Ahmedabad

INTRO
An exciting combination of traditions and modernism, Ahmedabad captures all visitors with its diversity of places, religious and ethnic communities. It is interesting to see how Indian atmosphere mix with the colonial British influence, how Hinduism, the world's oldest existing religion develops in the globalising world.

City Profile
City: Ahmedabad
Country: India
Area: 1300 km2
Population: 3,769,846
Districts: 2
Mayor: Amit Shah
Language: Hindi, English and 21 other official languages
Rating:

LOCATION
Ahmedabad, India is the largest city in the state of Gujarat (there are 28 states, Gujarat is the westernmost one). The city was the capital of the state by 1970 and is now the administrative center of Ahmedabad district. It is the seventh largest agglomeration in India, located at the banks of the river Sabarmati and is also called Amdavad.

TIME TO VISIT
There are three major seasons - winter (November- March), summer (April-June) and monsoon (July-October). During the summer the weather is extremely hot (up to 43-47 degrees Celsius) and dry. The steady expansion of the Rann of Kutch (part of the Thar Desert) leads to desertification around the city area which makes summer rather inappropriate time to visit. During the monsoon the climate is humid with average rainfall of 93.2 cm. and often heavy torrential rains cause the river Sabarmati to flood. Considering the temperatures the best time to visit is during the winter (5-20 degrees Celsius).

POPULATION
Ahmedabad has a population of over 3,7 million people. A lot of migrant workers from other areas of Gujarat including Kutch and Saurashtra and from the other states of Rajasthan and Maharashtra. They also came from the Pakistani province of Sindh live in Ahmedabad. Most of the native citizens speak Gujarati but the languages spoken in commerce, education, politics and government are Hindi and English. There is also a sizeable population of Punjabis, Marathis, Tamils, Malayalis and Marwaris, who bring their languages and cultures to the city. Ahmedabad enjoys great religious diversity - most of the people in Ahmedabad are Hindu, Jain, Muslim or Christian. Parsis and a community of Bene Israel Jews living in Ahmedabad

DISTRICTS
For administrative purposes Ahmedabad is divided into 5 zones and 43 wards. But in fact it is divided by the River Sabarmati into two regions - Western and Eastern part.

Eastern part - the old city, including the central part of Bhadra. This part of Ahmedabad reveals typical Indian traditions and infrastructure - there are numerous places to worship, the buildings are named pol (housing cluster which comprises many families linked by caste, religion or profession). Typical for the old city are also packed bazaars, the Main railway station and the General Post office are also situated there.
Westren part - also called the modern city, thriving industrial and business center. It developed during the colonial period, related to the construction of 2 bridges (that also became landmarks) that connect the Old and the Modern part of Ahmedabad- Ellis Bridge (constructed originally by British engineers) and Nehru Bridge (dedicated to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister).

SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
Extremely different places to visit - templates, museums, bazaars, modern buildings offering different activities in the modern part of Ahmedabad, traditional Indian food that is offered in thousands ways and places.

