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History
Gujarat is of very rich heritage, glorious history and traditions. It is one of the developed states in the country. This fertile and prosperous land has a colorful profile. Gujarat had strong commercial and cultural links with other parts of the world. For centuries, it was exposed to outside influences through trade and immigration. In the process, it has assimilated the elements of a variety of cultures and simultaneously progressed and prospered with time, retaining its cultural identity and traditional values. It has a long historical and cultural tradition dating back to the days of the Harappan Civilisation established by relics found at Lothal. According to the Hindu epics, Lord Krishna and his elder brother Balarama, evacuated Mathura and founded the Yadav Dynasty at Kushasthali, now known as Dwarka. Dwarka consequently became one of the four seats (mathas) set up by Adi Shankaracharya. The Solankis ruled over Gujarat until 1143. Gujarat attained its greatest territorial extend under the Solanki dynasty, from the 9th century. Muhammud of Ghazni attacked Somnath in Gujarat leading to the downfall of the Solankis. The conquest of Ala-ud-din Khilji, king of Delhi in 1288 also influenced the conditions in Gujarat. The Sultans of Delhi had their sway over Gujarat from 1298-1392AD. Ahmad Shah I, the first independent Muslim ruler of Gujarat founded Ahmedabad in 1411. Then the Mughals ruled for about 2 centuries until the Marathas terminated their rule in the mid 18th century. It was during the18th century that Gujarat was divided among number of chiefs. From 1803-1827 the British set up their administration.
The Parsees when they fled from Iran in the eighth century first landed at Sanjan on the shores of Gujarat with the holy flame, which still burns in Udwada in Valsad. The Muslim influence left its lasting imprints on the local art and architecture and it came to be known as the Indo-Saracenic style. Among the earliest Europeans in Gujarat were the Portuguese who settled in Diu, a small island off the southern coast of Saurashtra. The British had set up warehouses in Surat in 1612. Gujarat was a part of the erstwhile Mumbai state during the British Rule. But, in 1960, the 'Gujarati' population decided to secede from that union, which resulted in the formation of two new states, namely Gujarat and Maharashtra. The new State of Gujarat came into existence on May 01, 1960 because of this bifurcation. Gujarat is the birthplace of many who played an important role
in shaping modern India. Prominent among them are Shri Dadabhai
Nauroroji, the grand old man of the freedom struggle, Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel, the architect of a united India and Mahatma Gandhi, the father
of the Nation. These men carried the torch of national freedom and
integration infusing the qualities of tolerance, fraternity, non-violence
and patriotism amongst Indians.
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