History

Ahmedabad is the largest city in the State of Gujarat and the Seventh- largest urban agglomeration in India, with a population of almost 74 lakhs (7.4 Million). City is Located on the banks of the River Sabarmati. The city is the administrative centre of Ahmedabad district, and was the capital of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970; the capital was shifted to Gandhinagar thereafter. The city was at the forefront of the Indian independence movement in the first half of 20th century. It was the epicentre of many campaigns of civil disobedience to promote workers’ right, civil rights and political independence. Mahatma Gandhi also established Gandhi Ashram on the bank of river Sabarmati and selected Ahmedabad as his “Karmabhumi”.

The city was founded in 1411 to serve as the capital of the Sultanate of Gujarat, by its namesake, Sultan Ahmed Shah. Under British rule, a military Cantonment was established and the city infrastructure was modernized and expanded. It was part of the Bombay Presidency during the British rules in India. Kankaria Lake, in the neighbourhood of Maninagar, is an artificial lake developed by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the Sultan of Delhi, in 1451 A.D. The city is also called Karnavati, a name for an older town that existed in the walled area.

Ahmedabad remained the most important city in the Gujarat region. The City established itself as the home of a booming textile industry, which earned the nickname “The Manchester of India.” With the creation of the state of Gujarat in 1960, Ahmedabad gained prominence as the political and commercial capital of the state. Once characterized by dusty roads and congested localities, the city is witnessing a major construction boom and population increase. A rising centre of education, information technology and scientific industries, Ahmedabad remains the cultural and commercial heart of Gujarat, and much of western India. Since 2000, the city has been transformed through the construction of skyscrapers, shopping malls and multiplexes.

The BRTS and the Sabarmati River Front development project are also under progress. Kankaria Lake, Siddi Saiyad’s Jali, Jama Masjid, Roza of Sarkhej are the historical monuments/places situated in the city. Gandhi Ashram, Abhay Ghat (Samadhi of Late. Prime Minister Shri Moraraji Desai), Science City, Vaishnovdevi Temple, ISCON Temple are also famous for the tourists attraction. Lothal, Step-Well of Adalaj & Akshardham Temple are also very famous tourist places nearby. A famous Swaminarayan Temple is also situated in Sarangpur of Barvala Taluka of Botad District, which is a newly created district from parts of Ahmedabad and Bhavnagr. Nal Sarovar Lake is also a famous Bird Sanctuary where migratory birds from Central Asia visit every year in winter season, is situated in the Ahmedabad District.