96-547: The Historic City of Ahmadabad or Old Ahmedabad , the walled city of Ahmedabad in India, was founded by Ahmad Shah I of the Gujarat Sultanate in 1411. It remained the capital of the state of Gujarat for six centuries and later became the important political and commercial centre of Gujarat . Today, despite having become crowded and dilapidated, it still serves as the symbolic heart of metropolitan Ahmedabad . It
192-435: A hot semi-arid climate ( Köppen climate classification : BSh ), with marginally less rain than required for a tropical savanna climate . There are three main seasons: summer, monsoon, and winter. Aside from the monsoon season, the climate is extremely dry. The weather is hot from March to June; the average summer maximum is 43 °C (109 °F), and the average minimum is 24 °C (75 °F). From November to February,
288-586: A collection of rare original manuscripts in Arabic, Persian , Urdu , Sindhi , and Turkish . The Vechaar Utensils Museum has stainless steel, glass, brass, copper, bronze, zinc, and German silver tools on display. The Conflictorium is an interactive installation space that explores conflict in society through art. The Shreyas Foundation has four museums on its campus. The Shreyas Folk Museum (Lokayatan Museum) has art forms and artefacts from various Gujarati communities. The Kalpana Mangaldas Children's Museum has
384-455: A collection of toys, puppets, dance and drama costumes, coins, and a repository of recorded music from traditional shows from all over the world. Kahani houses photographs of fairs and festivals of Gujarat . Sangeeta Vadyakhand is a gallery of musical instruments from India and other countries. Gates of Ahmedabad Download coordinates as: The Darwaja or Gates of Ahmedabad were built during different times starting from 1411 as
480-811: A gate built by British, in the north-east, the Kalupur in the east, the Panchkuva, a gate built by British, in the east, and the Sarangpur in the south-east; four in the south wall, the Raipur and Astodiya in the south-east, and the Mahuda, the closed gate, and the Jamalpur in the south; seven in the west wall, the Khan Jahan, Raikhad and Manek in the south-west; the three citadel gates, Ganesh, Ram, and Baradari in
576-622: A newly built stadium, called Narendra Modi Stadium , at Motera can accommodate 132,000 spectators, making it the largest stadium in the world . The world-class Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave is currently under construction and once complete, it will be one of the biggest sports centers (Sports City) in India. The effects of the liberalisation of the Indian economy have energised the city's economy towards tertiary sector activities such as commerce, communication and construction. Ahmedabad's increasing population has resulted in an increase in
672-551: A number of endangered species including flamingoes, caracals , Asiatic wolves , and chinkara . The Kankaria Lake, built in 1451 CE, is one of the biggest lakes in Ahmedabad. In earlier days, it was known by the name Qutub Hoj or Hauj-e-Kutub . Lal Bahadur Shastri lake in Bapunagar is almost 136,000 square metres. In 2010, another 34 lakes were planned in and around Ahmedabad of which five lakes will be developed by AMC;
768-413: A separate staff uniform for serving vegetarian items and prepares vegetarian food in a separate kitchen, as does McDonald's. Ahmedabad has a number of restaurants serving typical Mughlai non-vegetarian food in older areas like Bhatiyar Gali, Kalupur and Jamalpur . Manek Chowk is an open square near the centre of the city that functions as a vegetable market in the morning and a jewellery market in
864-680: A successful war against the Bhil king of Ashaval, and established a city called Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati. Solanki rule lasted until the 13th century, when Gujarat came under the control of the Vaghela dynasty of Dholka . Gujarat subsequently came under the control of the Delhi Sultanate in the 14th century. However, by the earlier 15th century, the local Muslim governor Zafar Khan Muzaffar established his independence from
960-503: A total of ₹ 4,350 million. Community members and the private sector each contributed ₹ 600 million, NGOs provided ₹ 90 million, and the AMC paid for the rest of the project. Each slum household was responsible for no more than 12% of the cost of upgrading their home. This project has generally been regarded as a success. Having access to basic services increased the residents' working hours, since most work out of their homes. It also reduced
1056-473: Is Res Artis center. The first pol in Ahmedabad was named Mahurat Pol . The old city also houses the main railway station, the main post office, and some buildings of the Muzaffarid and British eras. The colonial period saw the expansion of the city to the western side of the Sabarmati river, facilitated by the construction of Ellis Bridge in 1875 (and later the modern Nehru Bridge ). The western part of
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#17327826709741152-676: Is a museum displaying the city's history, art, culture, and architecture. The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya and the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial have permanent displays of photographs, documents, and other articles relating to the Gujarat-born Indian independence movement leaders Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel . The Calico Museum of Textiles has a large collection of Indian and international fabrics, garments, and textiles. The Hazrat Pir Mohammad Shah Library has
