Gujarat

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This article is about the Indian state. For the district in Pakistan, see Gujrat District. For
the city in Pakistan, see Gujrat.Gujarat
ગુજરાત
— state —

Seal

Clockwise from top: Gujarat High Court, Dwarka Beach, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Kankaria
Lakefront, Gandhi Ashram, Salt Desert of Kutch

Gandhinagar
Location of Gujarat in India
Coordinates 23.2167°N 72.6833°E
Country India
District(s) 26
Established 1 May 1960
Capital Gandhinagar
Largest city Ahmedabad
Governor Dr. Kamla Beniwal
Chief Minister Narendra Modi
Legislature (seats) Unicameral (182)
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area 196024 km2 (75685 sq mi)
ISO 3166-2 IN-GJ
Website www.gujaratindia.com

Gujarat (Gujarati: ગુજરાત Gujǎrāt, - [ɡudʒ(ə)ɾat]( listen)) is a state in India and its capital
is Gandhinagar. Its largest city is Ahmedabad. Gujarat is home to the Gujarati speaking
people of India. The state encompasses major sites of the Indus Valley Civilization such
as Lothal and Dholavira. Gujarat played an important role in the economic history of
India throughout the history of India.[1] It is home to major ports in India's ancient and
modern history, leading it to become one of the main trade and commerce center of India.
Lothal, one of the world's first ports, is located in Gujarat. Mohandas Gandhi, considered
as India's "father of the nation," was a Gujarati who led the Indian Independence
Movement against the British rule.[2] Even today, Gujarat has one of the fastest growing
economies in India.[3]Contents [hide]
1 History
1.1 Origin
1.2 Ancient history
1.3 1297 CE – 1614 CE
1.4 1614 CE – 1947 CE
1.5 Indian independence movement
1.6 Post independence
2 Geography
2.1 Forests and Wildlife
2.2 Major Rivers
3 Economy
3.1 Industrial growth
3.2 Agriculture
4 Demographics
5 Language
6 Government and politics
6.1 Revenues of government
6.2 Districts
7 Culture of Gujarat
7.1 Religion
7.1.1 Hinduism
7.1.2 Jainism
7.1.3 Islam
7.1.4 Zoroastrianism
7.1.5 Religious traditions
7.1.6 Religious sites
7.2 Historic sites
7.3 Fairs and festivals
7.3.1 Fairs
7.3.2 Festivals
8 Major Cities
9 Education
10 Literature
11 Gujarati Films
12 Museums
13 Transportation
13.1 Air
13.1.1 International airport
13.1.2 Domestic airports
13.2 Rail
13.3 Sea
13.4 Road
13.4.1 Local transportation
13.4.1.1 Bus
13.4.1.2 Auto rickshaws
14 See also
15 References
16 External links

[edit]
History
Main article: History of Gujarat
[edit]
Origin
See also: Gurjar

Modern-day Gujarat is derived from Gurjaratra that is the land protected or ruled by the
Gurjars, or from Gurjar-rashtra, the Gujjar nation.[4][5][6] The origins of the Gujjars are
uncertain. The Gujjar clan appeared in northern India about the time of the Huna
invasions of northern India. Some scholars, such as V. A. Smith, believed that the Gujjars
were foreign immigrants, possibly a branch of Hephthalites ("White Huns"), however
others, such as K.M.Munshi, stated them as Indian. The name of the tribe was
Sanskritized to "Gurjara" .[7]
[edit]
Ancient history
See also: Indus Valley Civilization, Maitraka, and Solanki

Ancient Lothal as envisaged by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Historically, the present-day state of Gujarat has been one of the main centers of the
Indus Valley Civilization. It contains major ancient metropolitan cities from the Indus
Valley such as Lothal, Dholavira, and Gola Dhoro. The ancient city of Lothal is the site
of the India's first port. Also, Dholavira, the ancient city, is one of the largest and most
prominent archaeological sites in India, belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization. The
most recent discovery was Gola Dhoro. All together, about 50 Indus Valley settlement
ruins were discovered in Gujarat.[8]

The ancient history of Gujarat was enriched by their commercial activities. There is a
clear historical evidence of trade and commerce ties with Sumer in the Persian Gulf
during the time period of 1000 to 750 BC.[8]

There was a succession of Hindu kingdoms including the era of the Gupta dynasty and
Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty. Afterwards the region was ruled by the Maitrakas and then the
Solankis. The 11th century history of Gujarat saw the emergence of the Muslims in the
political arena of the state. The first Muslim conqueror was Mahmud of Ghazna whose
conquest of Somnath effectively ended the rule of the Solankis.[8]
[edit]
1297 CE – 1614 CE

From 1297 to 1300, Allauddin Khilji, Sultan of Delhi, destroyed Anhilwara and
incorporated Gujarat into the Delhi Sultanate. After Timur's sacking of Delhi at the end
of the fourteenth century weakened the Sultanate, Gujarat's Muslim governor Zafar Khan
Muzaffar asserted his independence, and his son, Sultan Ahmed Shah (ruled 1411 to
1442), restructured Ahmedabad as the capital. Cambay eclipsed Bharuch as Gujarat's
most important trade port. The Sultanate of Gujarat remained independent until 1576,
when the Mughal emperor Akbar conquered it and annexed it to the Mughal Empire. The
port of Surat become the prominent and main port of India during Mughal rule. Gujarat
remained a province of the Mughal empire until the Marathas occupied eastern and
central Gujarat in the eighteenth century; Western Gujarat (Kathiawar and Kutch) were
divided among numerous local rulers.

Bombay Presidency in 1909, northern portion

Bombay Presidency in 1909, southern portion

[edit]
1614 CE – 1947 CE

Portugal was the first European power to arrive in Gujarat, acquiring several enclaves
along the Gujarati coast, including Daman and Diu as well as Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
The British East India Company established a factory in Surat in 1614, which formed
their first base in India, but it was eclipsed by Bombay after the British acquired it from
Portugal in 1668. The Company wrested control of much of Gujarat from the Marathas
during the Second Anglo-Maratha War. Many local rulers, notably the Maratha
Gaekwads of Baroda (Vadodara), made a separate peace with the British and
acknowledged British sovereignty in return for retaining local self-rule. Gujarat was
placed under the political authority of the Bombay Presidency, with the exception of
Baroda state, which had a direct relationship with the Governor-General of India. From
1818 to 1947, most of present-day Gujarat, including Kathiawar, Kutch, and northern and
eastern Gujarat were divided into hundreds of princely states, but several districts in
central and southern Gujarat, namely Ahmedabad, Broach (Bharuch), Kaira (Kheda),
Panchmahal, and Surat, were ruled directly by British officials.
[edit]
Indian independence movement
See also: Freedom fighters from Gujarat

Mahadev Desai (left) reading out a letter to Mahatma Gandhi from the viceroy at Birla
House, Bombay, 7 April 1939.

