BHAVNAGAR or BHAUNAGAR, a native State of India in Western India States Agency: area, 2,961 sq.m. ; pop.
(1930, 500,274. The tribute is £8,5oo.
The chief, whose title is thakor sahib, is head of the famous clan of the Gohel Rajputs of Kathiawar. The enlightened system of administration formed during the rule of the thakor sahib maharaja Sir Takhtsinghji Jaswatsinghji, G.C.S.I., was continued with admirable results under the per sonal supervision of his son. His grandson, Krishra Kumak Singhji, succeeded as a minor in 1919, since when the State has been governed by an administrative council. The Gohel Rajputs are said to have settled in the district about 126o. The Bhav nagar-Gondal railway (282m.) has its terminus at the town of Bhavnagar (pop., 75,594), situated on the west coast of the gulf of Cambay. This is the chief port in Kathiawar and is well equipped, though only admitting vessels of small burden. It was founded in 1723 by the thakor sahib Bhausinghji, after whom it is named, in place of his former capital, Sihor, which was con sidered too exposed to the Mahratta power ; it has an extensive cotton trade and its industries include a cotton mill and iron and tile works.