Navsari is the ninth biggest city in the state of Gujarat in India. It is the administrative headquarters of Navsari District. Navsari is situated between Surat & Mumbai. Navsari is a twin city of Surat. It is located 37 km south of Surat. As per 2011 Census of India, Navsari is 16th biggest city of Gujarat state. It ranked 10th most populous city of Gujarat in 1991 Census of India and 2001 Census of India. Navsari is the 25th cleanest city of India according to the Swachh Bharat Urban mission.[2] Dandi village near Navsari was the focal point of the great Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi during civil disobedience movement of India.
Navsari was originally known as "Navasarika", and was the capital of a vishya (an administrative unit) in the Lata region.[3][4] It is identified with "Nusaripa", a city mentioned in Ptolemy's 2nd century Greek-language work Geography.[5]
According to the Parsi tradition, in 1142 A.D., when they first came to Navsari, the city was named Nag Mandal. The Parsis found the city's atmosphere similar to that of the Sari region of Iran. In the Persian language, "now" means new, and "Sari" refers to the region in Iran, hence the name Naoo Sari. Two families of ParsiZoroastrian priests settled in Navsari in the early 13th century, and the town soon emerged as the main center of the Parsi priesthood and religious authority. As the Parsi community grew at other places in India, the priests from Navsari were sought by the new Parsi settlements throughout the country. It is the home of the Bhagarsath Atash Behram established in 1765 A.D., which is now a World Heritage Site. Surat replaced Navsari as the principal settlement of the Parsi community in the 18th century, following its rise as a major trade center for the European factories, and the Maratha incursions into Surat; Surat itself lost this position to Bombay in the later years.[7]
Geography
Navsari is located at 20°57′N72°56′E / 20.95°N 72.93°E / 20.95; 72.93. It has an average elevation of 9 metres or 30 feet above sea level. The city is located in southern Gujarat and is situated near the Purna River, within a few kilometers of the river's delta, which is west of the city and empties into the Gulf of Khambhat. The weather in Navsari is sunny from October to May, and rainy from June to September. The average maximum and minimum temperatures are 42 °C (107.6 °F) and 17 °C (62.6 °F) respectively. The average annual rainfall is 122 cm (48 in).
Demographics
The city's first settlers were the Chalukyas, followed by the Rashtrakutas, and subsequent settlements by the Parsis.
According to the 2011 census,[1][8] Navsari had a population of 171,109. Males constituted 52% of the population and females 48%. Navsari had an average literacy rate of 88%, higher than the national average of 74%: male literacy was 92%, and female literacy was 84%. 10% of the population was under 6 years of age.
Gujarati is the main language spoken in Navsari. The other languages spoken are Hindi & English.
Landmarks
The Sayaji Vaibhav Public Library Navsari is an important public building in Navsari.
The Meherjirana library.
This is one of the oldest libraries in the South Gujarat Region. It was established by the first Dastur (Parsi/Zoroastrian priest) Meherji Rana, who was also born in Navsari. He was invited by Akbar in a religious program organized by the Great Akbar. Leaders of all religious groups participated in it. Akbar asked to start a conversation and eventually asked to give information about their religion. All the religious leaders gave information about their religions and gradually tried to show their religions as great except Dastur Meherjirana. Afterward, the leaders asked Akbar his opinion as to whose religion is great. Akbar was really impressed by Dastur Meherjirana, so he asked him. Meherjirana Dastur calmly replied, "All religions are equal in terms of strength and ideology and principle". Akbar was extremely impressed by his personality. He donated a piece of land to Dastur Meherjirana in Navsari, where today The Meherjirana Library stands. Akbar wrote on a scroll about the donation of land which is still preserved by the management of the library.
The Dandi seashore is an important location from the point of view of India's Independence Movement. In 1930 Mahatma Gandhi started the "Dandi March" from Sabarmati Ashram up to the Dandi seashore to protest against a tax on salt by the colonial government.
Ajmalgadh
Though it is surrounded by high hills, this is a historical place. Zoroastrians/Parsis roamed in the forest and cave of Ajmalgadh to save and protect their sacred fire-cauldron for nearly 250–350 years. Recently, the local administration constructed a pillar on the hill of Ajmalgadh describing the story. They also closed the cave which was used to protect the holy fire.
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