K O M A L India: SURAT, GUJARAT

SURAT

Surat is a city located on the western part of India in the state of Gujarat. It is one of the most dynamic city of India with one of the fastest growth rate due to immigration from various part of Gujarat and other states of India.

Surat is one of the cleanest city of India and is also known by several other names like "THE SILK CITY", "THE DIAMOND CITY", "THE GREEN CITY", etc. It has the most vibrant present and an equally varied heritage of the past. It is the city where the British first land in India. The Dutch and the Portuguese also established there business centers in Surat, the remnants of which are still preserved in the modern day Surat. In past this was a glorious port with ships of more than 84 countries anchored in its harbour at any time.

Still today, Surat continues the same tradition as people from all around the country flock in for business and joanbs. Surat has practically zero percent unemployment rate d jobs are easier to get here due to very fast development of various industries in and around Surat City.

*Area*		326.515 sq.km.
*Population*		44,61,026 (2011)
*Density*		13662 Persons/Sq.Km.
*Literacy Rate*		82.91%

Places of interest:
SURAT CASTLE

The Surat castle is one of the ancient monuments of 16th century existing in the city and bears a significant relevance to its history. However, such a great fortification built to provide the citizens of Surat with an adequate defence against the attacks of the invaders seems to have been forgotten from the minds of the present generation. The Ahmedabad king Sultan Mahmood-III (1538-1554), who was very much annoyed by these frequent destructions of Surat, ordered for building a very strong castle and entrusted the work to Safi Agha, a Turkish soldier who had been ennobled with the title of Khudawand Khan. The work of building the castle was completed in 1546. After the capture of Surat by the emperor Akbar (1573) the fortress remained in the charge of commandants appointed from Delhi till it was seized by the Sidhi admiral of the Mugal fleet in 1751. The Sidhi did not hold the castle for long period, as it was captured by the English in 1759 with rest of the city.

Though from the first practically independent, the English held the castle nominally under
the Mugal. In token of this divided command, two flags waved from the castle walls, the
English ensign on the south-west, and the Moorish standard on the south-east bastion.
This practice was continued till, in 1842, on the death of the last of the nawabs of Surat,
the English fleet was removed from the Tapi, and the Moorish standard taken down from
the castle walls. Though, as a defence against any well-equipped enemy, they have long
been useless, the castle buildings initially were being kept in repair, and until the year
1862, were garrisoned by a small body of European and native troops. In that year, as no
longer required, the force was withdrawn, and the vacated rooms were made over for the
accommodation of the various offices connected with the revenue and police departments,
in whose occupation the castle has since remained.

Mugal Sarai,surat

The Building which is used at present as an office complex by Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC)
is one of the ancient monuments of Surat city and was built originally as a 'Sarai' or Musafarkhana
(travellers' inn). It was built during the period of Mugal Emperor Shah Jahan in the year 1644 A.D.
and was popularly known as 'Mugal Sarai'. During 18th century the same building was used as jail.
Since 1867 the building was occupied by the present corporation.

This building with its considerable architectural qualities as disposed by the skilful composition
of its various parts combined with harmonious combination of arches, cornices, decorated
parapets, sculptured patterns on the exterior facade etc. each being disposed in an artistic and
effective manner upon a sound foundation with coherent strength is still intact and is in a very
good state
of preservation.

However, some changes are made lately in the original building but due care is taken so as not
to harm the overall harmony of the structure. The central courtyard which at present is
used for parking vehicles of the employees of the corporation still have huge trees in it hosting
a wide variety of birds, giving it still the same touch of nature which it would have once enjoyed.

SURAT'S RANDOM PICTURES: