Among India's 25 States, Gujarat is the bourn of some of its most impressive
traditions, And kutch, ensconced in North-Western Gujarat, is a Microcosm
of the country's vibrant cultural diversity.
Stretching out into the Arabian sea, like an open jaw of a lion, the Saurashtra peninsula and the Kutch desert marks the mid western border of the State of Gujarat, home to one of the the most enterprising communities of the country. The State has done proud to the nation in socio-cultural, agricultural and industrial fields. It has also earned its rightful place on the national tourist circuit.
Ancient archaeological
sites, historic architecture, natural beauty, religious places, beaches,
palaces, forts, temples, havelis, wildlife sanctuaries, handicrafts, cuisine, colorful cultures and a tradition of hospitality, blended with modern amenities of transportation, hotels, resorts, excellent roads and highways, extensive communication networks, water parks, gardens, museums and shopping complexes, makes it a paradise for a contemporary traveler. Despite the progress of the State, which is one of the national leaders in
at least ten different industries from Textiles, cement, petroleum, LPG and pharmaceuticals to boats and ship breaking, some traditions remain rooted in the culture of the people, from the tribal fares of North and East Gujarat, the aura of the devotion at the temples to the nine nights of Navratri and the Kite Flying festivals, distinctive cuisine and attires.
Population: 50.6
million
Area: 196,024 sq. km
Capital: Ghandhinagar
Main Language: Gujarati
When to go: October to March
Gujarat - Ancient Civilization
Gujarat formed the part of the Indus Valley civilization in ancient times due to its proximity to the Indus valley and its location on a natural migration route. In the late 1950s the excavations were carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India, necessitated by the division of India and Pakistan. The site first explored was Rangpur near Limdi. The findings resulted in a chain of excavation leading to the discoveries of more than 50 sites representing different phases of Indus valley civilization.
Lothal is perfect place to get an insight of the Indus valley civilization. Not only it is one of the southern most outposts of the subcontinent's oldest civilization but it also saw all the phases of the Harrapan culture including the most mature period when the civilization had all but disappeared from present day Pakistan. Originally Lothal was the site of the Red Ware culture, until 2400 B.C. The civilization survived here in the 1600s and 1500s, after it disappeared from the northern provinces. The result is the maturity in town planning. The most dominating site at Lothal is the massive dockyard spanning an area of 37 meters by 22 meters, perhaps the greatest work of Maritime Architecture before Christ. Lothal was also famous for its arterial streets, mocrobes of gold, ivory and coppersmiths' workshop, potteries and under ground sanitary drainage. It is 78 Kms form Ahmedabad.
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Gujarat - History
If
you want to go beyond history into the realm of legend, then
Gujarat's temple of Somnath was actually there to witness the
creation of the universe. Along the south coast are the sites
where many of the great events in Krishna's life took place.
On firmer historic
footing, Lothal was the site of a Harappan or Indus Valley civilization
more than 4000 years ago. The main sites of this very ancient
culture are now in Pakistan, but it is thought that Lothal may have
survived the great cities of the Sindh by as much as 500
years. Gujarat featured in the exploits of the mighty Buddhist
emperor, Ashoka, and one of his rock edicts can be seen near
Junagadh.
Later, Gujarat
suffered Muslim incursions from Mahmud of Ghazni and subsequent
Mughal rulers, and was a battlefield between the Mughals and the
Marathas. It was also an early point of contact with the West;
the first British commercial outpost was established at Surat.
Daman and Diu survived as Portuguese enclaves within the borders of
Gujarat until 1961.
Saurastra was never
incorporated into British India, but, survived in the form of more
than 200 princely states right up to Independence. In 1956,
the states were amalgamated into the state of Mumbai but, in 1960,
Mumbai was in turn split, on linguistic grounds, into Maharastra and
Gujarat.
Among India's 25 States, Gujarat is the bourn of some of its most impressive
traditions, And kutch, ensconced in North-Western Gujarat, is a Microcosm
of the country's vibrant cultural diversity.
