EVOLUTION OF AHMEDABAD

GURPAL KAUR
M. ARCH. (2019-2020)
GURU NANAK DEV
UNIVERSTIY, AMRITSAR
CONTENTS
•INTRODUCTION
•LOCATION
•PHYSIOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
•HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
•EVOLUTION OF CITY
•LANDMARKS IN CITY
•BIBLIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION
The form of a city can be explained as a response to a number of factors and forces. It can be
also expressed as a changing response to changing factors. Therefore to develop a complete
understanding of the present day structure of the city, it is important to examine the historical
account of the city and, the various factors that were influential in its evolution.
The objective here is to trace the evolution of the walled city of Ahmedabad to its present day,
and to identify factors influencing its pattern of development. The material has been acquired
from historical sources and the observations of the city have been derived through research. The
material has been structured with respect to the major political phases of the city, and the socio-
economic, and physical changes that occurred at the time.
 Ahmedabad city, located in western India
LOCATION
on the banks of the Sabarmati River,
30 km (19 mi) from the state capital 
Gandhinagar, which is its twin city and in
the northern part of Gujarat. Also
Ahmedabad is the largest city in the state
of Gujarat. The city is divided into two
parts naturally by the river Sabarmati
which runs through its centre. The city
has emerged as an important economic
and industrial hub in India and is
considered to be the second largest
producer of cotton in India. Along with
industries the city also came up with
commerce, communication and
construction sector which created
employment opportunities in the eastern
part of Ahmedabad. Due to rapid
industrialization people started migrating
to eastern part in search of their livelihood
which lead to increase in population and
also need to construct houses, commercial
centres which resulted in the development
of the eastern Ahmedabad.
 GANDHINAGAR
DELHI

INDIA
AHMEDABAD

MUMBAI

AHMEDABAD

AHMEDABAD

RAJKOT

VADODARA

SURAT

O
LATITUDE : 23 4’ N

O
LONGITUDE : 72 34’ E

CLIMATE : HOT AND DRY TYPE

SOIL TYPE : BROWN SANDY & CLAYEY

VEGETATION : DRY DECIDUOUS TYPE *Source: Google Earth website

Location and General Information

Ahmedabad City Region

PHYSIOGRAPGY

The entire city of Ahmedabad is spread over an area of 205 square kilometres and its average
elevation is 53 meters.

LAKES IN AHMEDABAD
The Vastrapur Lake and the Kankaria Lake are the two main lakes that are located within
Ahmedabad. The Kankaria Lake is located at Maninagar and it is mainly an artificial lake that was
developed by Qutb-ud-din Aybak. The lake also possesses a zoo and an aquarium. There is an island
palace called Nainwadi located in the middle of the Kankaria lake and it is believed that this island
palace was constructed during the rule of Mughals in Gujarat.

THE HILLY AREA IN AHMEDABAD

The city of Ahmedabad is found to be sited in a dry and sandy area. The entire city of Ahmedabad is
completely flat except for tine hills of the Thaltej-jodhpur Tekra. River Sabarmati bifurcates
Ahmedabad into two parts called the western part and the eastern part. Both the parts of Ahmedabad
are connected via five bridges out for which two bridges have been constructed after India got its
Independence. However, it has to be noted that River Sabarmati is a perennial river that dries up
during summer leaving only a very narrow brook of water. The soil that is found in the city of
Ahmedabad is basically loamy and at the same time it is well drained soil.
SEASONS OF AHMEDABAD

• The city of Ahmedabad enjoys three seasons typically

and they are monsoon, summer and winter. The climate
of Ahmedabad is very dry except the monsoon season.
• The weather of Ahmedabad is found to be very hot
during summer month that is between the months if
March and June.
• The average temperature that is measured during the
summer season is 43 degree Celsius max. and 23 degree
Celsius min.
• The average maximum temperature measured during the
months of November to February is 36 degree Celsius
and the minimum temperature measured during these
cold months. During January, mild chill is experienced in
the city as a result of the cold northerly winds.
• From mid-June to mid-September, the city of Ahmedabad
experiences humid climate because of the south-west
monsoon winds.
• The average rainfall in Ahmedabad is 932mm and the
highest temperature that has been recorded till date is 47
degree Celsius and the lowest temperature recorded is 50
degree Celsius.
OLD AND NEW AHMEDABAD