Leaders like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Morarji Desai,
K.M. Munshi, Narhari Parikh, Mahadev Desai, Mohanlal Pandya, Bhulabhai Desai and
Ravi Shankar Vyas all hailed from Gujarat. As well, Mohammed Ali Jinnah's, Pakistan's
first Governor-General, father was from an area which later became Gujarat. Gujarat was
also the site of some of the most popular revolts, including the Satyagrahas in Kheda,
Bardoli, Borsad and the Salt Satyagraha.
[edit]
Post independence

After Indian independence and the partition of India in 1947, the new Indian government
grouped the former princely states of Gujarat into three larger units; Saurashtra, which
included the former princely states on the Kathiawad peninsula, Kutch, and Bombay
state, which included the former British districts of Bombay Presidency together with
most of Baroda state and the other former princely states of eastern Gujarat. In 1956,
Bombay state was enlarged to include Kutch, Saurashtra, and parts of Hyderabad state
and Madhya Pradesh in central India. The new state had a mostly Gujarati-speaking north
and a Marathi-speaking south. Agitation by both Gujarati and Marathi nationalists for
their own states led to the split of Bombay state on linguistic lines; on 1 May 1960, it
became the new states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The first capital of Gujarat was
Ahmedabad; the capital was moved to Gandhinagar in 1970.
[edit]
Geography
Main article: Geography of Gujarat
See also: Climate of Gujarat

Geography of Gujarat. Courtesy: NASA Earth Observatory

Gujarat borders with Pakistan to the north-west, bounded by the Arabian Sea to the
southwest, the state of Rajasthan to the northeast, Madhya Pradesh to the east, and by
Maharashtra, Union territories of Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli to the south.
Historically, the North was known as Anarta, the Kathiawad peninsula, "Saurastra", and
the South as "Lata".[9] Gujarat was also known as Pratichya and Varuna.[10] The
Arabian Sea makes up the state's western coast. The capital, Gandhinagar is a planned
city. Gujarat has an area of 75,686 sq mi (196,077 km².
[edit]
Forests and Wildlife

Gir National Park

Male Asiatic lion

Main article: List of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Gujarat, India

As per the India State Of Forest Report 2009, Gujarat is having 7.46 % of its' total
geographical area under forest cover. As per the districts, The Dangs is having the largest
area under forest cover. Gujarat has 4 National parks and 21 sanctuaries. Gujarat is the
only home of Asiatic Lions. Outside Africa, Gujarat is the only present natural habitat of
lions. Gir Forest National Park in the south-west part of the state covers only part of the
lions' habitat. Besides lions, the other big cat that can be found in the state is the leopard.
Leopards are spread across large plains of Saurashtra and mountains of South Gujarat.

Saputara

Other National parks include Vansda National Park, Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar
and Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch. Wildlife sanctuaries include: Wild Ass
Wildlife Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Porbandar Bird Sanctuary, Kutch Desert
Wildlife Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Jessore Sloth
Bear Sanctuary, Anjal, Balaram-Ambaji, Barda, Jambughoda, Khavda, Paniya, Purna,
Rampura, Ratanmahal, and Surpaneshwar.
Gujarat is one unique state where you can find major mountain-ranges of India. Aravalli,
Sahyadri, Vindhya and Satpura are having their presence in Gujarat. Apart from this Gir
hills, Barda, Jessore, Chotila etc. are situated in different parts of the Gujarat. Girnar is
famous and tallest hill of Gujarat. Saputara is the only hill-station of the state.
[edit]
Major Rivers

Sardar Sarovar Project, Gujarat, partially completed (up to E.L.121.92 m)

Narmada is the biggest river of the Gujarat followed by Tapi, although Sabarmati covers
the longest area in the state. Sardar Sarovar Project is being built on Narmada river.
Narmada is one of the major rivers of peninsular India with a length of around 1312 km.
It is one of only three rivers in peninsular India that run from east to west - the others
being the Tapi River and the Mahi River. Apart from this Vishvamitra, Dhadhar,
Meshvo, Banas, Shedhi, Aji, Daman Ganga, Purna, Ambika, Bhadar etc. are other rivers
of the state.
[edit]
Economy This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be
challenged and removed. (February 2010)

Main article: Economy of Gujarat

Gujarat has some of the largest businesses in India. Major agricultural produce of the
state include cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), dates, sugar cane, milk and milk products.
Industrial products include cement and petrol.
39% of India's industrial output
10% of its mineral production
80% of salt production
20% of India's exports
25% of its textile production
40% of India's pharmaceutical products
67% of petrochemical production
Longest shoreline — 1,670 kilometres (1,040 mi)

Gandhinagar, the Capital of Gujarat State

The world's largest shipbreaking yard is in Gujarat near Bhavnagar at Alang. Reliance
Petroleum Limited, one of the group companies of Reliance Industries Limited founded
by Dhirubhai Ambani, operates the oil refinery at Jamnagar, which is the world's largest
grass-roots refineries. The company has also planned another SEZ (special economic
zone) in Jamnagar.

Gujarat ranks first nationwide in gas-based thermal electricity generation with national
market share of over 8% and second nationwide in nuclear electricity generation with
national market share of over 1%.
Over 20% of the S&P CNX 500 conglomerates have corporate offices in Gujarat.

As per RBI report, in year 2006–07, 26% out of total bank finance in India was in
Gujarat.
[edit]
Industrial growth

Gujarat's major cities include Ahmedabad, Surat, Baroda(Vadodara) and Rajkot. Surat is
the fastest growing city[citation needed] and Ahmedabad is the third fastest growing city
in India[citation needed]. Major resources produced by the state include cotton, peanuts,
dates, sugarcane, and petrol. The state is rich in calcite, gypsum, manganese, lignite,
bauxite, limestone, agate, feldspar and quartz sand, and successful mining of these
minerals is done in their specified areas. Gujarat produces about 90% of India’s required
amount of Soda Ash and gives the country about 66% of its national requirement of salt.
It is one of India's most prosperous states, having a per-capita GDP significantly above
India's average. Kalol Khambat and Ankaleshwar are today known for their oil and
natural gas production. Dhuvaran has a thermal power station, which uses coal, oil and
gas. The Tarapur nuclear station in Maharashtra supplies the main power. Also, on the
Gulf of Khambat, 50 kilometres (31 mi) southeast of Bhavnagar, is the Alang Ship
Recycling Yard (the world's largest). General Motors produces the Astra car at Halol near
Vadodara. Jalalpur is a large town of Gujarat, where several small and large textile
industrial units have been established. Surat, a city by the Gulf of Khambat, is a hub of
the global diamond trade. In 2003, 92% of the world's diamonds were cut and polished in
Surat.[11]

During the period of 1960–90, Gujarat established itself as a leader in various industrial
sectors including textiles, engineering, chemicals, petrochemicals, drugs and
pharmaceuticals, dairy, cement and ceramics, and gems and jewellery, amongst others. A
post-liberalization period saw Gujarat's State Domestic Product (SDP) rising at an
average growth rate of 14% per annum in real terms (from 1994–2002). Gujarat achieved
as much as 35% of augmentation in its power generation capacity during the periods
1995–96 and 2000–01. The producers (IPPs) have contributed significantly in this
addition. Gujarat is one of the first few states in India to have encouraged private sector
investment, some of which are already in operation. In addition, the liquid cargo
(chemicals) handling port at Dahej is also set up in joint sector and made operational. At
an investor's summit entitled "Vibrant Gujarat," arranged between 10 January 2007 to 13
January 2007, at Science City, Ahmedabad, the state government signed 104 Memoranda
of Understandings for Special Economic Zones worth a total of Rs 2.5 lakh crore.[12]
However, most of the investment was from domestic industry.[13] In the fourth Vibrant
Gujarat Global Investors' Summit held at Science City, Ahmedabad, in January 2009,
there were 600 foreign delegates. In all, 8668 MOUs worth Rs 12.5 lakh cr were signed,
estimated to create 25 lakh new job opportunities in the state.[14]

