Surat, Gujarat
About Surat
Situated on the south of Vadodara lies the important trading center and port of ancient India called Surat, the city of Textile mills. It is also famous for its zari and brocades and is also an important diamond cutting centre. It is a city of gems and diamonds. Located on the southern bank of Tapti, Surat is renowned for its fine silk and exquisite brocades like the Tanchoi, Gajee and Kinkhab styles sometimes woven with gold and silver threads. It is also famous for spices and its diamond market as well as ivory and wood artwork of rare beauty.
Places of Interest in Surat
The Old Fort
Built by Mohammad Tughlak in the 14th century, as a defence
fortification against the Bhils.
The Textile Market
Surat's vast and active textile market testifies its importance in
the textile trade even today.
Dumas
A seaside health resort 16 kms from Surat.
Hajira
It is situated 28 kms from Surat. The pleasant Hajira Beach is
fringed by feathery 'Casurina' trees and has a comfortable holiday
home for visitors.
Dandi
Situated on the coastline and well known as a salt centre, Dandi has
acquired a name in history after the famous 'Dandi March Salt
Satyagraha' launched by Gandhiji in March, 1930 AD. While overtly
the Dandi march purported to protest against the hateful Salt Tax
levied by the British, the underlying purpose was to kindle the
spark of Civil Disobedience and thereby attain independence. On a
warm April morning in 1930, Gandhi and his 78 followers marched 241
miles to Dandi and formally breached the Salt Law, an act that would
go down in the annals of history as the first salvo to be fired
against the British Empire.
Best way to reach Surat
- By air: Surat International Airport, about 11 km from the city centre.
- By rail: Surat station on the Mumbai-Delhi main line.
- By road: On the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway (NH 48): about 280 km from Mumbai and 265 km from Ahmedabad.
Check flights at the Airports Authority of India and trains at IRCTC; distances are approximate.
Known for: Diamonds
Surat cuts and polishes most of the world's diamonds; hundreds of thousands work in its diamond units, and the Surat Diamond Bourse opened in 2023.