Bhavnagar, on the southern side of the vast Gujarat state, has a vast coastline and districts of Ahemedabad, Rajkot and Surendranagar surrounding it.
Probably the most recent princely states of India, Bhavnagar was established by Bhavsinhji Gohil to escape the wrath of Maratha invaders. He shifted his capital from Sihor to Bhavnagar in the 18th century, with the twin objectives of taking advantage of the sea as a defensive measure and to secure the advantages of maritime trade. The selected a site near the coast came to be known after his own name as Bhavnagar.
Bhavnagar is a natural port. The problems of siltation during the low tide has been solved by making a lock gate, which enable big ships to float during the low tide.
The great patriot Mahatma Gandhi's attendance in the college here has given this town a special mention in his biography.
