Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park is located in Panchmahal district in Gujarat, India. 50 kilometers East of Baroda City is the Champaner Pavagarh Archaeological Park. It is located around the historical city of Champaner, a city which was founded by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent king of the Chavda Dynasty, in the 8th century. This ancient site was inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. The heritage site is studded with forts with bastions starting from the hills of Pavagadh and extending into the city of Champaner. The park’s landscape includes archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage monuments such as chalcolithic sites, a hill fortress of an early Hindu capital, and remains of the 16th-century capital of the state of Gujarat.
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History:
Judging by early archaeological remains and according to records, the area had already been inhabited in the chalcolithic period; however, it remained neglected until approximately 400 AD. The history also reports a local legend that the divinity of the hills was derived from the right toe of the goddess Kalika, which had apparently fallen on the hill.
Champaner is named after Champa, a Rajput general of king Vanraj. He established this city during the rule of Vanraj Chavda of Anhilwad Patan (from 746 to 806 AD). In the eleventh century, Ram Gaur Tuar ruled, and Champaner was under the Anhilwad until 1297 or so when they were defeated by Alauddin Khalji, who made it their stronghold. During this period, the Chauhan Rajput had also settled in Champaner. The Pavagadh Hill was where the Solanki kings and Khichi Chauhans built fortresses and ruled from. However, they lost their authority in Champaner in 1484.
After his victory, Sultan Mahmud Begada turned Champaner, at the base of the Pavagadh hill, into a splendid new capital. But its glory was brief; in 1535, the city was captured by Mughal ruler Humayun, who made Ahmedabad the capital city again in order to control Gujarat. This marked the start of the decline of Champaner, which slowly fell to ruin.
It is a must visit place for history buffs and those interested in culture and architecture. Complete with its military, religious and agricultural structures, the site was built and expanded between over the period of 600 hundred years. Abandoned soon after briefly becoming capital of Gujarat under the independent Sultan Mehmud Begda, it is the only unchanged pre-Mughal site in existence.
Things to See:
Islamic and Hindu style of architecture Jali designs on minars A tank with kund like appearance for rainwater harvesting Intricate carvings on pillars, domes, entrances.
Best Time To Visit:
Winter (October to February).
How to Reach:
By Air:
You can take a flight to Vadodara Airport and then from there you can hire a cab to Champaner-Pavagadh. Vadodara Airport is located at a distance of around 42 km from Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park.
By Rail:
Champaner-Pavagadh is not well connected to major cities via rail. The nearest major railway station is at Vadodara at a distance of around 50 km.
By Road:
Located at a distance of 145 km from Ahmedabad, Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is easily accessible by road.