Location:
West India
Famous As: Gujarat India
gujarat Climate: Normal
About Gujarat
Gujarat is a mystical land of seductive images. Situated in the west of India, the state resonates with history. With a rich history it is natural that the state is home to temples, monuments and palaces.
History Gujarat
The area of the present state of Gujarat was included in the domain of Indus Valley Civilization. Among the famous settlements of the Indus valley civilization also known as Harappan civilization found in the state are the trade port of Lothal and Dholavira.
During the Mauryan and Gupta period, Gujarat prospered and made its mark as a trading province thanks to its coastal belt. Bharuch was a famous port at that time. The eclipse of the Gupta empire in the 6th century was followed by the rule of the Maitraka dynasty, which ruled the area from the 6th to the 8th centuries with their capital at Vallabhi, which became a famous learning and cultural centre. The area also came under the control of great medieval ruler Harsha during the 7th century. Vallabhi was sacked by the Arab rulers of Sind in 770, bringing the Maitraka dynasty to an end. After the eighth century, Gujarat was ruled by a branch of the Pratihara clan.
Gujarat was annexed into the Delhi Sultanate in 1297- 1298 when the armies of Khalji ruler Ala ud din Khilji overran the territory. With the weakening the of the Delhi sultanate thanks to Timur’s invasion of India at the end of the 14th century, Gujarat's Muslim governor Zafar khan Muzaffar declared his independence. He was followed by his son Ahmed Shah (1411 to 1442) rechristened "Karnavati" as Ahmedabad and made his capital. However independence of the Sultanate of Gujarat came to an end, when the Mughal emperor Akbar conquered it and incorporated it to the Mughal Empire.
The first European to arrive in Gujarat was Portugal. The British East India Company established a factory in Surat in 1614, which constituted their first base in India. But Surat importance gave away to Bombay when the city was acquired by the British from Portugal in 1668. Thanks to the defeat of the Marathas in the Second Maratha War, much of Gujarat passed into the hands of the British. The princely states in Gujarat signed treaties with British and acknowledged their sovereignty in return for retaining local self-rule. Gujarat was placed under the political authority of Bombay presidency.
Gujarat played an important role during the India's struggle for freedom. The state produced many leaders who changed the course of history. Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallavbhai Patel were the shining starts of the freedom struggle. Many popular revolts including Bardoli, Kheda, Borsad took place in Gujarat.
After India's independence in 1947 the reorganization of states was initiated. The modern state of Gujarat came into being on May 1, 1960.
Gujarat sights
It's the spectacular historical monuments like the Somnath temple that
provide the most familiar images of Gujarat. - a landscape of spectacular
beauty and rampaging rivers, giving way to industrial belt studded with
beautiful historical buildings . Apart from the historical sites Ahmedabad,
capital of Gujarat, is the state's chief tourist destination.
For all its bucolic charm and fondness for the historical days, when Gujarat
sat at the centre of the dominant dynasties, Gujarat today is a state
on the move.
The focus of most visits to the state of Gujarat remains the historical
and archaeological monuments that are found in large number in the state
thanks to its association with the history of over 4500 years.
While Lethal offers an incredible insight of the Harappan civilization,
Ahmedabad is famous for Indo-Sarcenic architecture, Palitana boasts a
plethora of Jaina temples. Junagadh is known for Buddhist caves.
Also vying for your time is the Somnath, also known as Prabhas Patan and Deva Patan, home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (Shiva Shrines). The tiny town of Palitana forms the base to the Shatrunjaya hills on which stands a conglomeration of 863 exquisitely carved shrines dedicated to the Jainism.
Shopping in Gujarat
The places in Gujarat are geared to tourists, so it is not hard to find
things that are distinctively Gujarati.
Ahmedabad has some excellent shopping options if a tarveller is looking
for a gift or souvenir to take home. There are many touristy markets in
city. Purpose-built, air-conditioned, shopping centres have mushroomed
in Ahmedabad during the last decade. Gurjari, the Gujarat state crafts
emporium, is located on Ashram Rd, just to the south of the tourist office.
If you have a knack for hand-printed fabrics and other textiles, head to the retail outlets of Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA ). The two retail outlets are situated on the University Rd, at Goyal Towers, near Jahnvi Restaurant.
The evening market at Law Garden is an excellent option for embroidered
and colourful fabrics. Called Manchester of India thanks to the textile
industry, Ahmedabad has several fine garment showrooms. The showrooms
are located at C.G.Road, Dhalgarwada and Ratanpole.
Gujarat India Tour Package
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Culture of gujarat
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