History of Kadiawad

In year A.D. 1474, Vikram Samvant 1531 on one Saturday, Magshar Shud 1, a person named 'Bhimo,' our Great Great Grand Father came to Navsari from Surat and settled in Kadiawad. He was originally from a village called 'Sonari,' somewhere near Junaghadh or Rajasthan, but so far we have not been able to trace back to its exact location. He came from the 'Chauhan Family', from the time where Prithviraj Chauhan was the famous King of the Chauhan Dynasty. Bhimo resided in Surat, and lived near the Hanumanji temple. The surrounding area near the temple was called "Khadki," hence why even today a part of Kadiawad is still called 'Khadki Maholla.'

Aside from Bhimo, there was also another person named 'Natha,' who came from the North and settled in Kadiawad. He was from the Rajput Solanki Family. Almost 900 years ago the famous King in the Rajput Solanki Dynasty was Siddharaj Jaysinh of Anhilwad Patan (A.D. 1100).

In addition, there were also two brothers named 'Hiro' and 'Viro' who came from the North by boat and arrived at the Vansi Port. They were also known to come from the Rajput Solanki Family, but because they were sheltered by the local people and drank water from their house, they were converted to 'Koli.' Eventually they merged into Koli Samaj. As the years went by, Viro migrated and settled himself on the South bank of the Purna River and established the village after his name known as 'Viraval'. On the other hand, Hiro came and settled in Kadiawad. But until today, it is still unknown what really happened to him; whether he had settled in Kadiawad or moved elsewhere shortly after arriving there.

The question that comes to mind is why so many people came to this part of Gujarat from the North? Were they economic migrants looking for work or were they looking for a greener pasture? To know the answer one has to look at the history of India, because the origin of our ancestors has lot to do with what was happening in India at the time. Since it is not only the history of Kadiawad, but it is the history of all our people who settled between the land of Vapi to Tapi (Between Surat and Vapi).

It was a terrible time when every Emperor and King, Hindu or Muslim, tried to conquer lands and kingdoms far beyond its reaches. The Muslim armies came from the North - from Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. They had bigger armies and they were very ruthless. They defeated many Hindu and Sikh Kings, burned down the villages, looted the cities, destroyed temples, and forced the Kings and its people to convert to Islam. Many were converted and those who resisted were killed. To save themselves from these atrocities people fled from their land. Many of them fled in small boats and arrived at ports like Surat, Vansi, Umbharat, Dandi, and Daman. Some settled near the shore line while others moved inland. This was the reason that forced many of our ancestors to migrate from the North.

 

Kadiawad was divided in to 6 parts; each part is called Maholla. These names were all derived many years ago, and even today, these continue to be used by the habitants of Kadiawad.

Khadki Mahollo:
There was a considerable big open space called Khadki Chok, and in the middle there was a Choro. This was a place used by the people of Kadiawad for gatherings and meetings.
Navo Mahollo:
This was the cleanest and neatest part of Kadiawad and hence was labeled Navo.
Bhathi Mahollo:
Here there were many furnaces (Kiln-Bhathi) that were used for making bricks.
Pir Mahollo:
This was where a Muslim Pir was buried, and a tomb was created.
Mistry Mahollo:
This was the area in Kadiawad where many contractors were living.
Holi Mahollo:
Central part of Kadiawad; on every Fagansud Punam, Holi was lit here.
 

Most of the people had one major profession, 'Masonary' (Kadiakam) and that is how we got the name 'KADIAWAD.' Some started their own business and became well known Building Contractors, while others took on other professions. We had many contractors in the past but the changing time, education and modernization has taken its toll. Today, no one is going into that profession anymore and we are left with only two contractors, namely Dahyabhai C. Mistry and Mahendra B. Mistry.

Here is the list of all Contractors in Kadiawad:
Ranchhodbhai Hirabhai Mistry
Jerambhai Nanabhai Mistry
Dayalbhai Bhavanbhai Mistry
Bhikhabhai Bhavanbhai Mistry
Sukhabhai Dahyabhai Mistry
Parbhubhai Parshotbhai Mistry
Dayalbhai Gandabhai Mistry
Chhaganbhai Parbhubhai Mistry
Motirambhai Jerambhai Mistry
Ravjibhai Ramabhai Mistry
Ranchhodbhai Dayalbhai Mistry
Jerambhai Dayalbhai Mistry
Ramchandra Bhikhabhai Mistry
Ranchhodbhai Parbhubhai Mistry
Babubhai Sukhabhai Mistry
Dahyabhai Chhaganbhai Mistry
Bharatbhai Ravjibhai Mistry
Gunvantbhai Ramchndrabhai Mistry
Mrs. Vajyaben Babubhai Mistry
Mahendra Babubhai Mistry
 
