Changing names of Gujarati towns on European maps

Gujerat, Guzerat, Gujrat. Different spellings, but the meaning remains the same since its inception. Perhaps the influence of Gujarat on Indian maritime and naval trade and strength is immense and its also one of the few regions where Princely States numbered the highest (or close to) during the British Raj. Perhaps the territories in today's Gujarat, with the same names, can be found in some of the oldest maps as well.

Saurashtra (सौराष्ट्र) is mentioned as Sairstrena on early 17th century maps, places like Ahmedabad, Khambat, Surat etc. are spelled as Amodabat, Cambaia and Curate on some early 16th century maps. In fact, Khambat or Cambay and Bharuch or Broach are two most common ports mentioned on old maps much before Surat came into prominence. During the Mughal rule, French maps have spelled Gujarat as Guzurat and one can find places such as Mangalore (Mangrol), Por (Porbandar), Dio (Diu), Armadabad (Ahmedabad), Cambaye (Khambat), Baroche (Bharuch), Barodur (Vadodara), Surate (Surat), Goga (Ghogha, in Bhavnagar) as well as Bacaim (Vasai), Tana (Thane) and Salsete (Salsette Island or Mumbai Suburban District). Its interesting that Bombay or Mumbai was yet not seen on several Mughal-era maps or was too remote to even get noticed but yet Mumbai's history says it was under the Sultanate of Gujarat for a period of time.

Early maps also showed tribes and dynasties. In Gujarat area one name would appear often - Rajputs (spelled as Resbutes) highlighting in today's northern Gujarat area. As time progressed, newer variations of names and towns started getting known to the Europeans. 18th century maps would show names such as Bisantagan, Chaydepour (Chandipur, in Rajkot), Mamadebat (Mahemdabad), Sualis (Suvali, in Surat), Messana (Mahesana), Nariad (Nadiad) Fettar etc. Alternate spellings of Ahmedabad, Khambat and Bharuch would appear as Amedabath, Cambaye and Broitschia respectively.

Entering 19th century when things improved with better exploration and spellings and one could now relate these names to today's versions quite closely. Names such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Cambay and Broach became regular in use which would continue even post independence. This was the time when Gujarat was still written as Guzerat and one could see places such as Noanagur (Nawanagar), Brodera (Vadodara), Bulsar (Valsad), Puttan (Patan), Booge Booge (Bhuj), Godra (Godhra) etc. This was also the time when areas around Ahmedabad started getting acquired by the British East India Company but even in the future Gujarat would largely remain a cluster of Princely States.

Towards the end of the 19th century new names appeared such as Kattywar (Kathiawar), Jafferabad (Jafrabad), Poor Bandar (Porbandar), Bhooj (Bhuj), Cutch (Kachchh) and improved spellings such as Cambay, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Veraval, Surat continued. The Gaikwad clan of the later Marathas would be mentioned as Guicowar. The Portuguese territories of Diu and Daman (spelled as Damaun) was prominent but there was no mention of Dadra & Nagar Haveli yet although they were granted to the Portuguese way back in 1783.

20th century finally saw a new light and spellings improved drastically. One could clearly see names such as Kathiawar, Junagarh, Porbandar, Mangrol, Bhaunagar (Bhavnagar), Morvi, Ahmadabad (Ahmedabad), Radhanpur etc. with proper error-free spellings. On organizing of Princely States, all the Gujarat States were clubbed under one major umbrella - States of Western India. The entire Kathiawar region was divided into four major divisions - Halar, Jhalavad, Sorath and Gohelwad. Bigger and major states such as Baroda, Junagarh (or Junagadh), Rajkot etc. had island territories in other Princely States. While these regions were ruled by Princes, the districts governed by the British were Ahmedabad, Kaira (Kheda), Panch Mahals, Broach and Panch Mahals (Bharuch) and Surat. All these territories were part of the Bombay Presidency since its inception in 1618.

Post independence Gujarat region was again bifurcated between the newly formed Bombay State, Saurashtra and Cutch while the Portuguese colonies of Diu, Daman, Simbor (a subordinate to Diu) and Nagar Aveli (Nagar Haveli) existing till 1961.

Since 1970s today's names would be appearing on modern maps. The map here shows Gujarat of 1804 with the yellow areas marked as native states while the red shade is for the British acquired territories.