CITY OF THE MAHATMA

Ahmedabad, the city of Ahmed Shah (Medieval ruler of Gujarat), is known for its rich past and its association with the Mahatma (Great Soul), also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The city offers the traveler a unique style of architecture, which is a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles (Indo-Saracenic style of architecture). The monuments of Ahmedabad mainly date back to the 15th century. Ahmedabad has been known for its industry since medieval times. Presently it is famous for its textile mills and is often referred to as the 'Manchester of the East'.

LOCATION

Ahmedabad city is located in the state of Gujarat, in the western part of India. It lies along the Sabarmati River. Ahmedabad is 440 km north of Mumbai. The climate of Ahmedabad is hot and moist. Winters are cool and pleasant (November-February) but summers (April-June) are extremely dry, hot and the temperature can be as high as 46°C at times. The city experiences good rainfall during the monsoon season (July-September).

VISITING TIME

As the city of Ahmedabad experiences a harsh summer season, and is lashed by the southwestern monsoons, the best time to visit Ahmedabad is during winters.

THE PAST

Ahmedabad has a chequered history. It has experienced a number of high points, followed by declines. It was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah, the erstwhile ruler of Medieval Gujarat, in AD 1411. The city declined within a century of its being established. In 1572, Emperor Akbar seized it 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 city again began to decline. The British seized it in 1818 and set up a number of textile mills here. It became the temporary capital of the state of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970.

TOURIST SPOTS

Ahmedabad is world famous because of Mahatma Gandhi's Ashram. It has a number of tourist points, both within the walled city and beyond it. The tombs of Ahmed Shah and his queens, Ahmed Shah's Mosque, Jama Masjid, Mosque of Sidi Sayid, Teen Darwaza or Triple Gateway are major monuments. Other important monuments include Rani Rupmati's Mosque, Rani Sipri's Mosque, Raj Rabri Mosque, Hathee Singh Jain Temple and Siddi Bashir Mosque. Kankaria Lake, Kutbi Mazar, Bhadra Fort, Dada-hari-di-Vav (an architectural step well), Victoria Gardens, N C Mehta Museum of Miniatures and Calico Textile Museum are also important places to visit. The walled city boasts of a number of 'pols' or traditional colonies, which date back to the 18th century.

SITES NEARBY

There are many tourist spots near Ahmedabad. Sarkhej, a spot 8 km southwest of the city, has important historical monuments. Nineteen km north of the city is Adlaj Vav, an intricately built step well. Lothal, an ancient dock belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization, lies 85 km southwest of Ahmedabad. The town of Modhera is 102 km northwest of the city and boasts of an ancient sun temple. Patan lies 130 km northwest of Ahmedabad and has about 100 Jain temples.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

Ahmedabad is famous for its Makar Sankranti, which is celebrated in the month of January with kite flying, folk music and dance.

SHOPPING

Ahmedabad, being an important center for textile industry, offers a range of textile products. One can buy traditional Patola silk saris as well as block-printed items here. On Ashram Road near the tourist office one can get handicraft items from the Gujarat State Craft Emporium or 'Gurjari'.

HOW TO REACH

Ahmedabad airport is located 10 km north of the city center. Indian Airlines & other private airlines have daily flights to Mumbai and Delhi from Ahmedabad airport. The city is also connected to Bangalore, Goa and Chennai by regular flights. Ahmedabad also has a good road network with good network of National and State Highways. Ahmedabad is well connected by trains with Delhi, Mumbai, Vadodra and Udaipur. The traffic in the city remains chaotic, particularly in the morning and evening. The main mode of transport is through auto-rickshaws and GSTC buses.

PLACES TO EAT

Ahmedabad is the right place to savor the traditional Gujarati cuisine. One can also taste Muslim non-vegetarian food and snacks for a small price at stalls across the city and near Teen Darwaza in particular. Travelers can find traditional Gujarati restaurants across the city. Gujarati food is basically vegetarian. The traditional Gujarati food is served on a plate or thali and has a number of mouthwatering preparations, some of which can be sweet to the newcomer. The main constituent of the traditional thali is kadhi, a mouthwatering curry made of curd. Undhyoo, a winter specialty, is made up of vegetables roasted in an earthen vessel, which is buried upside down, with a fire built on top to cook the vegetables. Gujarati dishes are often sweetened with jaggery or sugar and have a large helping of clarified butter or ghee. Shrikhand, a sweetened form of yogurt, is very popular here.