New Delhi: After treating its fans with exhilarating concerts in Mumbai, famous British rock band Coldplay is going to perform at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest cricket stadium in the world on January 25 and 26. It is a great news for Coldplay fans in Ahmedabad and people are travelling to the city from different parts of the country to attend the concert. In the 19th century, the largest city in Ahmedabad was called ‘the Manchester of the East’ due to its cotton industry. Today, the city is famous for its architecture, historical places, unique traditions and delicious foods. In this article, we will take a look at some of the famous historical sites in Ahmedabad one can explore while visiting the city for the Coldplay concert.
Famous historical sites in Ahmedabad
Sidi Saiyyed Mosque
The Sidi Saiyyed Mosque in Ahmedabad is the African diaspora’s architectural legacy in India. The Africans originally came to India as slaves and labourers, but they later became powerful as military commanders in the armies of the Sultans. A Sidi named Sidi Saiyyed constructed the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque in 1573. The design of the mosque involves domes, arches, and vaults.
Sabarmati Ashram
The famous Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad is associated with Mahatma Gandhi. It was from this ashram that Gandhi led the Dandi March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha on March 12, 1930. The ashram now has a museum, the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya which was inaugurated by PM Jawaharlal Nehru in 1963. Some of the names of the buildings and sites within the ashram are Nandini, Vinoba Kutir and Upasana Mandir.
Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad was built in 1424 during the reign of Ahmad Shah I. The mosque lies in the old walled city, and it is situated outside Bhadra Fort area. The mosque is a large, grandiose structure and is an example of the architectural style of Gujarat. The mosque complex has a large paved courtyard that can be entered from three different directions.
Lokmanya Tilak Garden
Formerly known as the Victoria Garden, the Lokmanya Tilak Garden was proposed in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee and in 1905, the park was opened. The park has monuments dedicated to
Lokmanya Tilak and Mahagujarat movement.
Dada Hari Ni Vav
Dada Hari Ni Vav is a quaint step well in Ahmedabad, known for its unique structure. In 1485, the stepwell was built by Dhai Harir, a household lady of Mahmud Begada as per the stepwell’s Persian inscription. She was the superintendent of the royal harem. The stepwell was built with sandstone in Solanki architectural style and it is five stories deep.
Jhulta Minar
Located in Sidi Bashir Mosque, the Jhulta Minar is an engineering marvel. The baffling thing about the Minar (minaret) is that vibration on either minaret results in the vibration of the other minaret after a few seconds, though the connecting passage remains free of any vibration. This unconventional structure is a mystery, unsolved by engineers.
Ahmad Shah’s Tomb
Ahmad Shah’s Tomb is a famous historical place in Ahmedabad. It has the tomb of Ahmad Shah I, the founder of Ahmedabad in centre. It was completed by his son Muhammad Shah II who is buried to his left. His grandson Qutb-ud-Din Ahmad Shah II is buried to his right.
Bhadra Fort
The Bhadra Fort was built by Ahmad Shah I in 1411. Also known as Arak Fort as described in Mirat-i-Ahmadi, the structure is square in shape and has eight gates, covering an area of 43 acres. The fort and its surroundings are one of the most scenic places in Ahmedabad.
Coldplay’s Ahmedabad concerts are attracting visitors from across India. While in the city, explore Ahmedabad’s rich history. This article highlights seven fascinating historical sites, including the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, Sabarmati Ashram and the majestic Jama Masjid. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge