Description

The development of Gujarati journalism after 1850 is marked by the starting of a number of papers, many of which closed down after a few years of existence. The Kathiawar Times was first established in 1888 by Diwan A. T. Wazirani in Rajkot. Published both in Gujarati and English, the Kathiawar Times was a leading regional gazette in the Kathiawar princely state of Gujarat. It covered the important news bytes from neighbouring regions which are the present-day Rajasthan, Sindh, Maharashtra etc, providing an exhaustive analysis of developments of importance.

Kathiawar was one of the most influential provinces in the then India. Owing to the fertile Saurashtra and easily accessible ports along the Gulf of Cambay, it became a desired route of trade with India. After the Punjab province, Kathiawar has been the most frequented route for entering India. Greeks, Scythians, Mahomedans and Rajputs have all either passed through this illustrious region, or made it their abode.

Most Rajput clans in India trace their origin back to Kathiawar in some way or the other, including iconic warriors like Bappa Rawal. Despite an advantageous location and illustrious past, the chronicles of Kathiawar are largely restricted to academic endeavours. The Kathiawar Times offers a glimpse into the interesting circumstances of the province.