Nadiad - History of Establishment

History of Establishment

The city of Nadiad is said to have been settled by rope dancers, hence the historical name of "Natapadra" (outskirts of/for natas) or "Natpur" (city for natas). It is also referred to as 'Nandgam'. The city has nine routes, and on each route there is a step well. The city is also well known for the number 9: there are 9 villages or towns located to all the 9 roads that exit from Nadiad; 9 step wells around the city; and 9 lakes in the city. Nadiad was also known as 'Shakshar Bhumi' - The land of educated.

Nadiad is home to many famous poets and authors such as Jhaverchand Meghani, Ambalal Purani, and Mahadevbhai Desai. The city was formerly ruled by Muslims, and later on by the Gayakwad of Baroda. Malhar Rao Gayakwad built the first Hindu temple called Narayan Dev Mandir located in the center of the city.

Vikram Samvat 1213, about 1156AD, the first Patidar named Jesti Patel, the forefather of Patidars of Kakarkhad, Alhadvago, Ratanji Hirji and Lakhawad. Kheta Patel who came to Nadiad in Samvat 1516. History of the Patidars is the witness of how some of the Patidars becomes Desai. A place in Nadiad has been known as "Desaivago" (Where Desais live in). The Patidar of Samdi Chakla are from Lakhawad pati. The resident of Manordas ni Khadki are the heirs of Kakarkhad. The Patidars of Desaivago were the descendants of Kheta Patel. Vaghjibhai Samaldas Desai constructed a pond named Kheta Talav in 1798. In 1800, he was honored by Gaekwad and given the title "Desai". Haridas Viharidas Desai and Bechardas Viharidas Desai were the Diwans of Junagadh. They lived at Nadiad ni haveli which has 249 rooms and was constructed in 1783. They are distinguished as Bhao Shaeb (respected brother in Maharastra). Dharamsinh Desai was a member of the Indian Parliament and a well-known industrialist. He established many heavy and light industries and was a major contributor to the Dharamsinh Desai University in Nadiad. Dr. Narendra Dharmsinh Desai followed in his father's footsteps and established an electronic industry as well as the Dharamsinh Agricultural and Industrial Research Foundation.

The eminent Desai from the Bapuji Desai's khadki were Tulsidas, his son Vithalbhai, grandsons Dr. Virendra. Tulsidas Desai was the first barrister in the Kheda district. Vithalbhai was the Subordinate Civil Judge. Dr. Virendra Desai established the Muljibhai Urological Hospital and the Research Institute of Kidney Diseases, for which Jayrambhai Muljibhai Patel (Chairman of Rohit Paper and Pulp Millis) of Kakarkhad donated generously. Maganbhai Prabhudas was the Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University. C. C. Desai and his brother, Manubhai Desai, form Sojitrani Khadki were I.C.S. C.C. Desai was the co-student of Subhash Chandra Bose and also the administrative officer during the British regime and Independent India. He was elected as M.P. from Banas Kantha. Manubhai Desai was the Judge of the Supreme Court of India. Govindbhai Desai from Bhavandias Khadki was the Deputy. Prime Minister in Baroda State. Motibhai Purshottamdas Desai from the Ramdasni Khadki was a prominent timber merchant in north Gujarat towns of Kalol, Kadi, Dhansura, Talod, and Dehgam. His elder brother Maganbhai Desai was the first engineer from the entire Desai Vago who worked in distance land of Lahore before the partition.

The eminent Patidars from Kakarkhad were two brothers: Jayantibhai and Manubhai. I.V. Patel and the two brothers donated generously to the Nadiad Education Society to build the Commerce and Arts Colleges, receptively. Babubhai Jashbhai Patel was elected as M.L.A. at the age of 26 and was the Chief Minister of Gujarat State from the period 1977-1980.

Ratilal Kushaldas Patel of Lakhawad was the first Patel to be the President of the Board of Control of Cricket (CCI) in India and was also a member of the MCC in England. Being warriors as well as politically active, the Patidars of Samadi Chakla, contributed greatly to the independence Movement and for the Movement of Maha Gujarat. The warriors blocked the military train, destroyed the railroad tracks, and saved the city of Ahmedabad by opposing in rolet Act of the British Government.

