Where the wheel still turns
The Rashtriya Shala in Rajkot is a heritage institution born of the freedom movement and the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, with whom Rajkot is so closely linked. Founded in 1921 as a centre of ‘national education’ independent of colonial schooling, it embraced Gandhi’s vision of self-reliance through khadi (hand-spun cloth) and village crafts.
More than a century on, it remains a living, working institution: khadi is still spun and woven here, handicrafts are made and sold, and the campus preserves Gandhian memorabilia and the simple, dignified ethos of the era. Gandhi himself stayed and worked here during visits to his boyhood city.
For visitors, the Rashtriya Shala offers a quiet, authentic encounter with the constructive side of India’s freedom struggle — a place where the spinning wheel still turns and Gandhi’s ideals remain tangibly alive. It is a working institution; visit respectfully.
The Rashtriya Shala, Rajkot.
Where Gandhi's spinning wheel still turns
A century-old Gandhian institution.
The Rashtriya Shala is founded in Rajkot as a centre of national education, independent of colonial schooling.
It embraces Gandhi's vision of khadi and self-reliance, spinning and weaving hand-made cloth on the campus.
Gandhi himself stays and works here during visits to his boyhood city, shaping the institution's ideals.
It remains a living, working centre of khadi and crafts — a still-working embodiment of Gandhi's constructive programme.
Reasons to make the time
Gandhi's institution
A freedom-struggle legacy in the Mahatma's boyhood city.
Khadi spinning
Hand-spun cloth is still made on the campus today.
National education
An independent educational ideal, founded in 1921.
Living crafts
Handicrafts are made and sold on site.
Memorabilia
Gandhian heritage preserved with quiet dignity.
Rajkot's pride
A heritage landmark at the heart of the city.
What to look for inside
THE CAMPUSRashtriya Shala
A Gandhian institution — modest halls and workshops rather than a grand monument.
THE KHADISpinning & weaving
Living crafts — see hand-spun khadi made on the wheel and loom.
NATIONAL EDUCATIONAn independent ideal
The 1921 school built on Gandhi's vision of self-reliant, colonial-free learning.
MEMORABILIAGandhian heritage
Photographs, objects and the ethos of the freedom era, quietly preserved.
THE CRAFTSHandmade goods
Handicrafts made and sold on the campus, in the Gandhian tradition.
THE ETHOSSimple & dignified
A calm, working atmosphere that embodies Gandhi's constructive programme.
How to spend an hour or two
See the spinning
Watch khadi made by hand on the wheel and loom — the beating heart of the institution.
Browse the crafts
Handmade goods are on sale; pick up khadi cloth or a handicraft as a meaningful souvenir.
View memorabilia
Gandhian heritage — photographs and objects that recall the freedom era.
Sense the ethos
Take in the simple and dignified atmosphere of a genuinely working Gandhian campus.
Learn the history
Understand the idea of national education that founded the shala in 1921.
Pair with Gandhi sites
Combine your visit with Kaba Gandhi no Delo and Rajkot's other Gandhi heritage.
The Rashtriya Shala campus.
A working Gandhian campus
The Rashtriya Shala is a modest, dignified campus of halls and workshops rather than a grand monument: spaces where khadi is spun and woven, crafts are made and sold, and Gandhian memorabilia and the ethos of the freedom era are preserved.
Its importance is living and ideological — a century-old, still-working embodiment of Gandhi’s constructive programme, in the very city where he grew up.
This is one of many places worth seeing here — the full guide to Rajkot has the rest.
Founded 1921
Khadi spinning & weaving
Gandhian memorabilia
A living institution
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the best season across Rajkot. Comfortable all day for an unhurried visit.
Green and dramatic; lakes and hills come alive. A fresh, uncrowded time to explore.
Hot and dry — visit early or late in the day to stay comfortable.
⏰ Visit respectfully as a working institution; combine it with Rajkot's other Gandhi heritage sites.
Timings & entry
- Open daytime as a working campus
- Visit respectfully
- Crafts available to buy
- Allow about an hour
- Entry is free or nominal
- It is a working institution
- Be respectful of staff and work
- Combine with Gandhi sites
Getting there
By Air
Rajkot airport is nearby, with domestic flights linking the city to Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad.
By Rail
Rajkot is the railhead, a major junction on the Saurashtra network with trains from across Gujarat.
By Road
The shala is within Rajkot city, easily reached by auto or taxi from anywhere in town.
At the shala
KHADI & IDEALS
A living Gandhian institution
What to shoot
Spinning and weaving — the wheels and looms where khadi is still made by hand.
Detail
Gandhian memorabilia and the small, honest details of a working freedom-era campus.
The campus
Halls and workshops — a modest, dignified architecture rather than a grand monument.
Be respectful
It is a working place; ask before photographing people and keep a quiet presence.
Know before you go
More to see close by
GANDHIMahatma Gandhi Museum
Where young Mohandas Gandhi studied
Ramnath Mahadev
An old and revered Shiva temple
FOODRajkot Chowk
Legendary farsan, penda & chikki
HERITAGELang Library
A historic 19th-century reading hall
NATUREPradyuman Zoo
A green zoological & nature park
Swaminarayan Temple
A vibrant community temple in the city
Where to eat near Rashtriya Shala
THALIKathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare — hearty Saurashtra home cooking.
GANTHIYAGanthiya & fafda
Saurashtra's fried snacks, best fresh from the pan in the morning.
STREETChaat & bhajiya
Rajkot's lively street food, buzzing across the city in the evenings.
Penda & chikki
Rajkot's famous penda sweets and chikki make an ideal edible souvenir.
Rashtriya Shala FAQ
What is the Rashtriya Shala?
A Gandhian institution in Rajkot, founded in 1921 for national education and khadi.
What happens there?
Khadi is spun and woven, crafts are made and sold, and Gandhian memorabilia is preserved.
What's the Gandhi link?
It embodies Gandhi's ideals; he stayed and worked here in his boyhood city.
Is there an entry fee?
Entry is free or nominal.
Where is it?
Within Rajkot city.
When should I visit?
October to March, during working hours.
What can I buy?
Hand-spun khadi and handicrafts.
What else is nearby?
The Watson Museum and Kaba Gandhi no Delo.
Related places across Gujarat
6Tribal Haats
Colourful weekly markets of the Bhil belt
Tribal Deities
Sacred groves deep in the teak woods
TOWNBilimora
Gateway town to the Vansda forests
BEACHPorbandar Beach
The city’s breezy seafront & Chowpaty
ISKCON Anand
A graceful Krishna temple in the city
QUIRKYVechaar Utensils Museum
Thousands of traditional utensils
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026