• As it has been said earlier that the Sabarmati River divides the city of Ahmedabad into two
distinct parts, the eastern part of Sabarmati River accommodates the old city. The old city consists
of the pol scheme of houses and bazaars.
• The main railway station of Ahmedabad and even the General Post Office is located in the old
city. The western of Sabarmati River also flourished as a city during the colonial period and this
was due to the construction of Ellis Bridge inn the year 1875.
• This part of the Sabarmati River is the new city of Ahmedabad that accommodates modern
buildings, educational, institutions, residential areas that are very well-planned, multiplexes,
shopping malls and the new districts of business centred at Ashram Road, Sarkhej-Gandhinagar
Highway that has been recently developed and C.G. Road.
• Sabarmati Ashram which is also called Gandhi Ashram is situated on the western edge of
Sabarmati River in the northern part of the city of Ahmedabad. Ashram served as the residence of
Gandhi and it was also the starting point of the historic Dandi March that took place in the year
1930.
• The entire city is very well-located and at the same time it is a city that is very well-connected to
different parts of India as well as the world. All the modern facilities that are required for leading
a normal life by a human being are found available in this city and at the same time it can also be
noticed that the city is fast developing in its infrastructure, industry and education.
 •The topography of city shows that the land slopes towards South .
•The slope of the city is 1:750 (approx)
•The area under water-bodies is 38.54 km approx. 2.96% of the total area.
•The prime surface water body in Ahmedabad is the river Sabarmati, which
flows from North to South and divides the city into two parts; East and West.

•It is not a perennial river. At Eastern side of the city, two minor rivers cross
the region i.e. The Khari river and the Meshwa river. A number of ponds /

lakes / water bodies are also present in the city.

•Due to rapid urbanization some lakes / water bodies have become extinct.

About 36 lakes / water bodies have dried up in last 28 years .

LEGEND:

0km 2 4 5km

1 3 1m interval

Source: AUDA reports, A.M.C. website

Water Bodies and Topography

 •Every village had its own pond, which was the source of water.

• Size of pond varied from 20 ha to 80 ha depending on the size of the village.

• These ponds now remain dry during summer months.

• Important ponds in Ahmedabad are Kankaria filled with water throughout the year;
and Chandola lake which remains dry even in monsoon.

Kankaria Lake

Chandola Lake

VILLAGE SETTELEMENTS

WATER BODIES

PLAN SHOWING THE LOCATION

N
OF THE VILLAGES AND THE CITY
AS CORRESPONDING TO THE
WATER BODIES

Source: Unpublished Thesis work Niketa, CEPT student

Relation of Water Bodies and the City

 • The area of city during the period 1411-1770 was 5.3 sq.km.

• The establishment of the first textile mill in 1861 was a landmark. With expansion of this
industry, development began to spill over (beyond city walls) towards the north-east & south-

east of walled city, but only on the Eastern side of the river.

• Construction of Ellis Bridge in 19th century opened up the Western side for urban expansion –
mainly Residential.

• Industrial development – Eastern side.

•Commercial development – Walled City.

• City extended beyond present municipal limits & crossed limits of AUDA on Western side.

• After 1982 growth was observed on main transportation routes, where agriculture was

predominant.

GROWTH OF AHMEDABAD

(1411-2000)

