Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad is the biggest and erstwhile capital city of the state of Gujarat and a leading industrial centre. Formerly known as the " Manchester of India " because of the numerous textile mills, this city is home to 4.8 million people known as "Amdavadis". Ahmedabad was founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in 1411 AD on the banks of the river Sabarmati. It is said that he decided to build the capital at this place because he saw a rabbit attacking one of his hunter dogs. He thought if the rabbits in the region were so brave, the people must surely be even braver! Their bravado has been demonstrated in the last decade or so with some of the worst riots in the country. However, in this decade the people in the Land of the MAHATMA have ensured that it remains peaceful.
The city has developed rather haphazardly, and most of the roads are narrow and bustling. A wide variety of shops and businesses exist in the city. In addition to its role as a commercial center, Ahmedabad is also an important industrial center, with chemical and textile industries. It is also home to several interesting museums. Many of Ahmedabad's buildings bear the signatures of world-renowned architects like Le Corbusier, Louis Khan , Doshi and Correa.