As a Halar

At the time of Mohamed Gazni's invasion of Gujarat in 1024 A.D., the costal belt was ruled by the Jethwas near Khambhalia and Okhamandal. In about 1480 .A.D., Sultan Mohamed Begdo had conquered this region. After conquest by Humayun of Gujarat , the Jams of Navanagar established the kingdom which came to be known as 'Halar' . The Jams claim to be descendant from Yadavs. They belong to the Jadeja Rajput race which originated from the Sammas who ruled at Nagar-Thatha in Sind and migrated to Kachchh. Jam Raval was the founder of Jamnagar and he was a descendant of Jam Hala and hence the area had been called as 'Halar'.

After Independence

Jam Shree Digvijaysinghji was the first Raj Pramukh of the former Saurashtra State formed after independence. Jam Shree Digvijaysinghji took a very active part in the integration of princely States of Saurashtra and helped Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in his difficult task of integration of Political States. The first Chief Minister of Saurashtra and once Congress President Shri U.N. Dhebar also hailed from Khambhalia town of his district.

The district of Jamnagar was first formed after independence in the year 1949 out of the territories of the former states of Navanagar, Dhrol, Dhrafa, Thana and parts of Jalia Devani at the time of merger with the Indian Union, the north-west part of Jamnagar District known as Okhamandal Taluka was formerly a part of Amreli District but was subsequently included in this district in 1959. The district became a part of bigger bilingual State of Bombay of 1st November, 1956 and thereafter became part of Gujarat State on 1 st May, 1960 on the formation of Gujarat State.

Darbargadh

Darbargadh was built as fortified settlement and part of this fortification exists in western periphery. The temple of Ashapura is stated to be of the original times, built by Jam Raval. The temple now is opened up on the main street for public worship.

The oldest description of the city is available in a Sanskrit Poem “Jam Vijay” of A.D. 1582-83 attributed to Veninath. It is described with a town with a lake. The Lake which dates back to 16th century was restructured and renamed Ranmal Lake in A.D.1820 to 1852 by Jam Ranmal II.

Nageshwar Temple

Nageshwar Temple is build in A.D.1614 after the battle of “Bhuchar Mori” during the reign of Jam Sataji. This records of archaeological findings dating back to 19th and 10th century. Which prove the antiquity of this region. Nagnes-Nagnah port was also stated to be in use almost up to early 17th century as per the records available of the times of Jam Jasaji (A.D.1608 to 1614).

Storage & Security

The records also suggest the construction of or renovation of fortifications during various periods from 16th century. But the fragments which are seen suggest that the fort wall and gates date back from 18th century. The structure of Bhujiyo Kotho and Lakhotho in Ranmal Lake date back to A.D. 1839. this structures were built to provide for storage and security a specially Lakhoto, which also served as a recreational place in the Lake.

Cricket

The city of Jamnagar is famous in the field of cricket. It has the unique distinction of being the single hometown of many stalwarts in the field of Cricket. They include Prince Ranji, Prince Dulip, Vinu Mankad, Salim Durani, Prince Indrajitsinhji, Prince Shatrushalyasinh and Ajay Jadeja.