Ahmedabad Attractions

The major tourist attractions in Ahmedabad are the Gandhi Ashram, Sidi Bashir mosque, Kankaria Lake, Sidi Saiyad mosque, Hathee Singh Jain Temple, Calico Museum of Textiles and Jama Masjid.

Sidi Bashir Mosque
Sidi Bashir Mosque is known for its two shaking minarets, one of an architectural wonder. These two tall towers are connected by a bridge which was once the entrance to the old mosque. This was destroyed by the Marathas in 1753 and has now been replaced by a modern one. When one minaret is shaken, the others also get shake in sympathy. This was done so due to the protection against earthquakes. These two shaking minarets lost half their height in the great earthquake of 1819, and in 1957 these minarets were completely destroyed. 260 columns support the roof of the mosque.

is located close to he river and was once part of the old citadel wall. This mosque is one of the  Ahmedabad's most stunning building and best known for its intricate perforated stone work and has beautiful carved stone windows which depict the intricate intervening of the branches of the kalpa tree.

Calico Museum of Textiles
Today, the Calico Museum of Textiles is widely regarded as one of the finest textiles museums in the world. This museum was started in Calico Textile Mill. The museum is housed inside one of Gujarat's famous carved wooden haveli in Shahi Bagh Gardens. This museum was inaugurated by Pandit Nehru in 1948, and is now managed by the Sarabhai foundation. Calico Museum of Textiles has excellent collection of antique and modern textiles including heavy brocades, fine embroideries, sarees, carpets, turbans, rare tapestries, wall hangings, Maharaja's costumes, old weaving machines and royal Mughal tents. It also houses an excellent collection of Jain manuscripts.

zoo, boat club, garden and natural history museum. The Ghattamendal pavilion in the center houses an aquarium.

Triple Gateway
Immediately to the west of the entrance to Ahmed Shah's mosque is the triumphal archway known as Tin Darwaza or Triple Gateway, which once led to the outer court of the royal citadel. At a later period it was surrounded by the tamarind and palm trees, but is now crowded by shops, considerably diminishing its effect. Although it is on a comparatively small scale, being only 12 m high, Percy Brown compares it to a Roman triple archways built by Constantine in the 4th century. He particularly draws attention to the fineness of the pointed arches, the best in India.

This tomb stands outside the Jama Masjid's east gate and includes the cenotaphs of his son and grandson. The central tomb is square with porticos on each side, a central dome, a coloured marble floor and stone jali screens. Women are allowed to go into the central chamber. Across the street is his queen's tomb, now a market and in poor shape. There are eight large marble tombs and some smaller tombs on a platform inside a rectangular courtyard surrounded by a cloister.

Rani Sipri's Mosque
The Rani Sipri's Mosque is situated to the southeast of the centre of the Ahmedabad city. This small mosque is also known as the Masjid-e-Nagira or Jewel of the Mosque due to its graceful construction, with slender minarets-again a blend of styles. It is said to have been commissioned in 1514 by the Rani Asni, wife of Sultan Mahmud Begara. She is also buried here. The square tomb with jali screens stands in front of the mosque.

Rani Rupmati's Mosque
Rani Rupmati's Mosque is situated to the south of the Delhi Gate. This mosque was built between 1430 and 1440 and was named after the Hindu wife of the Sultan. This mosque incorporates Hindu and Islamic design. Rani Rupmati was the princess of Dhar and the Hindu wife of Sultan. It has a high central arch and two minarets which were damaged in the great earthquake of 1819. The roof carries three domes, each above an entrance. The carvings in the gallery and the mihrabs are particularly attractive. The dome is elevated to allow light in around its base. The Rani Rupmati's tomb lies to the north-east. The tombs are decorated with Hindu motifs.