Architecture & History

• In the ancient days the land of Gujarat was also known as Pratichya and Varuna. Gujarat was named due to tribes settling around this region known as Gujars.

• People started settling in the region of Guajarat as early as Chalcolithic and Bronze Age in the period of Indus Valley Civilization.

• Gujarat's has a vast coastline with flourishing cities like Bharuch which had ports, harbors and trading centers.

• The Bhonga construction style was a traditional style of Kutch in Gujarat.

• This construction style was used in Kutch area to lessen damage due to risk of earthquake. Bhonga has a conical roof supported by cylindrical walls.

• Indus Valley Civilization had intense influence on the platform to form the base of Gujarat and its Gothic style of architecture.

• Ancient cities in Indus Valley Civilization has places in area of Lothal, Dholavira and Gola Dhoro that bear structures influenced by the Gothic  style of the period.

• Indo-Islamic style of architecture with delicate roof top and minarets and building shape and style became popular during the rule of Mughal Empire in Gujarat.

Demographic Location

• Gujarat is an Western Indian state engulfing the Kathiawar Peninsula in the Saurashtra region along the coastal line of the Arabian Sea.

• The state of Gujarat comprises 27 districts and 225 sub-district holding 18,618 villages and 242 towns.

• Kutch is the largest district of the state covering almost 23 percent of the state's geographical area.

• The state can be divided into South, Central, North, Saurashtra and Kutch regions. Large parts of the state is in the plains in central and northern Gujarat.

• The state of Gujarat is surrounded by Maharashtra which part of Vidharba in the south side, Madhya Pradesh in the east side and Rajasthan in the north side.

• This state of India has international borders with Sindh province of the neighboring country of Pakistan.

People, Rituals and Language

• The most of the people of Gujarat speak in Gujarati which is a combination of 11 dialects. People from Kutch speak in their local language Kuchchi.

• Nearby ports and trading centers and dependency for livelihood of people, Gujarat has adopted speaking languages like Hindi, Marathi, Marwadi, Sindhi and Urdu.

Season and Climate

• The land of Gujarat has extreme climate throughout the year. Climate is diverse in Gujarat.

• The summer are very hot and dry whereas winter is cold and dry. Gujarat is known as arid region of Western India. Rain is very rare in several parts of Gujarat.

• However, southern Gujarat and the hilly regions receive heavy rainfall in the monsoons. Air is highly humid which makes the air feel hotter.

• Proximity to sea provides windy breeze from the sea to blow into the land and makes the climate mild and warm almost all over the year.

Culture & Education

• Gujarat is known as “Jewel of Western India” for its unique and rich culture.

• Gujarat is known as the land of festivals. The people of Gujarat are extremely fond of dance and vibrant music.

• Garbha dance is the most famous folk dance form in Gujarat which is celebrated in the month of October to celebrate Navaratri nights.

• Sugam Sangeet is the folk music form of Gujarat while the four major dance forms comprise Garba, Dandiya Raas, Garbi, and Padhar.

• Premier higher education institutes like India Institute of Management (Ahmedabad) makes the region an educational hub of the country.

Famous Spots

• Somnath Temple is dedicated to lord Shiva believed to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, situated in the district of Junagadh with fabulous wealth that attracts everyone.

• Gir National Park is one of the famous wild life santuary habitat of Great indian Lion. The place is surrounded with dry deciduous tress.

• Rani Ki Vav Patan is famous for the water conservation stepwell recognized by UNESCO.

• Mandvi Beach in Ahmedabad stretching across the creek of Diu is a famous tourist attraction of Gujarat.

• Laxmi Villas Palace is a grand palace built as house of royal family of Baroda, almost four times bigger than Buckingham Palace of England.

• Rann Festival celebrated in the region of Kutch in Gujarat popular for its mud architecture and dry and arid sand dunes.

• Sabarmati Ashram is one of the most visted destination of Gujarat. This place has been the house of Mahatma Gandhi for several years.

Aqualife, Flora & Fauna

• In Gujarat, more than 500 varieties of mammals, more than 2000 species of birds, range of insects, fishes, amphibians, reptiles have their natural habitats.

• Some of the important mammals found in Gujarat are:

• Black Bucks
• Nilgai
• Chitals
• Wild Boar
• Four Horned Antelope
• Hyenas
• Rusty Spotted Cats

• Animals like snakes, lizards, crocodiles, scorpions, bees, silkworm and Lac insect are found in the wild of Gujarat.

• The birds found in Gujarat are :

• Peacock
• Parrots
• Pheasants
• Geese Ducks
• Cranes

• Several types of plant life in Gujarat is dry deciduous in nature in the western region of India.

• Gujarat has colourful sponges and corals including 42 hard coral and 10 soft Coral species.

• Jelly fishes, Sea horse, Octopus, Pearl oyster, Starfish, Lobster, Crabs, Sea turtles, Dolphin, Dugong, Porpoise, Shark are found in water bodies in Gujarat.