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Ahmedabad is a lesser known destination among tourists. But the fact is this place
offers a range of cultures and traditions which are rare to find anywhere else.
The cradle of non-violent movement which ultimately brought India to independence,
the city is host to Sabarmati Ashram (Sabarmati Ashram or Mahatma Gandhi's House
in Ahmedabad) of Mahatma Gandhi. Presently the city is known for the hospitality
and shrewd business sense of the Guajarati people as well as the finance wizards.
Once famous for its textiles, Ahmedabad, previously called the Manchester of India,
is nowadays more known for its chemical, petroleum, international trade and IT
industries. If you go through the history of Ahmedabad you will find the city
a rich mix of cultures. First established as the Hindu kingdom of Karnavati, it
fell to the Muslim Sultanate in the 15th century. Later it was taken over by the
British who did not take much of an interest in colonizing it. With the confluence
of so many people, a variety of cultures and traditions were nourished in the
city all throughout history. You can gain valuable insights into culture, traditions
and the lifestyle here from the museums of Ahmedabad. A visit to the museums will
take you through a cultural journey through history, showing how the various skills
developed in wide interesting areas were mastered to perfection.
Museums in Ahmedabad include
- Calico Museum, Ahmedabad
- Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad
- Utensils Museum, Ahmedabad
There are also other museums in Ahmedabad like the NC Mehta Museum of Miniatures,
which contains excellent examples of various schools of Indian miniature painting
housed in a building designed by Le Corbusier, who had a hand in the capital
Gandhinagar. Another is the Shreyas Folk Museum displaying local folk arts and
crafts.
The Calico Museum in Ahmedabad exhibits antique and modern textiles including
rare tapestries, wall hanging and costumes. Old weaving machines also form an
interesting section. The museum is housed in a former haveli in the Shahi Bagh
Gardens and allows entry to free guided tours only. The Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute
of Indology in Ahmedabad is located inside the Gujarat University campus and
has an important collection of illustrated manuscripts and miniatures along
with one of the best collections relating to Jainism in India. The Utensils
Museum in Ahmedabad is a very interesting collection of cooking utensils inside
the compound of Vishalla Restaurant. The curious collection features nutcrackers,
knives, and cooking vessels among many others.
If you are planning a tour of western India, a visit to the museums in Ahmedabad
is an excellent way of getting a glimpse of the colorful lifestyle and rich
culture here.
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