Ahmedabad was named after the Sultan Ahmed Shah, who built the city in 1411. Also called the "Manchester of the East', today, it is one of the most highly industrialised cities of India. Ahmedabad was a major base camp during the Indian freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi built the Sabarmati Ashram on the outskirts of the city, from where he guided India to freedom. Today Ahmedabad, more than any other Indian city represents non-violence and peace. Ahmedabad is also the textile city of India. Though the city has developed more as a business and commercial centre, it also holds attraction as a centre for the study of Indo-Saracenic architecture, a style that fuses elements of Hindu and Islamic architecture.

The ashram - which was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1915 - is arguably the biggest tourist attraction. It lies on the serene stretch of the Sabarmati river and was referred to as the Satyagraha Ashram during the lifetime of the Mahatma. It was from here, in 1930, that the Mahatma began his famous 'Dandi March' to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. One can see the three wise monkeys and many more of Gandhiji's teachings at the premises. The ashram today continues the work started by him and has a handicrafts center, a handmade paper factory and a spinning wheel factory. The humble cottage where Gandhiji lived 'Hridaya Kunj' - is now a small museum displaying his few possessions. It is preserved as a National Monument. In addition to this there is the Gandhi Memorial Center, a Library and a Sound-and-Light show that offers an interesting display of the Mahatma's life and teachings.

Apart from the Muslim monuments, Ahmedbad contains a number of Hindu and Jain temples. The Jain shrine, known as the Huthising temple, is one of them. Constructed by Shri Kesarising Huthising in 1848 this temple is dedicated to Dharmanath, the 15th Jain Tirtankra. The main temple here is surrounded by 52 small temples.

The exceptional Calico Museum of Textiles is one of the best textile museums in the world. Constructed in 1949, it houses the finest fabrics spun, woven, printed and painted in different parts of India during past five centuries. Also to be found on display are old weaving machines. The museum is in Sarabhai House, a former mansion in the Shahi Bagh Gardens.

Jama Masjid was built by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1423, the mosque is situated in the center of the old city. It is one of the biggest and oldest mosque for Friday prayers. It is one of the finest mosques in India with 260 pillars supporting 15 domes at different elevations. There is a spacious courtyard in marble. Originally, the mosque also had minarets, which were ruined in an earthquake.

This elegant mosque is known for its twin windows of pierced stone, worked in the style of a tree with palm leaves and curving tendrils. A splendid and matchless example of delicate carving that transforms stone into filigree, it was constructed by Sidi Saiyad, a slave of Ahmed Shah, and has beautiful carved stone windows portraying the complex interweaving of the branches of a tree.

Rani Rupmati's mosque situated north of the city center, gets its name after the Hindu wife of Sultan Mahmud Begado. The mosque was built between 1430 and 1440 and epitomizes a harmonious fusion of Hindu and Muslim styles. It has three domes supported by pillars with the central domes slightly elevated which allows natural light to enter the mosque. This mosque too lost its minarets in the earthquake of 1818.

Visiting Time:
Ahemdabad can be visited throughout the year, but one must avoid the extreme hot summers (April-June). The most suitable time to visit Agra is in winters.

How to Reach:

By Air: Indian Airlines connect Mumbai, Delhi and other major cities.

By Bus: The city also has a good road network with good network of National and State Highways. The city is well connected with Bombay, Delhi , Jaipur and other major cities.

By Train: Ahmedabad is well connected by trains with Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Vadodra and Udaipur.