Profiles of Notable Contractors in Kadiawad:
Ranchhodbhai Hirabhai Mistry & Jerambhai Nanabhai Mistry:
First known building contractor partnership
Dayalbhai Bhavanbhai Mistry:
Well known building contractor. First person from Kadiawad to become member of the Navsari Municipality. During the Independence Movement, police opened fire on demonstrators in Matwad. Several people and policemen were killed as a result. While some people fled after the shootings, some of them stayed sheltered by him.
Ranchhodbhai Dayalbhai Mistry:
Contractor, very authoritative person. Member of the Navsari Municipality. First person to own an automobile and truck. Had an ox-driven 'chakki' to make sand-mix (col) in big volumes. Married for the second time after his first wife died. He had 11 daughters, 9 from his first marriage.


Dayalbhai Gandabhai Mistry:
Was born in 1916. First contractor to introduce a machine to produce a faster sand-mix and in greater volumes.
Babubhai Sukhabhai Mistry:
Was born on 14th of April 1938. First young and energetic contractor who applied innovative architectural design to construction. Died at a young age on 17th of September 1979, as a result of a heart attack.
Mrs.Vajyaben B. Mistry:
Was born on 25th January 1944. First woman contractor. Took over the business after her husband's death and maintained it until their son, Mahendra matured and took over.
 
Profiles of Notable People in Kadiawad:

Ravindrabhai Parbhubhai Mistry:
Was born on the 18th of November 1922, at Aden (British Colony).
Education:
Sen. Cambridge - Convent School.
His 2nd language was French.
War time student, admitted directly at M.T.B. College, Surat in 1940.
B.SC. - Ferguson College, Bombay.
Civil Engineering A.I.E.D., London.
Served as an Engineer at BP - Aden Head quarters.
Elected as a Navsari Municipal Councillor in 1972, 1978, and 1982.
Chairman PWD (Water Works and Drainage), Navsari.
Social Activities:
Lion's Club
Giant's Club
Trustee - Ramji Mandir since 1972.
International Red Cross - founding member, Navsari.
Koli Samaj social activities.
Warden in ward no.5, during India - Pakistan war.
Member player of first Kadiawad Cricket Team.
He played leading roll in creation of Yuvak Mandal and became first President in 1949. He was also one of the trustees. Left India for Aden in 1951. Came back to India in 1964 and helped a lot to rejuvenate Yuvak Mandal.
Started the Kadiawad Liabrary.

Nathubhai Ranchhodbhai Patel:
First person in Kadiawad to pass S.S.C. (Metric) Exam.
Died in plane crash while going to Singapore.


Chhimabhai Gopalbhai Mistry:
Was born on the 14th of November 1926, and died on the 24th of September 1999. Went to Aden to work. Came back to India after retirement. Gave guidance and encouraged all youths to create a 'better' Kadiawad. Gave the idea to create a permanent Student Fund so that all the students in Kadiawad can get free books every year.


Naranbhai Kikabhai Patel:
Was born on the 13th of April 1925 and died on the 27th of September 2008. Took an active role in all activities from the beginning. One of the founding members of Yuvak Mandal, and served as president in 1951. He was one of the trustees as well. A member and player of the Kadiawad cricket club. In 1968 he was honored by Yuvak Mandal for giving excellent service to the community.


Shantilal Bhagwandas Mistry:
In 1973, Shantilal Bhagwandas became 'Mr. Junior Appolo' in the Body Building contest held in Navsari. He later participated in Mr. Gujarat contest in Ahmedabad. Our gymnasium is one of the oldest one to exist in Navsari. We have many weight lifting machines. In the beginning, many youngsters were regulars at the gym and the attendance was great. But as the modern gymnasiums sprung in the city, the attendance level dropped considerably low.


Dr. Keshavbhai Makanbhai Patel:
First person in Kadiawad to become a Doctor. Went to South Africa in 1950 and opened his own Hospital in Durban. Helped the Mandal financially by giving them donations each year from abroad.
Lalabhai Premabhai Mistry:
Was born in 1909, and died in 2003. One of the best carpenters in Navsari. Lived for 94 years.
Thakorbhai Gopalbhai Patel:
Was born on the 16th of January 1944. He has been handling Yuvak Mandal for many years and worked very hard in the reconstruction of the new Temple.
 
Yuvak Mandal
Learn about the events that led to the creation of the Yuvak Mandal in Kadiawad.