The history of ahmedabad   begins in the eleventh century with the Solanki King Karandev I, ruler of Anhilwara (modern Patan). He waged a war against the Bhil King Ashapall or Ashaval, and after his victory established a city called Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati at site of modern ahmedabad  . Solanki rule lasted until the thirteenth century, when Gujarat came under the control of the Vaghela dynasty of Dwarka . Gujarat was conquered by the Sultanate of Delhi at the end of the thirteenth century. At the beginning of the fifteenth century an independent sultanate ruled by the Muslim Muzaffarid dynasty was established in Gujarat, and in 1411 Sultan Ahmed Shah renamed Karnavati ahmedabad   and established it as his capital. ahmedabad   was the capital of the sultanate for 162 years ( 1411 - 1573 ).

This city was originally built on the banks of the river Sabarmati, but it has expanded since. In 1487 Mahmud Begada , the grandson of Ahmed Shah, enclosed the city with a fort of six miles in circumference and consisting of 12 gates , 189 bastions and over 6,000 battlements to protect it from outside invaders. Conditions in the city were chaotic by the time of the last Sultan, Muzaffar III, and Gujarat was conquered by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1573 . During the Mughal reign, ahmedabad   became one of the empire's thriving centres of trade, especially in textiles, which were exported as far as Europe. A famine in 1630 devastated the city. In 1753 , the armies of the Maratha generals Raghunath Rao and Damaji Gaekwad captured the city and ended Mughal rule in ahmedabad  . The famine of 1630 and the rule of the Peshwa and the Gaekwad virtually destroyed the city. The British East India Company took over the city in 1818 . A military cantonment was established in 1824 , a municipal government in 1858 , and a railway link between ahmedabad   and Bombay ( Mumbai ) in 1864 . ahmedabad   grew rapidly, becoming an important center of trade and textile manufacturing. Popularly known as the Manchester of the East, ahmedabad   boasts of the largest denim production in the world. It is also home to several interesting museums. Many of ahmedabad  's buildings bear the signatures of world-renowned architects like Le Corbusier, Louis Khan , Doshi and Correa.

It is from the austere habitat of Sabarmati at ahmedabad  , that the 'Father of the Nation' - Mahatma Gandhi took on the mighty British Empire, and gave human race one of its most remarkable ways to fight oppression - non-violence.

Map of Ahmedabad (Click To Enlarge)

Places you can see in Ahmedabad

Jumma Masjid
Described by some as the most beautiful mosque in India, the congregational mosque was built by the city's founder, Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1423. Built in yellow sandstone, it combines the best of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. It stands on 260 pillars supporting 15 domes at varying elevations. The mosque is located in the centre of the old city.

Shaking Minarets
The shaking minarets are two minarets located at the Siddhi Bashir mosque. They are uniquely designed in a way that when one minaret is shaken the other one shakes too.
 
Siddi Sayed Mosque
One part of the wall in the old citadel of the mosque built by Ahmed Shah's slave, Sidi Sayed, is celebrated all over the world for its exquisite stone window tracery - a superb example of delicate carving that transforms stone into filigree.

Sabarmati Ashram
On a quiet stretch of the river Sabarmati, 7 kms north of the city, Mahatma Gandhi set up a simple retreat in 1915. This was his first Satyagraha Ashram and for many it was the nerve centre of India's freedom movement. Hridaya Kunj, the cottage where he lived is preserved as it was in the Mahatma's lifetime. The Gandhi Ashram has a memorial centre, library and a sound and light spectacle to offer its visitors.

Pol Houses
The Pols, integral parts of old ahmedabad   are residential units dating back to 1714 with intricately carved facades, which line the streets. It nurtures within its folds, pages of history, a breath of harmony and a showcase of exquisite architecture. Notable in the present day Pols are Mhurat Pol, Mandvi-ni-Pol, and Lakha Patel-ni-Pol. 
 
Sarkhej Roza
About 8 kms. from the city, Sarkhej comprises one of the most elegant architectural complexes of ahmedabad  . Grouped around a great stepped tank is the tomb to the saint, Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh (1445), the mosque, the tombs of Mehmud Shah Begada and his queen, and the palace and pavilions. The buildings are remarkable for the complete absence of arches and the use of pierced stone trellises throughout.
 
Teen Darwaja
The triple-arched gateway was built by Sultan Ahmed Shah to serve as the royal entrance to the Maidan Shahi or the Royal Square. It is an imposing monument of perfect proportions and highly ornate buttresses.
 
Tomb of Shah Alam
The tomb and mosque of Saint Shah Alam are said to have been built by the brother of the Empress Noorjehan. The brass doors are set in carved marble frames and the floor tiled in black and white marble. 

Kankaria Lake
A polygonal lake almost a mile in circumference, it was constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din. In the centre of the lake is an island-garden with a summer palace known as Nagina Wadi. The lake is now a popular recreational centre and is surrounded by parks, 'Bal Vatika', children's gardens, a boat club, natural history museum and a zoo.
 
