History of Ahmedabad

History of Ahmedabad

Archeologists suggest that Ahmedabad has been inhabited since the 11 th century. At that time, the Solanki ruler of modern Patan waged a successful war against Bhil King of old Ahmedabad and established a city called Karnavati on the banks of Sabarmati River. Solanki rule lasted until the 13 th century and Ahmedabad was conquered by the Sultanate of Delhi. In 1411, the rule of Muzzaffarid dynasty was established in Gujarat. In 1487 the city was fortified with an outer wall 10 km in circumference. Gujarat was conquered by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1573. During the Mughal rein, the economy of Ahmedabad was flourishing mainly in textiles. The armies of the Maratha generals captured the city and ended the Mughal Rule.

British East India Company took over the city in 1818 as a part of the conquest of India. A railway link was established in 1864 linking Ahmedabad to Bombay thus enabling trade and traffic between northern and southern India. In 1915 Mahatma Gandhi established two Ashrams on the banks of Sabarmati, thus making the city an epicenter of India's freedom struggle. After independence and partition of India, the city witnessed intense communal violence between Hindus and Muslims.

Ahmedabad became the capital of Gujarat after the division of the state of Bombay on 1 May 1960. Numerous educational and research institutes were founded in the city during that time making it a major centre of higher education, science and technology. The establishment of heavy and chemical industries helped to diversify the economic base of Ahmedabad during the same period. On 26 January 2001 a devastating earthquake struck the city, collapsing the city's infrastructure and killing 752 people. The next year, communal riots broke out resulting in the death of 1044 people across the state.

The effects of globalization and liberalization of Indian economy brought about rapid change to the city's infrastructure. Ahmedabad has a history which dates back to 11 th century which makes it one of the best historical locations in India.

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