SURAT

               SURAT, INDIA

'Diamond Hub of the World', 'Embroidery capital of India', 'Textile City of India' as it is proudly called; Surat is the fastest growing city in the world and a powerful magnet for fashion moguls, art lovers and diamond dealers. In the mid 15th century, Surat was one of the India's most important port cities. Despite many historical travails and battles, the city retains an intriguing medieval charm. Historic romanticism, along with the coastal graciousness, is what makes Surat an important tourist destination in Gujarat.

One can see the footprints of the city in the epic novel, Mahabharat, as per which Lord Krishna had a brief stopover in Surat when he was going to Dwarka, from Mathura. In 990 AD, Surat was known as Suryapur, meaning the city of the sun god. By the 12th century, Parsis began to settle in the city and prevailed with dignity in this region of Gujarat. Since the beginning of the 15th century, Surat has always been an apple of every colonial ruler eyes due to its closeness to the coastal region. Portuguese, Dutch, Maratha, Mughal, East India Company, many people tried to establish their control over Surat and some of them even succeeded. Surat starts dominating the other coastal regions for the trade purpose when merchants from Mumbai (then called Bombay) gradually overtook the city as the premier port of the Western coast. By 1514, a Brahmin named Gopi, also the official of Gujarat Sultanate, convinced many traders to settle in Surat, which led to the development of the city as a major trading center.

 Though no longer a port of any consequence, Surat is an important business center and fourth fastest growing city in India, says the global study. Modern Surat is famous for its flourishing textile trade, which produces the famous brocade silk. The city is also the specialized diamond cutting center for suppliers from all over the world. Surat is called as the "Embroidery Capital of India" as it houses the maximum number of embroidery machines in any city in India.

From beaches to museums to shopping malls, Surat has so many things to keep tourists busy. Individuals longing for quintessential should visit the monuments of the Surat region. The 16th-century Surat castle beside the Tapti Bridge is famous as the Surat's oldest structure. Built by Khudawan Khan, an Albanian Christian, who embraced Islam, the castle has 12 m high battlements and 4 m high thick walls. Long iron spikes used to safeguard the fort from the outside world. Towards the north-eastern side of the Surat Fort, just beyond the Kataragama gate are the English, Dutch and Armenian cemeteries, that bears witness to the cities cosmopolitan past. Other major relevant sites, which are worth a visit on a trip to Surat are Sardar Patel Museum, Dutch Garden, Ambika Niketan Temple, Mugal Sarai, Chintanamani Jain Temple, Jagdishchandra Bose Aquarium, ISKCON Temple and Sarthana National Park. Constituting a portion of the Gujarat's coastline, Surat is home to many pristine clean beaches the as well like Ubharat beach, Suvali Beach and Dumas Beach.

Even the dining style of Surat people is iconic. Cuisines of Surat are a perfect balance of sweet and spicy as they are prepared with special sweetmeat. Unlike other places in Gujarat, here one can find more non-vegetarian cuisines.