Gujarat has an undeniable and laudable history that not many people living on the modern-day structures in this very state are aware of.
This article finds its way into the history of Gujarat and walks through various civilizations and cultures that this historical state has witnessed over the centuries.
Gujarat - The Name The state got its name from "Gujjaratta" which translates into "the land of the Gujjars" who were a migrant tribe that entered India in the 5th century.
This entry came as in the wake of the invasion of the Huns.
Gujarat was a Harappa Settlement In what is known as one of the most ancient civilizations in South East Asia, Gujarat has encompassed the Indus Valley Civilization that witnessed the Harappa culture.
These are not without facts, about fifty ruins belonging to the Harappa settlements were unearthed in Gujarat that stands testimony to its long history.
This settlement has been found to have existed between 3300 and 1700 BC.
Lothal, an early Harrapan town which existed in the Gujarat region around 3000 B.
C.
has been established by archeologists to be the oldest known port in the world.
Dravidian Tribes Inhabited Gujarat The Dravidian tribes were one of the first inhabitants of the Gujarat region and history points to us that these tribes indulged in trading activities with settlements and tribes in the Persian Gulf.
Aryans and Greeks Invaded Gujarat The history of Aryans shows us that they invaded the Gujarat region and were the primary reason for the Dravidians to be driven down south from their primary settlements in Gujarat.
The Greeks invaded and ruled Gujarat for what was a very short time before the Hindu Kings waged wars and regained Gujarat under their kingdom.
Abode of Great Hindu Kings Some dynamic kingdoms have contributed to the rich history of Gujarat.
According to the Hindu epics, Lord Krishna and his brother Lord Balarama had evacuated Mathura during the war times and settled down in Kushasthali, which is now known as Dwaraka and began the much celebrated Yadava Dynasty.
Gujarat was one of the exploits of Mauryan emperor Ashoka who later took to Buddhism and let go his quench for power.
The rock edicts in Girnar Hills in Junagarh are proof of King Ashoka's exploits in the region.
Muslim Invasion With Mohammad Ghazni's invasion came the entry of the Muslims into the region.
His conquest of Somnath ended the rule of the Hindu kings and gave way to the political dominance of the Muslims in the region during the 9th century.
It is imperative to note that the Sultanate of Gujarat was independent till the popular Mughal Emperor Akbar decided to annex it to the rest of the Mughal Empire that dominated the north and east of India.
Being A Commercial Trading Post The geographical location made Gujarat an important commercial trading post in the western parts of the sub-continent.
The British East India Company established its first base in Surat in Gujarat in the year 1614.
Gujarat became an important port in the East of India before the prominence of the then Bombay took over to become the busiest trading post in India.
The European Influence The Portuguese were the first of the European powers to establish their presence in Gujarat.
The Portuguese, French, Dutch and the English set up ports and establishments in Gujarat thereby facilitating a strong European influence in the culture and trade of the region.
The Europeans established bases along coastal Gujarat that included several enclaves like Daman and Diu.
When the British claimed sovereignty in the region, Gujarat was placed under the Bombay Presidency barring Baroda.
There were some districts of Gujarat that came under the direct rule of the Governor General of India during that period.
The Independence Struggle The struggle for an independent India saw the birth of some of the greatest sons of India in Gujarat which included some of the greatest names in history - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Moraji Desai and many others who actively participated in India's freedom struggle.
Gujarat takes pride in being the land of the Mahatma and some of the popular revolts during the pre independence era were witnessed in Gujarat which included the Salt Sathyagraha which was led by Mahatma Gandhi himself.
Post Independence Gujarat underwent post independence turmoil to a certain extent when it was merged with the Bombay state as one which brought about the Mahagujarat conference.
The greater Gujarat region which was under the Bombay Presidency was divided which gave the Gujarati speaking population a separate state dividing the state into Maharashtra and Gujarat respectively.
This administrative divide took place on the 1st of May 1960 and from then on till date; Gujarat enjoys a separate state status.
Ahmedabad was made the capital of the newly formed Gujarat state but later in 1970 the state saw the capital being moved to Gandhinagar.
Gandhinagar is one of the three most planned cities in India and boasts of some excellent infrastructural facilities.
Gujarat - The Land Of Legends The crowning glory of Gujarat is that it is the birth place of the Mahatma.
Gujarat has given India some renowned legends which includes the 'Father of Indian Space Program', Vikram Sarabhai, India's visionary businessman, Dhirubhai Ambani, the 'Father of Indian Industry' Jamshedji Tata and the 'Iron Man of India', Sardar Vallabhai Patel.
Recent History The post independence era saw the Congress gaining control of Gujarat on the political front.
The shackles were broken in 1991 when the Bharatiya Janata Party came into power and from then on till date has been able to govern the state successfully.
In 2001, Gujarat bore the grunt of a massive earthquake that struck the state on the 26th of January killing about more than 20,000 people and affecting the lives of about 40 million people in the Bhuj region.
In 2002 the communal riots shook the state with plenty of lives being lost.
Till date this stands as a black mark in the history of the state.
The Godhra violence set of a state-wide killing spree with many Muslims falling victims in the Hindu dominated state.
