The city of Ahmedabad, situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River, is the largest city in the state of Gujarat. It has been a magnificent medieval capital, a centre of trade and commerce, a city visited by many medieval travelers, an early modern industrial centre, and an important site on the map of India's struggle for independence.
Today, it is a city known for its great institutions of learning, and the many monuments that dot its landscape. Ahmedabad is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage City.
The foundation of Ahmedabad was laid at the Manek Burj, which today lies in the heart of the walled city. Take a look at the map and you will notice that most of the older structures lie to the east of the Sabarmati, while the newer institutions that make up this city can be found on the western bank. The site of Sarkhej, on the west bank, is an exception, and was considered to be on the outskirts of medieval Ahmedabad.
CITY TALES
The medieval city of Ahmedabad was settled within walled fortifications that today lie at the heart of the sprawling urban centre that is modern Ahmedabad.
Take a look at the map and you will notice that most of the older structures lie to the east of the Sabarmati river, while the newer institutions of the city can be found on the western bank.
Ahmedabad has been home to a vibrant tradition of textile making, ever since it was founded in the fifteenth century. Flowing silks, precious brocades, gold and silver threads, or zari, luxurious yards of dyed indigo, printed calico, and velvet, cotton- these are the craft traditions that add richness to Ahmedabad's heritage and history.
Flip the cards to discover the many threads that make up Ahmedabad's Textile History.
NEW CITY, NEW CRAFTS
Ahmedabad had the conditions and patronage that allowed creative traditions to flourish in the city.
The founder of Ahmedabad, Sultan Ahmed Shah I, encouraged craftsmen and weavers to come to his newly established city. These craftsmen then contributed to the textile production in the city.
Ahmedabad's craftspeople, and its proximity to trade routes contributed to the prosperity of the city.
A MEDIEVAL TRADE CENTRE
In the early 16th century, Gujarat was a leading centre for trade.
Ahmedabad excelled in the manufacture of all kinds of textiles which were both exported and used locally. Fabrics like the Ashavali brocades of Ahmedabad were in great demand throughout the country. In fact, it was believed that no Ahmedabadi bride’s trousseau would be complete without an Amdavadi saree crafted out of this exquisite brocade.
Image courtesy Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata.
AN INFLUENTIAL INDUSTRY
The Ain-i-Akbari refers to Ahmedabad as a famous centre for brocade, velvets and silk.
The popular Ashavali brocades- known as kincobs were favourites among royalty. Produced in a small village called Ashabelo Tekro, the makers of these brocades were known for their skilled craftsmanship.
Interestingly, It is also said that these weavers from Gujarat migrated to Varanasi carrying with them the knowledge of textile weaving and beautiful motifs.
A NEW, BLUE COMMODITY
According to the Dutch East India Company export records, more than 60,000 kilos of Sarkhej Indigo was exported in the mid 17th century.
A ‘remarkable’ practice, noted by the European Traveller Tavenier, was the sifting of Indigo prior to its export to get rid of dust. Sifters were employed for this process and the dust was in turn sold within the country for dyeing purposes.
This dust was so minute and delicate that if an egg was to be left next to the sifter, by the end of the day the insides of the egg would turn blue!
Image courtesy Muzeart.
A GIFT FIT FOR ROYALTY
In the medieval period, textiles also became sought after products as gifts, especially among royalty.
In 1645-55, when Ahmedabad was under Mughal control, a pavilion of embroidered velvet, interwoven with brocade, 43 gaj by 32 gaj had been prepared at Ahmedabad at a cost of Rs 50,000 and was erected on the occasion of Emperor Shah Jahan’s birthday.
This miniature painting shows Shah Jahan as a prince, being weighed against gold and luxurious silks, on the occasion of his birthday.
TEXTILES FOR NEW BEGINNINGS
In 1638 when Shah Jahan shifted his capital to Shahjahanabad and the Red Fort was inaugurated, a gorgeous canopy, specially prepared for the occasion in the royal factory at Ahmedabad measuring 70 gaj by 45 gaj and costing a lakh of rupees was raised by 3,000 active farrashes in the complex.
