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Ahmedabad Tourism

Legacy in concord with modernism.
State : Gujarat
District : Ahmedabad
Type of Tourism : Heritage tourism
Area : 475 km2
Population : 3,520,085 (As per Indian census- 2001)
Altitude : 53 metres
Best Tourist Season : November to March and July to September
Tourist Attractions : Sabarmati Ashram (Gandhi Ashram), Jumma Mosque, Sarkhej Roza, Rani no Hajiro, Badshah no Hajiro, Sidi Sayed Mosque, Jhulta Minara, Ahmed Shah Mosque, Sidi Bashir Mosque, Hussain Doshi’s Gufa, Adalaj ni Vav, Dada Harir Vav, Hutheesing Jain Temple, Rani Rupmati’s Mosque, Rani Sipri’s Mosque, Bhadra Fort (Bhadra no killo), Teen Darawaza, Lal Darwaza, Manek Chowk, Kankaria Lake, Kamla Nehru Zoo, Vastrapur Lake
Pin Codes : 380001 To 382480
Clothing recommended: Cotton and Khadi
Languages spoken : Gujarati, Hindi, English
What to buy : Ethnic Jewellery, Khadi, Bandhej (Bandhani) clothes, Patola Silk Sari, Chaniya Choli, Handicraft Items, Shoes.
Food Specialties : Gujarati Thali, Indian Chat, Paani-Puri, Khandavi, Undhiyu, Dhokala, Fafada, Jalebi, Shrikhand, Ice Cream.


About Ahmedabad

The largest city of Gujarat, the 7th largest in India and the 3rd fastest growing city of the world, ‘Ahmedabad’, is the precursory capital and current judicial and commercial capital of the state of Gujarat. Renowned as ‘The Manchester of the East’ and ‘the Karmabhumi of Mahatma Gandhi’, this city presents a fine admixture of historical and cultural heritage, tradition and vibrant modernism. The eventful and prosperous historical background of ‘Ahmedabad’ and the present industrial hustle bustle offers the visitor a rich kaleidoscopic and mystically panoramic experience to take away with. Situated on the banks of the river Sabarmati, this city is named after and known as the city of Sultan Ahmed Shah. A fascinating evidence of the happy alliance of Hindu and Islamic art and culture makes ‘Ahmedabad’ an endorsing tourist destination.

History of Ahmedabad

Evidence of Human inhabitation in Ahmedabad goes bake to 11th century AD when this city was called Ashaval or Ashapalli and ruled by a Bhil King. Later this Bhil King was defeated by the Solanki King of Anhilwara (Patan) – Karnadev I, who took over the region and Ashapalli was christened as Karnavati. The original Karnavati was located close to the Sabarmati River, which is presently known as Maninagar area in Ahmedabad.
Solanki dynasty ruled Karnavati till the beginning of 15th century, when in 1411 Karnavati was conquered by Sultanate of Delhi. As the legend goes, Sultan Ahmed Shah was camping on the banks of the river Sabarmati when he came across a rare phenomenon. He saw a rabbit chasing a dog. (“Jab kutte pe sassa aaya, tab Badshah ne shaher basaya”) Astonished by this marvel, Sultan Ahmed Shah built the capital of his kingdom at that place and named it after his own name – Ahmedabad.
The ruins of the fort that surrounded Ahmedabad is today known as ‘Bhadra no Killo’. Constructed in 1487 during the rule of Mahmud Begada, the grandson of Ahmed Shah, the outer wall of this fort was 10 kms long and consisted of 12 gates. Muzaffarid dynasty ruled Ahmedabad till 1573 when Akbar, the eminent Mughal emperor conquered it. During the Mughal dominion, Ahmedabad became the thriving centre of textile trade and exported the calico even to Europe.
From 1753 to the colonization of India, Ahmedabad was reined by Marathas. Later in 1824, British East India Co. established a military cantonment here and in 1864 Ahmedabad got connected with Mumbai (Bombay then) through a railway track. As British rule did not try to colonize this city culturally, the relics of Mughal tradition has remained intact till date.
20th century Ahmedabad witnessed the struggle of independence very closely as it hosts the Sabarmati Ashram established by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Presently Ahmedabad serves as the commercial and judicial capital of Gujarat and one of the landmarks in the field of education technology.

Ahmedabad Culture

‘Unity in diversity’ proves to be a perfect statement to describe the profound cultural heritage of the city of Ahmedabad. Hindu – Muslim cultural fraternity can be witnessed here. Ahmedabadi People are very enthusiastic, energetic and fun loving. They love food, shopping and merry making and follow the traditions and customs quite strictly. And at the same time they are good business executives too.
People from different parts of India like Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala and North Indian States too have migrated to Ahmedabad. Though the major language spoken here is Gujarati, Hindi and English are widely spoken here too. Gujarati is on the 23rd rank in the list of most commonly spoken languages in the world.
Gujarati thali is one of the famous Ahmedabadi cuisines which consist of Dal, Bhaat, Rotali and Shak. Apart from the common Rotali, other Indian breads served here are Rotala, Bhakari, Thepala, Puri, Mal puva and Vedami. Other delicious Gujarati dishes include Khaman, Dhokala, Dal- dhokali, Undhiyu, Handavo, Fafada, Jalebi, Bhusu, Papadi, Sev- mamara, Khichu and Khakhara. Some desert is must for Ahmedabadis and they love recipes made in lots of oil and ghee.
Bandhani, Patola Silk, Chaniya Choli and Kediyu are some of the traditional Ahmedabadi attires though we can see all kinds of modern clothes now a day.
Ahmedabad is very well known for its Navaratri festival and Uttarayan (Kite flying festival). Other hindu festivals like Divali, Holi, Janmashtami, Raksha Bandhan and Ganesh Utsav and Muslim festivals like Idd and also Christmas are celebrated with equal zest here. The Rath Yatra and Tajia processions are noteworthy cultural landmarks in Hindu and Muslim calendar of Ahmedabadis.