History of Gujarat - Influencing Modernity

In 1600’s, the Dutch, French, English and Portuguese – all established bases along the coast of the region acquiring several enclaves along the Gujarati coast, including Daman and Diu as well as Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

The British East India Company established a factory in Surat in 1614, which formed their first base in India, but it was eclipsed by Bombay after the British acquired it from Portugal in 1668. The Company wrested control of much of Gujarat from the Marathas during the Second Anglo-Maratha War. Many local rulers, notably the Maratha Gaekwads of Baroda (Vadodara), made a separate peace treaty with the British, and acknowledged British sovereignty in return for retaining local self-rule.

Gujarat was placed under the political authority of the Bombay Presidency, with the exception of Baroda state, which had a direct relationship with the Governor-General of India. From 1818 to 1947, most of present-day Gujarat, including Kathiawar, Kutch, and northern and eastern Gujarat were divided into dozens of princely states, but several districts in central and southern Gujarat, namely Ahmedabad, Broach (Bharuch), Kaira, Panch Mahals, and Surat, were ruled directly by British officials.

A new era began with the Independence movement started by leaders like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Morarji Desai, K.M. Munshi, Narhari Parikh, Mahadev Desai, Mohanlal Pandya, Bhulabhai Desai and Ravi Shankar Vyas all who hailed from Gujarat. Gujarat became a place for some of the most popular revolts, including the Satyagrahas in Kheda, Bardoli, Borsad and the Salt Satyagraha.

Reference website: Gujaratindia.com

History of Gujarat - Medieval Invasions

The Muslim rule continued for 400 years. Gujarat's Muslim governor Zafar Khan Muzaffar asserted his independence, and established the first Muslim sultanate in Gujarat. He took advantage of the weak rulers of Delhi prevailing at the time. He declared independence and assumed the title of Muzaffar Shah. His successor, Ahmed I, the first independent Muslim ruler of Gujarat, found Ahmedabad in 1411 on the banks of the Sabarmati river.

Prior to this, Mahmud of Ghazni invaded Gujarat, A.D. 1026. He had vowed to invade India in order to destroy idolatry, kill the kafirs, capture prisoners of war and plunder the vast wealth for which Gujarat was known. Later, Allaudin Khilji invaded Gujarat in 1298 A.D.

Sultanate of Gujarat remained independent until 1576 when the Mughal emperor Akbar conquered it and annexed it to the Mughal Empire. The Mughal Emperor Akbar conquered Malwa and Gujarat in 1570s. The Mughals ruled for about 2 centuries till the streak was terminated by the Marathas in the mid 18th century. Chhatrapati Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler conquered Gujarat with his military skill.

Reference website: Gujaratindia.com

History of Gujarat - The Land of the Legends

Gujarat is a State in northwestern India, on the border with Pakistan and Rajasthan in the north east, Madhya Pradesh in the east, and Maharashtra and the Union territories of Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli in the south. The Arabian Sea borders the state both to the west and the south west.

Gujarat:- The State took it’s name from the Gujara, the land of the Gujjars, who ruled the area during the 700’s and 800’s

 Reference website: Gujaratindia.com 

Gujarat, the land of rich culture and heritage

Gujarat, the land of rich culture and heritage! The abundance of this mystical experience unfolds its magic. Travelers, exploring the unique development of the festive season to join, folk art, music and dance performances of talent in originalities fun.

Above all, the Vedas and the Mahabharata for the survival of the Indus Valley civilization that dates back to the time for sightseeing.  The departing souls leave time as the sand on the steps of Gujarat, the land of the Mahatma and many freedom fighters, history has been acclaimed. It is also mixed with a rich cultural mix of archaeological monuments.  

Gujarat is also a change to the new rural old bygone era fusion of modern architecture emerged. The new regional flavors with different styles creates a mixture of international styles because of the high quality of construction and architecture of the developing state has emerged. The rich architectural tourism destination,

Gujarat Heritage spots' in order to focus on innovation projects in the fast-paced state and it revives history with a modern touch.  Such as Adalaj, Dada Hari ni vav at Patan or at Ahmedabad Ranki vav, better action on the water, the ground water and the stylistic characteristics of architectural typology, the trend in terms of Gujarat has a unique niche.