A sprawling city in the Gujarat province of India, Ahmedabad has
a long and colourful history. Founded in the 11th century as
Karnavati by King Karandev, it was renamed Ahmedabad after the
conquering Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411. The city was a cradle of the
non-violent Indian resistance movement and is today a bustling
industrial metropolis and the sixth-largest city in India.
Often ignored by tourists, Ahmedabad is home to a number of
striking historical and religious sites, including the Sidi Sayed
Mosque, Bhadra Fort, Juma Masjid, and the Akshardham Temple. Other
places of interest include the Kamla Nehru Zoo, the musical
fountain show at Kankaria Lake, and the markets at the Law
Garden.
Ahmedabad is best known, however, as the home of the Gandhi
Ashram. Founded in 1915 as the Satyagraha Ashram by Mahatma Gandhi,
it was an important base for the non-violent resistance; it was
from here that Gandhi started the famous Dandi March to protest the
British Salt Tax in 1930. Today tourists can see many of his
teachings, and visit the handicrafts centre, paper factory, and
spinning wheel factory on the site.
Ahmedabad has a reputation for its textiles, and travellers
willing to bargain can find exquisite embroidered and tie-dyed
clothes at the city's main market at Thron Darwaja (although it is
generally advised to go with a local guide).
The food in Ahmedabad is excellent, with small restaurants and
cafés on nearly every corner. Most cuisine is vegetarian, although
chain restaurants are more likely to serve meat. Travellers should
note that Gujarat is a dry province, although non-Indians can
purchase an alcohol permit from any hotel liquor shop.
