Ahmedabad

Steeped in history, Ahmedabad is a melting pot of cultures and was founded in 1411 by Sultan Ahmed Shah on the banks of the Sabarmati River. Over the centuries, the city has been an important trading hub and, not long ago, was affectionately known as the ‘Manchester of India’ due to its thriving textile market. Today, Ahmedabad is India’s first World Heritage-listed city and seamlessly integrates its ancient heritage with the contemporary works of Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn and Charles Correa.

At the heart of Ahmedabad’s historic old city is the iconic 15th-century Jama Masjid, with its 260 elegant pillars covered with unmistakably Hindu carvings. Equally remarkable is the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, renowned for its mesmerising ‘Tree of Life’ stone latticework. Strolling through the old city, you will discover that each street known as ‘pol’ has its distinctive charm depending on the community inhabiting it and features traditional mansions with intricate carvings. No visit to Ahmedabad is complete without a visit to the austere Sabarmati Ashram, Mahatma Gandhi’s private residence during India’s struggle for independence and the beating heart of Gandhi’s non-violent movement.

The Adalaj Stepwell, with its intricate carvings, exhibits the city’s architectural brilliance, while the Sarkhej Roza complex harmoniously blends Islamic and Hindu architectural styles and creates a serene ambience. For art enthusiasts, the Calico Museum of Textiles, with its extensive collection of fabrics, tapestries, and garments, showcases Gujarat’s artistic traditions and offers a captivating journey through India’s textile heritage. Ahmedabad’s impressive modern architectural wonders include the Ahmedabad Textile Mill Owner’s Association (ATMA) building by Le Corbusier, as well as Louis Kahn’s Indian Institute of Management (IIM), one of India’s premier educational institutes and B V Doshi’s ‘Sangath’, an underground art gallery and each one of these, showcase the evolution of the city’s architecture with time.

Ahmedabad is also an excellent base for exploring the exquisite 11th-century Sun Temple at Modhera, built right on the Tropic of Cancer. The temple’s sanctum sanctorum is positioned in such a way that the first rays of the sun only enter it twice a year, on solar equinox and summer solstice days. Another must-visit attraction is the Rani-ki-Vav stepwell in Patan, which also dates back to the 11th century and is considered one of India’s finest stepwells. Lastly, don’t miss the Patola weavers of Patan, famed for their exceptional skills in weaving Patola silk sarees using traditional methods.