Modasa

Modasa
मोडासा
મોડાસા
city
Modasa
Modasa

Location in Gujarat, India

Coordinates: 23°28′N 73°18′E / 23.47°N 73.3°E / 23.47; 73.3Coordinates: 23°28′N 73°18′E / 23.47°N 73.3°E / 23.47; 73.3
Country  India
State Gujarat
District Aravalli
Area
 • Total 13.47 km2 (5.20 sq mi)
Elevation 197 m (646 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 67,648
 • Density 5,022.1/km2 (13,007/sq mi)
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 383315
Telephone code 091-2774-
Vehicle registration GJ-31
Sex ratio 923 female per 1000 male ♂/♀
Website gujarat.gov.in

Modasa is a city and a municipality in Aravalli district in the Indian state of Gujarat.

Modasa became headquarters of new Aravalli district, carved out from tribal-dominated areas of Sabarkantha. The new district was declared on January 26, 2013 and formed on August 15, 2013.[2][3]

It is an economic centre for agricultural exports, at both the provincial and national levels. As a centre for the surrounding villages, Modasa acts as a transportation hub for both residents and tourists, and has two large hospitals. The city also provides a nucleus of doctors for the people of northern Gujarat and some migrants of southern Rajasthan.

Modasa is emerging as an education centre for the area, with new pharmacy and engineering colleges and CBSE school supplementing the more traditional educational faculties. The city now has colleges of law, science, education, arts, commerce, and pharmacy, as well as business administration to MBA BBA and BCA levels. Study courses run by the Government Engineering college include mechanical, computer, electronics and communication, civil engineering, electrical, and automotive engineering.Modasa is Popular City In Gujarat.

History

The history of Modasa dates back thousands of years. It is believed that region around Modasa has been populated since the days of Indus valley civilization. Many architectural items, coins, religious artifacts, brick etc. are found at excavation sites around Modasa. These findings are evidence of the prominent role Modasa played during various periods of Indian history. Modasa has been place of significance in the times of Mauryas, Shatvahns, Kshtraps Guptas, Maritrakas, Rastrakutas etc. It is believed that Modasa is refereed as Maulayashah tirth in Skand puran. Also a more-than-2000-year-old stone has been found that refers to place as Mandasan. It is also claimed that in past Modasa was called Modhak vas or Mohadakvas. Though it is not clear where this name came from.

Modasa has been referred to in many religious stories from past. Temples of many diverse faith and religion are found throughout the town. Among Hindus, Jains and Shiva worshipers dominated town for many years. Pusti marg was introduced only about 300 years ago. Those interested in studying details on temples in Modasa may refer to Modasa in Print. Modasa is also famous for Hajrat Makhdum shah lahori" رحمة الله عليه " a Sufi saint who spread Islam in modasa, even converting Parmar king of that time Raja Maandata.

In medieval times Modasa used to be the rest point for travellers going to Surat port for Mecca from northern Indian places like Delhi, etc.

The architectural sites around Modasa indicate that once there was a kote (wall) around the town. Also there are indications that the kote has been destroyed many times. Though details are limited it is believed that town was sacked in past by armies from Muslims subas of Gujarat as well as Marathas.

It was an important frontier fortified post during Gujarat Sultanate (1415) under Sultan Ahmed Shah I. At the close of the sixteenth century it was the chief place in a tract of 162 villages, yielding a yearly revenue of £80,000 (Rs. 8,00,000). Under the Mughals, Shahab-ud-din, the 3rd Viceroy (1577-1583), repaired the fort at Modasa, and stationing a party of cavalry there completely settled the country. During the eighteenth century Modasa greatly declined, and when (1818) it came under British management, the town was most backward. Quickly recovering, it had in 1825 a numerous and respectable body of traders with an estimated capital of £90,000 (Rs. 9,00,000).[4]

During British rule though most of the area around Modasa was under state of Idar, Modasa was under direct control of British government in India. This might have brought some stability in the late 19th century. During the days of independent struggle, led by Mahatama Gandhi, Modasa participated very actively. Starting from 1930’s Modasa was vibrant place for the non-violent styagrah movement.

There was a british passenger ship named after Modasa. The "S.S Modasa" was one of a class of six near-sister ships owned by British-India Steam Navigation Co. Built by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson.[5]

Modasa RTO code is GJ-31 instead of GJ-33

Geography

Modasa is located at 23°28′N 73°18′E / 23.47°N 73.3°E / 23.47; 73.3. It has an average elevation of 197 metres (646 feet).[6] Most of the water for Modasa comes from the Mazum river, on which, about 5 kilometers from Modasa, a dam is situated.

About Modasa College Campus

After independence the leader of Modasa decided to take the opportunity to provide higher education to the needy of this area and establish a public charitable trust which is registered the Act. The purpose of this trust is to establish and run an institution for higher education catering to the needs of this area and bring them into the mainstream. The trust is aptly named after a well known revolutionary, freedom fighter, social worker and educationist "Shri Mathuradas Laljidas Gandhi". The M. L. Gandhi Higher Education Society started Arts and Science College first with the donation of generous donors like Sir Purushottamdas Thakordas and Shir Somalal kasturdas Shah and the partners of Shir krishan Oil Mill. So, the college was named after them. Thus the first college was called Shir S.K.Shah & Shri Krishan O.M.Arts College and Sir P.T.Science College in 1960. In a short time this college started throbbing with vitality under the academic leadership of its first principal Dr.Dhirubhai Thakar, who, after his retirement is busy making an encyclopedia in Gujarat named Gujarati Vishwakosh, a most prestigious work. The first president of this education society was the late shri Raichanddas Katudas Shah.

Institutes By Modasa College Campus
  1. Sir P T Science College
  2. Shri S K Shah And O.m arts college
  3. Shri H S Shah College Of Commerce
  4. B D Shah College Of Education
  5. Shri N S Patel law College
  6. Shri B M Shah College Of Pharmacy
  7. Shrimati M L G Bhalavat Pharmacy P G Centre
  8. P T C college
  9. Shrimati K A Modi M S W College
  10. Shri B H Gandhi BBA College
  11. Matrushri L J Gandhi BCA College
  12. Dr. N J Shah PGDCA College
  13. Shri K H Patel M.ed Institute
  14. Shri J B Shah English Medium School{Primary To Higher Secondary}
  15. Shri M J Mehta IGNOU Study Centre
  16. BAOU Study Centre
  17. A R Sura Museum
  18. PCSS Career Development Academy

Other institutes include Makhdum Education society, Chanakya Vishwavidyala, New leap, Karimi Education society, etc. which run different schools from primary education to higher education

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Modasa had a population of 90,000. Males constitute 51% of the male population and females 49%. Modasa has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, with female literacy at 67%. In Modasa, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Notable residents

References

  1. ↑ "Census of India Search details". censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  2. ↑ "Modi's poll knife carves out Aravali". The Times of India. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  3. ↑ "Seven new districts to be formed in Gujarat". Daily Bhaskar. Ahmedabad. DNA. January 24, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  4. ↑ Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ahmedabad (Public Domain text). Government Central Press. 1879. pp. 345–346.
  5. ↑ "S.S MODASA , A british India passenger ship.". Retrieved 8 Oct 2016.
  6. ↑ "Modasa, India". Falling Rain Genomics. 3 March 2005. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/19/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.