Kathiawar, Peninsula in Gujarat, India
Kathiawar is a peninsula in western India sitting between the Arabian Sea to the south, the Gulf of Kutch to the north, and the Gulf of Khambhat to the east. The landscape shifts from flat coastal plains to gentle hills inland, with grassland and dry forest across large parts.
During the third century BCE the peninsula belonged to the Maurya Empire, followed by the Shaka and Kshatrapa rulers. Centuries later, numerous small princely states divided the territory until British administration brought them under the province of Gujarat.
Different regions carry names inherited from former princely states and remain in everyday speech today. Traders at local markets sell traditional handwork including bandhani fabric and silver jewelry that travelers can discover in smaller towns.
Bhavnagar serves as the main transport hub, offering rail connections and bus routes to different locations. Travelers exploring the region can find accommodation in several towns, each acting as a starting point for day trips.
Gir National Park sits on this peninsula and holds the only wild population of Asiatic lions. Outside protected areas, acacia forests grow and catch the eye of travelers on country roads, giving the region a dry appearance.
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