The township of Petlad has pride of place in the Kheda district of old and Anand district at present. This ancient, historical township has been eminent culturally too since the noteworthy achievements are also political, social, as well as educational. In the medieval times also Petlad was reputed to be a prosperous place. There is a possible mythological connection of the name ‘Petlad’ to ‘Prahaladpur’, a city in which Prahalad, the famous devotee of Lord Vishnu and son of Hiranyakashyapu, is said to have lived for a long time. During the Gayakwar reign, the township has so thrived industrially and commercially, that it came to be called “Manchester” of the state of Baroda. Academically also Petlad has been distinguished and sadhus from across India thronged here in the Narayan Sanskrit Pathshala and Mahatma Ashram for their studies and spiritual meditation respectively. Even at present Brahmin youths come for Sanskrit studies, their fore for life from far off places. This has earned Petlad the sobriquet, “Kashi of Gujarat”, which has been known from old times to present.
In the fields of culture, civilization as well as education, this township is on the high range of progress. Ichchharam Bhattji, the guru of Dayaram, the last representative poet of Medieval Gujarati Literature and writer of ‘Garabis’ (religious melodies) was a native of Petlad. Besides Shree Purnanandji Maharaj, Devagna Vishnudev Pandit, Pujya Jamanadasji Maharaj, Pu. Harisevakdasji Maharaj and Swami Shree Sachchidanandji Maharaj of Bhaktiniketan Ashram Dantali village – all these religious dignitaries have blessed this township. It is due to them all that the environs here are imbued with religiosity and spirituality. All the roots of prosperity of Petlad lay the inspiration of all those eminences.
Petlad is the township of the knower and donors. Many such notables have made their contribution to the development of the township through leadership, donations and services. You can see the sacred influence on its cultural make up of Bhagavat scholars Shrikrishnashankar Shastri and Pu. Dongeraji Maharaj, the great Vaishnav Shri Jetharam Shastri, etc. Even today the Petlad township cherished proud memories of Diwan Bahadur Manibhai Jashbhai, the outstanding Assembly Member Manilal Parikh, the invaluable ‘Pearl of Gujarat’ Motibhai Amin, the perfect gem of a teacher Shri Karunashankar Master, and the Iron Man of integrated India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – all these great personalities have left proud memories this township cherishes.
Petlad can deservingly feel proud for the glory in literature and education. Dr. Manjulal Majmudar, Dr. Bhanuprasad Choksi Prof. Jashvantbhai Shekhadiwala, the noted poet of Ganghi ere. Dr. Ranjit Patel (Anami), Dr. Sitanshu Yashashchandra Mehta and Principal Jayeshbhai Desai – all these names are a live memory and are worthily on the lips of people here. The epoch making story teller of Gujarat and an administrator of great acumen Ramanlal Vasantlal Desai have imparted glory to this township with his services here. Moreover, Petlad was a favourite township of Maharaja Sayajirao Gayakwad.
Among the donors of Petlad, who participated the motto "enjoy by giving away" , the name and deeds of Shethshree Ramanlal Keshavlal Parikh stand out, his multifarious services were famed not only in Petlad but also all over Gujarat. His services to the community, education, religion and the nation have been so well reputed that Petlad has come to be called with love and respect “Shethshree Ramanlal’s Petlad”. Indeed, no one is known to have served this township so much and so well as Shethshree and his family.
There was a time when Petlad taluka could boost of the greatest number graduates in the whole Baroda State. That is, Petlad was in the forefront of education in the Baroda State of those days. In 1945-46, Petlad was the trail-blazer in founding the institutions of higher education. Shethshree Ramanlal Keshavlal Parikh had sown the seeds of the missionary zeal in his family for endeavours to ensure the bright future of education in Petlad to match its glorious history. This zeal materialized as “Petlad Education Trust” in 1945-46 and later various faculties of higher education come into existence.
The founding of the first ever college between Baroda and Ahmedabad in those days was a matter of no small significance. Thus, the honour of initiating the cause of higher education in these parts goes to Petlad. Its architect was undoubtedly none other than the donor Shethshree Ramanlal Keshavlal Parikh. In 1945-46, when the college was founded, it was named “Petlad College”. Later, since in the founding of the college the lion’s share was that of Shethshree, it came to be named after him: “Shri R.K.Parikh Arts & Science College”. It is affiliated with Gujarat University, the largest and richest university in the state.
The college has two faculties – Arts and Science. In Arts faculty Gujarati, Sociology and Economics are the major subjects, while English, Psychology, Sanskrit and Computer are the minor subjects. In postgraduate courses Gujarati, Sociology, Economics and Sanskrit are taught as major subject. In Science faculty Chemistry, Physics and Microbiology are the major subjects, while Botany, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics are the subsidiary subjects. The science faculty started teaching Microbiology in 1996; for this purpose Shri Rajubhai Patel from Kavitha gave generous donation. The Petlad Nagrik Cooperative Bank gave donation for the computer department. Mr. Harshadbhai Patel (N.R.I.) and Shri Khodabhai Patel along with Rotary club, Petlad gave generous donation for the improvement of this department. It is the good fortune of the college that a very well known Saint, social thinker and philosopher Swami Sachhidanandji provided books, cupboards, and audio visual aids to the college and opened the Book bank for the poor and needy students.