The Patidars were apprehended and prosecuted in court. The case was named the "Patta Case". Maganbhai was dubbed as "Raja" by the people of Nadiad for his leading role when all were acquitted in the "Patta Case". A famous Gurbo called Mujro, was written and sung at the famous Ambaji Temple. The Gurbo describes the Patta Case and is still sung during Navaratri Festival by Maravadis of Nadiad.

Ravjibhai Ishwerbhai Patel's only son, Shaheed Arvind, was the first warrior to sacrifice his life in the Maha Gujarat Movement. Today, Patel Madan is still considered to be the hub of political activities in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Ramanbhai G. Patel, of Samadi Chakla was the first principle of the College of Physical Education in Rajpipla, Gujarat. C.J. Patel of the Por, well known tobacco Merchant, donated to the Nadiad Education Society to build the J&J Science College of Nadiad. Goverdhanram Madhav Rao Tripathi of Nadiad, was an author of the great Gujarti novel, Saravathichandra. Santram Mandir was constructed one hundred and fifty years ago and Mai Mandir was constructed sixty five years ago. These temples contributed to the social, educational, and religious need of the people of Nadiad and other villages of the Kheda district. Vithal Kanya Vidyalay, in memory of Veer Vitalbhai, educated women to become social and political leaders. Hindu Anath Ashram (Orphanage) of Nadiad is renowned for its services to the orphans.

It is said that during the reign of Ramalhad, Nadiad was ruled by seven patis. Around Salun Boarder and mosque was the ‘jagir’ (property) of Jerambhai Bechardas, was the area of Sidibaxi. Ramaldhad’s ‘pati’ located in Alhadvaga. These ‘patis’ suggest that the people living in these areas are ‘Patidars’ who are the main agricultural landlords of Kheda district. The government revenue department has based its revenue system on thiese. The following are the seven ‘patis’: alad pati.kakarkhad pati, chaklashi pati ‘ lakhavaad pati, hirjee pati ‘ ratanjee pati and killedari pati

Besides Patidar, other communities such as Brahmins, Vaniks, and Muslims also contributed in the development of Nadiad. Patel's from Mota-pore, Vachewad and Nana-pore,Sunni Vohras of Muslims community from Vhorwad & Society areas, are now among the new generation who are contributing towards the development of Nadiad. Nadiad was mainly established by Nagars, the eminent caste in Gujarat and not by patidars as everybody knows that Nadiad is known as "shakshar bhumi" not only because of Nagars but because there are 9 shakshars (highly knowledgeable and highly qualified) and all of them are Nagars; they are highly respectable not only in Nadiad but in whole world. Poets like Govardhanram Tripathi and Mast Kavi are Nagars.

Nadiad "Bhausaheb Ni Haveli" has 249 rooms in the house, which is less by just 91 rooms than the "Rashtrapati Bhavan" in New Delhi; this prestigious haveli belonged to Bhausaheb during the pre-independence era where Swami Vivekanand has stayed and Mahatma Gandhi has stayed for a night during the "Satyagrah".

The town has made important contributions in the field of freedom struggle, pioneering journalism, educational activities and jurisprudence. Ravjibhai Patel of Azad pole, Mohanlal Shah and Champaklal Shah of Manordas ni Khadki were the freedom fighters. To support the armed struggle against the British, Mr. Ravji Patel participated in robbery of Post office, he buried his gun used in the robbery in the Bhani Kui of his farm land. The Patels of Manordas Ni Khadki was the most educated community in those days. The small members were engineer, doctors, translators of Indian scriptures. Shankarlal Galabhai was the last Mukhi who ran the Kakarkhad pati from office opposite to Manordas ni Khaki and was not appreciated by the majority members of Kakakhad! Mr. Chunibhai Patel was the one who designed the drainage and water system of Nadiad.

Mahatma Gandhi had started his first ‘satyagraha’ movement upon his return from South Africa at nowhere else but in the district of Kheda and had resided in the alms-house of Nadiad.