Explore the Gujarat district map showing the 33 districts, district headquarters and capital of Gujarat state of India.
Districts of Gujarat
S.N.
District Name
Headquarter Name
1
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad City
2
Amreli
Amreli
3
Anand
Anand
4
Aravalli
Modasa
5
Banaskantha
Palanpur
6
Bharuch
Bharuch
7
Bhavnagar
Bhavnagar
8
Botad
Botad
9
Chhota Udaipur
Chhota Udaipur
10
Dahod
Dahod
11
Dang
Ahwa
12
Devbhoomi Dwarka
Khambhalia
13
Gandhinagar
Gandhinagar
14
Gir Somnath
Veraval
15
Jamnagar
Jamnagar
16
Junagadh
Junagadh
17
Kheda
Nadiad
18
Kutch
Bhuj
19
Mahisagar
Lunavada
20
Mehsana
Mehsana
21
Morbi
Morbi
22
Narmada
Rajpipla
23
Navsari
Navsari
24
Panchmahal
Godhra
25
Patan
Patan
26
Porbandar
Porbandar
27
Rajkot
Rajkot
28
Sabarkantha
Himmatnagar
29
Surat
Surat City
30
Surendranagar
Surendranagar
31
Tapi
Vyara
32
Vadodara
Vadodara City
33
Valsad
Valsad
34
Vav-Tharad
Tharad
About Gujarat
Gujarat is a state in the western part of India famous for historical events, economic growth and cultural variation. It is the fifth largest state in India covering an area of one hundred and ninety six thousand square kilometers. On its borders are Rajasthan to the north, Madhya Pradesh to the east, and Maharashtra to the south, with the Arabian Sea to the west. Gujarat has the longest coastline in India which is about 1,600 km in length and which is an important component of trade and commerce. Gandhinagar is the capital city, but Ahmedabad is the largest and most important city from the economic point of view.
History and Cultural Heritage
The present Gujarat was home to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization with evidence of early urban settlements at Lothal and Dholavira. This is because Lothal, one of the world's earliest known dockyards, is from Gujarat which shows that the place had early maritime trade. The region has been ruled by Mauryas, Guptas, Chalukyas, Solankis, etc, over the years and their rule contributed in the state’s cultural and architectural heritage. Gujarat was also a vital role in India’s freedom struggle as Mahatma Gandhi fought for the freedom of India from his Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. The Girnar and Somnath temples, along with historic forts and palaces depict the cultural and architectural heritage of Gujarat.
Geography and Climate
Gujarat is positioned on the western coast of India and thus has a very diverse geography, from the Rann of Kutch, through the Gir forest to the fertile plains. The Great Rann of Kutch, a vast salt marsh is a special geographical feature which is a attraction to tourists and at the same time is a very important ecological zone. There are several large rivers in the state, Narmada, Tapti, Mahi and Sabarmati which are used for irrigation and drinking water purposes. The climate is also not the same throughout the state; the coastal areas have tropical climate while the interior areas have semi-arid climate. The average annual rainfall is about 800 mm but it is very uneven and in places like Kutch the rainfall is very low.
Economy and Industrial Development
The state of Gujarat contributes almost 8% to the Indian GDP and is one of India’s most industrialized states. The domain areas of development include manufacturing, petroleum refining, textiles and chemical industries. Major industrial hubs of state include Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Rajkot. The first smart city and global financial hub of India, The Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) is. About 25% of India's total exports are accounted for by Gujarat and it has been on the ease of doing business platform leading the pack. It is the largest shipbreaking yard of India in Alang and has important ports like Kandla and Mundra to support international trade.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
The Indian GDP gets almost 8% from the state of Gujarat and is one of the most industrialized states of India. The domain areas of development are manufacturing, petroleum refining, textiles and chemical industries. The industrial hubs of the state include Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Rajkot. The first smart city and global financial hub of India, The Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) is. 25% of India's total exports are accounted for by 25% in Gujarat, and it has been on the ease of doing business platform, leading the pack. India's largest shipbreaking yard in Alang and some important ports like Kandla and Mundra to support international trade.
Education and Research
Gujarat has a very solid basic educational system which has some of the best institutions in the country including the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) and Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT). The state has made some improvements in research and innovation especially in the renewable energy and pharmaceutical industries. Thus, as investment in education is increasing, Gujarat is still attractive to students from other Indian and foreign countries.
