Wadhwan

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Wadhwan | type = city | latd = | longd =
state_name = Gujarat
district = Surendranagar
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population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 61,739| population_density =
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area_telephone =
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Wadhwan is a city and a municipality in Surendranagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Wadhwan had a population of 61,739. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Wadhwan has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 63%. In Wadhwan, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Geography

It is located close to the dry riverbed of the River Bhogavo.

History

It was also the centre of an Indian Princely state of the same name. It was formerly known as Wardhmanpuri. It was ruled by the Jhala Rajputs, who also ruled neighboring princely states of Dhrangadhra, Limdi, Lakhtar, Wankaner, Sayla and Chuda.

A mythological woman named Ranak Devi is reputed to have cursed the river to never have water even when it rained. She was a Sati, and so it is believed that there is no water because of the curse.Fact|date=February 2007

There is a "vave" (a structure / pit in the ground with steps leading to underground water) that is believed to take away newlyweds and so elders advise new generations to keep their distance from it.Fact|date=February 2007

There is a high wall around most of the old town but now the town has grown and it extends beyond the older wall.

There is a large community of Khatris [a community of people involved in coloring clothes] in the city these days. The business of bandhani [a type of colouring and designing clothes] is one of the major businesses in the city.

There are a number of educational institutions being established in the city.

References