Wazir Bahauddin made the impossible possible, the statue of lions made of Girnar stone is still grand

Junagadh: The faces of lions made of Girnar stones can still be seen at three places in Junagadh city. In the 18th century, foreign and local sculptors believed that no statue could be made from the stones of Girnar, but Wazir Bahauddin of Junagadh made the impossible possible by carving the faces of lions on the stones of Girnar.

The faces of lions are still standing in Junagadh city: The faces of lions made of Gir stones are still standing in Junagadh city. Bahauddin Bhai, the Wazir of Junagadh during the Nawabi rule, expressed his desire to carve the lion’s face in the form of statues from the stones of Girnar.

Girnar stones were sent to other sculptors in England, America and India. But all these sculptors sent the stones back with the opinion that no kind of statue could be made from the stones of Girnar. But the lion-loving Nawab and his Wazir Bahauddin Bhai succeeded in making statues of lions from Gir stones, as it were, by name.

This success of Wazir Bahauddin Bhai is still visible in different areas of Junagadh city for more than a century.
Discovery made in 1893: Girnar stones were discovered by SW Evans in the year 1893. During his research it was discovered that the Girnar stone is made of lava and has the properties of stones called dalesite and bayside. He gave a clear opinion that any kind of statue or idol cannot be made from such stones as they are very thin. However, the Wazir of Junagadh, who was determined to make statues of lions from the stones of Girnar, achieved success.

The Hunnar school of Rajkot was successful: famous sculptors of most countries including England and America were hesitant in making lion sculptures. Lion from the stones of Girnar. Then Wazir Bahauddin Bhai entrusted the work of carving lion statues from these stones to Hunnar School of Rajkot.
The Hunnar school was successful and four lion sculptures were made from these Carmint and Batkana stones from Girnar. Later, other sherds were also prepared as per the requirement. The only and last statues of these lions were installed at Junagadh Railway Station, Weligdan Dam, Sardarbagh, Veraval Railway Station in the year 1888 and Barton Bridge near Gallo in the year 1880. After 1888, not a single statue has been made from the stones of Girnar. The statues of Sihon also hold the distinction of being the only and last statues made at that time.