Gujarat government has a front runner in development of solar energy in the state. It has
alloted 716 MW of Solar Power capacity to 34 national and international solar project
developers in 2009; against the planned 500 MW capacity under its Solar Power Policy.
[15] This is expected to bring in investments of INR 12000 crore and generate
employmentment for 5,000 people.
[edit]
Agriculture

Gujarat is the main producer of tobacco, cotton, and groundnuts in India. Other major
food crops produced are rice, wheat, jowar, bajra, maize, Tur, and gram. Gujarat has an
agricultural economy; the total crop area amounts to more than one-half of the total land
area.[16]

Animal husbandry and dairying have played a vital role in the rural economy of Gujarat.
Dairy farming, primarily concerned with milk production, functions on a cooperative
basis and has more than a million members. Gujarat is the largest producer of milk in
India. Amul milk co-operative federation products are well known all over India, and it is
Asia's biggest dairy[17]. Among livestock raised are buffalo and other cattle, sheep, and
goats. As per the results of livestock census 1997, there were 209.70 lakh livestock in
Gujarat State. As per the estimates of the survey of major livestock products, during the
year 2002–03, the Gujarat produced 6.09 million tonnes of milk, 385 million eggs and
2.71 million kg of wool. Gujarat also contributes inputs to industries like textiles, oil, and
soap.
[edit]
Demographics[show]
Population Growth

The population of the Gujarat State was 50,671,017 as per the 2001 census data. The
density of population is 258 persons per km², a lower density compared to other states of
the country.

About 89.1% of the population of Gujarat are Hindu.[19] Muslims account for 9.1%, Jain
1.0% and Sikh 0.1% of the population.[19] . Amongst Hindus, the deity of Krishna is
famously worshiped in His form of Shrinathji throughout Gujarat.

Gujarat, as a heavily industrialized state of India, attracts lots of outsiders from various
parts of India.
[edit]
Language
Main article: Gujarati language

Gujarati (ગુજરાતી Gujǎrātī?) is an Indo-Aryan language evolved from Sanskrit, and part of
the greater Indo-European language family. It is native to the Indian state of Gujarat, and
is its chief language, as well as of the adjacent union territories of Daman and Diu and
Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
There are about 46.1 million speakers of Gujarati worldwide, making it the 26th most
spoken native language in the world. Along with Romany and Sindhi, it is among the
most western of Indo-Aryan languages. Gujarati was the first language of Mohandas K.
Gandhi, the "father of India", Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the "father of Pakistan," and Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel, the "iron man of India".

Owing to its apparent youth with respect to its written history, the Gujarati script follows
the Nagari writing system. Nagari is a derivative of the Devanagari script, with one
notable difference being that the horizontal line is not utilised. Gujarati script also has a
few other variations in terms of certain consonants and employs a slightly different set of
symbols for numbers. Gujarati has also been the language spoken by two of South Asia`s
greatest and most prominent leaders: the Father of the Indian Nation, Mahatma Gandhi
and the Founder of Pakistan, Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

Majority of the population in State do speak Gujarati. Although, people from Kutch
region of Gujarat also speak in Kutchi language. Religionwise, 71% of Hindus in Gujarat
speak Gujarati while the other 29% speak Hindi. Almost 88% of the Muslims speak
Gujarati while the other 12% speak Urdu. Almost all of the Jains speak Gujarati, a few
speak Marwari as well. Parsi Zoroastrians also speak Gujarati as their native language.
Marathi is spoken by a large number of people in Vadodara and Surat . Apart from this,
English, Sindhi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Oriya, Malayalam etc. is also being
spoken but in small amount .
[edit]
Government and politics
Main article: Politics of Gujarat
Further information: Chief Ministers of GujaratGujarat state symbols
Animal Asiatic lion
Bird Greater flamingo
Dance Garba
Flower galgota
Language Gujarati
Song Jai Jai Garavi Gujarat
Sport
Tree mango (amba )

Gujarat is governed by a Legislative Assembly of 182 members. Members of the

Legislative Assembly (MLA) are elected on the basis of adult suffrage from one of 182
constituencies, of which 13 are reserved for scheduled castes and 26 for scheduled tribes.
The term of office for a member of the Legislative Assembly is five years. The
Legislative Assembly elects a speaker who presides over the meetings of the legislature.
A governor is appointed by the President of India, and is to address the state legislature
after every general election and the commencement of each year's first session of the
Legislative Assembly. The leader of the majority party or coalition in the legislature
(Chief Minister) or his or her designee acts as the Leader of the Legislative Assembly.
The administration of the state is led by the Chief Minister.
After gaining independence in 1947, the Indian National Congress party (INC) ruled the
Bombay state (which included present-day Gujarat and Maharashtra). Congress
continued to govern Gujarat after the state's creation in 1960. During and after India's
State of Emergency of 1975–1977, public support for the Congress Party eroded, but it
continued to hold government until 1995. In the 1995 Assembly elections, the Congress
lost to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Keshubhai Patel came to power. His
government lasted only two years. The fall of that government was provoked by a split in
the BJP led by Shankersinh Vaghela, who has won most of the subsequent polls. In 2001,
following the loss of two assembly seats in by-elections, Keshubhai Patel resigned and
yielded power to Narendra Modi. The BJP retained a majority in the 2002 election, and
Narendra Modi has since served as Chief Minister of the state. On 1 June 2007, Narendra
Modi became the longest serving Chief Minister of Gujarat.[20][21] On 23 December
2007, the BJP won the state elections in Gujarat and Narendra Modi became the chief
minister for the third time in a row.
[edit]
Revenues of government

This is a chart of trend of own tax revenues (excluding the shares from Union tax pool) of
the Government of Gujarat assessed by the Finance Commissions from time to time with
figures in millions of Indian rupees.Year Own tax revenues
2000 104,818
2005 138,964

[edit]
Districts

Districts of Gujarat
Main article: List of districts of Gujarat

On 1960-05-01, Gujarat was created out of the 17 northern districts of former State of
Bombay. These districts were further subdivided later on. There are 26 administrative
districts in the state (as of 2007).Ahmedabad
Amreli
Anand
Banaskantha
Bharuch
Bhavnagar
Dahod Dang
Gandhinagar
Jamnagar
Junagadh
Kheda
Kutch
Mehsana Narmada
Navsari
Panchmahal
Patan
Porbandar
Rajkot
Sabarkantha Surat
Surendranagar
Tapi
Vadodara
Valsad

[edit]
Culture of Gujarat
Main article: Culture of Gujarat
[edit]
Religion
[edit]
Hinduism

Gujarat was a part of the Harappan civilization. Gujarat is home to Hindu saints of all
castes. Sant Dhudhalinath and Sant Girnari Velnathji were Adivasis, Sant Bhojo
Nachabkha and Madhavagar were Shudras, Mahatma Gandhi and Lala Bhagat were
Vaish, Sant Kilha was a Kshatriya[22], and Lakulisa and Chakradhara were Brahmins.

Many Hindu religious traditions developed in Gujarat.

For example, Pasupata Saivism was established in Gujarat. Gujarat is the birth-place of
Lord Shiva's avatar, Lakulisa (Staff-God). He established the Pasupata Shaivite tradition
(one of the six major schools of Shaivism) in 2 A.D. or 3 A.D. According to some
traditions, he was born in Kayarohana or Kayavatara in Saurashtra while other traditions
hold that it was Karavana, in the modern-day town of Dabhoi Taluka near Baroda,[23]
another that it was Ulkapuri (modern Avakhal)[24] and another that it was in Braoch or
Bharuch.[25] From Gujarat it spread north to Kashmir,[26] South to Tamil Nadu,[27]
East to Nepal[28] (where the Pashupatinath Temple stills exists popularly.)
Bhakti movement

The Bhakti movement was very popular in Gujarat where devotees of both Islam and
Hinduism focused worship of God, trying to rid any separations based on faith in God.

