The tourist attractions in Ahmedabad are a happy blending of the ancient heritage as well as the vibrant present of the city. Ahmedabad, named after Ahmed Shah, the medieval ruler of Gujarat, is India's textile city and is often referred to as the "Manchester of the East". It is also known for its rich association with Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian Freedom Movement.

Ahmedabad has got numerous tourist attractions, ranging from monuments to amusement parks. The city has a unique style of architecture, known as the Indo-Sarcenic style of architecture, which is a blending of Hindu and Islamic styles. The Jama Masjid of Ahmedabad is one of the biggest and oldest mosques, which is built in this style. Built by Ahmed Shah, after whom the city got its name, it is located in the center of the city. The Hindu style of architecture is seen on the walls and the niches of the mosque. Rani Rupmati's Mosque, situated north of the citycentre and named after the Hindu wife of Sultan Mahmud Begado also has an Indo-Sarcenic style of arcitecture. Rani Sipri's Mosque is another beautiful example of this blending of the hindu art in a muslim monument. Sidi Sayad's Mosque is a superb example of delicate carving especially on stone windows. Sidi Bashir's Mosque is also known as the mosque with shaking minarets built with such skill and craftsmanship that they respond to vibrations which are transferred across via a stone bridge.The tombs of Ahmed Shah, the founder of the city and his queens are just outside the east gate of the Jama Masjid.

Other attractions are Narayan Temple, a Hindu temple enclosed in large courtyard, Ahmed Shah's Mosque,one of the earliest mosques and Raj Babri's Mosque which has shaking minarets. The Roza of Sarkhej, which contains the tomb of the Sultan Mahmud Begado in memory of the muslim saint, Ahmed Khattu Gang Baksh who helped Ahmed Shah to build the city of Ahmedabad. Bhadra Fort, which once housed royal palalces, now has government offices. Huthising Temple is unique being a Jain temple,Shahi Bag once famous for the palace gardens now houses the governor's residence. Kankaria Lake, south -east of the city is a circular artificial lake, with an island summer palace constructed in 1451by Sultan Qutub-ud-Din. It has a huge zoo and children's park by the lake, and the Ghatamendal pavilion in the centre houses an aquarium. Anyone visiting Ahmedababd and interested in seeing a historical tourist attraction should not miss going to Sabarmathi Ashram which is 7km from the centre town, on the west bank of the Sabarmati River. It was from here, in 1930, that the Mahatma began his famous 'Dandi March' to the sea to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. The ashram founded in 1915 still makes handicrafts, handmade paper and spinning wheels. The Gandhi Ashram has a memorial centre, library and a Sound-and-Light show.The small house in the Ashram, 'Hridaya Kunj', where Mahatma Gandhi lived is preserved as a national monument.

Ahmedababd is famous for its museums like the Calico Museum of Textiles, one of the finest textile museums in the world, which displays fabric and old weaving machines from different parts of India. Institute of Indology has a collection of illustrated manuscripts and miniatures. Hussain Doshi's Gufa on the campus of the Center for Environment, Planning and Technology has the fusion of art and architecture displaying works of M F Hussain,the painter and B V Doshi the architect.N.C Mehta Museum of Miniatures has a collection of various schools of Indian miniature painting.Shreyas Folk Museum displays the arts and crafts of Gujarat.Utensils Museum is a unique museum which has a collection of cooking utensils.

Excursions From Ahmedabad

Excursions from Ahmedabad can be made to Batwa, 10km southeast of Ahmedabad that has tombs of a noted Muslim saint and the saint's son. Adalaj Wav, 19 km north of Ahmedababd is one of the finest of the Gujarati step wells with carvings depicting intricate motifs of flowers and birds. Built by Queen Rudabai in 1499 it provides a cool and secluded retreat during the hot summer months. Cambay is the old seaport of Ahmedabad is 92km to the southwest, at the northern end of the Gulf of Cambay. At the height of Muslim Power in Gujarat, the entire region was known as Cambay and when the first ambassadors arrived from England in 1583, they bore letters from Queen Elizabeth addressed to Akbar, the 'King of Cambay'.Nal Sarovar (116Km) is a natural lake, about 64 Km away from Ahmedabad where different varieties of migratory birds of various breeds, flock and rest in winter months. Lothal is about 85km southwest of Ahmedabad, towards Bhavnagar. It is of great interest to archaeologists as the city, which stood here, 4500 years ago was a Harappan settlement and provtherer is also evidence that it was a commercial center and a part carrying on commerce with foreign countries.

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