Hatheesing Jain Temple
Built outside Delhi Gate in 1850 by a rich Jain merchant, the Hatheesing Temple is the best known of ahmedabad  's many ornate Jain temples. Built of pure white marble and profusely decorated with rich carvings, the Hatheesing Temple is dedicated to Dharamnath, the 15th Jina or Jain apostle. Within the city there are many other Jain temples with remarkable carvings in stone and wood. 
 
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
Just 65 kms. Southwest of ahmedabad  , is the delightful bird sanctuary of Nalsarovar nestling around the Nal Lake, extending over 11,500 hectares. Established in 1969 A.D., it is known to harbour over 250 species of wetland birds. Nalsarovar sees winter migrants from the north that includes Rosy Pelicans, Flamingoes, White Storks, Brahminy Ducks and Herons. Visitors are ferried in small boats to experience a sunrise or sunset while gliding gently through the silent waters.

Rani Roopmati Mosque
The Queen's mosque in Mirzapur, built between 1430 and 1440 is more representative of the pattern of mosque building in the 15th century ahmedabad  . Three domes stand on twelve pillars each with the central part raised to let in natural light without direct sunlight. The interior is richly ornamented with carvings and finely perforated stone screens. 

Bhadra Fort
The foundation of the old fort was laid in 1411 and it once enclosed the royal palaces and gardens. When the Marathas captured the fort, they converted one of its chambers into the Bhadra Kali temple. 

Shahibag Palace
Built during the reign of Shah Jehan who, as Prince Khurram, spent the early years of his marriage in ahmedabad   as Viceroy of Gujarat. Rabindramath Tagore stayed here during his visit to ahmedabad   as a young man and the room where he wrote his famous work-'Hungry Stones'-has been preserved as a memorial to the poet.

Shreyas Museum of Folk Art
The Museum has a unique collection of folk culture from Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch with displays of crafts and costumes from these areas. 

Sardar Patel Museum
The musuem is housed in old Raj Bhavan, which was also a palace. Museum situated in Shahibaug exhibits Sardar's life and works.

Institute of Indology
The Institute contains some of the best collections of Jainism, illustrated manuscripts and miniatures. 
 
Adalaj Vav (19 Km.)
Exquisitely carved and ornamented step wells

Gandhinagar (25 Km.)
Gujarat’s new capital city.

Akshardham (25 Km.)
A cultural complex with an intricately carved, pink sandstone temple dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan and 3 exhibition galleries. Closed on Monday.
Entry: Rs.15/-(Adult);

Water World Resort (50 Km.): 15 Kms. from Mehsana is the famous ‘Shanku’s Water Park'.

Nalsarovar (60 Km.): A natural lake covering an area of over 116 Sq. Km. where a large number of local and migratory birds can be seen from Dec to Feb

Mehsana (64 Km.): A palace of the Maharaja of Baroda where Govt. offices are now housed, many temples & mosques.

Lothal (80 Km.): An excavated Harappan site dating as far back as the 2nd millennium B.C. It is the largest and the only full-fledged Harappan town in India.

Modhera (106 Km.): One of the three main temples dedicated to the Sun God ‘Surya’. The Modhera Sun temple though now in ruins is an imposing structure and is considered the best specimen of Solanki art and architecture

Siddhpur (115 Km.): A famous pilgrim center for Hindus with several temples.

Shamlaji (126 Km.): This temple is an exquisitely carved Vaishnav Temple. The deity, Shamlaji or the ‘dark one’, is one aspect of Lord Krishna

Patan (133 Km.): Patan has many beautiful Jain temples and carved wooden houses. Rani ki vav, the step well represents Solanki architecture at its height.

Palanpur (142 Km.): Known for its perfumeries. Off the Abu-Palanpur Highway, is the

Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary (190 Km.):45 km. from Palanpur, this sanctuary is famous for the Sloth Bear, Sambar, Nilgai, Wild Bear and a variety of birds.

Ambaji (207 Km.): Ambaji is dedicated to the worship of shakti and is one of the most popular pilgrim centers in Gujarat;

Kumbharia (185 Km.): A Jain pilgrim center known for it’s exquisitely carved temples. 

Events and Festivals of Ahmedabad
Festivals:

Essentials
Reaching  Ahmedabad

Air
Ahmedabad is accessible by air, road, and rail.  It is also a stopover for many international flights.

Rail
Ahmedabad a railhead and an important junction on the Western Railway connected with important cities and towns in the country..
 
Road
Ahmedabad has a large bus terminus, which is near the railway station. The main station is well connected to all major Indian cities.

Hotels in Ahmedabad
While there are Plenty of Budget and five star hotels dot Ahmedabad. 

Weather  Summer : 43 °C - 23 °C   Winter Max. 36 °C - 15 °C 

Best Time to Visit: Mid-October to Mid-June

Languages: Gujarathi, English Hindi.

STD Code: 079