Gujrat
The Gujarat beholds a genre of history that is extensively versatile and collectively has elaborated and the favorite tourist destination among the tourist cities of India. Gujarat is evolved around the luminous ancient Indus valley civilization. Dholavira is primeval city of Gujarat and Lothal a most significant town spread on the soil of the state. The land of Gujarat is so magnificent whose ruins are not just only physically in form of palaces, forts, archeological sites and wildlife, but also symbolically great in terms of beautiful culture and traditions. Gujarat was inhabited with Dravidians as their indigenous settlers, but with the invasion of Aryans they were pushed further south. Later the Solanki, Gupta, and later Muslims, Marathas and British left no opportunity to rule and gain out of this extremely flourishing land.
Gujarat is situated on the West Coast of India, Gujarat has a enthusiastic character to it, which has played a major role to enrich the Indian canvas of culture, music, art, architecture, painting, folk and other fine art and culture. The state is well known for rich heritage of customs, history, traditions, handicrafts, colorful fairs and festivals and exotic wildlife. This land is also home of immensely famous legends and icon like father of Nation Mahatama Gandhi, the iron man and great freedom fighter Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and social reformers and great Saint like Swami Dayanand Saraswati and other legendaries.
With a rich and waste coastline extending about 1,600 kms, which almost over one third of Indian coastline, Gujarat used to trade with western countries ; Greeks and Romans and is said to have an ancient marine port at Lothal which had maritime associations with Egypt and Mesopotamia. Earlier the state was ruled by the Hindu Rajput kings, later Mughal emperors, Gujarat came under British rulers as part of the Bombay presidency. Now, today with a large Jain and Hindu people and a sturdy influence of Buddhist culture and religion since Ashoka's era, Gujarat boasts of a secular society and culture, which dignified the glory and characteristic of this marvelous state.
Ahemdabad:
Ahmedabad, founded in the year 1411 by Sultan Ahmad Shah, the city is located on the Banks of Sabarmati River. Ahmedabad has been named after Sultan Ahmed Shah, who had built this city with blessing of his divine adviser Shaikh Ahmad. Earlier Ahmedabad was the political administrative centre of the Ahmedabad district; former capital of Gujarat till 1960 to 1970, which was later to Gandhinagar.
Now, Ahmedabad presents a wonderful blend of ancient vibrating present with heritage culture and values. The city’s prosperous and exciting history is personified in the rich diversity of its past. Today, this city is known as the 'Manchester of the East'. One of the vastly industrialized cities in India, Ahmedabad is also India's textile city. The city developed in prosperity and splendour for a hundred years and became the land of skilled craftsmen and merchants. The old city of Ahmedabad is dotted with labyrinthine bylanes called 'pols'. The exquisite carved wooden mansions and havelis are in no manner less than their stone counterparts in Rajasthan. The city is full of architectural delights. The ancient historical places and monuments in and around the town, may be broadly grouped under two main phase the first during Ahmad shah, others are datable to the first half of the 15th century. Though the capital of Gujarat was shifted from Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar, it is still the second biggest industrial city in West India region.
Ahmedabad, the History of this city begins in the 11th century with the King Solanki Karandev I, sovereign of Anhilwara (modern Patan). He conquered a war against the Bhil King Ashapall or Ashaval, and after his victory the city Karnavati was built on the banks of the Sabarmati at site of modern Ahmedabad. Solanki rule remained undisputed till 11th centaury; later Gujarat was ruled by Vaghela dynasty of Dwarka. In 13th centaury, Gujarat was conquered by the by Mughal rulers of Delhi, North India.
Places Of Interest:
Ahmed Shah's Mosque, Balvatika,Daria Khan's Ghummat, Siddi Sayyad's Mosque,Gita Mandir, Swami Narayan Temple,Hathisinh MandirTeen Darwaza and Bhadra Fort, Jhulta Minar,Jumma Masjid , Rani Sipri's Mosque and Tomb,Rani Roopmati Mosque,Kankaria Lake,Rauza of Shah Alam,Sabarmati Ashram,Siddhi Sayyad Mosque,Dada Hari Vava.
Excursions:
Adalaj Vav- 19 kms, Lothal- kms, Patan- 113 kms, Nal Sarovar- 71 kms, Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram- 6 kms, Gandhi Nagar- 25 kms, Modhera (Sun Temple)- 106 kms.
Reach -
By Air: Ahmedabad is well linked with major cities.
By Rail: Ahmedabad is directly connected to major towns.
By Road: Baroda (Vadodara)- 113 kms, Mt.Abu- 228 kms, Udaipur- 252 kms, Jaipur- 657 kms, Bombay- 545 kms, Delhi- 1076 kms, Gandhinagar- 25 kms, Modhera-110 kms, Nal Sarovar- 71 kms, Lothal- 80 kms.