Swami Chakradhara was another major figure of the Bhakti movement, born in Gujarat in
1194 A.D.[29], and he is believed to be the avatar of Vishnu. Chakradhara Maharaja
established the Manhubhava Vaishnavite sect, which spread to Maharashtra as well. The
sect still exists today in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Sant Kilha was another Vaishnavite saint of Gujarat born to a Subedar (army man) father.
[22] He was the disciple of Krishnasdas (of Jaipur) and became his successor at the seat
of Galta — Kilha's branch became known as the "Tapasa branch."[30] Besides Ram
Bhakti (devotion to Lord Rama), he was also inclined towards yog-saghana and this is
why he was made acharya of the Galta Gaddi.[31] He is said to be the founder of the
Khati sect.[32] Jalarama, a devotee of Lord Rama is another popular figure. Jalarama's
birthday is still celebrated by Gujarati (in Gujarat and abroad) as Jalaram Jayanti.
[edit]
Jainism

Gujarat is a stronghold for the Jain community . Jainism preaches non-violence to all
living creatures and vegetarianism. The Jains have heavily influenced the cuisine of
Gujarat with the famous Gujarati thali containing small vegetarian dishes along with roti
and chaas. Morality in business is an important feature of Jain culture. The bania (traders)
caste, predominant in Gujarat, comprises followers from both the Jaina and Vaishnava
traditions. Intermarriages between the two traditions are common.
[edit]
Islam

Gujarat was one of the first regions in India where the Muslims migrated to after the
Partition of India. King Arjun of Gujarat permitted Muslim traders from Ormuz to build a
mosque within his realm.

The Sufi saints are very popular in Gujarat. Shaykh Makhu was a Sufi saint of the
Shattari lineage.[33] "Since Gujarat is situated on the western border of India, there was a
direct interaction with people of Arabia and Persia. Many Gujarati Saints and Sufis
became famous. Among them names of Sheikh Ganjul Lim (1381), Syed Burhanuddin
(1411) and Sheikh Wajihuddin Gujarati are well known.[34]
[edit]
Zoroastrianism

Following the fall of the Sassanid Empire in 651, many Zoroastrians migrated, including
several groups who settled in Gujarat. The descendants of those refugees are today
known as the Parsis and Irani. The year of arrival on the subcontinent cannot be precisely
established, and Parsi legend and tradition assigns various dates to the event.

They originally settled along coastal Gujarat in villages like Sanjan in Valsad district,
along the Gujarat-Maharashtra border. The Qissa-i Sanjan is a poem discussing the
Zoroastrians' landing in Sanjan through the generosity of Rana Jada and being allowed to
practice their customs.

Parsis are generally more affluent than other Indians and are stereotypically viewed as
among the most Anglicised and "Westernised" of the various minority groups[35]. They
have also played an instrumental role in economic development with several of the best-
known business conglomerates of India run by Parsi-Zoroastrians, including the Tata,
Godrej, and Wadia families.

Similarities with Hinduism is seen in Zoroastrianism in beliefs that the cow is very
sacred. In the 9th chapter of the Vendidad of the Avesta, the purificatory power of cow
urine is dilated upon.[36] It is declared to be a panacea for all bodily and moral evils. It is
drunk as well as applied externally.[36] Urine of the bull, called "nirang" is brought to
the house of an orthodox Parsi every morning and is (like cow milk) applied to the face,
hands, and feet.[36]

There were several Zoroastrian organizations formed to educate the Parsis on their
heritage. Rahnumai Maznayasnam Sabha was established in 1851 by English-educated
Parsis like Naoroji Furdunji with funds supplied by K.N.Kama. Much attention focused
on the improved of women in society; the purdah was abolished, the age of marriage
raised, and education promoted.[35]
[edit]
Religious traditions

In Gujarat, there have been several great religious figures. Sant Dadu Dayal (1554–1603),
a saint-poet and a major Bhakti figure from Ahmedabad treated equally both Rama and
Allah as names of God and became popular in Northern India. He wrote, "The illusion of
Allah and Rama hath been dispelled by my mind; since I see Thee in all"[37]

Gujarat is also the home of Mahatma Gandhi, who preached the unity between all
religions and became a worldwide figure for peaceful struggle against tyranny.

Modhera Sun Temple

Somnath Temple

Dwarkadheesh temple
[edit]
Religious sites

Dwarakadheesh temple in Dwarka is one of the important temples dedicated to Krishna.

On the tip of the Arabian Sea, it was home to Krishna. The Rann of Kutchch covers a
large portion of western Gujarat, and is world-famous for its rare ecosystem, fossils,
wildlife and terrain.

Palitana Temples are a complex of Jain temples situated 51 km south west of Bhavnagar.
There are 863 temples from the base to the peak of the Shatrunjaya hill, where the
Palitana temples are located.

Somnath Temple located in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra, on the
western coast of Gujarat, India, is one of the twelve Jyotirlings (golden lingas) or
symbols of the God Shiva. It is mentioned in the Rig Veda. Somnath means "The
Protector of Moon God". The Somnath Temple is known as 'the Shrine Eternal', as the
temple has been destroyed six times, but was rebuilt on each occasion.

Modhera Sun Temple is famous for its rare position as specifically and uniquely designed
for the worship of the Sun, Lord Surya. While the main temple is beautifully and
intricately designed with complex architecture, painting, and sculptures, there is a central
pond. Surrounding it stand 108 small temples for each of the Sun God's 108 names.

Shankheshwar Jain Temples are dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankar, Lord Parshvanath. It is
believed that this idol was revealed by Lord Krishna himself, by the teachings of
Neminath the 22nd Tirthankar. It is near Ahmedabad.

Patan houses 84 magnificent Jain Temples built by Samrat Kumarpal, who was a staunch
disciple of Acharya Hemachandra, a Jain monk and scholar.

Girnar is an epitome of communal harmony & amicable relations among Jains and
Hindus. This high-rising steep hill houses shrines of both major religions. One dedicated
to Neminath or Arisht Nemi, the 22nd tirthankara, where he is believed to attain nirvana,
and another dedicated to Guru Dattatreya, a Hindu deity.

Ambaji: This temple is dedicated to goddess Ambaji. It is situated on the Arasur Hill and
can be approached by road from Abu Road in Rajasthan, as well as from all other
important places in Gujarat. A folk drama called 'Bhavai' is performed in the courtyards
of the temple.

Dakor: This temple town dedicated to Lord Krishna is situated about 90 km from
Ahmedabad. The temple of Ranchodrai has the idol of Lord Krishna, which is believed to
have been brought from Dwarka by a devotee named Bodana.

Becharaji temple: This temple is another important seat of Mother Goddess at Becharaji
in Mehsana district. This temple is thronged by Hindu devotees, especially childless
women.

Chotila : This place is in Surendranagar district where there is a famous temple of

Goddess Chamunda situated.

Sidi Saiyyed Mosque: The Sidi Sayed Mosque in Ahmedabad is one such famous and
ancient mosque of the city. The Mosque in the year 1411 A.D. The elegant mosque was
built by Sidi Sayed, a slave of Sultan Ahmed Shah. The mosque is famous all over the
country because of its fantastic architecture and exquisite jali work (perforated stone
lattices).