1248-468: Is evident in the city being home to institutions belonging to several religions including Hinduism , Islam , Christianity , and Judaism . Ahmedabad Ahmedabad ( / ˈ ɑː m ə d ə b æ d , - b ɑː d / AH -mə-də-ba(h)d ), also spelled as Amdavad , is the most populous city in the Indian state of Gujarat . It is the administrative headquarters of the Ahmedabad district and
1344-431: Is known for its rich architecture, traditional housing designs, community-oriented settlement patterns, urban structure, as well as its unique crafts and mercantile culture. The people of Ahmedabad celebrate a vast range of festivals. Celebrations and observances include Uttarayan , a harvest festival which involves kite-flying on 14 and 15 January. The nine nights of Navratri are celebrated with people performing Garba ,
1440-401: Is legally banned in Ahmedabad as Gujarat is a 'dry' state. There are many restaurants, which serve Indian and international cuisines. Most of food outlets serve only vegetarian food, as there exists a strong tradition of vegetarianism that has been maintained by the city's Jain and Hindu communities over centuries. The first all-vegetarian Pizza Hut in the world opened in Ahmedabad. KFC has
1536-594: Is not uncommon for droughts to occur when the monsoon does not extend as far west as usual. The highest temperature in the city was recorded on 20 May 2016, with it reaching 48 °C (118 °F). Following a heat wave in May 2010, which reached 46.8 °C (116.2 °F) and claimed hundreds of lives, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), in partnership with an international coalition of health and academic groups and with support from
1632-463: Is now lost. Ganesh gate is now lost under Ellis Bridge . Lal Darwaza, opposite Sidi Saiyyed Mosque , is lost now but parts of wall is visible. As the city expanded, the second fort was built by Ahmed Shah I as described in Mirat-i- Ahmadi . It was further fortified by Mahmud Begada in 1489. In the city walls of second fort, there were eighteen gates, fifteen large and three small. Of
1728-422: Is partly due to the strengthening of the AMC and its partnership with several civil society organizations (CSOs) representing poor residents. Through projects and programs, the AMC has provided utilities and basic services to slums. However, some challenges remain, and there are still many residents who lack access to sanitation, clean running water, and electricity. Riots, often rooted in religious tensions, threaten
1824-838: The pol system of closely clustered buildings, and numerous places of worship. A pol (pronounced as pole) is a housing cluster which comprises many families of a particular group, linked by caste , profession , or religion. This is a list of pols in the old walled city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat , India. Heritage of these pols has helped Ahmedabad gain a place in UNESCO 's Tentative Lists, in selection criteria II, III and IV. The secretary-general of EuroIndia Centre quoted that if 12,000 homes of Ahmedabad are restored they could be very helpful in promoting heritage tourism and its allied businesses. The Art Reverie in Moto Sutharvado
1920-451: The 2001 census of India to 5,577,940 (2,938,985 males and 2,638,955 females resulting in a sex ratio of 898 females per 1,000 males) as of the 2011 census of India making Ahmedabad the fifth most populous city in India. The urban agglomeration centred upon Ahmedabad had a population of 6,352,254 and was the seventh most populous urban agglomeration in India as of the 2011 census of India . The population of children aged 0 to 6
2016-456: The Bureau of Indian Standards , the town falls under seismic zone 3 , in a scale of 2 to 5 (in order of increasing vulnerability to earthquakes). Ahmedabad is divided by the Sabarmati into two physically distinct eastern and western regions. The eastern bank of the river houses the old city, which includes the central town of Bhadra . This part of Ahmedabad is characterised by packed bazaars ,
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#17327826709742112-599: The Climate & Development Knowledge Network , developed the Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan. Aimed at increasing awareness, sharing information and coordinating responses to reduce the health effects of heat on vulnerable populations, the action plan is the first comprehensive plan in Asia to address the threat of adverse heat on health. It also focuses on community participation, building public awareness of
2208-706: The First Anglo-Maratha War , a British force under James Hartley stormed and captured Ahmedabad, but it was handed back to the Marathas at the end of the war. The British East India Company took over the city in 1818 during the Third Anglo-Maratha War . A military cantonment was established in 1824 and a municipal government in 1858. Incorporated into the Bombay Presidency during British rule , Ahmedabad became one of
2304-589: The Indo-Saracenic style. Many mosques in the city were built in this fashion. Sidi Saiyyed Mosque was built in the last year of the Sultanate of Gujarat. It is entirely arched and has ten stone latticework windows or jali on the side and rear arches. Private mansions or haveli from this era have carvings. A pol is a typical housing cluster of Old Ahmedabad . After independence, modern buildings appeared in Ahmedabad. Architects given commissions in