Tourism and Heritage Sites
Gujarat is a vital sector in tourism it offers historical and cultural as well as natural attractions. The only place in the world where Asiatic lion is found in wild is the Gir National Park. The Rann of Kutch is a famous destination for its annual Rann Utsav which attracts thousands of visitors. The Somnath Temple, Dwarkadhish Temple and Akshardham Temple are important pilgrimage centers. It is a UNESCO World Heritage City, and it has architectural marvels like Sidi Saiyyed Mosque and Adalaj Stepwell. The Statue of Unity, India's largest statue of 182 metres of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, has drawn millions of tourists.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Gujarat has a very good infrastructure that has highway, railway and port connections. It has the highest density of roads in India and a very strong railway network that links most of the industrial and commercial areas. The main gateway for international travelers is the domestic airport, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. This cargo traffic is handled by the state's ports, including Kandla and Mundra. In solar and wind energy too, Gujarat has made considerable development and thus ranks first in India in sustainable energy.
Government and Administration
Gujarat has a parliamentary system of governance, the Governor is the constitutional head and the Chief Minister heads the executive branch. The Gujarat Legislative Assembly has 182 members. Gujarat is at the forefront of economic reforms and governance initiatives in industrial growth, digital transformation and ease of doing business. Gujarat has become a preferred business and development destination with policies to promote investment and entrepreneurship.
History of Gujarat
Ancient Period and Indus Valley Civilization
The state of Gujarat is one of the oldest regions of the world with the traces of human settlement right from the prehistoric times. The state was a major centre of the Indus Valley Civilization and has important archaeological sites including Lothal and Dholavira. Lothal was a prominent port city around 2400 BCE and had a well planned dockyard, one of the earliest known in the world. Dholavira, the other major Harappan site, helps to understand the urban planning and water management systems of the civilization. These sites clearly depict the role of Gujarat in trade and commerce and the connection of the region with Mesopotamia and other ancient civilizations to these sites.
Mauryan and Gupta Rule
The Indus Valley Civilization was followed by small kingdoms of different regions of Gujarat. The Mauryan Empire controlled the region for more than 400 years from the 3rd century B.C. to the Indus Valley empire. His rock edicts at Junagadh prove his rule in the region. It has been observed that during this period Gujarat was the hotspot of Buddhism and hence there were construction of stupas and monasteries. The Mauryan Empire was replaced by the Indo-Greek and Indo-Scythian rulers. The area was also under the control of Western Satraps. The area saw an economic and cultural rise when the area was captured by the Gupta Empire in fourth century CE.
Chaulukya and Solanki Dynasties
During the medieval period, powerful dynasties like the Maitrakas, Chavdas and later the Chaulukyas (Solankis) ruled over Gujarat. One of the golden ages of Gujarat is considered to be the Solanki dynasty, which ruled from 10th to 13th century. The region was governed by Bhima I and Siddharaj Jaisinh and the region saw significant architectural advancements including the construction of Modhera Sun Temple and Rani ki Vav, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the period in which trade and commerce thrived as Gujarat had very active maritime communication with the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Rule
In the last decade of the 13th century Gujarat was brought under the control of the Delhi Sultanate. The region was also a principal province of the Sultanate and its governors virtually independent. In 1407 Zafar Khan took a independence from the Delhi Sultanate and set up the Gujarat Sultanate, which was a Muslim rule in the region. The Gujarat Sultanate, one of its rulers being Mahmud Begada, was a period of relatively high economic development and architectural activity, including construction of forts, mosques and step wells. Gujarat was annexed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1573 and was incorporated into the Mughal Empire. Awdh was also a prosperous place for the Mughals, and it was a major centre for textiles, spices and gems during the rule.
Maratha and British Periods
The Mughal Empire declined in the early eighteenth century, and the Gaekwads of Baroda and other Marathas seized Gujarat; it became part of British India in early nineteenth century itself coming under the Bombay Presidency. The region had been left in a state of weakness by internal conflicts and invasions which made it an easy opening to the British influence. Gujarat was only incorporated into British India in the early nineteenth century as part of the Bombay Presidency. They also established railways, industries, and modern administrative systems, but they also exercised economic exploitation of Indians. Gujarat was also a major force in India’s freedom struggle, with freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Morarji Desai leading the fight for freedom. The struggle for India’s independence was also a non-violent battle against the British rule centring around Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.
Post-Independence and Formation of Gujarat
Gujarat was first a part of the larger Bombay State after India gained independence in 1947 but a movement for a separate linguistic and cultural state of Gujarati speaking state was started. Gujarat state was formed on May 1, 1960 as a single state by the bifurcation of Bombay State. Of the two, Ahmedabad was the first capital of Gujarat, and Gandhinagar was developed as the new capital in 1970. One of India' s most developed states, Gujarat is leading in industrialization, trade and infrastructure development, since its formation. The historical legacy and the modern economic progress of Gujarat plays an important role in India's growth and development.
