Ancient History

The Solankis built Patan in the 8th century, and the Parmars of Abu built the great city of Chandravati in the early tenth century on the banks of the Banas river.

Establishment of Palanpur

Following the tradition of the times Prahladan named the new city Prahladanpur, after himself, which in contemporary times, became Palanpur.

There is a popular story about Prahladan. It begins when Prahladan contracts leprosy and distraught, searches his kingdom for a cure. He encounters a Jain muni who tells him his leprosy is a punishment for melting down a Panchbutti Jain statue. The only way Prahladan can atone for his sin, and thus be cured, is to build a temple in honour of Lord Parshwanath.

living testimony to Prahladan’s faith in the Jain muni’s advice stands today as the Mota Derasar of Palanpur. Though Prahladan himself never converted to Jainism, Prahladanpur came to be known as a haven for Jains. And in a corner of the Derasar stands a statue of Prahladan, the only surviving image of the founder of the city.

Wave after wave of invaders swept down attracted by the wealth and propserity of the region. In 1572 the Moghul emperor Akbar himself conquered Gujarat, and Palanpur became a part of the Moghul empire. Akbar gave a foster sister in marriage to a Nawab of the Kingdom of Jhalore in Rajasthan, and as a wedding gift gave the Jhalore Nawab the territory of Palanpur. This was the beginning of a remarkable period in the history of Palanpur.

The benevolent rule of the nawabs is remembered with fondness even today. The liberal atmosphere was ideal for a flowering of craft and poetry. Palanpuri attars were famous for their delicate fragrance, and the state became well known for Gujarati ghazals, and poetry.

Local historians credit much of Palanpur’s good fortunes to an astute group of Jain administrators who oversaw the day-to-day running of the state. When the Jhalore Nawabs moved to Palanpur they were accompanied by a group of Jain families. Originally Kshatriya Rajputs from Rajasthan, these families had come under the influence of Jain munis and become ardent followers of Jainism. The Jains found patronage under the Nawabs and their relationship evolved into one of mutual interest, and respect. In Palanpur, the Jains became key advisors to the Nawabs.

 

A stream of young Palanpuris began migrating to Bombay, confident that the pioneers of the community who had come to the city earlier would help them learn the ropes and then to set up their own businesses. But back in Palanpur, the Jain population began to dwindle quickly.

The home town has also changed. Over the years Palanpur has spread beyond the walled city to embrace the prevailing notion of modernity. New migrants from villages and towns around are re-shaping Palanpur but they share none of its history with its older population.

When the Nawab merged Palanpur with the Indian union it was the end of an important era in its history. But the descendants of the Palanpuris of that earlier era, and particularly the Jains, still feel a connection and strong attachment to their home town.