Ahmedabad (Gujarat) is one of the most liveliest cities in India and being the capital city of Gujarat dose add something extra to the reputation of this city. A visit to Ahmedabad is a must when visitors are on a path of discovery of Gujarat. Ahmedabad city is the second most prosperous city in these western parts of India. Ahmedabad got its name from Sultan Ahmad Shah who founded it in 1411 AD. Today, this city has left behind its past and has turned and developed itself into a leading industrial centre. While returning from one of his campaigns the young Sultan Ahmed Shah impressed with the scenic surroundings and climate of the town of Ashawal undertook the building of his new capital with a fort and twelve gates and named it Ahmedabad. While you can only see the ramparts of the 600 year old Bhadra fort, almost all the twelve gates with the exception of one have withstood the ravages of time, war and men. The city is also famous for the infamous Dandi Yatra done by the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi

hmedabad, the largest city of Gujarat, was its former capital. The city founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in 1411 AD, lies on the left bank of the Sabarmati river. Ahmedabad is known for its beautiful monuments of historical and archaeological importance. The elegant architecture of its mosques and mausoleums is a unique blend of Muslim and Hindu Styles. The city has grown into a great textile and commercial centre.

Ahmedabad has experienced a number of high points, followed by declines. Sultan Ahmed Shah, the erstwhile ruler of Medieval Gujarat, founded Ahmedabad in AD 1411. Ahmedabad city declined within a century of its being established. In 1572, EmperorAkbar seized Ahmedabad and assimilated it within the great Mughal Empire. Ahmedabad became an important business center during the Mughal period until the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, after which the Ahmedabad city again began to decline. The British seized Ahmedabad in 1818 and set up a number of textile mills here. Ahmedabad became the temporary capital of the state of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970.

Gujarat's principal city is Ahmedabad (also known as Amdavad) and is one of the major industrial cities in India. Although it retains little evidence of the Raj, it has been called the `Manchester of the East' due to its many textile industries and its smokestacks.

Ahmedabad was built in an open and spacious plain in the immediate vicinity of Ashaval to the east of Sabarmati. It then comprised a smaller now known as the Bhadra Fort or the citadel of Bhadra. Other structures were added to its from time to time. The city was enclosed by a fortwall six miles in the circumference containing 12 gates, 189 bastions and over 6000 battlements in 1487 by Mohammed Begdo, the grandson of Ahmedshah, to protect it from outside invaders. It was planned according to the ancient Indo-Aryan tradition of a royal capital with main roads, thoroughfares and subsidiary roads.

Under the fostering care of the sultans of Gujarat , the city of Ahmedabad went on expanding in every direction by the addition of new localities and suburbs,on both the sides of river, and gradually rose into a well built city, with well-laid-out residential in marketing areas and beautified by palaces,mansions, mausoleums and mosques of reservoirs(lakes) and gardens erected by the noblemen of  the sultans and wealthy merchants of the capital.

Major Tourist Attractions in Ahmedabad

Juma Masjid
Juma Masjid is amongst the most popular tourist sights in the city. Built of yellow sandstone this mosque stands on 260 pillars which support 15 domes at varying elevations. The mosque was built by Ahmad Shah in 1423. It is easily accessible as it stands in the centre of the old city. This imposing structure reflects the Muslim architecture of that period.

Jhulta Minara
Quite an unusual structure, Jhulta Minara or swaying minarets are a part of the mosque of Siddi Bashir and can be moved back and forth by applying a little force at the topmost arch. One of the minarets was partly demolished by an Englishman in his endeavours to unravel the mystery of the swaying minarets. The mosque was built by master craftsmen and the crucial mechanism that leads to the vibration is still a mystery. The other interesting fact here is that these minars stand the test of the rumbling trains that pass not very far away from them.

Hathising Jain Temple
An impressive white structure, the Jain temple built of white marble and elaborately carved is dedicated to Dharmanath - the 15th Jina or Jain Apostle. Similar to all Jain temples, this temple too is rich in intricate carvings displaying among other things - musicians.

Bhadra Fort
To add special charm to the varied sights of the city there is the Bhadra Fort, which once housed royal palaces and well-laid gardens. It boasts of the temple of Bhadrakali and was built in 1411 during the Maratha rule.

Sidi Sayed Mosque
Sidi Sayed Mosque is unique for its exquisite screens, which are praised for their amazing Jhali screen, framed, in the ten semi-circular windows. The screen carved out of one rock is just exceptional. A visit to this superb and outstanding example of delicate carving is an absolute must.

Sabarmati Ashram
Sabarmati River seen from the Ashram The ashram was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1915, and today without doubt it is the biggest tourist attraction in Ahmedabad. It lies on the tranquil stretch of the Sabarmati river and was referred to as the Satyagraha Ashram during the lifetime of the Mahatma. It was from here, that the Mahatma began his famous 'Dandi March' in 1930 to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. One can see the three wise monkeys and many more of Gandhiji's teachings at the ashram premises. The ashram today continues the work started by Mahatma and houses a handicrafts centre, a handmade paper factory and a spinning wheel factory. Besides, there are several other attractions for the tourist.

Kankaria Lake
A circular lake built in 1451 by Sultan Qutub-ud-Din. In the centre of the lake is an island garden with a summer palace known as Nagina Wadi. The lake is a popular recreation centre surrounded by parks, 'Bal Vatika' - an aquarium, a boat club, a natural history museum and a zoo.

Getting There

Air :
Ahmedabad airport, located 10 km north of the city, receives both national and international flights.

Rail :
 Ahmedabad is well connected by trains with Delhi, Mumbai, Vadodra and Udaipur.

Road :
Ahmedabad has a good road network. By road it is linked with towns like Vadodra, Rajkot, Palitana and Jamnagar.