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Ahmedabad

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Ahmedabad is a major urban center located in the Indian state of Gujarat.

Ahmedabad (Baedeker, 1914)
Ahmedabad (Baedeker, 1914)

It sits near the banks of the Sabarmati River. The city is very close to Gandhinagar, which serves as the capital of Gujarat. Because of this proximity, the two locations are often called twin cities. Ahmedabad serves as the administrative headquarters for the Ahmedabad district. It is also the seat of the Gujarat High Court.

Gujarat-High-Court
Gujarat-High-Court

Today, the city is a vital economic, industrial, and cultural hub for India.

The city's population is very large and continues to grow. According to the 2011 census, the city had 5,570,585 residents. This made it the fifth-most populous city in India. By 2024, the estimated population for the entire urban agglomeration reached 8,854,444. This figure makes the wider urban area the seventh-most populous in the country. The city's gross domestic product for the metro area was estimated at $136.1 billion in 2023. This economic strength drives much of the city's modern development.

Historically, the area has seen many different groups in power. Before the city was founded, a Bhil tribal group lived in a settlement called Ashaval.

Cloth map of ahmedabad
Cloth map of ahmedabad

In 1411, Sultan Ahmed Shah I moved the capital from Anhilvada to this forested area. He founded a walled city and named it Ahmedabad after himself. He laid the city's foundation at Manek Burj on February 26, 1411.

City Walls of Ahmedabad page-0001
City Walls of Ahmedabad page-0001

Later, in 1487, Mahmud Begada fortified the city with an outer wall. This wall featured twelve gates, 189 bastions, and over 6,000 battlements. In 2017, the historic area known as Old Ahmedabad became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Different empires have controlled the city throughout the centuries. The Mughal Empire ruled Ahmedabad for a long time. During this era, the city became a thriving center for textile trade. The Mughal ruler Shah Jahan even sponsored the construction of the Moti Shahi Mahal. Later, the Marathas took control of the city. In 1818, the British East India Company took over during the Third Anglo-Maratha War.

The British established a military cantonment in 1824 and a municipal government in 1858. This period helped integrate the city into the Bombay Presidency.

Ahmedabad played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. Mahatma Gandhi established two ashrams in the city to support nationalist activities. He founded the Kochrab Ashram in 1915 and the Sabarmati Ashram in 1917.

Gandhi Ashram
Gandhi Ashram

These locations became centers for peaceful protests. In 1930, Gandhi began the Salt Satyagraha from his ashram by starting the Dandi Salt March. The city's economy and administration were often disrupted by these large-scale peaceful protests. This history of activism is deeply tied to the city's identity.

The city's economy has shifted through different industrial stages. In the past, it was a massive producer of cotton. This earned it the nickname "Manchester of India."

1901 Ahmedabadi Market
1901 Ahmedabadi Market

However, in the late 1970s and 1980s, many textile mills closed due to automation and competition. This caused many people to lose their income and move into informal settlements.

Recently, the economy has moved toward the tertiary sector. This includes commerce, communication, and construction. New industries like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and automobile manufacturing have also emerged.

Modern Ahmedabad is home to impressive landmarks and infrastructure. The Narendra Modi Stadium at Motera is the largest stadium in the world.

Narendra Modi Stadium view from the gallery
Narendra Modi Stadium view from the gallery

It can accommodate 132,000 spectators at once. The city is also part of the Government of India's Smart Cities Mission. This project aims to use technology to improve urban living.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurating the Ahmedabad Metro in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on September 30, 2022
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurating the Ahmedabad Metro in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on September 30, 2022

New projects like the Ahmedabad Metro and the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave continue to change the landscape. The city remains a place of constant growth and transformation.

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🖼️ Images & Media (30)
File:City Walls of Ahmedabad page-0001.jpg
City Walls of Ahmedabad page-0001.jpg
File:1901 Ahmedabadi Market.jpg
1901 Ahmedabadi Market.jpg
File:Ahmedabad (Baedeker, 1914).jpg
Ahmedabad (Baedeker, 1914).jpg
File:Gandhi Ashram.jpg
Gandhi Ashram.jpg
File:Ahmedabad-India-slums-1979-IHS-89-16-Slum in-the-rain.jpeg
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