Mahemdavad

Mahemdabad Mahemdabad, Mahmudabad
Town
Mahemdabad Location in Gujarat, India Show map of Gujarat Mahemdabad Mahemdabad (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 22°50′N 72°46′E / 22.83°N 72.77°E / 22.83; 72.77Coordinates: 22°50′N 72°46′E / 22.83°N 72.77°E / 22.83; 72.77
Country	India
State	Gujarat
District	Kheda
Founded by	Mahmud Begada
Elevation	33 m (108 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	30,769
Demonym(s)	Mahemdavadi
Languages
• Official	Gujarati, Hindi
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	387130
Telephone code	02694 or 912694
Vehicle registration	GJ
Nearest city	Nadiad
Website	gujaratindia.com

Mahemdavad is a town with municipality in the Kheda district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Mahemdavad is situated on the Vatrak River bank.

Etymology

Mahemdavad was established by the king Mahmud Begada, the grandson of Ahmed Shah, and it was initially named as Mahmudabad after king Mahmud.

Geography

Mahemdavad is located at 22°50′N 72°46′E / 22.83°N 72.77°E / 22.83; 72.77.^[1] It has an average elevation of 33 metres (108 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[2] Mahemdavad has a population of 30,769. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Mahemdavad has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 63%. In Mahemdavad, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Places of interest

Mahemdabad has some historical places such as the Bhammariyo Kuvo (Kuvo meaning well), Chanda-Suraj No Mehal (Chanda meaning moon, Suraj meaning sun and Mehal meaning palace) as well as Roza Rozi. It is believed that there are some underground secret routes connecting from Bhammariyo Kuvo to Ahemdabad, Pavagadh and Junagadh. The site is currently being restored and developed as a place of cultural heritage. Roza Rozi is a popular picnic spot for the local residents, and during the auspicious events of Eid, a fun fair is set up in there. Chanda-Suraj No Mehal is believed to be built by the emperor as a resting place after he went hunting.

Bhammariyo Kuvo

Bhammariyo Kuvo

This is an ancient well with seven floors (stories) below the ground. Each floor has a different architecture. Currently floors four to seven of the well are filled so visitors are only able to view the top three floors. It was built during the Gujarat Sultanate.^[3]

A popular myth about the well is that Mahmud Begada built a swing in this well with the water level up to his neck, to reduce the heat he continuously felt because of side effects of a daily dose of toxin, which his mother gave him in small amounts to immunize him from any attempts to poison him by enemies.

Education

Educational institutes of Mahemdabad include: Shanti Niketan English School, Seth J. H. Sonawala High School, St. Xavier's High School, Vedanta High School and the local municipal school. A PTC (Primary Teachers' Certificate) college has come up recently in the town. Most of the schools instruct their students in Gujarati.

Economy

The market place is situated at the heart of the town. The market area is marked by the Virol Darwaja (gate). The market remains open on all days except for Saturday. A variety of small scale cottage industries are found in Mahemdabad. The most popular is the leather bag cottage industry. People from surrounding cities come specially to Mahemdabad to buy purses, hand bags and school bags. In addition, the cobbler is also very famous for his ever-lasting shoes. Apart from these, there are a number of cloth merchants, pharmacies, one or two gold merchants, a few utensils merchants et cetera. On the whole trade and commerce are developed to a good extent here.

Surrounding the market area, a number of residential societies have developed. The oldest of these are: Navjeevan-1,2 and Bapukaka society. These are situated right beside the railway station. There is a Shiv temple in Navjeevan-1. During the festival of Navratri, people celebrate and play Garba in the yard of this Shiv temple. New society areas like Ashutosh, Sarvoday Society, Mrudul Park, Shroff Nagar, Jyoti Park etc. have developed on the road opposite to the Viral Darwaja. Radhe Kishan Park Residency is on Mahemdawad Khatraj Crossing Road.

Entertainment is very limited in this town. There are two run-down theatres which screen some local Gujarati movies. One or two cyber-cafes have come up recently.

As well as a municipal hospital, there are private hospitals, the main one being Lucky Hospital just outside of the main market. It was established in 1985 by Dr. Vijay Ajmera and provides very good care for its patients. Dr. Ajmera is very well known and the only MD gynecologist in the taluka of Mahemdavad which includes some 80 surrounding villages.

During the summer season, a number of gola walas (vendors) fill the road between Viral Darwaja and Railway station. People are seen loitering till late nights on these roads and eating golas (gola is made by pressing small ice cubes on a wooden stick and then a flavored liquid like rose, kala khatta etc. is poured on it). In addition, one or two dabeli walas, pav bhaji walas and sugar-cane vendors make good business during the cool summer nights.

Near the railway station, there is a samadhi of Eknathji – a local saint.

Geography

It is located at 22°49′0″N 72°46′0″E / 22.81667°N 72.76667°E / 22.81667; 72.76667.^[5] In the '90s Mahemdabad was famous for its "Dhebri", a delicious crunchy item at Mahemdabad Station.

Transport

References

External links

• About Mahemdabad