Thursday, January 25, 2007

Ahmedabad: Land of Textile and Monuments






Indian cities listed for the vigorous rate of growth can’t be completed without the mention of Ahmedabad, Capital of Gujrat state till the 1970. History reveals that the city was in existence in the 11th century and was named as Ashapalli or Ashawal. During the 13th century King Karandev of Solanki dynasty after the victory over the King of Ashaval established a city called Karnavati on the bank of river Sabarmati. At the same place in the year 1411 sultan Ahmed Shah reconstructed the city Ahmedabad which works as the capital of sultanate [Kingdom].In the year 1487 grandson of Ahmed Shah, Mohammad Begada started and completed the construction of city wall of 10 km. in circumference with 12 gates and 189 bastions.

You can bifurcate city into two parts; Old city unplanned structures, narrow roads and much crowded during the rush business hours and new city much satisfactory and to some extant planned infra structures, sufficiently wide roads and shops and business complexes to meet with modern trends of shopping. From the centuries the city has been nick named as Manchester of east due to reliable textile industry. In the recent past skillful native population has added Chemical Industry also in the business horizon of the city to make it more versatile and competitor for the other markets of the world. Ahmedabad is on the national highway 8 that connects Delhi with Mumbai. Being the past capital of state city is well connected with all other major cities of country by road also.

The city is famous for the “Sabarmati Ashram” monument related with Mahatma Gandhi, Father of Nation and “Akhshar Dham” Temple. You can find here numerous monuments scattered here and there. Dandi, place related with famous salt agitation of Gandhi ji and Dwarka related with Lord Krishna are in the vicinity of the city. Some of the famous monuments and places of tourist attraction are

Kankaria Lake, Aquarium & Zoo [Constructed by Sultan Qutub-ud-Din]

Step Wells [Caves with interiorsof carvings in stone]

The Palace of Shahibaugh [Build in 1622 A.D. Presently Sardar Patel Memorial]

Jain Temples (Derasars) [Situated in old city]
Dawazas(Gates) of Ahmedabad - Teen Darwazas
- Lal Darwazas- Delhi Darwazas

Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram [Built on the banks of river Sabarmati]

Sidi Syed Mosque [Near Lal Darwaja and world famous for magnificient craved stone work]

Jumma Masjid [illustration of Islamic Architecture with 260 pillars and 15Domes, constructed by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1423]

Apart from these there are many museums reflecting old culture of the city. The city is a real image of ancient glory and modernization.

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