2400-513: The Law Garden sell mirrorwork handicrafts. Three main literary institutions were established in Ahmedabad for the promotion of Gujarati literature : Gujarat Vidhya Sabha , Gujarati Sahitya Parishad and Gujarat Sahitya Sabha . Saptak School of Music festival is held in the first week of the new year. This event was inaugurated by Ravi Shankar . The Sanskar Kendra , one of the several buildings in Ahmedabad designed by Le Corbusier ,
2496-594: The Mirat-i-Ahmadi . According to the Ain-i-Akbari (1580), there were 360 puras , of which only eighty-four were then flourishing; according to Ferishta there were, in 1600, 360 mahalla, each surrounded by a wall; the Mirat-i-Ahmadi in one passage says, such was once its populous state that it contained 380 puras, each pura a considerable quarter almost a city; in another passage he mentions twelve city wards and others outside, and in his detailed account of
2592-565: The 14th and 15th centuries mention Ashaval but do not mention Karnavati. Ahmad Shah I of the Gujarat Sultanate transferred its capital from Anhilvada to Ashaval in 1411 CE; as was custom, the city was subsequently renamed Ahmedabad after the Sultan. The area around Ahmedabad has been inhabited since the 11th century, when it was known as Ashaval . At that time, Karna , the Chaulukya (Solanki) ruler of Anhilwara (modern Patan ), waged
2688-445: The 1980s, a reservation policy was introduced in the country, which led to anti-reservation protests in 1981 and 1985. The protests witnessed violent clashes between people belonging to various castes . The city was considerably impacted by the 2001 Gujarat earthquake ; up to 50 multi-storey buildings collapsed, killing 752 people and causing much damage. The following year, a three-day period of violence between Hindus and Muslims in
2784-427: The 2011 census, Hindus are the predominant religious community in the city comprising 81.56% of the population followed by Muslims (13.51%), Jains (3.62%), Christians (0.85%) and Sikhs (0.24%). Buddhists , people following other religions and those who did not state any religion make up the remainder. Most of the residents of Ahmedabad are native Gujaratis , but there is a large population with origins outside
2880-479: The AMC partnered with civil society organizations to create the Slum Networking Project (SNP) to improve basic services in 60 slums, benefitting approximately 13,000 households. This project, also known as Parivartan (Change) , involved participatory planning in which slum residents were partners alongside AMC , private institutions, microfinance lenders, and local NGOs. The goal of the program
2976-557: The Delhi Sultanate and crowned himself Sultan of Gujarat as Muzaffar Shah I , thereby founding the Muzaffarid dynasty . In 1411, the area came under the control of his grandson, Sultan Ahmed Shah , who selected the forested area along the banks of the Sabarmati river for his new capital. He laid the foundation of a new walled city near Karnavati and named it Ahmedabad after himself. According to other versions, he named
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3072-577: The Ease of Living Index. In July 2022, Time magazine included Ahmedabad in its list of world's 50 greatest places of 2022. Ahmedabad has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under the Government of India ' s flagship Smart Cities Mission . In July 2017, the historic city of Ahmedabad , or Old Ahmedabad, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage City . Based on relics found in several neighbourhoods of
3168-687: The East". The Indian independence movement developed roots in the city when Mahatma Gandhi established two ashrams – the Kochrab Ashram near Paldi in 1915 and the Satyagraha Ashram (now Sabarmati Ashram ) on the banks of the Sabarmati in 1917 – which would become centres of nationalist activities. During the mass protests against the Rowlatt Act in 1919, textile workers burned down 51 government buildings across
3264-836: The School of Architecture. Charles Correa , who became a partner of Doshi's, designed the Gandhi Ashram and Achyut Kanvinde , and the Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association complex. Christopher Charles Benninger 's first work, the Alliance Française, is located in the Ellis Bridge area. Anant Raje designed major additions to Louis Kahn 's IIM-A campus, namely the Ravi Mathai Auditorium and KLMD. Some of
3360-506: The afternoon. However, it is best known for becoming a vast congregation of food stalls in the evening, which sell local street food . It is named after the Hindu saint Baba Maneknath . The city has diverse food options for vegan community as well, Peta India has named Ahmedabad as India's most vegan friendly city of 2024. Parts of Ahmedabad are known for their folk art . The artisans of Rangeela pol make tie-dyed bandhinis , while
3456-519: The attacks. Ahmedabad is one of few cities in India that has hosted the premiers of major economies such as the US, China, and Canada. On 24 February 2020, President Donald Trump became the first US president to visit the city. The event was named Namaste Trump . Earlier, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited the city. City population increased by 23.43% from 4,519,000 as of
