Gujarat is a state
in the North-West coast of India. It is also known as Jewel of the West.
It has an large area most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula, and a
population in excess of 60 million. The state is bordered by Rajasthan to the
north, Maharashtra to the south, Madhya Pradesh to the east, and the Arabian
Sea as well as the Pakistani province of Sindh on the west. Its capital city is
Gandhinagar, whilst its largest city is Ahmedabad. Gujarat is home to the Gujarati-speaking
people of India. The Government of Gujarat has banned alcohol since 1960.
Modern-day Gujarat is derived from Sanskrit (Gurjar-Rashtra), the Gurjar nation. A larger part of Rajasthan and Gujarat had been long known as Gurjaratra (country ruled or protected by the Gurjars) or Gurjarabhumi (land of the Gurjars) for centuries prior to the Mughal period. Historically, the Gurjars were Sun-worshipers and are described as devoted to the feet of the Sun-god (God Surya). Their copper-plate grants bear an emblem of the Sun and on their seals too, this symbol is depicted. Many Gurjars claim descent from Suryavanshi Kshatriyas (Sun Dynasty) and connect themselves with the Hindu deity Rama The Gujjar clan appeared during the 7th to 8th century in northern India about the time of the Huna invasions. The origins of the Gujjars are uncertain. The name of the tribe was Sanskritised to "Gurjara".
Gujarat has a variety of museums on different genres. These museums are run by the state's Department of Museums located at the principal state museum, Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery. Religious sites are major part of tourism in Gujarat. Somnath is the first amongst twelve Jyotirlingas, and has been mentioned in Rigveda. Gujarat played an important role in the economic history of India It has a per capita GDP above the national average. The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, is a premier university of Gujarat and has been ranked amongst the top ten universities by India.
Modern-day Gujarat is derived from Sanskrit (Gurjar-Rashtra), the Gurjar nation. A larger part of Rajasthan and Gujarat had been long known as Gurjaratra (country ruled or protected by the Gurjars) or Gurjarabhumi (land of the Gurjars) for centuries prior to the Mughal period. Historically, the Gurjars were Sun-worshipers and are described as devoted to the feet of the Sun-god (God Surya). Their copper-plate grants bear an emblem of the Sun and on their seals too, this symbol is depicted. Many Gurjars claim descent from Suryavanshi Kshatriyas (Sun Dynasty) and connect themselves with the Hindu deity Rama The Gujjar clan appeared during the 7th to 8th century in northern India about the time of the Huna invasions. The origins of the Gujjars are uncertain. The name of the tribe was Sanskritised to "Gurjara".
Gujarat has a variety of museums on different genres. These museums are run by the state's Department of Museums located at the principal state museum, Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery. Religious sites are major part of tourism in Gujarat. Somnath is the first amongst twelve Jyotirlingas, and has been mentioned in Rigveda. Gujarat played an important role in the economic history of India It has a per capita GDP above the national average. The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, is a premier university of Gujarat and has been ranked amongst the top ten universities by India.
Capital :
|
Gandhinagar
|
Area:
|
196,024 km²
|
State Bird:
|
Flamingo
|
State
Animal:
|
Lion
|
State
Flower:
|
Lotus
|
State
Language:
|
Gujarati
|
State
Sport:
|
Cricket
|
State
Dance:
|
Garba,
folk dance
|
Chief
Minister:
|
Narendra
Modi
|
Major
Occupation:
|
Agriculture
|
Time
Zone:
|
GMT +
5:30
|