Rani Rupmati's Mosque: Rani Rupmati was the Hindu wife of Sultan Mehmed Beghara.
Rani Rupmati mosque was built between 1430 to 1440 A.D., having three domes
supported by pillars, with the central dome slightly elevated. It is located at Ahmedabad.
The mosque has richly carved minarets, balcony windows, and jali. Its three domes are
linked together by a flat roof. Muuk-Khana is a special attraction of this mosque.

Kutbi Mazar: A colossal monument raised in the memory of Syedna Qutubuddin

Shaheed, the high priest of the Bohra community.
Shah Alam Roza: Shah Alam Roza is the mosque and tomb of Saint Shah Alam. Here the
brass doors are set in carved marble frames. The floor is tiled of black and white marble.
Its dome and minars shows great architectural work of the sultanate era.
[edit]
Historic sites

Dholavira's sophisticated water reservoir.

Lothal is the site of the ancient ruins of the first Indian port, dating from the time of the
Indus Valley Civilization. Dholavira, the ancient city, locally known as Kotada Timba, is
one of the largest and most prominent archaeological sites in India belonging to the Indus
Valley Civilization. It is located on the Khadir island in the Kutch district of Gujarat —
the island is surrounded by water in the monsoon season. The site was occupied from
about 3000 BC for about a millennium, declining slowly after about 2100, briefly
abandoned and then reoccupied, finally, by villagers among its ruins, until about 1450.
Gola Dhoro, dating from 2500–2000 BCE, was recently discovered near the village of
Bagasra. Shell bangles, copper, and beads were found there.[38]
[edit]
Fairs and festivals
[edit]
Fairs

Around more than 1000 festivals are celebrated in Gujarat—the state is known as the land
of fairs and festivals. Some of these fairs and festivals are as follows:

Bhavnath Mahadev Mela (February)

The Bhavnath Mahadev Temple, situated at the foot of Mount Girnar in the city of
Junagadh, is the site of the Bhavnath Mahadev fair held for five days in February, during
the festival of Mahashivratri. The Mahapuja of Lord Shiva takes place at midnight in this
temple on the 14th day of the dark half of the month of Magh. When the puja (prayer
ceremony) starts, Naga Bavas (naked sages) living nearby move towards the fair seated
on elephants, holding flags and blowing conch shells. It is firmly believed that Lord
Shiva himself visits the shrine on this occasion. Visitors are served free meals by the
organizers. Special stalls sell idols, rosaries, or holy beads (brought by vendors from
Ayodhya and Mathura), utensils of brass and copper, sweets and fruits. The Bhavnath
Mahadev Temple is surrounded by many equally ancient and holy places.

Dangs Darbar (March)

Dangs Darbar is the name of the annual fair held every year in Ahwa, the most important
town in the Dangs a few days before Holi. The Dangs is one of the most delightful
districts of Gujarat and is located high in the Saputara hills, the original home of the
adivasis, the tribal population of Gujarat. The name "Darbar" dates back to the time of the
British, when a darbar of Rajas and Naiks of neighbouring area used to assemble there.
Today it is called Jamabandi Darbar, and the District Collector officiates at it. Thousands
of tribal people flock to Ahwa from all over the district, dressed in bright colours,
sounding the Shehnai, and beating their drums. Folk dances, dramas, and songs enliven
the air during the festival.

Chitra — Vichitra Mela (March)

This fair, one of the largest purely Adivasi (tribal) fairs, is attended by around 60,000 to
70,000 tribal people. It takes place every year in the village of Gunbhakhari in
Sabarkantha district, very near the borders of Rajasthan. It is held a fortnight after Holi,
the festival of colours. The site of the fair is attractive as the temple overlooks the rivers
Sabarmati, Akul, and Vyakul. The name of the fair is derived from Chitravirya and
Vichitraviraya, the sons of King Shantanu, who are believed to have lived there and been
cured of diseases which afflicted them. The fair attracts large numbers of Bhils (tribals)
who come from all the surrounding districts using every imaginable form of transport.
The Garasis and Bhil tribals dress in their customary colourful costumes. The costume of
the men generally consists of a blue shirt, dhoti, and a red or saffron turban. Women don
ghaghras (embroidered skirts), which have a circumference of as much as 20 yards (18
m), and are covered from head to foot with ornate and heavy silver jewellery. They use
liquid kumkum (vermilion) to colour their cheeks and lips a brilliant red, while their eyes
are outlined with kajal (kohl). Every group that comes to the fair carries its own drum
making the atmosphere come alive with the incessant beat of numerous drums. The
women sing folk songs, and everyone dances. The dancing and drumming continue for
hours until everyone is exhausted. Over a hundred stalls hold food and drink and sweets
of various kinds. Silver ornaments can be bought, and household articles, as well. Here,
as in other fairs, there is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round which never ceases to spin.

Sanskruti kunj Fair

The Sanskruti kunj Festival shows the different cultures of the states of India. It is
organised in the winter sesion in the capital city, Gandhinagar. All the competitors of
India come during this fair and show their state's culture & dance.
[edit]
Festivals

Other than those festivals observed throughout India, there are festivities specific to
Gujarat.

Navaratri celebrations in Ahmedabad.

Makar Sankranti and Kite Flying Festival (14 January)

The Kite Flying Festival takes place in mid January and marks the time when the Sun’s
direct rays reach the Tropic of Capricorn after the winter solstice. It is celebrated with
lots of folk music and dance as well as kite flying. People of Gujarat gather on terraces to
fly kites of various colours to celebrate Makar Sankranti or Uttrayana, the welcome to the
sun after the cold winter months. Glass strengthened threads of the Indian fighter kites
are matched against each other in the air — the kite fighter who cuts the other thread is
the victor. At night, kites with Chinese lanterns are flown and held aloft. Food such as
Undhiya, sugar cane juice and local sweets is typically served to celebrate the day.

Dance Festival — Modhera (January)

Resting on a knoll in the village of Modhera are the ruins of the 11th century Sun
Temple. The outer walls of the temple are covered with sculptures in which the figures of
Surya, the sun god, are prominent. The Sun Temple is the site of an annual festival of
Indian classical dances organized by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat. The idea is to
present classical dance forms in an atmosphere they were originally presented in.

The Kutch Mahotsav (February–March)

The ‘Kutch Festival’ or the ‘Rann festival’ is celebrated at the time of the Shiv Ratri in
February/ March. The centre of the festival is Bhuj in Kutch. It has crafts, fairs and folk
dances and music and cultural shows, all organized by the Gujarat Tourism. Tours are
also conducted out to the ruins of Dhola Vera, a city that was once a part of the Indus
Valley civilization.

Bhadra Purnima (September)

The full moon of Bhadrapad is one of the four most important festival days of the year
when farmers and agriculturists come to Ambaji, a place that derives its name from
Goddess Ambaji, whose shrine is located there. On this occasion, a large fair is organized
on full moon days. In the evening, performances of Bhavai, the folk drama of the state, is
held and Garba programmes are organized. The devout attend readings of the Saptashati,
the seven hundred verses in praise of the goddess, and visit the temple for a darshan
(worship) of her. The Ambaji shrine is the principal shrine of the goddess in Gujarat, and
its origins are still unknown. The Temple of Ambaji is recognized as one of the original
Shakti Pithas (religious texts) where, according to the ancient Scriptures, the heart of the
goddess Ambaji fell to earth when her body was dismembered. A triangular Vishwa
Yantra, inscribed with figures and the syllable 'Shree' in the centre, represents the deity.
There is no idol, which testifies the temple's antiquity. Idol worship became popular
much later.
[edit]
Major Cities

Ahmedabad Clockwise from top: Skyline at Ashram Road, Sidi Saiyyed ni Jali, Kankaria
Lakefront, Ellis Bridge, Dilli Darwaja, Hatheesing Temple

Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot are major cities of the Gujarat. Ahmedabad
(Gujarati: અમદાવાદ Amdāvād) is the seventh largest metropolitan city in India and largest
in Gujarat, with a population of approximately 5.2 million.[39] Located on the banks of
the River Sabarmati, the city is the administrative centre of Ahmedabad district and was
the capital of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970; the capital was shifted to Gandhinagar
thereafter. In colloquial Gujarati, the city is commonly called Amdavad.

