Surat district General information
Surat district is a district in the state of Gujarat with Surat city as the administrative headquarters of this district. It is surrounded by Bharuch, Narmada (North), Navsari and Dang (South) districts. To the west is the Gulf of Cambay. It is the second-most advanced district in Gujarat. It had a population of 4,995,174 of which 59.97% were urban as of 2001.
HISTORY
the years of Mahabharat i.e. about year 3,000 B.C. It is said that Lord Krishna stopped with his cows on his transition from Mathura to Dwarka city and the images of the cow's foot prints are still visible to the devotees at a place popularly called "Gai Pagli" (Foot steps of cows)..
The city of Surat has glorious history that dates back to 300 BC. The origin of the city can be traced to the old Hindu town of Suryapur, during 1500 – 1520 A.D., which was later colonised by the Brigus or the King from Sauvira on the banks of River Tapi. In 1759, The British rulers took its control from the Mughals till the beginning of the 20th century. Due to these reasons, the city emerged as an important trade centre and enjoyed prosperity through sea trade in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Surat became the most important trade link between India and many other countries and was at the height of prosperity till the rise of Bombay port in the 17th and 18th centuries. Surat was also a flourishing centre for ship building activities. The whole coast of Tapi from Athwalines to Dumas was specially meant for ship builders who were usually Rassis. After the rise of the port at Bombay, Surat faced a severe blow and its ship building industry also declined. During the post-independence period, Surat has experienced considerable growth in industrial activities (especially textiles) along with trading activities.
GEOGRAPHY
The city of Surat is situated on the bank of river Tapi.(Latitude 21°15' N and 72°52'E.) It occupies a pivotal position on Ahmedabad- Mumbai corridor and is connected by railway at a distance of 230 km. from Ahmedabad, 256 km. from Mumbai and 129 km from Vadodara. Arabian sea is only 16 km. from the city and Magdalla port is in near vicinity. Surat is one of the cleanest city of India and is also known by several other names like "THE SILK CITY", "THE DIAMOND CITY", "THE GREEN CITY", etc.
TOURIST PLACE
Surat castle: is one of the ancient monuments of 16th century existing in the city and bears a significant relevance to its history. However, such a great fortification built to provide the citizens of Surat with an adequate defence against the attacks of the invaders seems to have been forgotten from the minds of the present generation. The Ahmedabad king Sultan Mahmood-lll (1538-1554), who was very much annoyed by these frequent destructions of Surat, ordered for building a very strong castle and entrusted the work to Safi Agha, a Turkish soldier who had been ennobled with the title of Khudawand Khan. The work of building the castle was completed in 1546.
Mugal Sarai: The Building which is used at present as an office complex by Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) is one of the ancient monuments of Surat city and was built originally as a 'Sarai' or Musafarkhana (travellers' inn). It was built during the period of Mugal Emperor Shah Jahan in the year 1644 A.D. and was popularly known as 'Mugal Sarai'. During 18th century the same building was used as jail. Since 1867 the building was occupied by the present corporation.
Cementeries: The tombs in English, Dutch and Armenian cemeteries at Surat are reckoned among the most important historical monuments in the city. It is reported that there was so much competition between the Dutch and the English in Surat to impress upon the natives their importance and power that they put mausoleums instead of tomb stones. Many of these are so ridiculously large and ornamental resembling Muslim tombs rather than the ordinary tomb stones in Europe.
NARMAD LIBRARY: It has been built up in the memory of famous Gujarati poet Narmad in the year 1991 at Ghod dod road one of the poshed localities of modern Surat city. It has a wealthy collection of 1,50,000 books. The library has different sections like reading room, reference room, adult section and children section. The library is surround by beautiful garden.
DUMAS: The Famous Dumas sea beach is located at approximately 15 Km. from Surat railway station. It has wealth sea beach and resorts. It has been a centre of attraction for various. It is an ideal picnic spot.
HAJIRA: Another well known health resort is Hajira, south west of Surat on the creek of the Arabian sea. Hajira has two wells with water rich in iron and sulphur. The pleasant Hajira beach is fringed by feathery casuarinas trees. Hajira is situated 28 kms from Surat.
UNAI: Another landmark which gives antiquity to Surat is Unai with its hot springs some 64 kms from Surat. They find reference in the puranic literature and are believed to have been created by Lord Ram, the hero of the epic Ramayan, by shooting an arrow in the ground.
UBHRAT: Situated at about 40 Kms. from Surat has a beautiful, sandy beach with a backdrop of shady palm groves. If you go there don't forget your swimming suits because resisting the beach of Ubharat is too tough. Going in deep water of Ubharat is strictly prohibited.
TITHAL: It is situated 100 Kms from Surat and 5 kms from Valsad on the Mumbai-Vadodara Western Railway. Tithal has also got a beautiful sandy beach and dipping here is much safer than Ubharat.
DANDI: Along the coastline of Gujarat and about 50-55 kms. from Surat, lies Dandi where the story of salt was scripted with the famous Dandi March Satyagraha, in 1930, led by Mahatma Gandhi. The Salt Satyagraha proved to be the beginning of the end of the British Empire in India.
SAPUTARA: Gujarat best known hill resort, saputara - literally, the Abode of Serpents, is situated a top the second highest plateau in the Sahyadri range and in the midst of thick forests. Saputara has all the necessary amenities like hotels, parks, swimming pools, boat club, theaters and a museum to ensure an enjoyable holiday. Saputata is 164 kms. from Surat.