This article finds its way into the history of Gujarat and walks through various civilizations and cultures that this historical state has witnessed over the centuries.
Gujarat - The Name The state got its name from "Gujjaratta" which translates into "the land of the Gujjars" who were a migrant tribe that entered India in the 5th century.
This entry came as in the wake of the invasion of the Huns.
Gujarat was a Harappa Settlement In what is known as one of the most ancient civilizations in South East Asia, Gujarat has encompassed the Indus Valley Civilization that witnessed the Harappa culture.
These are not without facts, about fifty ruins belonging to the Harappa settlements were unearthed in Gujarat that stands testimony to its long history.
This settlement has been found to have existed between 3300 and 1700 BC.
Lothal, an early Harrapan town which existed in the Gujarat region around 3000 B.
C.
has been established by archeologists to be the oldest known port in the world.
Dravidian Tribes Inhabited Gujarat The Dravidian tribes were one of the first inhabitants of the Gujarat region and history points to us that these tribes indulged in trading activities with settlements and tribes in the Persian Gulf.
Aryans and Greeks Invaded Gujarat The history of Aryans shows us that they invaded the Gujarat region and were the primary reason for the Dravidians to be driven down south from their primary settlements in Gujarat.
The Greeks invaded and ruled Gujarat for what was a very short time before the Hindu Kings waged wars and regained Gujarat under their kingdom.
Abode of Great Hindu Kings Some dynamic kingdoms have contributed to the rich history of Gujarat.
According to the Hindu epics, Lord Krishna and his brother Lord Balarama had evacuated Mathura during the war times and settled down in Kushasthali, which is now known as Dwaraka and began the much celebrated Yadava Dynasty.
Gujarat was one of the exploits of Mauryan emperor Ashoka who later took to Buddhism and let go his quench for power.
The rock edicts in Girnar Hills in Junagarh are proof of King Ashoka's exploits in the region.
Muslim Invasion With Mohammad Ghazni's invasion came the entry of the Muslims into the region.
His conquest of Somnath ended the rule of the Hindu kings and gave way to the political dominance of the Muslims in the region during the 9th century.
It is imperative to note that the Sultanate of Gujarat was independent till the popular Mughal Emperor Akbar decided to annex it to the rest of the Mughal Empire that dominated the north and east of India.
Being A Commercial Trading Post The geographical location made Gujarat an important commercial trading post in the western parts of the sub-continent.
The British East India Company established its first base in Surat in Gujarat in the year 1614.
Gujarat became an important port in the East of India before the prominence of the then Bombay took over to become the busiest trading post in India.
The European Influence The Portuguese were the first of the European powers to establish their presence in Gujarat.
The Portuguese, French, Dutch and the English set up ports and establishments in Gujarat thereby facilitating a strong European influence in the culture and trade of the region.
The Europeans established bases along coastal Gujarat that included several enclaves like Daman and Diu.
When the British claimed sovereignty in the region, Gujarat was placed under the Bombay Presidency barring Baroda.
There were some districts of Gujarat that came under the direct rule of the Governor General of India during that period.
The Independence Struggle The struggle for an independent India saw the birth of some of the greatest sons of India in Gujarat which included some of the greatest names in history - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Moraji Desai and many others who actively participated in India's freedom struggle.
Gujarat takes pride in being the land of the Mahatma and some of the popular revolts during the pre independence era were witnessed in Gujarat which included the Salt Sathyagraha which was led by Mahatma Gandhi himself.
Post Independence Gujarat underwent post independence turmoil to a certain extent when it was merged with the Bombay state as one which brought about the Mahagujarat conference.
The greater Gujarat region which was under the Bombay Presidency was divided which gave the Gujarati speaking population a separate state dividing the state into Maharashtra and Gujarat respectively.
This administrative divide took place on the 1st of May 1960 and from then on till date; Gujarat enjoys a separate state status.
Ahmedabad was made the capital of the newly formed Gujarat state but later in 1970 the state saw the capital being moved to Gandhinagar.
Gandhinagar is one of the three most planned cities in India and boasts of some excellent infrastructural facilities.
Gujarat - The Land Of Legends The crowning glory of Gujarat is that it is the birth place of the Mahatma.
Gujarat has given India some renowned legends which includes the 'Father of Indian Space Program', Vikram Sarabhai, India's visionary businessman, Dhirubhai Ambani, the 'Father of Indian Industry' Jamshedji Tata and the 'Iron Man of India', Sardar Vallabhai Patel.
Recent History The post independence era saw the Congress gaining control of Gujarat on the political front.
The shackles were broken in 1991 when the Bharatiya Janata Party came into power and from then on till date has been able to govern the state successfully.
In 2001, Gujarat bore the grunt of a massive earthquake that struck the state on the 26th of January killing about more than 20,000 people and affecting the lives of about 40 million people in the Bhuj region.
In 2002 the communal riots shook the state with plenty of lives being lost.
Till date this stands as a black mark in the history of the state.
The Godhra violence set of a state-wide killing spree with many Muslims falling victims in the Hindu dominated state.
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