Ahmedabad celebrates 600th anniversary

By ENN, Ahmedabad: The prominent city of western India and former capital of Gujarat, Ahmedabad is celebrating its 600th anniversary today with various programmes chalked out to mark the occasion.

The city is believed to have derived its present name after its founder Sultan Ahmed Shah, who had made this city his capital in 1411. The capital was fortified with a boundary wall and 12 gates, few of which still survive.

Earlier, after ousting the tribal Bhil rulers, Solanki dynasty ruled the region. Subsequently, Mughals, Marathas and British also ruled.

British took over Ahmedabad in 1818 and made a military cantonment in 1824. The municipal government was established here in 1858 and the first textile mill in Gujarat was set up here in 1859 by entrepreneur Ranchodlal Chhotalal.

After his return from South Africa in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi conducted the freedom movement from here after setting up an Ashram on the western side of Sabarmati river in 1917.

To mark the 600th anniversary of the city, a group of young enthusiasts made a decorative cake weighing 850 Kgs last night. It has a length of 230 feet, 14 inches width and 13.5 inches height.

About 200 artworks depicting the story of the city was made on it.

Photo exhibitions, cultural programmes and various others programmes along with fireworks were organised to mark the occasion.