The campus of this college has excellent infrastructure: well equipped building; rich library; central hall; computer center ample playground; Principal’s residence; hostels for boys and girls; cold water fountain for drinking water; well-appointed, modern offices; and green sylvan surroundings. All this has become possible owing to the management; guidance from principals; sincere, devoted teachers; generous donors, and supports from various financials institutions. The story of this institution is one of the constant improvement and development. It is indeed the crowning glory of this historic township of Petlad.
Apoorv V. Pandya,
Head, Department of English.
In the fields of culture, civilization as well as education, this township is on the high range of progress. Ichchharam Bhattji, the guru of Dayaram, the last representative poet of Medieval Gujarati Literature and writer of ‘Garabis’ (religious melodies) was a native of Petlad. Besides Shree Purnanandji Maharaj, Devagna Vishnudev Pandit, Pujya Jamanadasji Maharaj, Pu. Harisevakdasji Maharaj and Swami Shree Sachchidanandji Maharaj of Bhaktiniketan Ashram Dantali village – all these religious dignitaries have blessed this township. It is due to them all that the environs here are imbued with religiosity and spirituality. All the roots of prosperity of Petlad lay the inspiration of all those eminences.
Petlad is the township of the knower and donors. Many such notables have made their contribution to the development of the township through leadership, donations and services. You can see the sacred influence on its cultural make up of Bhagavat scholars Shrikrishnashankar Shastri and Pu. Dongeraji Maharaj, the great Vaishnav Shri Jetharam Shastri, etc. Even today the Petlad township cherished proud memories of Diwan Bahadur Manibhai Jashbhai, the outstanding Assembly Member Manilal Parikh, the invaluable ‘Pearl of Gujarat’ Motibhai Amin, the perfect gem of a teacher Shri Karunashankar Master, and the Iron Man of integrated India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – all these great personalities have left proud memories this township cherishes.
Petlad can deservingly feel proud for the glory in literature and education. Dr. Manjulal Majmudar, Dr. Bhanuprasad Choksi Prof. Jashvantbhai Shekhadiwala, the noted poet of Ganghi ere. Dr. Ranjit Patel (Anami), Dr. Sitanshu Yashashchandra Mehta and Principal Jayeshbhai Desai – all these names are a live memory and are worthily on the lips of people here. The epoch making story teller of Gujarat and an administrator of great acumen Ramanlal Vasantlal Desai have imparted glory to this township with his services here. Moreover, Petlad was a favourite township of Maharaja Sayajirao Gayakwad.
Among the donors of Petlad, who participated the motto "enjoy by giving away" , the name and deeds of Shethshree Ramanlal Keshavlal Parikh stand out, his multifarious services were famed not only in Petlad but also all over Gujarat. His services to the community, education, religion and the nation have been so well reputed that Petlad has come to be called with love and respect “Shethshree Ramanlal’s Petlad”. Indeed, no one is known to have served this township so much and so well as Shethshree and his family.
There was a time when Petlad taluka could boost of the greatest number graduates in the whole Baroda State. That is, Petlad was in the forefront of education in the Baroda State of those days. In 1945-46, Petlad was the trail-blazer in founding the institutions of higher education. Shethshree Ramanlal Keshavlal Parikh had sown the seeds of the missionary zeal in his family for endeavours to ensure the bright future of education in Petlad to match its glorious history. This zeal materialized as “Petlad Education Trust” in 1945-46 and later various faculties of higher education come into existence.
The founding of the first ever college between Baroda and Ahmedabad in those days was a matter of no small significance. Thus, the honour of initiating the cause of higher education in these parts goes to Petlad. Its architect was undoubtedly none other than the donor Shethshree Ramanlal Keshavlal Parikh. In 1945-46, when the college was founded, it was named “Petlad College”. Later, since in the founding of the college the lion’s share was that of Shethshree, it came to be named after him: “Shri R.K.Parikh Arts & Science College”. It is affiliated with Gujarat University, the largest and richest university in the state.
The college has two faculties – Arts and Science. In Arts faculty Gujarati, Sociology and Economics are the major subjects, while English, Psychology, Sanskrit and Computer are the minor subjects. In postgraduate courses Gujarati, Sociology, Economics and Sanskrit are taught as major subject. In Science faculty Chemistry, Physics and Microbiology are the major subjects, while Botany, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics are the subsidiary subjects. The science faculty started teaching Microbiology in 1996; for this purpose Shri Rajubhai Patel from Kavitha gave generous donation. The Petlad Nagrik Cooperative Bank gave donation for the computer department. Mr. Harshadbhai Patel (N.R.I.) and Shri Khodabhai Patel along with Rotary club, Petlad gave generous donation for the improvement of this department. It is the good fortune of the college that a very well known Saint, social thinker and philosopher Swami Sachhidanandji provided books, cupboards, and audio visual aids to the college and opened the Book bank for the poor and needy students.
The campus of this college has excellent infrastructure: well equipped building; rich library; central hall; computer center ample playground; Principal’s residence; hostels for boys and girls; cold water fountain for drinking water; well-appointed, modern offices; and green sylvan surroundings. All this has become possible owing to the management; guidance from principals; sincere, devoted teachers; generous donors, and supports from various financials institutions. The story of this institution is one of the constant improvement and development. It is indeed the crowning glory of this historic township of Petlad.
Apoorv V. Pandya,
Head, Department of English.
