Rajkot
is situated in the middle of the peninsular region of Gujarat at latitude 20.18
N and longitude 70.51 E. It has an area of 104.86 sq. kms. The estimated
population is around One Million. The city does not have a long history. It was
founded by the then ruler of Sardhar 1608 A. D. on the west bank of the river
Aji as a small-fortified town. Until the formation of Saurashtra State it was
the capital of the small kingdom of the Jadejas. From 1948 till the merger with
the bilingual Bombay state it remained the capital of Saurashtra.
The
state of Saurashtra was merged in the state of Gujarat and hence Rajkot lost the
status of being the capital of a state. However, it is still the largest city in
the Saurashtra region and is very important from the point of view of business,
trade, commerce, industries, communication and education. The city has an
airport and is very well connected by road and rail with all major cities of the
country.