Ahmedabad was founded in 1411 by Sultan Ahmed Shah to serve as the capital of the
Gujarat Sultanate, and was named after him. Under the British rule, a military
cantonment was established and the city infrastructure was modernized and expanded.
Though incorporated into the Bombay Presidency during British rule, Ahmedabad
remained the most important city in the Gujarat region. The city established itself as the
home of a booming textile industry, which earned it the nickname the "Manchester of the
East."[40][41] The city was at the forefront of the Indian independence movement in the
first half of the 20th century.[42] It was the centre of many campaigns of civil
disobedience to promote workers' rights civil rights and political independence.

With the creation of the state of Gujarat in 1960, Ahmedabad gained prominence as
commercial capital of the state. The city is witnessing a major construction boom and
population increase. A rising centre of education, information technology and scientific
industries, Ahmedabad remains the cultural and commercial heart of Gujarat and much of
western India.

Surat (Gujarati: સુરત, Hindi: सूरत) formerly known as Suryapur, is the Commercial
Capital City of Gujarat, also India's ninth largest metropolitan city. The city proper is the
one of the most populous cities in the world. Surat is the administrative capital of Surat
district and Surat Metropolitan Region.

Surat Fort

The city is situated on the left bank of the Tapti River, 14 miles from its mouth. The
Population of Surat with its twin city Navsari is above 6.2 million as of 2010. A moat
divides the older parts of the city, with its narrow streets and handsome houses, and the
newer suburbs. The city is largely recognized for its textile and diamond businesses. It is
also known as the diamond capital of the world and the textile capital of India[43]. 92%
of the world's diamonds are cut and polished in Surat[43]. Surat is also the Third cleanest
city in India after Chandigarh and Mysore. Surat was once the largest city in India[43]. It
has one of the highest GDP growth rates in India at 11.5% as of 2008[43]. Surat was the
primary port of India during the Mughal period, a distinction it lost to Bombay during the
British Raj.[43]

Nyay Mandir in the heart of Vadodara

Vadodara (Gujarati: વડોદરા (help·info)Vaḍodǎrā), formerly Baroda (Gujarati: બરોડા

Baroḍā), is the third most-populated city in the Indian state of Gujarat after Ahmedabad
and Surat. It is one of four cities in the state with a population of over 1 million,[44] the
other being Rajkot and the two cities listed above, although it has a massive population of
over 3 million. It is also known as the Sayaji Nagari (Sayaji's City after its famous ruler,
Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III) or Sanskari Nagari (The City of Culture, a reference to
its status as the Cultural Capital of Gujarat). Vadodara or Baroda, formerly the capital
city of the Gaekwar State, is situated on the banks of the Vishwamitri, a river whose
name derived from the great saint Rishi Vishwamitra. It is located southeast of
Ahmedabad. It is the administrative headquarters of Vadodara District.

Laxmi Vilas Palace at Vadodara

Vadodara is home to almost 1.6 million people[39] (as of 2005), the beautiful Lakshmi
Vilas Palace and the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (M.S.U.) which is the
largest university in Gujarat. Its famous for various faculties and departments, including
the Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Technology, Management, Psychology, Social Work,
Law and Medicine streams. It has a high literacy rate by Indian standards of 78% (2001).
Major industries include petrochemicals, engineering, pharmaceuticals, plastics and
Forex. Famous companies such as ABB, Reliance Industries, Larsen and Toubro, IPCL,
ONGC and Sun Pharmaceuticals all have a strong presence in this city, also it has
presence of IT multi-national companies.

Rajkot (Gujarati: રાજકોટ Rājkot (listen) (help·info)) is the 4th largest city in the state of
Gujarat, India. Rajkot is the 28th urban agglomeration in India, with a population more
than 1.43 million as on 2008.[39][45] Rajkot is ranked 22nd in The world's fastest
growing cities and urban areas from 2006 to 2020.[46]

Watson Museum At Rajkot

Rajkot is a city of Gujarat state in India and administrative headquarters of the Rajkot
District, located on the banks of the Aji River and Niari River. Rajkot was the capital of
the then Saurashtra state from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956 before merging in
bilingual Bombay State on 1 November 1956. Rajkot was merged into Gujarat State from
bilingual Bombay state on May 1, 1960.

Apart from this, Bhuj, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Jamnagar are also cities with big urban
population.
[edit]
Education
Main articles: List of educational institutions in Gujarat and Education in Gujarat

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) are in charge
of the schools run by the Government of Gujarat. However, most of the private schools in
Gujarat are affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Council
for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) board. Gujarat has 13
universities and four agricultural universities.

Gujarat is also known for many national level institutions. The Space Applications Centre
(SAC) is an institution for space research and satellite communication in Ahmedabad,
India, under the aegis of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Dr. Vikram
Sarabhai, a renowned scientist, industrialist, and visionary Gujarati, played an important
role in it. He also founded Physical Research Laboratory, a research institute
encompasses Astrophysics, Solar System, and cosmic radiation. He also envisioned
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, one of the internationally reputed
management research institute that is located in Gujarat's commercial capital Ahmadabad
and is the top ranked management institutes in the country.[citation needed]

The clock tower in Gujarat University, Ahmedabad

Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute has been established under Council
for Scientific and Industrial Research Govt. of India at Bhavnagar. It was inaugurated by
Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India on 10 April 1954, with a
view to carry out research on marine salt, and salt from inland lakes and sub-soil brine. It
is working on reverse osmosis, electro membrane process, salt and marine chemicals,
analytical science, marine biotechnology, and other related fields.

B.K. School of Business Management is ranked 6th in terms of financial Management. K.

S. School of Business Management is also an MBA College in Gujarat University
providing a unique five year's integrated MBA Cource. The National Institute of Design
(NID) in Gandhinagar is internationally acclaimed as one of the foremost multi-
disciplinary institutions in the field of design education and research. In addition, Institute
of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) is one of the leading sectoral institution in rural
management. IRMA is a unique institution in the sense that it provides professional
education to train managers for rural management. It is the only one of its kind in all
Asia.

Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology located in Surat is one of the best
engineering colleges in India. It is one of the 20 National Institutes of Technology created
by the central government and is a deemed university. It has students from all over India
and some foreign students as well. Also, there is Nirma University ranked 14th in self-
financed engineering colleges in India. Gujarat Science City[47], is a government
initiative to draw more students towards education in science, which hosts India's first
IMAX 3D theatre, an energy park, a hall of science, an amphitheatre, and dancing
musical fountains among others.

