AHMEDABAD'S HISTORY

Ahmedabad or Ahmadabad is the largest city in Gujarat and the sixth largest city in India with a population of almost 5 million. The city is also sometimes called Karnavati, an older name and as Amdavad in colloquial Gujarati. Ahmedabad is the administrative center of Ahmedabad District, and was the former capital of Gujarat State from 1960 to 1970, when Gandhinagar replaced it.
The city was founded in the 15th century by Sultan Ahmed Shah on the Sabarmati River, and served as capital of the Sultanate of Gujarat. The historic center of Ahmedabad is presently a thriving business district. Ahmedabad is mainly divided in two parts, the old city, and new city. The old city has developed rather haphazardly, and most of the roads are narrow and crowded during business hours. The new city has well-structured, wide roads. A wide variety of shops and businesses exist in the city.
In addition to its role as a commercial center, Ahmedabad is also an important industrial center, with chemical and textile industries. Ahmedabad is often described as the Manchester of the East, because of its once-booming textile industry. Ahmedabad is a very beautiful city.
In 1915, Mahatma Gandhi came from South Africa and established an ashram on the banks of Sabarmati. He started the salt Satyagraha in 1930. He and many followers marched from his ashram to the coastal village of Dandi, Gujarat, to protest against the British imposing a tax on salt. Before he left the ashram, he vowed not to return to the ashram until India became independent.

Geography

Ahmedabad is Gujarat's largest city and the headquarters of Ahmedabad district. It is located on the banks of the River Sabarmati at an elevation of 55 meters (180 ft). It has a dry climate. Its highest recorded temperature is 48°C and lowest is 5°C

Transport

• Domestic and International Airport: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport


• Ahmedabad is well connected with rails and roads. The Ahmedabad railway station holds as a junction with railway lines emerging towards Mumbai, Delhi, Saurashtra and Kutch.


• As far as roads are concerned, Ahmedabad is an important station on the National Highway 8 which connects Delhi to Mumbai. The recent completion of the 6-laned Express Highway from Ahmedabad to Baroda, part of the Golden Quadrilateral Project, has boosted trade between the two industrial hubs by reducing transport time by several notches.