Gujarat

History

One can recall the history of Gujarat since the Civilization of the valley of Indus, by the ruins of Lothal, which was formerly a port.

10th at the 13th century, it was controlled by the Châlukya, then conquered by the Musulman S in 1298. The main city of Gujarat, Ahmedabad, was founded at the beginning of the 15th century by the king Ahmed II. The city keeps this time several spectacular monuments, of which the large mosque.

The Portugal took there, during XVIe century, the counters and fortresses of Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

It passed under British protectorate in 1760, and was separated from the State of Bombay in 1956. The borders of the State were established on May 1st 1960, according to a linguistic separation.

Gujarat brought to India two among the most important leaders of the movement of independence, Mohandas K. Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Geography

The State of Gujarat is located between the latitudes 20°6' NR and 24°42' NR and longitudes 68°10' E and 74°28' E.

It is bordered in north by the Pakistan, in the North-East by the the Rajasthan, in the east by the Madhya Pradesh, in south-east by the Maharashtra and in south-west by the Mer of Oman. The principal cities are Ahmadâbâd, the old capital, Baroda or Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Surat, Rajkot. The peninsula of the Kâthiâwar form an important part of the territory of the State.

The relief is accentuated little in the majority of the State. It has approximately 1600 km of coasts.

The climate is mainly hot and dry, even desert in the North-West.

It is divided into 25 districts, themselves subdivided in 226 Taluka S.

Policy

Since ten years, the party hindouist BJP holds the capacity with the Parliament and government of the State.

In the Years 1990, intercommunity turbid violent ones burst on several occasions between the communities Hindou E and Moslem woman. In 1992 in particular, more than 2000 people, in Moslem majority, perished during these confrontations following the destruction of the mosque of Ayodya.

Since October 2001, the chief of the executive ( Chief Minister ) is Narendra Damodardas Modi, and the governor is Kailashpati Mishra since the May 7th 2003. The legislative Parliament includes/understands 182 members of Parliament.

Economy

Gujarat is one of the most prosperous States, having a GNP per capita above the average of India.

Gujaratis have the reputation to be talented tradesmen and financial. The main resources of the State are the Coton, the Arachide S, the Datte S, the Canne with sugar and the Pétrole.

Surat, a city of the Gulf of Khambat, is an important center of diamond cutters. The majority of the trade of Diamant are controlled by a handle of families of religion jaïne.

In the Gulf of Khambat, with 50 kilometers in the south-west of Bhavnagar, the largest shipyard of the world is, Alang Ship Recycling Yard . It is also about one of the largest wearing of dismantling of boats in the world. There for example, the Porte-avions Clemenceau should have been dismantled as from September 2005.

Gujarat is also the first milk producer in India. Close to the town of Anand is the dairy Amul , one of the largest milk producers in the world.

The university institution Indian Institute off Management , located at Ahmedbad, was classified like the best in Asia in its category by the magazine Asiaweek and one of best of the world. Its students work with high responsibilities in the companies Fortune 500 and others throughout the world.

Demography

Gujarat counts approximately 50 million inhabitants, and the population increased by 22,48% during the 10 last years. 37,67% of the population reside in urban area.

The local language is the Gujarati.

Culture

The culture of Gujarat was subject to a strong influence of the Islam. The majority of the old monuments are Moslem monuments.

The Jaïns also exerted an important influence. A consequence on the daily life is that the alcohol is interdict in Gujarat.

Tourism

Tourism is developed much less in Gujarat than in other States of India, in particular because of the prohibition of alcohol and the intercommunity turbid violent ones. The State however does not miss attractions, of which the temples jaïns of Palitana, and Moslem monuments of Ahmedabad. The desert area of the Kutch is famous for the richness of its craft industry.

The old Portuguese counter of Diu, left the Territory of Daman and Diu, which is wedged there, is also a tourist attraction.

Others

Fatherland of Mohandas K. Gandhi and of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The 200 last Lion S of Asia live in the forest of Gir to Goujerat.

See too

Violences in Gujarat in 2002

External bonds

Official site of the State of Gujarat

----

Simple: Gujarat

Random links: