Ahmedabad district General information
Ahmedabad district is a district in the central part of the state of Gujarat. The city of Ahmedabad, in the northern part of the district, is the administrative headquarters. It had a population of 58,16,519 of which 80.18% were urban as of 2001.
Ahmedabad District is surrounded by Mehsana, Sabarkantha, and Gandhinagar districts to the north, Kheda district to the east, the Gulf of Cambay and Bhavnagar district to the south, and Surendranagar district to the west. Ahmedabad District is divided into a number of talukas including Barwala, Daskroi, Dholka, Dhandhuka, Detroj, Sanand, Bavla, Ranpur, Mandal, Ahmedabad City and Viramgam.
History
King Karandev 1, the Solanki Ruler, had waged a war against the Bhil king of Ashapall or Ashaval. After his victory Karandev established the city called "Karnavati". This Hindu kingdom of Karnavati retained its importance till early 15th century when Gujarat fell to the Muslim Sultanate.
When Sultan Ahmed Shah was camping on the banks of the river, he was surprised to see some rabbits which were being chased by his hounds, turned around in defence and confronting their attackers. Sultan's spiritual advisor explained that it was the character of the land that it inspired courage to timid rabbits and advised the Sultan that the site would be auspicious for his new capital. And this is how the city became the capital of Sultan's regim. City was also named Ahmedabad after the name of Sultan Ahmed Shah.
The city was built in open and spacious plane to the East of Sabarmati. It compromised of smaller known Fort as Bhadra Fort. The city fort wall was enclosed containing 12 Gates. The city of Ahmedabad went on expanding in every direction by the addition of new areas on both the sides of the river. And with the well laid out beautiful buildings, lakes and mosques.
In 1753 combined armies of Raghunath Rao and Damaji Gaekwad took the fort, which resulted into end of Mughal Rule in Ahmedabad. In 64 years during the rule of Gaekwad and Peshwa, city became worse. In 1818 British took over the administration of Ahmedbad. During this period Ahmedabad developed, Municipality Commitee was founded, Railway link was established.
In 1915 Mahatma Gandhi came from South Africa and established Ashram on the banks of Sabarmati.
Tourist Place
Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram: This was the centre of Indian freedom movement. Mahatma Gandhi made this his abode for about 12 years. There is a museum inside the Ashram complex Ahmedabad, has maintained a tradition of self-help since the days of Gandhi, and has achieved world recognition as the home base of the ground breaking Self-Employed Women's Association, or SEWA, founded in the early 70's by Ela Bhatt
Sarkhej Roza: It is an architectural complex. The buildings are remarkable for the complete absence of arches.
Shaking Minrates: Opposite the large gate of Sarangpur Darwaja, Sidi Bashir's minars are all that remain of the mosque popularly named after one of Ahmed Shah's favourite slaves. Over 21m high, these are the best existing example of the "shaking minarets"- built on a foundation of flexible sandstone, probably to protect them from earthquake damage-that were once a common sight on Ahmedabad's skyline. The best time to visit them is a little before noon when the sculpted floral patterns and shapely figurines inside are bathed in sunlight. The SHAKING MINARETSof Sidi Bashir's Mosque remain a mystery till today. Shake one minaret and the other resonates in harmony while the interconnecting terrace stands still.
Teen Darwaja: This triple arched gateway was originally meant to serve as the entrance to the Royal Square.
Adalaj Wav: Situated in Adalaj Village this stepwell is an architectural wonder. It is a seven storied structure in the form of a well.
Bhadra And Sidi Sayyid's Mosque: The solid fortified citadel, Bhadra, built of deep red stone in 1411 AD as Ahmedabad's first Muslim structure, is relatively plain in comparison to later mosques. The palace inside is now occupied by offices and therefore out of bounds for tourists, but you can climb to its roof by a winding staircase just inside the main gateway and survey the streets below from behind its weathered bastions. Sidi Sayyid's Mosque, famed for the ten magnificent 'jali' screens lining its upper walls, sits in the centre of a busy traffic circle in the northwest corner of Bhadra. Built in 1571 AD, it acclaimed for its splendid stone screen, framed in ten semi circular windows.
Ahmed Shah's Mosque: West of Bhadra citadel, Ahmed Shah's small and attractively simple mosque was the private place of worship for the royal household. The 'mehrabs' are particularly ornate, with the central one carved in white and black marble. Hidden behind pierced stone screens above the sanctuary in the northeast corner, the 'zenana', or women's chamber, is entered by steps from outside the main wall.
Manek Chowk And The Tomb Of Ahmed Shah: East of the Jami Masjid, the jewellery and textiles market, Manek Chowk is a bustling hive of colour where jewellers work in narrow alleys amidst piles of newly dyed and tailored cloth. Immediately outside the east entrance of the mosque, the square tomb of Ahmed Shah I, who died in 1442 AD, stands surrounded by pillared verandahs. Women are not permitted to enter the central chamber, where his grave and those of his son and grandson, lie in repose.
Dada Harini Vav: Dada Harini Vav, in the northeast of the city just outside the old boundaries, is among the very finest step wells in Gujarat. While it's a Muslim construction, built in 1500 AD for Bai Harir Sultani, superintendent of the royal harem, the craftsmen were Hindu, and their influence is clear in the lavish and sensuous carvings on the walls and pillars.
Jumma Masjid: A short walk from Teen Darwaja along Gandhi Road leads to the spectacular Jumma Masjid, or Friday Mosque. Completed in 1424, it stands today in its entirety, except for two minarets destroyed by an earthquake in 1957. Always buzzing with people, the mosque is even busier on Fridays, when thousands converge here for worship.
Swaminarayan Temple: North from Rani-ka-Hazira through Temple Road, a narrow street of fabric shops, and across Relief Road, the Swaminarayan temple stands behind huge gates and brightly painted walls. Forming a delicate contrast to the many hard stone mosques in the city, both the temple and the houses in the courtyard surrounding it are made of finely carved wood, with elaborate and intricate patterns typical of the style of the havelis of north and west Gujarat.
Vishalla Village: Designed by Surendra patel, vishalla is an admirably authentic collection of traditionally decorated mud huts where potters weavers and paan-makers demonstrate their skills. The Vechaar Utensils Museum houses a vast collection of Gujarati metalware, including jewellery, knives and forks and odd-looking machinery for milking camels.
Mosque And Tomb Of Rani Sipri: Near Astodia Darwaja in the south of the city, the small and elegant mosque of Rani Sipri was built in 1514 AD at the queen's behest. Her grave lies in front, sheltered by a pillared mausoleum. The stylish mosque shows more Hindu influence than any where in Ahmedabad, with several Hindu carvings and the absence of arches. Its pillared sanctuary has an open façade to the east and fine travery work on the west wall.
Kankaria Lake: This artificial lake was developed by Qut'b-Ud-Din in 1451 and is a popular recreation spot for the people of Ahmedabad. This lake is surrounded by gardens, an aquarium and a 'Balvatika' (Children's Park). In the middle of the lake is located an island palace, which has 34 sides each side being 60 m long.
Hathee Singh Temple: The Svetambara Hathee Singh Temple, is easily distinguished by its high carved column, visible from the road. Built entirely of white marble embossed with smooth carvings of dancers, musicians, animals and flowers, this serene temple is dedicated to Dharamnath, whose statue stands in the main sanctum.
Parks And Gardens: Ahmedabad's quieter spots and open spaces provide welcome relief from the chaos of the busy streets. Just south of Bhadra, the Victoria gardens are suitably formal, with spacious lawns and tree-lined promenades around a pompous statue of queen Victoria.