1411 1932

1857 1936

1884 1939

N 1901 1956

1911 1958

1920 1959

1928 1960

2000

Broadly Growth of Ahmedabad Source: Unpublished Thesis work, CEPT student

 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
• The History of Ahmedabad begins in the eleventh century with King Karandev - 1, the Solanki
Ruler. He waged a war against the Bhil King Ashapall or Ashaval, and after his victory established
a city called Karnavati on the banks of the Sabarmati. The Solanki rule lasted until the thirteenth
century, when Gujarat came under the control of the Vaghela dynasty of Dwarka. Gujarat was
conquered by the Sultanate of Delhi at the end of the thirteenth century.
• Ahmedabad was built in an open and spacious plain in the immediate vicinity of Ashaval to the
east of Sabarmati. It then comprised of a smaller area now known as the Bhadra Fort or the citadel
of Bhadra. In 1487, Mahmud Begada, the grandson of Ahmed Shah, fortified the city with an outer
wall 10 km (6 miles) in circumference and consisting of twelve gates, 189 bastions and over 6,000
battlements. The City was planned according to the ancient Indo-Aryan tradition of a royal capital
with main roads, thoroughfares and subsidiary roads.
• Under the fostering care of the sultans of Gujarat, the city of Ahmedabad went on expanding in
every direction by the addition of new localities and suburbs on both the sides of river, and
gradually developed into a well built city, with well-laid-out residential and marketing areas and
beautified by palaces, mansions, mausoleums and mosques of reservoirs (lakes) and gardens
erected by the noblemen of the sultans and wealthy merchants of the capital.
• The city enjoyed the position of royal capital for a period of about 162 years: 1411-1573 A.D. till
the independent Sultanate of Gujarat came to an end under the reign of Murzaffar-III. Conditions
of the province were chaotic during the reign of Sultan Muzaffar III. Akbar, the great Mughul
Emperor, conquered the province in 1573. Though Ahmedabad lost its importance as the capital of
Gujarat during the Moghul reign, it retained its importance as one of the thriving centers of trade
in the country and chief city of Gujarat.
• The Mughal rulers who followed Aurangzeb were weak and the Mughul Viceroys (Subas) were
busy fighting amongst themselves and with the Marathas. This resulted in disorder in the
country, and from 1737 to 1753, there was a joint rule of the Mughal Viceroy and the Peshwa
over Ahmedabad. In 1753 the combined armies of Raghunath Rao and Damaji Gaeakwad
overtook the citadel and brought an end of Mughal rule at Ahmedabad.
• During the Maratha regime, Ahmedabad was for all intents and purposes divided into two
halves, one into the hands of Peshwas and the other into the hands of Gaekwads, the jurisdiction
exercised by the Peshwa being greater.The condition of Ahmedabad, during the 64-year-long
Maratha rule went from bad to worse owing to the constant struggle between the Peshwas and
the Gaekwads and the retrograde and oppressive policy pursued during this period. During this
period of decline and insecurity that characterized 64 years of Maratha rule, suburbs were
deserted, places and mansions were in ruinous state, roads in hopeless state of disrepair, and the
fortwall that enclosed the city had fallen off at many places.
• It was in 1818, when the British East India Company took over the city as a part of the conquest
of India that the city ushered into the era of orderly development and progress. A military
cantonment was established in 1824. A Municipal Committee was formed in 1834 and regular
Municipal administration introduced in 1858. In 1864, a railway link between Ahmedabad and
Mumbai (then Bombay) was established by the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway
(BB&CI), making Ahmedabad an important junction in the traffic and trade between northern
and southern India. Large number of people migrated from rural areas to work in textile mills,
establishing a robust industry. Thus, in view of such welfare activities and amenities provided in
the public interest, the spirit of Ahmedabad, which was lying dormant in the preceding century,
was now awakened and expressed itself in all walks of life.
• After a lapse of another century, destiny chose Ahmedabad to play an outstanding role in the
country's struggle for freedom. The Indian independence movement developed strong roots in
the city when, in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi established two ashrams, the Kochrab Ashram near
Paldi in 1915 and the Satyagraha Ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati in 1917 that would
become centers of intense nationalist activities. Ahmedabad became the capital of the new state
of Gujarat after the bifurcation of the State of Bombay on 1 May 1960.
• Today Ahmedabad is a unique city, for it blends harmoniously an ancient heritage with a vibrant
present. What is remarkable about Ahmedabad is the harmony between art and industry, between
a reverence to the past and a vision for the future.
EVOLUTION OF THE CITY
The history of Ahmedabad stretches as far back as in the 11th century and linking it self with old
towns of Ashaval and Karnavati about 1000 years ago.

In the year 1410 AD, Sultan Ahmed Shah built In 1456 AD, an enclosing wall was constructed
citadel and encouraged development of trade defining a periphery to the city-limits. The city
and commerce. within this wall got structured into wards,
organized by 12 main roads each terminating at a
gate in the wall.
In 1487, Mahmud Begada, the grandson of
Ahmed Shah, fortified the city with an outer wall
10 km (6.2 mi) in circumference and consisting
of twelve gates, 189 bastions and over 6,000
battlements.
With the coming of the railway around 1860,
development began to spill over (beyond the city-
limits) towards the northeast and southeast of the
walled city. The first textile mill was started in 1861
here by Ranchhodlal Chhotalal. This also resulted in
the industrial and residential development across the
western side of Sabarmati River.
Construction of 5 bridges – Ellis Bridge,
Gandhi Bridge, Sardar Patel Bridge, the
Nehru Bridge and the Subhash Bridge
accelerated this development. But by
and large the industrial development has
remained concentrated on the eastern
side and the walled city has continued to
grow in density due to incorporation of
fringe areas into the city limits.

The city municipality was given the

status of Municipal Corporation in 1950
when the city started growing rapidly
eastwards and southwards. In the later
part of the century, the western part has
developed rapidly. The city is governed
by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
(AMC), established in July 1950.
PHASE DEVELOPMENT
UNTIL 13TH CENTURY 13-17 CENTURY
17-19 CENTURY 19- POST INDEPENDENCE
1972 to 1996
 EVOLVING STREET
NETWORK FROM EXISTING
DEVELOPMENT
 LAND USE IN CITY AREA

As per existing land use (1997), more than one third (36%) of the total area is under
residential use, followed by 15 percent of the area under the industries. Large tracts of
land (23.44%) are lying vacant, mostly in the newly acquired area of the AMC. Only 9.5
percent of the total area is under transportation network as against the norm of 15-18
per cent. as specified by UDPFI norms.
SOURCE : CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN AHMEDABAD 2006-2012
MAJOR LANDMARKS IN CITY
 AKSHARDHAM

SCIENCE CITY

ADALAJ STEPWELL

RANI RUPMATI MASJID

SHAKING MINARETS
THREE GATES

KANKARIA LAKE

JUMMA MASJID

BADRA FORT

MAJOR LANDMARKS IN CITY