THE TEXTILE
CITY
Since the earliest times, the ancient port of Surat
has been renowned for its fine silks and exquisite
brocades and its trade in spices. Surat has been
one of the most prosperous of India's cities in
the 17th and 18th century. Surat, the city of commerce
was an important port that first attracted the Europeans
to the riches of India.
The
East India Company established its first warehouses
in Surat in 1612. And it was at Surat that Sir Thomas
Roe landed when he came as King James' ambassador
to the court of Emperor Jehangir. In Mughal times,
Surat was the main port from which pilgrims sailed
to Mecca.
Even today, Surat is a premier industrial city of
India. It is a city of riches, of gems and diamonds.
Times may have changed but Surat remains and continues
to grow.
Surat was founded by Parsi refugees in the 12th
century, and it emerged as a minor trading post
during the 1500s when it was plundered and razed
numerous times by the Portuguese. In 1592, after
a protracted siege, the town fell to Akbar, under
whose patronage, it became one of India's most prosperous
mercantile capitals, as well as a key transit point
for Muslims heading to Mecca.
Prime Attractions
/ Places to See
The Old Fort: Built by Mohammad Tughlak in
the 14th century, as a defence fortification against
the Bhils.
The Textile Market: Surat's vast and active
textile market testifies its importance in the textile
trade even today.
Dumas: A seaside health resort 16 kms from
Surat.
Hajira: It is situated 28 kms from Surat.
The pleasant Hajira Beach is fringed by feathery
'Casurina' trees and has a comfortable holiday home
for visitors.
Dandi: Situated on the coastline
and well known as a salt centre, Dandi has acquired
a name in history after the famous 'Dandi March
Salt Satyagraha' launched by Gandhiji in March,
1930 AD.
While overtly the Dandi march purported to protest
against the hateful Salt Tax levied by the British,
the underlying purpose was to kindle the spark of
Civil Disobedience and thereby attain independence.
On a warm April morning in 1930, Gandhi and his
78 followers marched 241 miles to Dandi and formally
breached the Salt Law, an act that would go down
in the annals of history as the first salvo to be
fired against the British Empire.
Excursions
From Surat
Ubharat: It is situated 42 kms from Surat. Ubharat
is known for a fine, sandy beach with a backdrop
of shady palm groves.
Tithal: It is situated 108 kms from Surat
and 5 kms from Valsad on the Bombay Vadodara Western
Railway. A beautiful sandy beach palm sheltered
cottages is what you would get to see there.
Bardoli: It is situated 34 kms from Surat.
Gandhiji had launched a farmers' movement known
as the 'Bardoli Satyagrah' in 1921-22 under the
leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Swaraj Ashram
at Bardoli has become a place of pilgrimage in India.
Ukai: It is situated 94 kms from Surat. A
major multipurpose irrigation project of Gujarat,
the storage of water at the dam site is almost as
large as that of Bhakra Nangal Dam in Punjab .
Bulsar: The Vansda National Park is situated
in Bulsar District. Wild animals such as leopards,
tigers, panthers and wild boars are found here.
How
to Reach Surat
Air: Various domestic airlines connecting
Mumbai and Bhavnagar.
Rail: Surat is on the Mumbai - Delhi - Ahmedabad
broad gauge line.
Road: State transport buses and private luxury
coaches connects various centres of Gujarat, Maharashtra
, Madhya Pradesh , Delhi and Rajasthan , Surat is
282 Kms from Mumbai 129 Kms from Vadodara &
230 Kms from Ahmedabad.
Local Transport: Tourist taxis, metered auto
rickshaws and the city bus service are main modes
for commuting.
OTHER
USEFUL INFORMATION
Tourist
Information Centre: Tourist
Office, Gujarat Pravas Nigam Ltd, 1/847 Athugar
Street, Nanpura, near Kailash Restaurant, Surat.
Hospitals: Surat Trust Hospital, Athwa Lines;
Adarsh Hospital Near St. Xavier's School.
Post & Telegraph: Head Post Office, Mahidharpura;
Central Telegraph Office, Mahidharpura.