A GLOBAL COMMODITY
Textiles from Ahmedabad were well known even beyond the geographical contours of the Indian subcontinent.
Duarte Barbosa, a Portugese officer and writer wrote in the beginning of the sixteenth century that “wild tribesman of Malaya "did not consider their freedom secured until they had stored Ahmedabadi brocade that matched their height. This was the standard ransom for prisoners in war."
His book is the featured on the reverse of this card.
TRAVELLERS ON TEXTILES
European travellers who came to Ahmedabad were also impressed by the textile production in the city.
Apart from Jean Baptiste Tavernier, a 17th century European traveller whose words are on the reverse of this card, a German traveller,Mandelslo,wrote in 1638 that, “There is not in a manner any nation nor any merchandise in all Asia, which may not be had at Ahmedabad."
He also mentioned that great antiquities of gold, and silver brocades were made at Ahmedabad, besides satins and velvets of various colours and carpets on the ground, of gold, silk and yarn.
A NEW MANCHESTER
The British exported cotton produce and dyes from Ahmedabad for use as raw material in the textile industry back home.Some merchants then set up textile mills by importing the machinery from England.
Ahmedabad's first textile mill was thus established in 1861.
Today with the decline of patronage, traditional weavers have been compelled to leave their centuries old occupation and join these mills.
As Ahmedabad became a hub of textile production, it came to be known as the 'Manchester of India'.
historic cities history
Due to its strategic location on a trade route which crossed the port-cities of Khambayat (Cambay), Surat, and Bharucha, and its proximity to the Sabarmati River, Ahmedabad was sought after by many kings and dynasties. It was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411. Since then, it has expanded westward beyond the walled city to areas across the Sabarmati River, forming the newer part of Ahmedabad
Click below to read more on the long history of this city.
history timeline code
History of Ahmedabad
The area around Ahmedabad is inhabited by the Bhil tribe. This area is known as Ashaval and its ruler is King Asha. (Archaeological evidence proves that the area was inhabited in the 8th century.)
King Karandev I, the Solanki ruler, defeats the Bhil King of Ashaval and establishes Karnavati on the Sabarmati River bank.
Gujarat comes under the rule of the Vaghela dynasty of Dholka.
Gujarat is annexed by the Delhi Sultanate.
Zafar Khan Muzaffar breaks away from the Delhi Sultanate and crowns himself Sultan. He forms the Muzaffarid Dynasty, or the Gujarat Sultanate at Patan.
The city of Ahmedabad is founded by Ahmed Shah I.
Second fortification of the city is done by Mahmud Begada.
Mughals gain control of the city. During the Mughal reign, Ahmedabad becomes a thriving centre of trade and commerce.
The city is taken over by Momin Khan II, a Mughal noble under Alamgir II.
Ahmedabad is retaken by the Marathas. The Peshwas and the Gaekwads jointly control it.
In December, the city is transferred to the British.
A military cantonment is established in the city.
Gujarat Vernacular Society is established by Alexander Forbes and Kavi Dalpatram.
In British- ruled Gujarat, Ahmedabad cantonment is the first to join India’s First War of Independence against the British.
The first textile mill is set up in the city.
A railway link between Ahmedabad and Mumbai is established.
The Swadeshi Udyog Vardak Mandal is established in Ahmedabad.
On the 1st of February, Gandhi arrives in Ahmedabad. The city becomes the base of his actions for India’s freedom struggle.
Mahatma Gandhi shifts his Ashram from Kochrab to the Sabarmati River bank. He stays in this ashram till 1930.
The Ahmedabad Mill workers strike for better wages and working conditions. Anasuya Sarabhai and Mahatma Gandhi support the movement.
The Textile Labour Association or the Majoor Mahajan Sang, India’s oldest union of textile workers is founded by Anasuya Sarabhai.
Gujarat Vidyapeeth is founded by Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi launches the Salt Satyagraha from the Sabarmati Ashram in March. The city is at the forefront of India’s freedom movements.
Ahmedabad is the capital of the newly formed state of Gujarat. It remains the state capital till 1970.