3552-454: The average maximum temperature is 30 °C (86 °F), and the average minimum is 13 °C (55 °F). Cold winds from the north are responsible for a mild chill in January. The southwest monsoon brings a humid climate from mid-June to mid-September. The average annual rainfall is about 800 millimetres (31 in), but infrequent heavy torrential rains cause local rivers to flood and it
3648-404: The bank of the Sabarmati, and stretching east in semi-circular form, include an area of two square miles in past. Most people believe that Ahmedabad had 12 gates but some historian suggested to have 16. Later some Indologist found that Ahmedabad had 21 gates. Bhadra fort had eight gates, three large, two in the east and one in the south-west corner; three middle-sized, two in the north and one in
3744-421: The capital of Gujarat , Gandhinagar , also known as its twin city. Ahmedabad has emerged as an important economic and industrial hub in India. It is the second-largest producer of cotton in India, due to which it was known as the ' Manchester of India' along with Kanpur . Ahmedabad's stock exchange (before it was shut down in 2018) was the country's second oldest. Cricket is a popular sport in Ahmedabad;
3840-568: The census underestimates informal populations. There is a consensus that there has been a reduction in the percentage of the population that lives in slum settlements, and that there has also been a general improvement in living conditions for slum residents. In the 1990s, the AMC faced increased slum populations. They found that residents were willing and able to pay for legal connections to water, sewage, and electricity, but because of tenure issues, they were paying higher prices for low-quality, informal connections. To address this, beginning in 1995,
3936-521: The centre of political activities during the Indian independence movement under Mahatma Gandhi . Square in form, enclosing an area of about forty-three acres, the Bhadra fort had eight gates , three large, two in the east and one in the south-west corner; three middle-sized, two in the north and one in the south; and two small, in the west. The construction of Jama Masjid, Ahmedabad completed in 1423. As
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4032-519: The centre; and the Khanpur gate in the north-west. Two new gates, Prem Darwaja and Panchkuva Gate added by British after opening of railways in 1864. Pols were the typical housing cluster of the old city with there being as many as 356 in 1872. This form of housing was established during a time of divided rule from 1738-1753 due to religious tension between Hindu and Muslims. When the city walls deteriorated and no longer provided protection from robbers,
4128-414: The city after four Muslim saints in the area who all had the name Ahmed. Ahmed Shah I laid the foundation of the city on 26 February 1411 (at 1.20 pm, Thursday, the second day of Dhu al-Qi'dah , Hijri year 813 ) at Manek Burj . Manek Burj is named after the legendary 15th-century Hindu saint, Maneknath , who intervened to help Ahmed Shah I build Bhadra Fort in 1411. Ahmed Shah I chose it as
4224-475: The city area and much of the state; however, the Narmada Canal network is expected to alleviate this problem. Except for the small hills of Thaltej-Jodhpur Tekra , the city is almost flat. Three lakes lie within the city's limits— Kankaria , Vastrapur and Chandola. Kankaria, in the neighbourhood of Maninagar , is an artificial lake developed by the Sultan of Gujarat, Qutb-ud-din, in 1451. According to
4320-413: The city expanded, the city wall was expanded. So the second fortification was carried out by Mahmud Begada in 1486, the grandson of Ahmed Shah, with an outer wall 10 km (6.2 mi) in circumference and consisting of 12 gates , 189 bastions and over 6,000 battlements as described in Mirat-i-Ahmadi . The city walls of second fortification, running on the west for about a mile and three quarters along
4416-402: The city he mentions by name 110 suburbs of which 19 were settled under Mughal rule. German traveller Mandelslo (1638) mentioned the suburbs and dependent villages are nearly seven leagues round. During Mughal and Maratha struggle (1707–1753) to control the city, the city was harmed and several suburbs were depopulated. The city walls damaged in battles and the trade was affected. The city revenue
4512-448: The city houses educational institutions, modern buildings, residential areas, shopping malls, multiplexes and new business districts centred around roads such as Ashram Road , C. G. Road , and Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway . The Sabarmati Riverfront is a waterfront area being developed along the banks of the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad, India. Proposed in the 1960s, its construction began in 2005, and it opened in 2012. Ahmedabad has
4608-614: The city in protest at a British attempt to extend wartime regulations after the First World War . In the 1920s, textile workers and teachers went on strike, demanding civil rights and better pay and working conditions. In 1930, Gandhi initiated the Salt Satyagraha from Ahmedabad by embarking from his ashram on the Dandi Salt March . The city's administration and economic institutions were rendered inoperative in
