|
|
Geography
The climate of Gujarat is varied. The northwestern part of the state is dry, with less than 500 mm (20 in) of rain a year. In the more temperate central part of the state, the annual rainfall is more than 700 mm (28 in). In the southern part of Gujarat, rainfall averages 2000 mm (79 in) a year. In the winter temperatures average between 12° and 27° C (between 54° and 81° F), although freezing levels have been recorded in the state. In the summer temperatures average between 25° and43° C (77° and 109° F) and have been known to reach as high as 48° C (118° F).
People
The population was 41,309,582 at the 1991 census, giving it an average density of 211 persons per sq km (546 per sq mi). More than 70 percent of the population is Hindu; there are also significant minorities of Muslims and Jains in Gujarat In 1991 more than 60 percent of the population was literate.
Education
Gujarat has two official languages: Gujarati, which is derived from Sanskrit, and Hindi. Several universities are located in Gujarat including Bhavnagar University (founded in 1978) in Bhavnagar, Gujarat University (1950) in Ahmedabad, Sardar Patel University (1955) in Kheda, and Saurashtra University (1967) in Rajkot.
Agriculture
The leading crops are rice, maize (corn), peanuts, cotton, and tobacco. Among livestock raised are buffalo and other cattle, sheep, and goats. Salt, manganese, limestone, and bauxite are mined. Petroleum production began in 1960, and an oil refinery is located at Vadodra.
Industries
One of India's most industrialized states, Gujarat maintains a variety of industries, the principal ones being general and electrical engineering and the manufacture of textiles, vegetable oils, chemicals, soda ash, and cement. New industries include the production of fertilizers and petrochemicals.
Political
The state capital is Gandhinagar. The state has a single-chamber legislative assembly with 182 members. The state sends 37 members to the Indian national parliament: 11 to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and 26 to the Lok Sabha (Lower House). Local government is based on 19 administrative districts.
History
Signs of civilization in the region that is now Gujarat date back to the period from 3000 to 1500 BC. The region was part of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC under King Asoka. In 1818 the British East India Company took control of Gujarat administering the state through local princely rulers. With the independence of India in 1947, Gujarat became part of the state of Bombay. In 1960 Bombay state was split up, and Gujarat was formed from the northern and western portions, which were predominantly Gujarati-speaking areas. The remainder of Bombay state became Maharashtra state.
Milestones
Indus Valley Civilization (2500-1700 BC), was the earliest known civilization of South Asia, corresponding to the Bronze Age cultures of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Crete. Harappa and Mohenjo Daro belonged to this civilization.
Before the Mauryan empire took hold in the fourth century BC, the Indus Valley was the largest, well-planned and sophisticated civilization in India. The cities Mohenjo Daro and Harappa were discovered in 1920s. This society spread from the present borders of Iran and Afghanistan to Kashmir, Delhi, and Gujarat, covering an area larger than the Egyptian and Syrian dominions put together. It lasted until the heavy floods swept away the towns and villages in Sind, Saurashtra, and South Gujarat.
Lothal, close to the Gulf of Cambay in South Gujarat, was a major port, and source of shells which the Harappans made into jewellery. The work of Indus Valley artisans shows a high degree of craft specialization. Characteristic artifacts include a distinctive black-on-red pottery, ceramic toys and figurines, etched carnelian beads, metal (bronze, silver, and gold) ornaments and tools, and stamp seals with an undeciphered script.
The Indus Valley civilization was first defined by the British archaeologist Sir John Marshall's diggings at Mohenjo-Daro and M. S. Vat's excavations at Harappa in 1920s.
Religion:
Hindu:
Vedic Dharma was popular and from the remains found from the Indus
valley Civilization, it is believed that worship of goddesses, Sun, Shiva,
was followed. The temple of Somnath, in western coast, is one of
the twelve jyotirllingas of Shiva. There is no definate record as of
the origin of the temple (which is believed to have been built during
Mahabharat times) but the earliest record is of the dates of 10th century.
In Norther Gujarat, there is an eleventh-century Sun-Temple, at Modhera.
Near Mehsana, the town of Siddhpur is known for Rudramala Temple, built in
12th century. Goddess-worship was followed in ancient times and popular
amongst them are temples at Pavagarh, Kherhbrahma and Ambaji. The oldest
temple of Dwarika has become a pilgrimage place to worship Krishna.
Jain:
The Jainism is widely followed in Gujarat since years. The oldest temple
is believed to be of Shankheshwar Parshwanath in North Gujarat. Taranga
temples were built during the Solanki period and they are better preserved
than the temples of Mount Abu, Girnar and Shatrunjay. Palitana, is India's
principal Jain pilgrimage site, the temples dated 5th century.
Muslim:
Through the sea-route which was open for trade, the people from Iran
and Arabic countries started coming in Gujarat. The trade system was
established and the Indo-Islamic culture got flourished. This is a
marked feature of many Gujarati cities. The famous mosques are built
during Mughul times. These include Sidi Sayyid's mosque, Jami Masjid,
of Ahmedabad,, Alif Khan's mosque in Dholka, Jama Masjid of Bharuch,etc.
Buddha:
About the same time as Jainism, Buddhism also got popular. There were
Buddhist temples also and the remains of the same are found from all over
Gujarat. Ashokan Buddhist edicts engraved on a rock are near Junagadh.
These remains are of 3rd century BC.
Parsi:
In 10th century, Iranian Jarthost followers came to Gujarat and got
settled here first at Diu, and then at Sanjan, Udvada -in South of
Gujarat. Sanjan and Udvada are today main pilgrimage places of Parsi
followers.
Sports:
Desi Games:
These games are largely played in Gujaratis since years. A lot of
them are family games, and played by group or groups. There are
minor games and major games -played according to rules.
Amongst the minor games are - Jhula, Ball games, Long and High Jump,
Saat-taali (catch someone), KhoKho , Langadi (played with one leg),
Hutututu (Kabaddi), Santa-kukkadi (hide and seek), marbles, tops,
kite-flying, Gilli-dada (ball and sticks), Ambali-pipli (played on trees),
skipping, swimming, wrestling, gymnastics, trekking, playing cards,
chess, Antakshari, Races, etc.
The major games are those, which have strictly observed rules. The popular
ones played are Cricket, Table-Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball,
Badminton, Carrom, Chess, Boxing, Hockey, Football, Billiards, Snookers,etc.
Mountaineering:
Basically soft-natured Gujaratis donot go further in for Olympic games.
But it was remarkable when Guajartis joined in the Adventurous
Mountaineering and succeeded in the sixties. In past 20 years, 20 more
Himalayan peaks were successfully covered.
Major Cities
Cities having population over 100000
