Fact File Area - 204.6 sq. km  Population - 2,954,526  Altitude - 53 metres above sea level  Languages - Gujarati, Hindi and English  STD Code - 079  Best time to visit - November to February

Introduction Often referred to as the ’Manchester of the East’, Ahmedabad is situated along the Sabarmati River in the western state of Gujarat. The city contributes about 25 per cent of India’s total textile production.  Founded in AD 1411, the city of Ahmedabad was named after its founder Sultan Ahmed Shah. The city became an important business centre after it was annexed by Mughal Emperor Akbar in AD 1572. In 1818, the city was taken over by the British who set up a number of textile mills here. Ahmedabad was the capital of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970. Ahmedabad has a hot and humid climate. Temperatures can rise up to 46°C in the summer. The city experiences good rainfall during the monsoon season Winters are cool and pleasant and are the best times to visit the city. Sightseeing A trip around the Walled City of Ahmedabad will provide the visitor with valuable information of the city’s glorious past. The simplicity of the city is complemented by the charm of the various museums, mosques, and forts spread across the city. The array of artefacts, antiques, and the exotic and colourful attire available for sale in the city is often tempting. The city has numerous places of interest for tourists, ranging from monuments to amusement parks. Some of the places of attraction are the Jama Masjid, Shaking Minarets, Calico Textile Museum, Sidi Sayid’s Mosque, Hathi Singh Temple, Step-Wells, Sabarmati Ashram and Vishala/Veechar (utensils museum). Excursions Moving around Ahmedabad, one gets a deeper insight into the architectural excellence of its past. The step-wells or baolis are good places to appreciate the superb craftsmanship of the yesteryears. The Jain and the Hindu temples besides being religious centres, also excelled as architectural masterpieces. Some of the places to be seen around the city are Sarkhej, Adalaj, Modhera and Patan.