4704-850: The city included Louis Kahn , who designed the IIM-A ; Le Corbusier , who designed the Shodhan and Sarabhai Villas , the Sanskar Kendra and the Mill Owners' Association Building , and Frank Lloyd Wright , who designed the administrative building of Calico Mills and the Calico Dome . B. V. Doshi came to the city from Paris to supervise Le Corbusier's works and later set up the School of Architecture (now CEPT). His local works include Sangath, Amdavad ni Gufa , Tagore Memorial Hall and
4800-419: The city walls were demolished leaving the gates as monuments. Most people believe that Ahmedabad had 12 gates but some historian suggested to have 16. Later some Indologists found that Ahmedabad had 21 gates. Bhadra fort had eight gates, three large, two in the east and one in the south-west corner; three middle-sized, two in the north and one in the south; and two small, in the west. The details are on
4896-527: The city's infrastructure. AMC was ranked 9th out of 21 cities for "the best governance & administrative practices in India in 2014. It scored 3.4 out of 10 compared to the national average of 3.3." Ahmedabad registers two accidents per hour. The city is divided into seven zones constituting 48 wards. The city's urban and suburban areas are administered by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA). Ahmedabad
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#17327826709744992-502: The city's population and transformed its demographics and economy. By 1960, Ahmedabad had become a metropolis with a population of slightly under half a million people, with classical and colonial European-style buildings lining the city's thoroughfares. It was chosen as the capital of Gujarat after the partition of the State of Bombay on 1 May 1960. During this period, a large number of educational and research institutions were founded in
5088-440: The city, making it a centre for higher education , science, and technology. Ahmedabad's economic base became more diverse with the establishment of heavy and chemical industry during the same period. Many countries sought to emulate India's economic planning strategy and one of them, South Korea , copied Ahmedabad's second "Five-Year Plan". Post independence Ahmedabad has seen development in manufacturing and infrastructure. In
5184-421: The city. Later Ahmedabad again became capital of sultanate until it fell to Mughals in 1573. During Mughal rule (1572–1707), Bhadra Fort served as the seat of Governor of Gujarat. The city flourished with addition of several settlements in and around the city. Of the population of the city no estimate has been traced. There is some estimate of the size of city in works of the time: Ferishta , the Ain-i-Akbari , and
5280-477: The cobbler shops of Madhupura sell traditional mojdi (also known as mojri ) footwear. Idols of the Hindu deity Ganesha and other religious icons are made in large numbers by artisans in the Gulbai Tekra area. In 2019, there was a surge in demand for eco-friendly idols due to increased awareness surrounding the effects of submerging the traditional plaster-of-paris idols in the Sabarmati river. The shops at
5376-488: The construction and housing industries, resulting in the development of skyscrapers. In 2010, Ahmedabad was ranked third in Forbes ' s list of fastest growing cities of the decade. In 2012, The Times of India chose Ahmedabad as India's best city to live in. The gross domestic product of Ahmedabad metro was estimated at $ 136.1 billion in 2023. In 2020, Ahmedabad was ranked as the third-best city in India to live by
5472-769: The construction of the Moti Shahi Mahal in Shahibaug . The Deccan Famine of 1630–32 affected the city, as did famines in 1650 and 1686. Ahmedabad remained the provincial headquarters of the Mughals until 1758, when they surrendered the city to the Marathas . During the period of Maratha governance, the city became the centre of a conflict between the Peshwa of Poona and the Gaekwad of Baroda . In 1780, during
5568-410: The corporation is headed by the mayor of Ahmedabad . The city residents elect the 192 municipal councillors by popular vote and the elected councillors select the deputy mayor and mayor of the city. The mayor, Bijal Patel, was appointed on 14 June 2018. The administrative responsibilities of the AMC are water and sewerage services, primary education, health services, fire services, public transport and
5664-459: The deadline to freeze administrative boundaries has been extended to 1 January 2024. In the mid-1970s and early 1980s, the textile mills that were responsible for much of Ahmedabad's wealth faced competition from automation and domestic specialty looms. Several mills closed down, leaving between 40,000 and 50,000 people without a source of income, and many moved into informal settlements in the city centre. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC),
5760-578: The deployed staff can breathe fresh air. Ahmedabad is the administrative headquarters of Ahmedabad district and is administered by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). The AMC was established in July 1950 under the Bombay Provincial Corporation Act of 1949. The AMC commissioner is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer appointed by the state government who reserves the administrative executive powers, whereas
