Ahmedabad

Overview

Ahmedabad is the largest city in the Indian state of Gujarat and the administrative headquarters of the Ahmedabad district. Located on the banks of the Sabarmati River in western India, it is one of the country's most populous urban centres and a major commercial, industrial, and cultural hub. The city's historic core, known as the walled city of Ahmedabad, was inscribed as India's first UNESCO World Heritage City in 2017.

Key facts

Background

Ahmedabad was founded in 1411 by Ahmad Shah I, the sultan of the Gujarat Sultanate, on the site of an earlier settlement known as Ashaval and later Karnavati, established by the Chaulukya (Solanki) ruler Karna in the 11th century. Under the sultanate, the city developed a distinctive Indo-Islamic architectural tradition, visible in monuments such as the Jama Masjid, Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, and the tombs of Ahmad Shah and his queens.

The city passed under Mughal control in 1573, when it was annexed by Akbar, and grew as an important provincial capital and trading centre. Following the decline of Mughal authority, Ahmedabad was contested between the Marathas and later came under British administration in 1818 after the Third Anglo-Maratha War.

Historical timeline

• 11th century: Karnavati founded by Karna of the Chaulukya dynasty.
• 1411: Ahmad Shah I founds Ahmedabad as the capital of the Gujarat Sultanate.
• 1573: Annexed by the Mughal Empire under Akbar.
• 1818: Comes under British colonial rule.
• 1861: Ranchhodlal Chhotalal establishes the Shahpur Mill, marking the beginning of the city's textile industry.
• 1915: Mahatma Gandhi founds the Sabarmati Ashram (initially at Kochrab) on his return from South Africa.
• 1930: Gandhi begins the Dandi March from Sabarmati Ashram on 12 March.
• 1960: Becomes the capital of the newly formed state of Gujarat following the bifurcation of Bombay State.
• 1970: Gandhinagar replaces Ahmedabad as the state capital.
• 2017: The walled city is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Geography and climate

Ahmedabad lies on the alluvial plains of the Sabarmati River in central Gujarat. The river divides the city into the older eastern walled area and the newer western neighbourhoods. The climate is hot semi-arid, with very hot summers (April–June), a monsoon season (July–September), and mild winters.

Economy

Historically known as the "Manchester of India" for its dominant cotton textile industry from the late 19th century, Ahmedabad has since diversified into chemicals, pharmaceuticals, automobile manufacturing, gemstones, and information technology. The Ahmedabad Stock Exchange, established in 1894, was among the oldest in India. The city is also home to the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in the adjoining Gandhinagar region.

Culture and heritage

The walled city contains traditional residential clusters known as pols, characterised by intricately carved wooden facades and shared community spaces. Major heritage sites include the Bhadra Fort, Teen Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Sidi Saiyyed Mosque (famed for its stone lattice work), Hutheesing Jain Temple, Sarkhej Roza, and the Calico Museum of Textiles. The Sabarmati Ashram on the river's western bank is preserved as a national memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.