AHMEDABAD

Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s largest city, was founded in 1411. In 2025, its population is around 9.06 million. It is a major centre for textiles, trade, finance, and technology, with strong infrastructure and economic growth.

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9,062,000

Population

Introduction

Ahmedabad, in western India, is the largest city in the state of Gujarat. The Sabarmati River runs through its center. On the western bank is the Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati, which displays the spiritual leader’s living quarters and artifacts. Across the river, the Calico Museum of Textiles, once a cloth merchant's mansion, has a significant collection of antique and modern fabrics.

The city of Ahmedabad, now the seventh-largest metropolis in India and the largest in the state of Gujarat, was founded in 1411 AD as a walled city on the eastern bank of the river Sabarmati. Historically Ahmedabad has been one of the most important centers of trade and commerce in western India. It is also a major industrial and financial city contributing about 14% of the total investments in all stock exchanges in India and 60% of the total productivity of the state. It is the home of several scientific and educational institutions of national, regional and global importance. The city has a great architectural tradition reflected in many exquisite monuments, temples and modern buildings.

Data and Facts
  • Ahmedabad, located at 23.03°N 72.58°E in western India, stands 53 meters (174 feet) above sea level on the banks of the Sabarmati River in north-central Gujarat. The city covers an area of approximately 466 km² (180 sq mi). Historically, the Sabarmati River often dried up during the summer, leaving only a small stream, and the city is situated in a sandy and dry region.
  • Ahmedabad was built on an open and spacious plain to the east of River Sabarmati. The city comprised a small fort known as Bhadra Fort, which was enclosed by a wall containing 12 gates.
  • Recent estimates suggest that by 2025, the urban agglomeration's population will have grown to approximately 9,062,000, reflecting its status as one of India's rapidly expanding urban centres.
  • Ahmedabad has been selected as one of one hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under the Government of India’s flagship Smart Cities Mission.
  • One of the places that is most famous in Ahmedabad city, Sabarmati Ashram is one of the residencies of Mahatma Gandhi.
  • The Mahatma lived here for twelve long years during India’s freedom struggle.
  • One of the oldest mosques in the city was built in the year 1414 and was named after the founder of the city, Ahmed Shah. It is said to have been used as the royal household’s private mosque. It is one of the popular tourist attractions in the city due to its architecture like the prayer hall with black and white marbles with a separate chamber for women.
  • Ahmedabad city became the center of Indian classical dance when the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts was established.
  • Ahmedabad observes a wide range of festivals. A popular one is the annual kite-flying day on January 14 and 15.
  • Lal Darwaja Market is one of the most famous and busiest markets in Ahmedabad. The market has different stalls selling clothes, electronic items and handicrafts.
  • One of the biggest lakes in Ahmedabad, initially known as Hauz-E-Qutub, Kankaria Lake was once a bathing place for the royals. There is now a garden in the centre of the lake with a summer palace called Nagin Wadi. It has many food stalls around the corner and pathways for people to walk around and take it in the scenery.
     
Administration

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) administers Ahmedabad, while the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) oversees some regions surrounding the city. Established in July 1950 under the Bombay Provincial Corporation Act, of 1949, the AMC is responsible for the city's civic infrastructure and administration. As of 2025, the city is divided into seven zones: Central, East, West, North, South, North West, and South West, comprising a total of 48 wards. Each ward elects three corporators, who in turn elect a mayor. 

The municipal commissioner, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer appointed by the Gujarat state government, holds executive powers. As of February 2025, IAS officer Banchhanidhi Pani serves as the Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad. The mayor oversees the day-to-day operations of the municipal school board, city bus service, municipal hospitals, and city libraries. Ahmedabad also serves as the headquarters of the Ahmedabad district and is the seat of the Gujarat High Court.

Economy

Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat, is a key economic hub in India. As of 2023, its metropolitan gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at US$136.1 billion, making it a significant contributor to both the state and national economies.

Historically, Ahmedabad has been a centre for the textile industry. In 1861, the first Indian textile mill, the Ahmedabad Spinning and Weaving Company Limited, was established, leading to the city's nickname, the "Manchester of India." Today, it remains a major producer of textiles, including being the largest supplier of denim in the country.

The city also has a strong presence in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. It hosts the headquarters of major pharmaceutical companies like Zydus Lifesciences and Torrent Pharmaceuticals. Gujarat, with Ahmedabad as a hub, accounts for 33% of India's pharmaceutical production and 28% of its drug exports.

In recent years, the information technology (IT) industry has seen growth in Ahmedabad. A 2002 NASSCOM survey ranked the city fifth among India's top nine competitive cities for IT-enabled services. This development has attracted skilled professionals and contributed to the city's economic diversification.

Ahmedabad is also a hub for trade and commerce. The city houses the corporate headquarters of the Adani Group, a leading multinational conglomerate involved in sectors like energy, resources, logistics, and agribusiness. Additionally, the Nirma group, known for its detergent and chemical industries, is based in the city.

The Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), located near Ahmedabad, is India's first operational greenfield smart city and international financial services centre. As of June 2023, GIFT City is home to 23 public sector and multinational banks, 35 fintech entities, and two international stock exchanges with an average daily trading volume of $30.6 billion.

The city's infrastructure supports its economic activities, with well-developed road and rail networks facilitating trade and commerce. Ahmedabad's strategic location near the Gulf of Khambhat enhances its connectivity and access to m

Infrastructure

Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat, has a well-developed infrastructure that supports its economic and social activities.

Ahmedabad’s primary airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, which offers both domestic and international flights. To enhance air connectivity, the Dholera International Airport is under construction near Navagam village, approximately 110 km southwest of central Ahmedabad, with its first phase expected to be completed by 2025.

The city's railway network is centred around Ahmedabad Junction, also known as Kalupur railway station, which is the busiest in Gujarat. Other important stations include Maninagar, Sabarmati Junction, and Gandhigram. The Ahmedabad Metro, inaugurated in March 2019, currently operates 40 km of track across two lines: East-West and North-South. The second phase, connecting Motera Stadium to Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, began construction in 2021 and is expected to be completed by 2026.

For road transport, the city is connected by National Highway 48, linking it to New Delhi and Mumbai, and National Expressway 1, a 94 km expressway to Vadodara. Public transport includes the Ahmedabad Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), known as Janmarg, and the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS), which provide bus services across the city.

The Sabarmati Riverfront project has transformed the riverbanks into a public space with promenades, parks, and recreational facilities, improving the city’s accessibility to leisure areas.

The Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) manages infrastructure development in the city's suburbs, ensuring planned urban expansion. AUDA’s jurisdiction includes Ahmedabad and surrounding towns and villages, covering 1,866 square kilometres.

In February 2025, the Adani Group announced an investment to establish affordable health campuses in Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Developed in collaboration with an international healthcare provider, these campuses will include hospitals, medical colleges, and research facilities.

Region
Western India
District
Ahmedabad City, Daskroi, Sanand, Viramgam, Detroj-Rampura, Mandal, Bavla, Dholka, Dhandhuka, Dholera.
Government Type
Municipal Corporation
Area
• Total Area
530 km²
• Center Area
205 km²
• Grand City Area
259 km²
Time Zone
IST (UTC+5:30)
Area Code
079
Postal Code
380001 to 380061
Social Media
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