Apart from that, Mudra Institute of Communication Ahmedabad (MICA) is one of the
most famous institutes for mass communication and is well-renowned across India. IIT
Indian institute of technology was established at Gandhinagar in the year 2008. IIT
Gandhinagar is mentored by IIT Bombay. IIT'S first batch started on 1 August 2008, at a
temporary building of government college, Chandkheda, Gandhinagar.The Institute of
Seismological Research (ISR) has been established by the Science and Technology
Department, Government of Gujarat in 2003 and is registered as a Society.ISR campus is
at Raisan, Gandhinagar in a sprawling and picturesque area on the banks of Sabarmati
river. Aims and objectives include assigning optimum seismic factors for buildings in
different regions and long-term assessment of earthquake potential. The ISR is the only
institute in India fully dedicated to seismological research and is planned to be developed
into a premier International institute in few years time.
[edit]
Literature
Main article: Gujarati literature

Govardhanram Tripathi

Gujarati literature's history may be traced to 1000 AD.Since then literature has flourished
till date. Well known laureates of Gujarati literature are Hemchandracharya, Narsinh
Mehta, Mirabai, Akho, Premanand Bhatt, Shamal Bhatt, Dayaram, Dalpatram, Narmad,
Govardhanram Tripathi, Gandhiji, K. M. Munshi, Umashankar Joshi, Suresh Joshi,
Pannalal Patel and Rajendra Shah .

Kavi Kant and Kalapi are famous Gujarati poets.

Gujarat Vidhya Sabha, Gujarat Sahitya Sabha, and Gujarati Sahitya Parishad are
Ahmedabad based literary institutions promoting the spread of Gujarati literature.
Saraswatichandra is a landmark novel by Govardhanram Tripathi. Writers like Kavi
Nanalal, Sundaram, Aanand Shankar Dhruv, Khabardar, Balwantray Thakore, Suresh
Dalal, Harindra Dave, Jyotindra Dave, Tarak Mehta, Harkisan Mehta, Chandrakant
Bakshi, Ashvini Bhatt, Vinod Bhatt, Kanti Bhatt, Makarand Dave, Gunvant Shah and
Varsha Adalja have influenced Gujarati thinkers.

A huge contribution to Gujarati language literature came from the Swaminarayan

paramhanso, like Bramhanand, Premanand, with prose like Vachanamrut and poetry in
the form of bhajans.

Gujarati theatre owes a lot to Bhavai. Bhavai is a folk musical performance of stage
plays. Ketan Mehta and Sanjay Leela Bhansali explored artistic use of bhavai in films
such as Bhavni Bhavai, Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.
Dayro (gathering) involves singing and conversation reflecting on human nature.
[edit]
Gujarati Films
Main article: Gujarati cinema

Gujarati cinema show times

Gujarati film industry is one of the largest regional and vernacular film industry of
India.It all started in year 1932 when first Gujarati film "Narsinh Mehta" was released.
"Bhavni Bhavai" released in the year 1980 was directed by Ketan Mehta. It boasted of
superlative performances, fine camerawork and won awards like - National Award for
Best Feature Film on National Integration, National Film Award for Best Art Direction
for Meera Lakhia and another award at the Nantes festival in France. In 1992," Hun
Hunshi Hunshilal", directed by Sanjiv Shah was sought to be post-modern. Other notable
films are "Lohi Ni Sagai", "Manvini Bhavai", "Meru Malan", etc. Recently "Little
Zizou", a 2009 film in Hindi, Gujarati, and English, written and directed by Sooni
Taraporevala won "Silver Lotus Award" or "Rajat Kamal" in 'National Film Award for
Best Film on Family Welfare' category at 56th National Film Awards.

Many famous actors have worked in Gujarati film industry like Sanjeev Kumar, Rajendra
Kumar, Bindu, Asha Parekh, Kiran Kumar, Upendra Trivedi, Arvind Trivedi, Aruna
Irani, Mallika Sarabhai, Asrani, Naresh Kanodia, Sneh Lata, Jayshree T. Paresh Rawal,
Niraj Vora, Dilip Joshi, etc.
[edit]
Museums

Gujarat's museums are run by the state's Department of Museums located at the principal
state museum, Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery. Other famous museums include:
"The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya"

The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya in Ahmedabad is run by a public trust established in

1951. The museum's new premises were built in 1963. The museum's main objective was
to house the personal memorabilia of Mahatma Gandhi. Consequently, the exhibits on
view depict the vivid and historic events of Gandhiji's life. There are books, manuscripts,
and photostat copies of his correspondence, photographs of Gandhiji with his wife
Kasturba and other ashram associates, life size oil paintings, and actual relics like his
writing desk.
"Calico Museum of Textiles"

The Calico Museum of Textiles at Ahmedabad, India, is the premier textile museum of
the country, and one of the most celebrated institutions of its kind in the world for its
distinguished and comprehensive collection of textiles and artifacts. Ahmedabad Tourism
"The Vadodara Museum"

The Vadodara Museum in Vadodara, located in the popular Sayaji Bagh, the museum
houses a collection which belonged to the former maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad. Indian
rulers during the Raj often collected all kinds of European art and other knick knacks.
Largely being the personal collection of the maharaja, the exhibits span across centuries
and continents, as well as diverse art forms. There are Greek and Roman sculpture with
European paintings of earlier periods. The Asian section has items from Burma, Sri
Lanka, Cambodia, China, and Japan made of wood, ivory, bronze and pottery.
"Maharaja Fatehsingh Museum"

The impressive Laxmi Vilas Palace, in the Indo Saracenic style of architecture, was once
the residence of the Gaekwad family. Maharaja Fatehsingh Museum in Vadodara, located
in the sprawling grounds of the palace complex, is a multi purpose museum and houses
the Gaekwad family's rich collection of an treasures.
"The Gandhi Museum"

The Gandhi Museum in Bhavnagar showcases a rare collection of photographs relating to

the life of Mahatma Gandhi are on view at the Gandhi Museum. These recreate the
significant events of Gandhiji's life. Also displayed are documents, letters, and his
personal relics. The collection of audio-visual material includes microfilms, a voice
library, prayers, and lecture records.
"The Watson Museum"

The statue of Queen Victoria, unveiled by the Lord Curzon in 1897 AD at Watson
Museum

The'Watson Museum' in Rajkot, is a museum of human history and culture. Its

collections precious objects of colonial period of India and History of Rajkot. It is
amongst the largest and most comprehensive museum in State of Gujarat. Watson
Museum is considered to be the finest amongst 7 such museums located across
Saurashtra (region) and run by the State Government because it holds invaluable articles
and state-of-the-art facilities like photography, guide service, reference library and sales
counter of the museum's publication.
Other museums include:

Kite Museum in Ahmedabad,

The Lady Wilson Museums — Dharampur, Valsad.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Museum,Surat.

