Patan district is an administrative district in the northern part of the state of Gujarat, India. Its headquarters is the historic town of Patan, which served as the capital of Gujarat under the Chavda and Solanki dynasties. The district is best known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rani ki Vav, the Patola silk weaving tradition, and the Sun Temple at Modhera located in its vicinity.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Gujarat |
| Region | North Gujarat |
| Headquarters | Patan |
| Formation | 2 October 1997 (carved out of Mehsana and Banaskantha districts) |
| Type | District of Gujarat |
The district takes its name from the city of Patan, historically known as Anhilwad Patan, which was founded in the 8th century and remained the political and cultural capital of Gujarat for several centuries. Following administrative reorganisation, the modern Patan district was created on 2 October 1997 by separating the Patan, Sidhpur, Chanasma, Harij and Sami areas from Mehsana district, along with the Radhanpur and Santalpur areas from Banaskantha district.
Patan district lies in the semi-arid plains of North Gujarat. It is bordered by Banaskantha district to the north, Mehsana district to the east, Surendranagar district to the south, and the Kutch district to the west, with parts of the Little Rann of Kutch falling within or adjoining the district. The terrain is largely flat, and the Saraswati and Banas rivers drain parts of the area, although both are seasonal in much of their course.
The district is administered by a District Collector, with a District Development Officer overseeing the rural development apparatus and a Superintendent of Police heading the district police. Patan is divided into several talukas, including Patan, Sidhpur, Chanasma, Harij, Sami, Radhanpur, Santalpur, Sarasvati and Shankheshwar.
The district contributes to the Patan Lok Sabha constituency and includes several Vidhan Sabha constituencies of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, such as Patan, Sidhpur, Chanasma and Radhanpur.
Agriculture is the principal economic activity, with crops including bajra, wheat, cotton, castor, mustard and cumin. Dairy is significant through cooperative networks linked to the broader Gujarat dairy movement. Handloom and handicraft industries are notable, especially the double ikat Patan Patola silk weaving carried on by a small number of families in Patan town; the craft holds a Geographical Indication tag. Salt production and trade activities take place in the western parts of the district near the Rann.
The Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, established in 1986, is headquartered in Patan and serves as the principal affiliating university for higher education in the region.
Patan is connected by State Highways and is served by railway lines linking it to Mehsana, Bhildi and Ahmedabad. The nearest major airport is at Ahmedabad. Sidhpur and Patan are key stations on the broad-gauge network in the district.