Dahod,on the banks of river Dudhimati, is a towncity with a municipality in Dahod District within the State of Gujarat, India. The city serves as District Headquarters for Dahod District. It is approx. 200 km away from Ahmedabad and 150 km away from Vadodara. It is also known as "Dohad", which means "two boundaries"; called so as the States of Rajasthan (region of Wagad) and Madhya Pradesh (region of Malwa) borders the town.
Dahod
Dahod | |
|---|---|
city | |
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| Population (2001) | |
• Total | 79,185 |
The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, was born in the fort of Dahod in 1618, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jehangir as his son and future Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan was the "Subedar (Governor) of Gujarat". Emperor Aurangzeb was quoted to have ordered his ministers to show favors to this town, as it was his birthplace. Tatya Tope, the freedom fighter, is known to have absconded towards Dahod during the freedom fighting movement. He is believed to have lived his last days in this region.
It was previously within the boundaries of the Panchmahal District, but is now a separate district. The far flung area of Godi Road, Godhra Road has been considerably developed, making the overall habitation and commercial area very expansive. Quite recently the foundation stone for a Dental College has been laid by the trust of the philanthropist Girdharlal Sheth, known as the Dahod Anaj Mahajan. Dahod is a model town in Gujarat.
Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census,[1] Dahod had a population of 16,36,433. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Dahod has an average literacy rate of 45.65%, lower than the national average of 59.5%:Dahod town also has many educational institutions like Government Engineering College,Government polytechnic, Biggest Non commercial institute Anaj Mahajan Sarvajanic Education Society which is running 22 schools colleges namely St. Stephen's Higher Secondary School, Navjivan Science and Commerce College, Chhotalal Jadhavji Nutan Prathmik Shala, M.Y. High School, R.L. Pandya High School, Little Flowers School, Navjivan Girls high school, Jamali English School. There is Loco Motive workshop run by the central government. Federation of Dahod Industries is working for development of industries in this tribal area for more sources of livelihood for the adivasis.
Another NGO of Dahod Prakruti Mitra Mandal is also working for the cure of nature since last 25 years. Since its establishment by Mr Ajay Desai in 1984, it is working for the protection of natural resources in Dahod and the area around Dahod. Prakruti Mitra Mandal of Dahod is also organising educational tour for children every year in vacations. So, that they could get education of nature. To make them more helpful, self-dependent, and to make them do their work on their on. Sadguru Foundation a NGO is also part of the soul of Dahod. It has got Dahod on maps. The institute is world famous and yearly numerous students come for training. Sachin Desai's Gujarati book dahod.com is very popular in every dahodians. Sachin Desai write also weekly column Dokiyu on dahod in voice of dahod.
Economy
Dahod is an economic center in the area and for its vicinity. The Dahod Market Yard is one of the biggest commodity markets of Gujarat, due to this many agro based industries have come up in Dahod; there are many Dal Mills, Atta mills and Makka Poha mfg units. The main economic activities of Dahod is based on agricultural products.
Neighbouring towns like Jhalod, Sanjeli, Devgadh-Baria get their supply from Dahod. Dahod has been expanding rapidly by its economic growth. Dahod also has more than half of its area under Indian Railways, which is one of the largest railway township in India. Many people of Dahod are employed in railway loco workshop. Dahod is economically fit for different types of labour intensive industries. In Dahod summer season is extremely hot and there is water scarcity. There two main temples one in Desaiwada which is nearly 100 years old and one in Gujaratiwad. Nowadays Dahod is experiencing a change in its lifestyle.
Culture
Kachori is the main namkeen of the city, nearly 35000 nos. per day are consumed by the people. Dahod is also a medical hub for the surrounding areas of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. During recent years real estate in Dahod has gone very high. Few places in Dahod has land rates even higher than Ahmedabad.
Town has the tallest landmark "Najmi Mazjid" inaugurated in 2002 by Dr.Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb (T.U.S), which is one of the largest Mosques among the Dawoodi Bohra Community. Dahod is also famous for the railway; there is a large railway work shop in Dahod.
How to reach
Dahod is well connected by railways to Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Ratlam, Kanpur, Amritsar etc. The important trains passing through are :
- Mumbai-Amritsar (via N.Delhi) Golden Temple Mail
- Mumbai-Amritsar (via N.Delhi) Paschim Express
- Mumbai-Jaipur Superfast Express
- Dahod Habibgunj (Bhopal) Express
- Veraval Jabalpur Express
- Shanti Express (Indore - Ahmedabad)
- Avantika Express
- Mumbai-Gorakhpur (via Kanpur,Lucknow) Avadh Express
It is also very well connected by road and is situated on the arterial road connecting Ahemadabad and Vadodra to Indore.