{"rows":[{"title":"City Tales","field_audio":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022link-item\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022link-title\u0022\u003EAhmedabad - Behind the Name\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022link-url\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/videoserver.nvli.in\/nvli\/ich\/CategoryVideos\/varanasi\/CityTalesAhmd.mp3\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/videoserver.nvli.in\/nvli\/ich\/CategoryVideos\/varanasi\/CityTalesAhmd.mp3\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe medieval city of Ahmedabad was enclosed within walled fortifications that now lie at the heart of the sprawling urban centre of modern Ahmedabad.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETake a look at the map, and you will notice that most of the older structures lie east of the Sabarmati River, while the newer institutions of the city are on the western bank.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","field_images":"","field_videos":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022link-item\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022link-title\u0022\u003EAhmedabad: The Manchester of the East.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022link-url\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/videoserver.nvli.in\/nvli\/ICP\/historicCity\/AhmedabadwithLogoandEndSlide.mp4\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/videoserver.nvli.in\/nvli\/ICP\/historicCity\/AhmedabadwithLogoandEndSlide\u2026\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","nid":"3000901"}],"pager":{"current_page":0,"total_items":1,"total_pages":1,"items_per_page":10}}
city tables level 2
{"rows":[{"title":"Ahmedabad:Textile Cards","field_audio":"","body":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022head\u0022\u003EAhmedabad has been home to a vibrant tradition of textile-making since its founding in the fifteenth century. Flowing silks, precious brocades, gold and silver threads, or \u003Cem\u003Ezari\u003C\/em\u003E, luxurious yards of dyed indigo, printed calico, and velvet, cotton- these are the craft traditions that add richness to Ahmedabad\u2019s heritage and history.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EFlip the cards to discover the many threads that make up Ahmedabad\u2019s Textile History.\u003C\/h3\u003E","field_images":" \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/textilecard2_0_0_0.png.webp?itok=dcJQoHFy\u0022 width=\u0022295\u0022 height=\u0022295\u0022 alt=\u0022A MEDIEVAL TRADE CENTRE\u0022 title=\u0022In the early 16th century, Gujarat was a leading centre for trade.\u0026lt;br\/\u0026gt;Ahmedabad excelled in the manufacture of all kinds of textiles which were both exported and used locally. Fabrics like the \u0026lt;b style=\u0026quot;color:#b30000;\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Ashavali brocades of Ahmedabad\u0026lt;\/b\u0026gt; were in great demand throughout the country. In fact, it was believed that no Ahmedabadi bride\u2019s trousseau would be complete without an Amdavadi saree crafted out of this exquisite brocade.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/textilecard3_0_0_0.png.webp?itok=OUG4cv0O\u0022 width=\u0022293\u0022 height=\u0022293\u0022 alt=\u0022AN INFLUENTIAL INDUSTRY\u0022 title=\u0022 The Ain-i-Akbari refers to Ahmedabad as a famous centre for brocade, velvets and silk.\u0026lt;br\/\u0026gt;The popular Ashavali brocades- known as kincobs were favourites among royalty. Produced in a small village called Ashabelo Tekro, the makers of these brocades were known for their skilled craftsmanship. Interestingly, It is also said that these weavers from Gujarat migrated to Varanasi carrying with them the knowledge of textile weaving and beautiful motifs.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/textilecard4_0_0_0.png.webp?itok=wi1XAzOV\u0022 width=\u0022322\u0022 height=\u0022322\u0022 alt=\u0022A NEW, BLUE COMMODITY\u0022 title=\u0022According to the Dutch East India Company export records, more than 60,000 kilos of Sarkhej Indigo was exported in the mid 17th century.\u0026lt;br\/\u0026gt;A \u2018remarkable\u2019 practice, noted by the European Traveller Tavenier, was the sifting of Indigo prior to its export to get rid of dust. Sifters were employed for this process and the dust was in turn sold within the country for dyeing purposes. This dust was so minute and delicate that if an egg was to be left next to the sifter, by the end of the day the insides of the egg would turn blue!