5856-471: The early 1930s by the large numbers of people who took to the streets in peaceful protests, and again in 1942 during the Quit India Movement . Following independence and the partition of India in 1947, the city was scarred by the intense communal violence that broke out between Hindus and Muslims in 1947. Ahmedabad was the focus of settlement by Hindu migrants from Pakistan, who expanded
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#17327826709745952-404: The eight following years a special cess was levied on ghee and other products and at a cost of £25,000 (Rs. 2,50,000) the city walls were repaired. About the same time a cantonment was established on a site to the north of the city. The population rose (1816) to about 95,000. The remaining public funds after the walls were finished were used for municipal purposes. The old city continued to be
6048-452: The entrances to the walled city of Ahmedabad , Gujarat , India . These entrances to the city has a unique name and history. Pretty much the area surrounding these gates have adopted the name of the gate as the name of the locality. Each of the gate has beautiful carvings, calligraphy and some of them even balconies. Ahmedabad was founded over the ancient settlement of Ashaval in 1411 by Ahmed Shah I of Gujarat Sultanate . He built
6144-767: The evening time, many people visit this place and take a leisurely stroll. There is a recently developed lake in Naroda , and there is also the world's largest collection of antique cars in Kathwada at IB farm (Dastan Farm). AMC has also developed the Sabarmati Riverfront . Looking at the health of traffic police staff deployed near the Pirana dump site, the Ahmedabad City Police is going to install outdoor air purifiers at traffic points so that
6240-684: The fifteen, one was closed, and two were added later. These gates were, beginning from the north-west corner, three in the north-wall, the Shahpur in the north-west, the Delhi in the north, and the Dariyapur in the north-east; four in the east wall, the Premabhai, a gate built by British, in the north-east, the Kalupur in the east, the Panchkuva, a gate built by British, in the east, and the Sarangpur in
6336-412: The first citadel Bhadra Fort starting from Manek Burj , the first bastion of the city. The Bhadra Fort had eight gates excluding palace gates. When the city expanded, Ahmed Shah built the second fort which was later fortified by Mahmud Begada in 1486. The second fort had twelve major gates and other smaller gates. After arrival of railways, British built two more gates to facilitate the movement. Later
6432-459: The foundation of Bhadra Fort starting from Manek Burj , the first bastion of the city in 1411 which was completed in 1413. He also established the first square of the city, Manek Chowk , both associated with the legend of Hindu saint Maneknath . His Gujarat Sultanate (1411–1573) ruled from the city until 1484. His grandson Mahmud Begada transferred capital from Ahmedabad to Muhammadabad from 1484 to 1535 but carried out second fortification of
6528-522: The governing and administrative body of the city, simultaneously lost much of its tax base and saw an increased demand for services. In the 1990s, newly emerging pharmaceutical, chemical, and automobile manufacturing industries required skilled labor, so many migrants seeking work ended up in the informal sector and settled in slums. Ahmedabad has made efforts to reduce poverty and improve the living conditions of poor residents. The urban poverty rate has declined from 28% in 1993–1994 to 10% in 2011–2012. This
6624-572: The incidence of illness, particularly water-borne illness, and increased children's rates of school attendance. The SNP received the 2006 UNHABITAT Dubai International Award for Best Practice to Improve the Living Environment. However, concerns remain about the community's responsibility and capacity for the maintenance of the new infrastructure. Additionally, trust was weakened when the AMC demolished two of slums that were upgraded as part of SNP to create recreational parks. According to
6720-644: The large Ganesh gate in the south-west corner; the former, an arched gateway, 18 feet wide and 17 feet high, cost £92 (Rs. 920); the Ganesh Bari or gate was in 1779 opened by Aapaji Ganesh, it is said, in one day; on the west two, both small, the Ram gate , with stone steps in the south-west, and the Baradari gate ( 23°1′35.83″N 72°34′37.64″E / 23.0266194°N 72.5771222°E / 23.0266194; 72.5771222 ( Khanjahan gate ) ) in
6816-417: The late 1970s, the capital shifted to the newly built city of Gandhinagar . This marked the start of a long period of decline in Ahmedabad, marked by a lack of development. The 1974 Navnirman agitation – a protest against a 20% hike in the hostel food fees at the L.D. College of Engineering in Ahmedabad – snowballed into a movement to remove Chimanbhai Patel , then chief minister of Gujarat. In
6912-517: The most important cities in the Gujarat region. In 1864, a railway link between Ahmedabad and Mumbai (then Bombay) was established by the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway (BB&CI), enabling traffic and trade between northern and southern India via the city. Over time, the city established itself as the home of a developing textile industry, which earned it the nickname " Manchester of
