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ABOUT AHMEDABAD |
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Located on the banks of river Sabarmati, Ahmedabad is the largest city in the whole state of Gujarat. From the year 1960 to 1970, it served as the capital city of Gujarat. However, later on, the capital was shifted to the Gandjhinagar city. It was founded in the year 1411 by Sultan Ahmed Shah. It is owing to this reason that, sometimes, it is also referred to as the city of Ahmed Shah.
The history of Ahmedabad dates back to 11th century when it was
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Historical Events
inhabited by Karandev I, the Solanki ruler of Anhilwara (modern Patan). He had established a city called Karnavati on the banks of the river Sabarmati at the same location as that of modern Ahmedabad.Solanki ruled Ahmedabad until the 13th century and thereafter the city was conquered by the Sultanate of Delhi.
In early 15th century, the Muzaffarid dynasty was established in Gujarat. According to traditions, Sultan Ahmed Shah, while camping on the banks of the River Sabarmati, saw a hare chasing a dog. This act impressed the Sultan who then decided to locate the capital of his kingdom here and called it Ahmedabad.
The further development of the city was expanded by Mahmud Begada, the grandson of Ahmed Shah who fortified the city with an outer wall 10 km (6 miles) in circumference and consisting of twelve gates, 189 bastions and over 6,000 battlements. Till 1573 Ahmedabad remained under the control of Muzaffarid dynasty. Gujarat was then conquered by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1573.
During the Mughal reign, Ahmedabad became one of the Empire's thriving centres of trade, mainly in textiles, which were exported to as far as Europe. The armies of the Maratha generals Raghunath Rao and Damaji Gaekwad captured the city and ended Mughal rule in Ahmedabad. A famine in 1630 and the constant conflicts between the Peshwa and the Gaekwad armies virtually destroyed many parts of the city, causing its population to run off. The British East India Company took over the city in 1818 as a part of the conquest of India. A military cantonment was established in 1824 and a municipal government in 1858.
Ahmedabad is the hub of trade and commerce in Gujarat. The commercial importance of Ahmedabad makes the city an important travel destination in India. Besides being home to a number of important industries, Ahmedabad also has a number of majestic monuments, which remind us of the great historical and cultural past of the city.
Ahmedabad was incorporated into the Bombay Presidency during the British rule but remained the most important city in the Gujarat region. Over a period of time, Ahmedabad established itself as the home of textile industry and earned the nickname of "the Manchester of the East." A rising centre of higher education, information technology and scientific industries, Ahmedabad continues to remain one of the important cultural and commercial centers of western India. |
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BEST TIME TO VISIT |
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Ahmedabad is basically a hot place that enjoys three main seasons, namely summers (March to June), winters (November-February) and monsoon (July-September). Due to high temperature, it is not preferable to visit the place during summers.
Monsoon season comes like a pleasant surprise after scorching summers. When it's the time for monsoons, the city offers varied lip smacking snacks like Boiled or Roasted Corns, which are available even in the road side stalls. Most of the Hindu festivals like Rakshabandhan fall during the monsoon season. Thus, for many people, the ideal time to visit Ahmedabad is during monsoons.
The best time to visit Ahmedabad is during the winter season. It is an entirely different experience to check out open-air restaurants and road-side stalls during winters, as the weather is just apt for enjoying the beauty of nature. So, when you are planning a trip to Ahmedabad, prefer going during the period between October and March. |
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HOW TO GET HERE |
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By Air: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport at Ahmedabad provides adequate air facilities. There are numerous domestic and international airlines that operate flights on a regular basis. Air India operates direct flights to USA and UK from Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad is connected to all the major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai via air.
By Train: Ahmedabad is very well connected with rest parts of the country by train. There are regular trains to metropolitans like Delhi and Mumbai.
By Road: Ahmedabad has a wide network of roads. For travelers residing in other parts of Gujarat like Vadodra, Gandhinagar, Palitana, Rajkot, and Jamnagar, traveling to Ahmedabad is very convenient by road.
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AHMEDABAD FAST FACTS |
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- Temperature: Summer: Max. 43°C Min. 23°C,
Winter: Max. 36°C, Min. 15°C
- Area: 190 sq km
- Altitude: 48.77 meters above sea level
- Rainfall: 93.2 cm. average yearly
- Language: Gujarati, Hindi, English
- Ahmedabad STD Code (Area Code): 079
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