Under the aegis of the state government of Gujarat, plenty of historical attractions are now possible to be seen by choosing to go for the Gandhi tourism circuit. As the name suggests, most of the places associated with this particular trip are related to the life and independence struggle of Gandhiji. Hence, one can find a number of ashrams established by him, various educational institutions of historical importance, memorable replicas and statues dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. During these trips under Gandhi Tourism Circuit, tourists can also view a number of cities in Gujarat as the mahatma had visited, stayed and resided in several of these.

Bhavnagar city has an important significance in the life of Mahatma Gandhi as he opted to study in Samaldas Arts College in Bhavnagar. Finishing his school in Rajkot, Gandhi came to Bhavnagar and went to college in this particular institution, prior to his course in law from outside India. Due to this particular reason, Samaldas Arts College in Bhavnagar has a special place in the Gandhi Tourism Circuit. Furthermore, it is also important for its historic value and the credit of being one of the oldest institutions in the western India.

• Origin and History

The well known king of Bhavnagar, Maharaja Raol Takhtsinhji was a Rajput king of Gohel clan and ruled the state of Kathiawar and came to the throne in 1870. Due to his patronage towards education in his ruled state and various other advanced technologies, he established the Samaldas College in Bhavnagar in 1885. He named this institution after his state’s Diwan, Samaldas Mehta and the name still remains after over a century’s existence. Takhtsinhji provided the land and the deposit money to start this institution. During those days, Bombay University had given it the required affiliation. After independence, when Jawaharlal Nehru became the prime minister of free India, the foundation stone for a new building was laid by him at the present location. It was then affiliated to Bhavnagar University when this university was established by Gujarat government in 1978.

• Facilities in Samaldas College

Not only does the Samaldas College have a rich history going back to more than a century back, but its facility also speak of its superiority. There are various art departments in this college including psychology laboratory, English laboratory, computer laboratory, home science laboratory, library with around 63,000 titles, Somalal Shah Art gallery, Vivekananda Auditorium hall, Mahatma Gandhi Hall, Mahatma Gandhi museum and a Smarak for Gandhiji.

• Reaching There

In Bhavnagar, the Samaldas Arts College is located on the Gijubhai Badheka Marg, almost in the heart of the city. Tourists can arrive in Bhavnagar from Ahmadabad which is 200 kms away by road from state highway. From Mumbai, it can be reached via rail or air which is at a distance of about 791 kms by road. There are plenty of luxury buses and state transport buses for the transport while tourists can also choose to travel in hired cabs for reaching Bhavnagar.

Apart from various other sightseeing places in Bhavnagar, the Samaldas arts college is an important institution to visit. Its significance lies in it being one of the oldest institutions of education in western India and the reason that Mahatma Gandhi studied in this college.