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AN ANCIENT SHIP-BUILDING CENTRE
Mandvi, or the Mart, also called Maska, Mandvi from a village close by,
and in old times known as Raipur or Riyan, lies on the right bank of the
Rukmavati river about one kilometre from the sea, and 60 kms south-east of
Bhuj.
Along the coast the land is constantly changing, the wind raising the
loose sands into shifting dunes, and the sea in one place cutting out the
land in pools and lagoons, and in another throwing it back in sand banks.
Inland
the country is low - lying and bare with waving sand-hills, and close to
the town are large stretches of rich green fields well tilled and watered.
Mandvi is surrounded by a well-constructed wall now in a dilapidated
condition, about 26 feet high and 3 to 4 feet broad. It is strengthened by
25 bastions, the largest of them at the south-west serving as a
light-house. Inside the walls, the streets are narrow and zigzag.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Vijay Vilas:
A new palace, called Vijay Vilas, was built at west of the Mandvi town by
Rao Vijayrajji (1942-48). The British Political Agent posted to Bhuj had a
summer bungalow at Mandvi, escaping to the sea from
Bhuj's shifting summer heat.
Mandvi Port: Mandvi was also famous as an important centre of
ship-building in the past. In 1780 AD, a ship built at Mandvi had sailed
upto England. The Vadhas of Mandvi, are still clever in the art of ship
building.
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