Bhavnagar is not a very old city - it was founded in 1723 when the then ruler Bhavsinhji shifted his capital from Sihor (20 Kms. away) to Bhavnagar. The Gohil Dynasty itself is quite itself is quite old. They were in Sihor since 1570 and in Umrala/Ghogha and other places prior to that. It is said that their ancestors were from Marwar.

After the death of Bhavsinhji, the state had many rulers. But the one who has possibly left the most lasting contribution is Maharaja Takhtasinhji (born January, 6 1858- died 29th January 1896). When his father Jaswantsinhji passed away in April 1870, he was only 12 years old. Hence the Britishers imposed a Joint Administration on the State.