SOUTH ASIA
Ahmedabad - Gujarat
India
Straddling the banks of the Sabarmati River lies Ahmedabad, an integral node along the land and maritime routes through India for over six centuries.
Founded in 1411 by Sultan Ahmed Shah to serve as the new capital of the Gujarat Sultanate, Ahmedabad swiftly rose to prominence as a premier entrepôt linking the coastal shipping traffic to the overland caravan routes fanning across western India. Its location proved pivotal, and the city swelled to great heights. Architecturally, most notable was the walled citadel constructed under Ahmed Shah's reign, still standing proud as the heart of the old quarter, as well as the mosques and tombs found by wandering its labyrinthine lanes.
Ahmedabad's mercantile legacy as a Silk Road hub is on full display in its living traditions of textile arts. From the Mughal era onwards, these coveted textiles found favor in markets stretching across the world, thanks to the connections facilitated by Ahmedabad's prime location. Even today, Ahmedabad remains the beating heart of India's textile industry. Wandering Ahmedabad today appears not entirely welcoming at first glance, but within the city one can find an authentic slice from a people who have kept its history alive.
THE SILK ROAD JOURNAL
How We Got Here
We reached Ahmedabad by train from Jodhpur, going from Rajasthan into Gujarat.
The Highlight
Finding a vast stretch of endless sand dunes in the center of town was quite surprising. It was a blast exploring the dunes, imagining life on the Silk Road.
Our Treasure
Sitting down and observing the daily life in a region that sees fewer visitors, while interacting with the kind folk who call Ahmedabad home.
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S N A P S H O T S O N T H E R O A D
W H E R E W I L L Y O U R J O U R N E Y T A K E Y O U N E X T ?
Ahmedabad served a useful introduction into vast India, where the bazaars loaded your caravan to the brim. What awaits, no matter the route through India, will leave you speechless. The first stop is Jaisalmer, a fort that rises from the sands of the Thar Desert like a mirage.