7008-1035: The most popular folk dance of Gujarat, at venues across the city. The annual Rath Yatra procession takes place on the Ashadh-sud-bij date of the Hindu calendar at the Jagannath Temple . Festivals like Diwali, Holi, Christmas, and Muharram (pan-Indian festivals) are also celebrated. One of the most popular dishes in Ahmedabad is the Gujarati thali , which was first served commercially by Chandvilas Hotel in 1900. It consists of roti (chapati), dal , rice, and shaak (cooked vegetables, sometimes with curry ), with accompaniments of pickles and roasted papads . Sweet dishes include laddoo , mango , and vedhmi . Dhoklas , theplas , and dhebras are other popularly consumed dishes in Ahmedabad. Beverages include buttermilk and tea. Drinking alcohol
7104-647: The most visited gardens in the city include Law Garden , Victoria Garden, and Bal Vatika. Law Garden was named after the College of Law located nearby. Victoria Garden is located at the southern edge of the Bhadra Fort and contains a statue of Queen Victoria . Bal Vatika is a children's park situated on the grounds of Kankaria Lake and houses an amusement park. Other gardens in the city include Parimal Garden , Usmanpura Garden, Prahlad Nagar Garden, and Lal Darwaja Garden. Ahmedabad's Kamla Nehru Zoological Park houses
7200-592: The new capital on 4 March 1411. Chandan and Rajesh Nath, 13th generation descendants of Saint Maneknath, perform puja and hoist the flag on Manek Burj on Ahmedabad's foundation day and for the Vijayadashami festival every year. In 1487, Mahmud Begada , the grandson of Ahmed Shah, fortified the city with an outer wall 10 km (6.2 mi) in circumference and consisting of twelve gates , 189 bastions, and over 6,000 battlements. In 1535 Humayun briefly occupied Ahmedabad after capturing Champaner when
7296-591: The north face two middle-sized gates, one leading to the Khanpur, and the other to the Mirzapur ward; the former was originally a small opening lately, at a cost of £11 (Rs. 110), turned into a gateway in 1860s, 13 feet wide and 15 feet high, with neither doors nor arches; on the east two, both large, the Lal Darwaza ( 23°1′0.53″N 72°35′27.34″E / 23.0168139°N 72.5909278°E / 23.0168139; 72.5909278 ( Lal Darwaza ) ) in
7392-459: The north-east and the Bhadra gate , formerly Piran Pir’s Darwaja, ( 23°1′27″N 72°34′50″E / 23.02417°N 72.58056°E / 23.02417; 72.58056 ( Bhadra gate ) , Archaeological Survey of India Monument of National Importance No. N-GJ-2); on the south two, one middle-sized gate without doors built in 1874, in the centre near Azam Khan Sarai, and the other
7488-468: The north-west. Additionally, Teen Darwaza ( 23°1′27″N 72°35′4″E / 23.02417°N 72.58444°E / 23.02417; 72.58444 ( Teen Darwaza ) , ASI MNI No. N-GJ-5) was built later as an entrance to the royal square. Another Salapas gate ( 23°1′0.53″N 72°35′27.34″E / 23.0168139°N 72.5909278°E / 23.0168139; 72.5909278 ( Salapas gate ) ), used for envoy of queens,
7584-480: The old city and on writings of the Persian historian al-Biruni , it is surmised that an early Bhil tribal group settlement was known as Ashaval . According to Merutunga , Karna , the Chaulukya (Solanki) ruler of Anhilvada (modern Patan ), successfully launched a military campaign against Ashaval and founded a city nearby called Karnavati. The location of Karnavati is not definitively known. References from
7680-439: The other 29 will be developed by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA). Vastrapur Lake is a small artificial lake located in the western part of Ahmedabad. Beautified by local authorities in 2002, it is surrounded by greenery and paved walkways and has become a popular leisure spot for the citizens. Chandola Lake covers an area of 1200 hectares. It is home to cormorants , painted storks , and spoonbills . During
7776-447: The pol gate became more important for protection. The old city features rich wooden architecture, havelis , khadkis, and pols . The wooden architecture is exemplary of the unique heritage and culture in Ahmedabad. It signifies contributions to arts and crafts, traditions, and structure design, and is reflective of the city's occupants. The city's architecture was designed to promote a sense of community, family, and multiculturalism. This
7872-503: The risks of extreme heat , training medical and community workers to respond to and help prevent heat-related illnesses, and coordinating an interagency emergency response effort when heat waves hit. Ahmedabad has been ranked 7th best “National Clean Air City” (under Category 1 >10L Population cities) in India according to 'Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024 Results' Early in Ahmedabad's history, under Ahmed Shah , builders fused Hindu craftsmanship with Persian architecture , giving rise to
7968-567: The ruler of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah , fled to Diu . Ahmedabad was then reoccupied by the Muzaffarid dynasty until 1573 when Gujarat was conquered by the Mughal emperor Akbar . During the Mughal reign, Ahmedabad became one of the Empire's thriving centres of trade, mainly in textiles, which were exported as far as Europe. The Mughal ruler Shah Jahan spent the prime of his life in the city, sponsoring
8064-560: The seat of the Gujarat High Court . Ahmedabad's population of 5,570,585 (per the 2011 population census) makes it the fifth-most populous city in India, and the encompassing urban agglomeration population estimated at 6,357,693 is the seventh-most populous in India. Ahmedabad's 2024 population is now estimated at 8,854,444. Ahmedabad is located near the banks of the Sabarmati River , 25 km (16 mi) from
