Jamnagar is a city located on the western coast of India in the state of Gujarat in Saurashtra region. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jamnagar District. Jamnagar is the largest city on the westernmost side of India and is the fifth largest city of Gujarat state.
The modern look of the city was initially given by H.H. Jam Ranjitsinhji. He was instrumental in building the modern infrastructure of the city during his reign in the 1920s. Thereafter, the city was substantially developed by Jam Saheb Shri Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji in the 1940s, when it was part of the Princely state of Nawanagar. The city lies just to the south of the Gulf of Kutch, some 337 kilometres (209 miles) west of the state capital, Gandhinagar.
India’s largest private company, Reliance Industries, has established the world’s largest Oil Refining and Petrochemicals Complex near the village of Moti Khavdi in Jamnagar district. The Nayara Energy refinery which is the second largest private refinery in India is located in the nearby town of Vadinar.
At the time of the 2011 Indian census, Jamnagar had a population of 479,920, and its urban agglomeration 600,943. Jamnagar has an average literacy rate of 82.14%, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 86.90%, and female literacy is 77.05%. The urban development authority of Jamnagar is Jamnagar Area Development Authority (JADA).
It is known as ‘Brass City’, since it houses more than 5,000 large-scale and 10,000 small-scale workshops manufacturing brass items in and around the industrial estates of Shankar Tekari, GIDC Phase-III, M P Shah Udhyognagar and Dared GIDC-II Industrial estate. Brass parts and extruded rods produced here are used in a number of products. Parts are exported to many countries. Jamnagar has the largest production of brass items in the country. Jamnagar is known as ‘World’s Oil City’ because the world’s biggest oil refineries, belonging to Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy, are here.
The city has an all-weather intermediate seaport, Bedi Port, seven kilometres away, through which various merchandise is imported and exported. The major commodities exported from this port are bauxite, soya meal extracts, and ground nut extracts, while the imports include coal, fertiliser and other items. The port has a draft of 7 metres so cargo vessels are anchored mid sea and then barges transport the cargo to the port. Vessels with up to 180,000 MT can be handled at the Bedi port.
Jamnagar is known for its Bandhani clothes. Approximately 10% of Jamnagar derives its income from this industry; this clothing is traditional in Jamnagar, and it is exported outside of India. Jamnagar is well known for its red Bandhani. Dyeing process of Bandhani is carried out extensively in this city, as the water of this area is known to give a particular brightness to colors, specifically reds and maroons.
Daily local as well as national newspapers are available in Jamnagar in multiple languages such as The Times of India, Economic Times, Indian Express, and Business Standard. Local newspapers include Nobat, Bhoomi, Khabar Gujarat, Aajkaal, etc. All India Radio Airs at 100.1 MHz,Top FM at 91.9 MHz and Radio Mirchi at 95 MHz. Various cable operators like GTPL are available along with DTH services from Tata Sky, Airtel, DishTV, Videocon D2H. Broadband services are provided by GTPL and BSNL. All mobile operators are available in Jamnagar.