A land that holds a historical past, Gujarat derives its name `Gujaratta` meaning the land of Gurjars. The Gurjars passed through the Punjab and settled in some parts of Western India, which came to be known as Gujarat. Lying on the Arabian sea and with a coastline of 1596 km long that includes the union territory enclaves of Daman and Diu, it is bordered by Pakistan, the Indian states of Rajasthan , Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and Dadra ang Nagar Haveli union territory. It has an area of 75685 sq mi .Gujarat being a tourist destination offers something for every visitor. Gandhinagar the capital of Gujarat is in west-central India. It lies on the banks of the Sabarmati River, north of the former capital of Ahmedabad. It is organized in 30 residential sectors, in a controlled style influenced by the work of Le Corbusier, who designed Chandigarh. Its near-symmetrical numbered streets are wide and strangely quiet, lined with 16 lakh trees. An expressway connects Gandhinagar with Ahmedabad. A devastating earthquake hit parts of Gujarat on January 26, 2001 and has caused considerable loss of life and property. A few of the cities have been reduced to rubble, especially in the Kuchh region. Quite a few monuments have also suffered damage.

History of Gujarat
Situated in the western part of the Indian sub continent, Gujarat derives its name from the "Gurjars" who passed through Punjab and settled in some parts of Western India. According to the Hindu epics, Lord Krishna and his elder brother Balarama, evacuated Mathura and established themselves at Kushasthali, now known as Dwarka and started the Yadava dynasty. Dwarka subsequently became one of the four seats (mathas) set up by Adi Shankaracharya.The Parsees when they fled from Iran in the eighth century first landed at Sanjan on the shores of Gujarat with the holy flame, which still burns in Udwada in Valsad. The Muslim influence left its lasting trace on the local art and architecture and it came to be known as the Indo-Saracenic style. Among the earliest Europeans in Gujarat were the Portuguese who settled in Diu, a small island off the southern coast of Saurashtra. After that came the British who set up warehouses in Surat in 1612.

Gujarat was a part of the previous Mumbai state during the British Rule. But in 1960, the `Gujarati` population decided to separate from that union, which resulted in the formation of two new states, namely Gujarat and Maharashtra. The new State of Gujarat came into existence on May 01, 1960 because of this bifurcation. Gujarat is the birthplace of many who played an important role in shaping modern India. Prominent among them are Shri Dadabhoy Navroji, the grand old man of the freedom fight, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the architect of a united India and Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Nation. These men carried the torch of national freedom and integration infusing the qualities of tolerance, brotherhood, non-violence and patriotism amongst Indians.

Geography of Gujarat
Covering an area of 3.28 million sq kms it is the seventh largest country in the world. The mainland of India extends between 8º 4` N and 37º 6` North Latitude and 68º 7` and 97º 25`East Longitudes. The Tropic of Cancer 23º 30 AND divides India almost into two halves. The land frontier of the country is 15, 200 km and the total length of the coastline is over 7,500 kms. The state situated between 20o1` and 24o7` north latitudes and 68o4` and 74o4`east longitudes. The state is bounded by the Arabian Sea on west, Pakistan on the northwest, Rajas than in the north, Madhya Pradesh in southeast and Maharashtra in south. Gujarat is seventh largest state in India. It stands seventh in terms of population too. This state is situated on the west coast.

People of Gujarat
The Aryans were the first people to come from the north that either conquered or drove away the Bhils, the traditional rulers of Gujarat. Apart from these two distinct classes, a third class of people known as `Kolis` is equally important and occupies an in-between social position between the Aryans and the Bhils. Aryans are now commonly recognised as Hindus. The immigration during the medieval period brought Islam and Zoroastrianism to Gujarat and initiated the growth of a multi-religious society. `Rabaris` are a community of cattle-breeders who have migrated from Sindh and Marwar and claim a Rajput ancestry. The Rabaris stand out significantly by their features and dress. They lead a nomadic life.

The Gujaratis, the people of Gujarat, are found all over the state. These people trace their ancestry from the people originally known as Gurjars. They are believed to have come to India with the Huns and while passing through Punjab, settled in Gujarat. Gujaratis were highly influenced by the cultural waves from the mainland and accepted the monarchies that ruled over them. Various Hindu traditions like Shavism and Vaishnavism, which sprang upon the mainland, were imbibed by Gujarat, which in turn developed its own galaxy of saints and devotees and its own art and culture. The successive waves of immigration were absorbed in the society that was fast evolving and today the word Gujarati does not seem to suggest any definite association with a particular stock, a tribe of immigrants or a specific group of people. The Kutchis, who were the natives of the cape of Kutch, have their own language. The Kutchis are both Hindus and Muslims and a large number of them have migrated from Sindh. The Jadeja, Rajputs, the Lohanas and even the Muslims many of whom are `Maldharis`, the cattle-breeders, have all come from Sindh following upon their defeat at the hands of some kings or as a result of some religious harassment.

More on Gujarat
Tribal Jewelry of Gujarat
Gujarat Temples
Gujarati culture
Gujarati Language
Gujarati Literature
Museums of Gujarat
Gujarati Films
Folk Dances of Gujarat
Festivals of Gujarat
Districts of Gujarat
Cities of Gujarat