Gandhi Ashram - Mahatma Ghandi (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi) is known as "father of the nation" because of his momentous political role in India's history, leading nationwide campaign for the independence of India from foreign domination. He started his career in Africa and after he returned to India, settled in Ahmedabad where he built the ashram on the river's bank in 1915. The three wise monkeys - an idea that Gandhi populated can be seen there - Mizaru, covering his eyes, who sees no evil, Mazaru, covering his mouth who speaks no evil and Mikazaru, covering his ears, who hears no evil. Gandhi's Ashram is famous for the atmosphere that it brings - the non-violent politics with deep philosophical content is the symbol of India's development. http://www.mahatmagandhiji.com/bio/gndashrm.htm#ashram http://www.ahmedabad.com/travel/gandhiash.htm
Temple mosques - the mosques in Ahmedabad are unique with there architecture in Indo - Sacarentic style (Indo-Gothic). Sidi Sayed Mosque: admired for its Jhali screen, framed in the ten semi-circular windows. Jama Masjid: Constructed in 1423 by Ahmed Shah, the Jama Masjid is situated near Mahatma Gandhi Residention, to the east of the Teen Darwaja. Despite 260 columns supporting the roof, the two minarets lost half their height during the great earthquake of 1819. The next earthquake in 1957 completed their demolition. Much of the early Ahmedabad mosque was built using objects from the demolished Hindu and Jain temples. The large black slab by the main arch is said to be the base of a Jain idol, placed upside down for the Muslim faithful to tread on.
Kankaria Lake -South-east of the city, this artificial lake together with an island summer palace, was constructed in 1415. Once frequented by Emperor Jehangir and Empress Nur Jahan, it is a populr picnic spot now. There's a huge zoo and children's park by the lake, and the Ghattamendal pavilion in the center houses an aquarium. http://www.cityofahmedabad.com/monuments.htm
Calico Textile Museum - The Calico Museum of Textiles is known for its uniqueness and abundance of historical of exhibits. The treasures of the collection are the finest of fabrics-woven, spun, painted and printed in India in the past centuries. A visit to this Museum is an enriching experience.
Sanskar Kendra - The Kite Museum - Situated at Paldi, the museum takes pride in the collection of various kites. It is the only museum of this kind in India. It comprises collection of kites from all over the world completed with a plenty of photographs. The adjacent part to the museum has theatre is hub of various cultural activities.
Law garden famous for its mirror work handicraft.
Tha Paldi area - notorious for shops selling folk embroidery from the Kutch and Saurashtra regions

AIRPORT

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is just 15 km north-east from the city-centre. The airport consists of the International and the Domestic Terminals. They both use the same airside facilities but are separated on the landside, with a 5-minute distance between them. http://www.ahmedabadairport.com/

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
The efficient ways of traveling around Ahmedabad:

Rickshaw: yellow and green three-wheeled taxicabs known as the Autorickshaws or Rickshaws. Most of the drivers are able to understand Hindi and maybe some basic words of English. They are quite helpful and are not known to cheat tourists. Taxis are less common so you will need to book them in advance. They are also available at the airport or railway station.
Buses: There are several bus stands in the city which will take you to various parts of the city. The major station in Ahmedabad is Idgah Station. Gujarat State Transport Corporation maintains and runs buses in Ahmedabad and [rivate buses/coaches can also be hired. For using these buses you should either know some words in Gujarati or ask local people to help you. Since buses are commonly used, they usually remain overcrowded. Take care of your luggage while travelling.

HISTORY
It is believed that Ahmedabad has been established since the 11th century when the area around the city known then as Ashapalli or Ashaval was inhabited. The name of the city was given by sultan Ahmed Shah. The legend tells that while wondering where to locate his capital, he saw a hare chasing a dog on the banks of the River Sabarmati, took this extraordinary event as a sign and named his new capital Ahmedabad. The fact that this city is the seventh-largest agglomeration in India puts it in the centre of all political and economical processes in India - the city came under control of the British East India Company in 1818 as a part of the conquest of India. During the Indian independence movement Mahatma Gandhi made Ahmedabad his residention and built an ashram there. The city faced the begging of the 21st century with a devastating earthquake and communal riots between Hindus and Muslims in 2002. At this moment Ahmedabad is developing due to the impact of globalisation and liberalisation of the Indian economy.

CITY LINKS

Political information, administration of Ahmedabad: http://ahmedabadonline.in/Profile/Political/
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation - Tourism: http://www.egovamc.com/a_city/ahmedabad/tourism.asp
The Hindu , online edition of India's national newspaper: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mag/2002/04/28/stories/2002042800210800.htm
Ahmedabad travel tips: http://www.outdoorland.info/Ahmedabad/

UNIVERSITY LINKS

Gujarat University, the oldest and biggest university of the state: http://www.gujaratuniversity.org.in/web/index.asp
Nirma University, institute of management: http://www.nim.ac.in/www/index.asp