Jamnagar was named after its erstwhile rulers, the Jadeja Rajputs known as Jams. The city was built around the small Ranmal Lake, in the centre of which still stands a small palace. The old part of the town has a number of interesting and impressive old buildings, one of which is the colourful Mandvi Tower. The centre of the old town, known as the Darbar Gadh is a semicircular gathering place where the former Maharaja used to hold public audiences.

Jamnagar has a long history of pearl fishing and tie-dyeing, but today is more well known for having the only university in India which imparts training in the traditional Indian system of medicine known as ayurveda, and a temple listed in the Guinness Book of Records.