Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s largest city, is known for its remarkable architecture. It has a fascinating walled city, founded in 1411 by Sultan Ahmed Shah, redolent with imposing mosques built in a provincial Indo-Saracenic style during the 15th and 16th century, old quarters called `pols’ which are superb examples of urban planning and exquisitely carved havelis.
Just outside the old city are excellent examples of stepwell architecture at Asarva and Adalaj. After independence, well-known architects like Le Corbusier, Luis Kahn, Charles Correa and B.V. Doshi have built some of their finest works in this city.
The medieval stepwell at Adalaj is an architectural showpiece. The pillars, beams and walls are adorned with fine carvings. The stairway at Adalaj leads down to the cool depths of the stepwell, through a series of platforms raised on pillars.
The 15th century Jama Masjid is one of Ahmedabad’s largest mosques. The architectural beauty of this mosque is enhanced by the spacious marble paved courtyard in the forecourt, with a washing tank in the centre. The mosque has a superbly proportioned façade with three arches. The imposing central archway is flanked by pillars with bands of carvings.
Imposing residential houses called havelis can be seen along the narrow lanes of the old quarters called `pols’ in the walled city of Ahmedabad. The intricate wooden facades of these havelis are a unique architectural feature of Gujarat. The brackets, balconies and pillars of these wooden structures are exquisitely carved.
The Sidi Saiyed’s Mosque is famous for its magnificent latticework screens. The screen (jali) depicting the Tree of Life is the most spectacular of the ten that line the walls of this 16th century mosque. Well-known as Sidi-Saiyed-ki-Jali, this screen is a symbol of Ahmedabad.
These monuments attest to the city’s role as one of the most important centres of trade in western India that saw successive rules by the Solankis, Vaghelas, the Sultanate of Delhi, the Sultans of Gujarat, the Mughals, Marathas till it was taken over by the British East India Company in 1818.
The Indian independence movement developed strong roots in the city when, in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi established two ashrams, the Kochrab Ashram in 1915 and the Satyagraha Ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati in 1917 that would become centres of intense nationalist activities. It is one of Ahmedabad’s most visited monuments and a poignant memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. From this ashram, he launched his movements for India’s independence, self-reliance, self-governance and caste equality. The cottage where he lived displays his worktable, spinning wheel and simple belongings.
Ahmedabad is also famous for its lively markets, particularly the Manek Chowk, which offers both local street cuisine and handicrafts. The Calico Museum of Textiles and the contemporary Sabarmati Riverfront showcase the city’s unique mix of historic and contemporary sights.