[edit]
Transportation
[edit]
Air

Gujarat has ten airports, the most of any Indian state as per the list of airports in India. All
are domestic airports except Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in
Ahmedabad, which also offers international flights.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad

[edit]
International airport
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (Ahmedabad) — Many domestic as well
as international flights operate from here.
Fedara (Ahmedabad) — Proposed International Airport near Fedara village of Bhāl
region.
[edit]
Domestic airports
Bhavnagar Airport — Bhavnagar Airport, 9 km from the city of Bhavnagar.
Bhuj Airport — In the Bhuj city of Gujarat. This airport has been recently been named
Shyamji Krishna Verma, Bhuj Airport.
Jamnagar Airport — 10 km from the City of Jamnagar.
Kandla Airport (Gandhidham) — situated at Kandla, near Gandhidham, in Kutch district.
Keshod Airport (Junagadh) — Keshod Airport is found 3 km from Keshod city in
Junagadh District.
Porbandar Airport — is situated 5 km from the city of Porbandar.
Rajkot Airport — 4 km from the city of Rajkot.
Surat Airport — This domestic airport of Gujarat was recently inaugurated in Surat, on
Magdalla Road.
Vadodara Airport — Another domestic airport can be found near Vadodara city in
Gujarat.
Zalawad Airport — Future airport for Surendranagar area.
Mehsana Airport — Meshana Airport is about 2 km from Meshsana city
[edit]
Rail
Main page: Railway stations in Gujarat

Gujarat comes under the Western Railways zone of the Indian Railways. Vadodara
Railway Station is the busiest railway station in Gujarat as it is situated on the Mumbai -
Delhi Western Railway Mainline. Other important railway stations are Surat Railway
Station, Ahmedabad Railway Station and Rajkot Railway Station. Indian Railways is
planning Delhi–Mumbai dedicated rail freight route passing through the state.
[edit]
Sea

Kandla Port is one of the largest ports serving Western India. Other important ports in
Gujarat are the Port of Navlakhi, Port of Magdalla and the privately owned Mundra Port.
[edit]
Road
Main article: List of National Highways in Gujarat
[edit]
Local transportation
[edit]
Bus

Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) is the primary body responsible for
providing the bus services within the state of Gujarat and also with the neighboring
states. It is a public transport corporation providing bus services and public transit within
Gujarat and to the other states in India. Apart from this, there are a number of services
provided by GSRTC.
Mofussil Services — It connects major cities, smaller towns and villages within Gujarat.
Intercity Bus Services — It also connects major cities — Ahmedabad, Vadodara
(Baroda) and Rajkot.
Interstate Bus Services — It connects various cities of Gujarat with the neighboring states
of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
City Services — GSRTC also provides city bus services at Surat, Baroda, Rajkot,
Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad, within the state of Gujarat.
Parcel Services — This service is used for transporting goods.
Apart from this, the GSRTC provides special bus services for festivals, industrial zones,
schools, colleges and pilgrim places.
[edit]
Auto rickshaws

Auto rickshaw is an important and frequently used mode of transport in Gujarat. The
Government of Gujarat is promoting CNG Auto rickshaws to reduce pollution.
Autorickshaw
Ahmedabad BRTS
Ahmedabad BRTS

[edit]
See also Gujarat portal

Gandhinagar — Capital of Gujarat

List of people from Gujarat
Parsi
2002 Gujarat violence
2001 Gujarat earthquake
Vibrant Gujarat
[edit]
References
^ Introduction to Gujarat
^ http://www.mapsofindia.com/gujarat/history/modern.html
^ http://www.blonnet.com/iw/2009/01/25/stories/2009012551001500.htm
^ Kumar Suresh Singh; Rajendra Behari Lal, Anthropological Survey of India (2003).
Gujarat, Part 1. Popular Prakashan. ISBN 81-7991-104-7,ISBN 978-81-7991-104-4.
^ Gujrat Government. "Gujrat state official site". "The State took it’s name from the
Gujara, the land of the Gujjars, who ruled the area during the 700’s and 800’s."
^ Ramesh Chandra Majumdar; Bhāratīya Itihāsa Samiti (1954). The History and Culture
of the Indian People: The classical age. G. Allen & Unwin. p. 64. "."
^ Bhandarkar, Devadatta Ramakrishna (1989). Some Aspects of Ancient Indian Culture.
Asian Educational Services. pp. 64. ISBN 8120604571.
^ a b c http://www.mapsofindia.com/gujarat/history/
^ P. Page xvii Historical and Cultural Chronology of Gujarat edited by Manjulal
Ranchholdlal Majmudar
^ P. 391 The Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism By Benjamin Walker
^ "Uncommon Brilliance". Time. 12 April 2004. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
^ The Hindu Business Line : `Vibrant Gujarat' signs 104 MoUs worth Rs 2.5 lakh cr
^ Vibrant Gujarat sees one foreign investor, the Business Standard
^ http://in.rediff.com/money/2008/mar/10guj.htm
^ http://www.solarishi.com/2010/03/story-of-capacity-allotment-of-solar.html
^ http://agri.gujarat.gov.in/gujarati/boards_corporations/gs-agri-mark-
board/agri_profile.htm
^ http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Cons-
Products/Food/Amul-to-become-worlds-largest-liquid-milk-
brand/articleshow/1988793.cms
^ "Census Population" (PDF). Census of India. Ministry of Finance India. Retrieved
2008-12-18.
^ a b Indian Census
^ Modi becomes longest serving CM of Gujarat
^ http://in.news.yahoo.com/070606/43/6gpdc.html
^ a b P. 78 The Aryan Path By Sophia Wadia, Indian Institute of World Culture
^ Dasgupta, P. 7, A History of Indian Philosophy
^ Dyczkowskihe P. 23 Canon of the Saivagama and the Kubjika Tantras of the Western
Kaul Tradition
^ Farquhar, P. 146, An Outline of the Religious Literature of India
^ Bamzai, P. 202, Culture and Political History of Kashmir
^ Shah, P. xi, Studies in Jaina Art and Iconography and Allied Subjects in Honour of Dr.
U
^ "Pashupata Saivism" Hinduism Today, March 1994
^ P. 113 Social Life in Maharashtra Under the Peshwas By Sudha Vishwanath Desai
^ Encyclopaedia of Indian literature vol. 1 By Sahitya Akademi
^ P. 107 History of Rajasthani Literature By Hiralal Maheshwari
^ P. 453 The Modern Review By Ramananda Chatterjee
^ P. 306 Sufis & Saints' Bodies: Mysticism, Corporeality, & Sacred Power in Islam By
Scott Kugle, Scott Alan Kugle
^ P. 169 Islam and Indian Culture By Mohammad Shujaat, Shujaat Muhammad
^ a b P. 282 A New Look at Modern Indian History By B.L. Grover, S. Grover
^ a b c Bhandarkar, P. 72 Some Aspects of Ancient Indian Culture
^ P. 400 History of Medieval India By S. Chand
^ Gola Dhoro archaeological site
^ a b c "Population Finder". Census of India. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
^ Engineer, Ashgar Ali (2003). The Gujarat Carnage. Orient Longman. p. 196. ISBN
8125024964.
^ "Profile of the City Ahmedabad" (PDF). Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
Ahmedabad, Urban Development Authority and CEPT University, Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. 2006. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
^ A. Srivathsan (2006-06-23). "Manchester of the east". Young World (The Hindu).
Retrieved 2006-07-30.
^ a b c d e "Uncommon Brilliance". Time Magazine. 2004-04-12. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
^ "Urban Development, Gujarat". Government of Gujarat. Retrieved 2007-06-14.
^ World Gazetter: Largest cities in India, Retrieved on January 4, 2008
^ City Mayors World's fastest growing urban areas (1), Retrieved on December 13, 2007
^ http://www.scity.org/
[edit]
External linksFind more about Gujarat on Wikipedia's sister projects:

Definitions from Wiktionary

Textbooks from Wikibooks
 Quotations from Wikiquote
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Learning resources from Wikiversity

Government of Gujarat official website (redirect from gujarat.gov.in)

Official information broadcasting platform of Government of Gujarat
Ahmedabad Tourism
DD GIRNAR
Gujarat at the Open Directory Project
Gujarat travel guide from Wikitravel Pakistan (Sindh) Rajasthan
Arabian Sea Madhya Pradesh
Gujarat

Arabian Sea Daman and Diu

Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Maharashtra
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States and territories of India

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Gujarat Topics

Categories: Gujarat | States and territories of India | States and territories established in
1960
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