8160-436: The south-east; four in the south wall, the Raipur and Astodiya in the south-east, and the Mahuda, the closed gate, and the Jamalpur in the south; seven in the west wall, the Khan Jahan, Raikhad and Manek in the south-west; the three citadel gates, Ganesh, Ram, and Baradari in the centre; and the Khanpur gate in the north-west. Two new gates added by British after the opening of railways connecting Bombay in 1864 to facilitate
8256-399: The south; and two small, in the west. In the city walls of second fort, there were eighteen gates, fifteen large and three small. Of the fifteen, one was closed, and two were added later. These gates were, beginning from the north-west corner, three in the north-wall, the Shahpur in the north-west, the Delhi in the north, and the Dariyapur in the north-east; four in the east wall, the Premabhai,
8352-547: The stability of neighborhoods and have caused spatial segregation across religious and caste lines. There remains to be seen a concerted effort to balance pro-poor, inclusive development with national initiatives that aim to create 'global cities' that are the focus of capital investment and technological innovation. As of 2011, about 66% of the population lives in formal housing, with the other 34% living in slums or chawls , which are tenements for industrial workers. There are approximately 700 slum settlements in Ahmedabad and 11% of
8448-491: The state who speak a variety of languages, mainly Hindi and Urdu (among Muslims). There is a Sindhi community dating from Partition, and a Marathi community dating back to Maratha rule over Gujarat. The city is home to some 2,000 Parsis ( Zoroastrians ), and some 125 members of the Bene Israel Jewish community. There is also one synagogue in the city. Languages of Ahmadabad Municipal Corporation (2011) At
8544-617: The summer, leaving only a small stream of water, and the city is in a sandy and dry area. However, with the execution of the Sabarmati River Front Project and Embankment, the waters from the Narmada river have been diverted to the Sabarmati to keep the river flowing throughout the year, thereby eliminating Ahmedabad's water problems. The steady expansion of the Rann of Kutch threatened to increase desertification around
8640-482: The time of the 2011 census, 68.44% of the population spoke Gujarati , 19.49% Hindi , 3.47% Urdu , 2.24% Sindhi , 2.02% Marathi and 1.90% Marwari as their first language. Ahmedabad lies in western India at 53 metres (174 ft) above sea level on the banks of the Sabarmati river, in north-central Gujarat. It covers an area of 505 km (195 sq mi). The Sabarmati frequently dried up in
8736-467: The total housing stock is public housing. The population of Ahmedabad has increased while the housing stock has remained generally constant, and this has led to a rise in density of both formal and informal housing and a more economical usage of existing space. The Indian census estimates that the Ahmedabad slum population was 25.6% of the total population in 1991 and had decreased to 4.5% in 2011, but these numbers are contested and local entities maintain that
8832-531: The western Indian state of Gujarat, known as the 2002 Gujarat riots , spread to Ahmedabad; in eastern Chamanpura , 69 people were killed in the Gulbarg Society massacre on 28 February 2002. Refugee camps were set up around the city, housing 50,000 Muslims, as well as some small Hindu camps. The 2008 Ahmedabad bombings , a series of seventeen bomb blasts, killed and injured several people. The terrorist group Harkat-ul-Jihad claimed responsibility for
8928-449: Was 621,034 (336,063 males and 284,971 females resulting in a child sex ratio of 848 females per 1,000 males) as of the 2011 census of India . The city had an average literacy rate of 88.29%, a male literacy rate of 92.30%, and a female literacy rate of 83.85%. Estimated population of Ahmedabad city is 7,692,000 while that of the urban agglomeration area is 8,772,000 as of 2023. The 2021 census of India has been delayed to 2024-25 and
9024-400: Was divided between Mughal and Maratha rulers. Later during Maratha rule (1758–1817), the city revenue was divided between Peshwa and Gaekwad. These affected the economy of the city due to more extraction of taxes. In 1817, Ahmedabad fell under British Company rule which stabilized the city politically and improved the trade. The population rose from 80,000 in 1817 to about 88,000 in 1824. During
9120-483: Was inscribed as the World Heritage City by UNESCO in July 2017. The earliest settlements were situated south of the current old city and on the bank of Sabarmati river . It was known as Ashaval or Ashapalli. In the 11th century, Karna of the Chaulukya dynasty made the town his capital and named it Karnavati (Karna's town), Shrinagar (prosperous city), and Rajnagar (king's town). Ahmed Shah I laid
9216-399: Was to provide both physical infrastructure (including water supply, sewers, individual toilets, paved roads, storm drainage, and tree planting) and community development (i.e. the formation of resident associations, women's groups, community health interventions, and vocational training). In addition, participating households were granted a minimum de facto tenure of ten years. The project cost
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