Surat
About the city
This flourishing port city on the banks of river Tapti is one of the oldest trading centres of India. The British East India Company established its first ware houses in Surat in 1612. It is renowned for fine silks, exquisite brocades and diamond business. The main attractions are – 14th century Fort; Rangupavan, one of the biggest open air theatres in the country; Sardar Patel Museum and Textile Market etc.The wealth and prosperity of the city started in the 12th century when Parsis first settled here. Akbar captured the city in 1573 after a long siege and it became an important Mughal trading point. Arabian traders started calling this place Bunder-E-Khubsoorat (the beautiful port), which later shortened to Surat.
In 1612, the British established their trading factory here, soon to be followed by the Dutch and French. Due to political and climatic problems and growing importance of Mumbai, Surat lost its prominence. In 1852, Surat became the first municipality of Gujarat and gradually it became a major business city famous for its textile industry.
Surat circuit consists of the old historic city of Surat, India's ancient trading centre. Since long traders from across the seven seas had links with this region. The Saputara and the Dangs regions are filled with tribal villages where you can witness the lifestyle, traditions of the indigenous people living the life their ancestors lived years ago.
Surat, the capital of South Gujarat, was one of western India's major ports and trading towns in the 17th and 18th centuries and the first European settlement in India. Situated on the banks of Tapti river, Surat is renowned for its silk weaves like the Tanchoi and Gajee sarees and Kinkhab brocades sometimes woven with gold and silver threads. It is famous for its jewellery market and diamond cutting as well as ivory and wood inlay work.