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Gujarat Tours |
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Gujarat Hotels |
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Surat |
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Information on
Surat
Surat is associated with the name Saurashtra, 'The
Good Land', the regions covering the peninsula of
Gujarat. It is situated on the banks of the Tapti
river and owes its development to its early and
sustained importance as a trading centre. It was large
in 1600 and even after a decline in its fortunes the
population in 1796 was estimated to be as much as
800,000. Surat is a busy commercial centre for
textiles and diamonds. This city is mainly visited by
the tourists who are interested in the colonial
history of Surat.
History of Surat
The Parsis driven from Persia, first arrived in India
in the 8th century and many moved from their first
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settlement on the West
coast of the peninsula to Surat in the 12th century. It
later became a vital Mughal port and transit point for Mecca
and in 1613 was the first English settlement in India. The
Mughals, under Akbar, took the town and during their reign,
the Portuguese, British, Dutch and French in turn
established trading outposts here. The British were first to
establish a factory in their first settlement in India,
having arrived in 1608 and Surat remained their headquarters
until it moved to Bombay in 1674. During the 17th and 18th
centuries, trade flourished and made Surat the mercantile
capital of West India. The first dock was built in 1720 and
by 1723 there were 2 shipyards. The tide turned, however in
the next century, when a fire destroyed the city centre to
be followed by floods when the river Tapti burst its banks.
This led many Persias to move to Bombay to make their
fortune.
Shopping in Surat
Today Surat is a busy textile town with several cotton
mills. The production of gold and silver thread and kinkhab
brocades and wood and ivory inlay work are also important in
Surat. Silk weaving is a cottage industry producing the
famous Tanchoi and Ganjee Sarees. Diamond cutting is also a
speciality of Surat.
Tourist Attractions in
Surat
The main tourist attractions in Surat are the castle, tombs,
mosques and temples. |
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Nau Saiyid
Mosque
The Nau Saiyid Mosque (mosque of Nine Saiyids) is
situated on the west banks of the Gopi Lake.
Mirza Sami Mosque
The Mirza Sami Mosque was built by the Khudawanad Khan
who was also responsible for the castle.
Dandi
Dandi is situated about 13 kms. from Navsari. Dandi is
the main place for the Gandhi's Salt March in 1930. It
is reached along a pleasant rural road and by
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the strikingly empty beach are several
monuments to Gandhi, including a small museum. |
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Castle
The castle was built in 1546 alongside the Tapti Bridge and
now full of offices. The castle provides good views of the
city and surrounding countryside from its bastions.
Colonial Tombs
The colonial tombs here dates from the 15th to the 18th
centuries. The most magnificent is the 17th century memorial
to Baron Adrian Van Reed, a local Dutch company Director.
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British Factory
The British Factory House, combined English and Hindu styles
and had stained glass windows with carved wooden supports.
It is located near the Mission High School, but not much
remains.
Navsari
Navsari is situated 29 kms. south of Surat. Navsari has been
a headquarters for the Parsi community since 1142.
Udvada
Udvada is situated about 10 kms. north of Vapi, the
station for Daman. Udvada has India's oldest Parsi
sacred fire. It is said to have been brought from
Persia to Diu, on the opposite coast of the Gulf of
Cambay, in 700 AD.
Sanjan
Sanjan, in the extreme south of the state, is the
small port where the Parsis first landed. A pillar
marks the spot. |
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How to reach Surat
By Rail:
Surat is situated on the main Mumbai - Ahmedabad railway
line.
By Road:
Surat is connected to various cities in Gujarat like
Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Somnath and Vadodara. |
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