The Jhala Rajput clan ruled Wankaner, th e capital of the
former princely state of wankaner, till indian independence
in 1947 AD. It was one of the four princely states of Jhalawad,
other three being Wadhvan, Limbdi and Dhangadhra.
Sartanji founded the princely state of Wankaner in 1605
AD and the town was fortified in the late 18th century for
protection against the bandits and neighbouring enemies.
King Amarsinhji, a noble ruler, who made Wankaner a rich
city-state, ruled Wankaner up till 1947 AD.
Under the patronage of Amarsinhji, 5 palaces and many bungalows
were built and named after the rulers of the princely states
of Kachchh, Rajkot, Mayurbhanj and Jamnagar.
Wankaner was among the first few royal families of India
to convert their palaces into Heritage Hotels, which have
guestrooms, maintained in the original royal style.
Prime Attractions
Ranjit Vilas Palace: Amarsinhji built the Ranjit Vilas
Palace on a hill, overlooking Wankaner town. It took seven
years to complete and was designed by Amarsinhji himself.
It was inaugurated by and named after his dear friend Jam
Ranjitsinjhi of Jamnagar.
The ground of the palace extends to two hundred and twenty
five acres. The state guesthouse, Chandra Bhavan is also
located in the same campus in the vicinity of the Ranjit
Vilas Palace.
Step Well: Wankaner also has a step well, the last one
to be built in Gujarat. In the Royal Oasis complex, the
3-storeyed step well, has 2 underground floors with cool
subterranean marble rooms, fine sculptures and a fountain.
Excursions
Morbi: 27 kms. Among the places
worth seeing in Morbi has Green Chowk, Darbargadh, Art Deco
palace, Wellingdon Secretariat, railway station, Nehru Gate
and Lakhdhirjee Engineering College.
Halvad: (75 kms) Halvad is famous
for Ek-Dandia Mahal, Wooden Palace, cenotaphs of warriors,
step wells and the Shiva temples.
How to Get There
Air:
Nearest airport in Rajkot (53 km), Ahmedabad (220 km).
Rail:
Wankaner city is on Ahmedabad-Rajkot railway line.
Road:
It is connected to nearby cities by road.
