The History of Bhavnagar goes back a lot further then the city itself.when the Gohil Rajputs of the Surya Vanshi clan, facing severe competition in Marwar, moved down to the Gujarat coast and finally settled at Gogha port, near present-day Bhavnagar. Bhavnagar was founded by Bhavsinhji Gohil in 1723 AD.The last princely ruler Late Sir Krishnakumarsinhji handed over the administration of his State to the people’s representative in 1948 on the advice of Gandhiji
Bhavnagar is located in the peninsular part of the state of Gujarat, in the western region of India. It is 203 km from Ahmedabad and 690 km from Mumbai (Bombay). It is near the Gulf of Cambay, a part of the Arabian Sea. Bhavnagar is at sea level. Though Bhavnagar is near the coast and experiences coastal climate, yet it has hot summers (April-June). Winters are cool (November-February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains during (July-September). As Bhavnagar is near the coastline, it is generally humid throughout the year.
Gogha in Bhavnagar
Gandhi Smriti in Bhavnagar
Gandhi Smriti stands in the center of Bhavnagar city as an institution that commemorates the life and meritorious service of the Father of the Nation. Established in 1955, the Gandhi Smriti has since then become one of the most frequented places in Bhavnagar.
Gandhi Smriti in Bhavnagar preserves a huge collection of books and other memorabilia used by Mahatma Gandhi. The repository also displays photographs that recreate the various events in the life of this great leader. Artifacts like religious carvings and betal cutters that are cultural representatives of Saurashtra are also found in Gandhi Smriti at Bhavnagar.
Barton Library & Museum
Barton Museum was built in the 19th century and has the private collection of 
Colonel Barton who happened to be an important British representative in Saurashtra. On display here are coins, weapons, wood carvings, farming implements, fossils and archaeological finds. Gandhi Smriti on first floor of the museum commemorates the fact that Mahatma Gandhi studied at the university in Bhavnagar His mark sheets are on display here. It was opened in 1955, and it also has a picture gallery, museum, Khadi Gramodyog Bhandar and a library.
The Barton Library was established towards the end of the 19th century and stands in the heartland of Bhavnagar as a center of cultural and historical significance. The repository is one of the oldest libraries of the city, which has earned its repute round in the state of Gujarat.
