Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah on the banks of River Sabarmati in 1411 A.D.

Legend has it that he decided to build the capital at Ahmedabad because he saw a rabbit attacking one of his hunter dogs. It occurred to him that if the rabbits of the region were so brave, the people must be even braver.

Sultan Ahmed Shah graced his kingdom with splendid monuments, mosques, pavilions and mausoleums, marking the beginning of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. Modern day Ahmedabad, the capital of the State of Gujarat is the largest city and a leading industrial centre in Gujarat. It is also the sixth largest in India. But Ahmedabad has a lot more to offer visitors.

Popularly known as the Manchester of the East, Ahmedabad boasts of the largest denim production in the world. It is also home to several interesting museums. Many of Ahmedabad's buildings bear the signatures of world-renowned architects like Le Corbusier, Louis Khan, Doshi and Correa.

It is from the austere habitat of Sabarmati at Ahmedabad, that the 'Father of the Nation' - Mahatma Gandhi took on the mighty British Empire, and gave human race one of its most remarkable ways to fight oppression - non-violence.

The Ahmedabad circuit, which covers the northern part of Gujarat, is a fascinating blend of history, culture and adventure. It is home to the Sabarmati Ashram, Mahatma Gandhi's famous retreat and the nerve centre of India's freedom movement, Ambaji -an important place of pilgrimage in Gujarat and some of the finest examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture like the Jumma Masjid and the Siddi Sayyad Mosque.

In Ahmedabad you will also find step wells, a unique feature of this region and ornately carved temples at Modhera and Kumbharia. Most of the places of tourist interest can be conveniently accessed from Ahmedabad by road, rail and air.

Kankaria Lake

Constructed by Sultan Qutub-ud-Din, this lake is a popular recreational spot for people of Ahmedabad. The lake is surrounded by landscaped garden, terraced slopes, zoo, aquarium and balvatika.

Teen Darwaja

His triple-arched gateway was originally meant to serve as the royal entrance to the Maidan Shahi or Royal Square.

White marbled Hathee Singh's Temple

This temple is dedicated to the 15th Jain apostle - Dharamnath. It is built in pure white marble and embellished with intricate carving.

Sarkhej Roza

Sarkhej comprises one of the most elegant architectural complexes of Ahmedabad. The buildings are remarkable for the complete absence of arches and the use of pierced stone trellises.

Mosque of Sidi Saiyad

Ahmedabad has a large number of mosques but the most famous is the Sidi Saiyad Mosque built in 1571 AD, which is acclaimed for its splendid filigree screen, framed in the ten semi-circular windows.

Dada Hari Vava

This step-well manifests a unique architectural feature of Gujarat. Step-wells were built to provide travellers with water and cool resting place.

Jumma Masjid

It is considered to be one of the most beautiful  mosques in western India. This mosque, built in 1423 AD, is outstanding for its grand scale, superb proportions and exquisite workmanship.

Rani Sipri Mosque

A small, exquisite mosque built in 1514 by a queen of Mehmud Shah Begda. The queen herself lies burried here.

Shaking Minarets

The shaking Minarets of Sidi Bashir's Mosque have generated tremendous curiosity. The two minarets are designed such that if one of them is shaken, the other trembles as well.

Gandhi Ashram

The Gandhi Ashram along the Sabarmati river, was once Gandhiji's nerve centre for the Indian freedom movement. The Gandhi Memorial Centre, Library and much more can be seen at the Ashram.

Places of Interest

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