interest

*The Shri Damodardar Jagjivan Shah Clock Tower is an iconic landmark in Botad, Gujarat. Situated in the heart of the city, this historical clock tower holds both architectural and cultural significance, standing as a testament to Botad’s heritage and community spirit. The clock tower was commissioned by Shri Damodardar Jagjivan Shah, a prominent figure in Botad’s history and a noted philanthropist. His contributions to the city and his efforts to improve infrastructure are well-regarded among the community.The design of the Shri Damodardar Jagjivan Shah Clock Tower reflects a mix of traditional Indian architecture with Victorian-era British influences. This blend of styles is visible in the tower’s structural details, including ornate carvings and a classic clock face.
* Tajiyo is a prominent building structure attraction of Botad, attracting many tourists every year. This structure was built with the aim of constructing a Clock Tower by a civil engineer and entrepreneur named Tulsi Mistri. He was denied permission to install a clock by the prince of the Bhavnagar state.
* Botad Lake was built by Maharaja Krishna Kumar Singhji (Bhavnagar State). The lake serves as a reservoir that supplies water to a majority of the areas belonging to the city. The lake is one of the attractive places to visit in Botad.
* Shree Swaminarayan mandir located inside Nagalpar gate in the city centre is big and popular. Swaminarayan temple built by BAPS gadi in Sahjanand Society is located slightly east of Nagalpar gate. There is another popular Swaminarayan Temple with an associated Gurukul in Mangal Para, located south-west in the outskirts. Also, there are a few other smaller Swaminarayan temples in the city. Virateshvar Mahadev Temple is located east in the outskirts of Botad.
* There is the shrine and tomb of the Muslim saint Pir Hamir Khan. He is said to have been the ''thanadar'' of Ranpur who died in the battle with the Khuman and Vala Kathis at Ugamedi, near Gadhada.
* There is a fine tank called the Phatsar, near the Satpura Hills, not far from this town. The lake which supplies water to most of the town was built by Krishna Kumar Singhji, maharaja of Bhavnagar State, and is a popular attraction.
* Haran Kui, also known as the Spring or Well for Deer, was a fresh water spring existing on the northern side of the city where thousands of deer as well as other wild animals used to cohabitate.

Points of Interest in District

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Gadhada, Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Gadhada
* Salangpur, Gujarat, Salangpur Hanumanji Temple Shri Kashtabhanjan Hanumanji Temple and BAPS Swaminarayan Temple- Salangpur is among the more prominent centres in the Swaminarayan Sampraday.
* Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Gadhada - old temple initiated by Lord Swaminarayan himself; and the massive new one built by Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha
* Bhimnath Mahadev - at Bhimnath, Polarpur is an ancient temple, associated with mythology of Mahabharata times cross border with Ahmedabad district The temple is small and housed in the middle of a River path, which gets flooded during monsoon.
* Pir Hamir Khan Shrine and Tomb in Ugamedi near Gadhada
* Kariyani Swaminarayan Mandir near Lathidad

Sports

Cricket is popular in Botad, and during the 1970s and 1980s the town hosted cricket tournaments with teams from Jasdan, Lathi and Bhavanagar. There are sports facilities in Botad is samras academy for cricket and botad district. Popular children's games include ''moy-dandiya'', marbles and ''kabaddi''.

Education

Botad has a comprehensive education system that includes both public and private institutions. The public-school system is administered by the state government. Gujarati is the medium of instruction in both public and the majority of private schools. Some primary schools also provide English language instruction.

Botad High School was the first high school created after India's independence.

The city has several colleges.
* Kavi Shri Damodardas Botadkar College was created in the mid-1960s.
* The Mahila (Women's) College opened in 1995. Both schools provide courses in languages, economics, accounting, business administration, and commerce.
* The Shree Santram Education Trust comprises Shree K. Rajyaguruji Prathmik Shala (primary school) and Madhyamik Shala (secondary school).
* The Shree Samanvay Trust provides MBA and B.Pharma degrees.
* The Takshashila Educational and Charitable Trust provides B.Ed. degrees.
* Shri JM Sabva Institute of Engineering and Technology (JMSIET) offers technical education and was formed in 2011. It is managed by the Shri Aradhana Educational & Charitable Trust.

Transport

Botad is well connected to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Surendranagar by rail and road.

Rail Transport

Botad Railway Station: The city has its own railway station, Botad Junction railway station, which is a part of the Western Railway zone. It connects Botad to various important cities in Gujarat and other states. Trains from Botad run to destinations like Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot.
Major Stations Nearby: For more extensive rail services, nearby railway stations such as Bhavnagar Terminus railway station and Ahmedabad Junction railway station can be accessed.

Air Transport

Nearest Airport: The nearest airport to Botad is the Bhavnagar Airport, located approximately 55 kilometers away. It has domestic flights connecting to major cities like Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad Airport: For international flights, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad is the main airport, around 130 kilometers from Botad.

Road Transport

National and State Highways: Botad is connected to major national and state highways, facilitating easy travel to cities like Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, and Surat. The NH 8E runs through the region, offering good connectivity.

Buses: The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) operates regular bus services from Botad to various cities across Gujarat. Private buses also serve the area, providing additional options for intercity travel.

Local Transport: Within the city, auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, and local taxis are available for short-distance travel.

Notable people

* Jhaverchand Meghani, Gujarati writer and freedom fighter whom Mahatma Gandhi gave the title of Raashtreeya Shaayar (National Poet)
* Mohammad Mankad, poet, writer, social reformer and freedom fighter
* Damodar Botadkar, famous poet of the 20th century

Notes and references

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain:

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Cities and towns in Botad district