\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/textilecard5_0_0_0.png.webp?itok=CoxeMoC7\u0022 width=\u0022329\u0022 height=\u0022329\u0022 alt=\u0022A GIFT FIT FOR ROYALTY\u0022 title=\u0022 In the medieval period, textiles also became sought after products as gifts, especially among royalty.\u0026lt;br\/\u0026gt;In 1645-55, when Ahmedabad was under Mughal control, a pavilion of embroidered velvet, interwoven with brocade, 43 gaj by 32 gaj had been prepared at Ahmedabad at a cost of Rs 50,000 and was erected on the occasion of Emperor Shah Jahan\u2019s birthday. This miniature painting shows Shah Jahan as a prince, being weighed against gold and luxurious silks, on the occasion of his birthday.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/textilecard6_0_0_0_0.png.webp?itok=wNu4hmxu\u0022 width=\u0022335\u0022 height=\u0022335\u0022 alt=\u0022TEXTILES FOR NEW BEGINNINGS\u0022 title=\u0022In 1638 when Shah Jahan shifted his capital to Shahjahanabad and the Red Fort was inaugurated, a gorgeous canopy, specially prepared for the occasion in the royal factory at Ahmedabad measuring 70 gaj by 45 gaj and costing a lakh of rupees was raised by 3,000 active farrashes in the complex.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/textilecard7_0_0_0_0.png.webp?itok=SRSRK-St\u0022 width=\u0022350\u0022 height=\u0022350\u0022 alt=\u0022A GLOBAL COMMODITY\u0022 title=\u0022 Textiles from Ahmedabad were well known even beyond the geographical contours of the Indian subcontinent.\u0026lt;br\/\u0026gt;Duarte Barbosa, a Portugese officer and writer wrote in the beginning of the sixteenth century that \u201cwild tribesman of Malaya \u0026quot;did not consider their freedom secured until they had stored Ahmedabadi brocade that matched their height. This was the standard ransom for prisoners in war.\u0026quot; His book is the featured on the reverse of this card.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/textilecard8_0_0_0_0.png.webp?itok=_x5e2t46\u0022 width=\u0022332\u0022 height=\u0022331\u0022 alt=\u0022TRAVELLERS ON TEXTILES\u0022 title=\u0022 European travellers who came to Ahmedabad were also impressed by the textile production in the city.\u0026lt;br\/\u0026gt;Apart from Jean Baptiste Tavernier, a 17th century European traveller whose words are on the reverse of this card, a German traveller,Mandelslo,wrote in 1638 that, \u201cThere is not in a manner any nation nor any merchandise in all Asia, which may not be had at Ahmedabad.\u0026quot; He also mentioned that great antiquities of gold, and silver brocades were made at Ahmedabad, besides satins and velvets of various colours and carpets on the ground, of gold, silk and yarn.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/textilecard9_0_0_0_0.png.webp?itok=NJWwk0A_\u0022 width=\u0022331\u0022 height=\u0022331\u0022 alt=\u0022A NEW MANCHESTER\u0022 title=\u0022 The British exported cotton produce and dyes from Ahmedabad for use as raw material in the textile industry back home.Some merchants then set up textile mills by importing the machinery from England.\u0026lt;br\/\u0026gt;Ahmedabad\u0026#039;s first textile mill was thus established in 1861. Today with the decline of patronage, traditional weavers have been compelled to leave their centuries old occupation and join these mills. As Ahmedabad became a hub of textile production, it came to be known as the \u0026#039;Manchester of India\u0026#039;.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/textilecard1_0_0_1.png.webp?itok=lJ4LgEKn\u0022 width=\u0022307\u0022 height=\u0022307\u0022 alt=\u0022NEW CITY, NEW CRAFTS\u0022 title=\u0022 Ahmedabad had the conditions and patronage that allowed creative traditions to flourish in the city.\u0026lt;br\/\u0026gt;The founder of Ahmedabad, Sultan Ahmed Shah I, encouraged craftsmen and weavers to come to his newly established city. These craftsmen then contributed to the textile production in the city. Ahmedabad\u0026#039;s craftspeople, and its proximity to trade routes contributed to the prosperity of the city.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n","field_videos":"","nid":"3000907"}],"pager":{"current_page":0,"total_items":1,"total_pages":1,"items_per_page":10}}
