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HISTORY |
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Gujarat
forms an area that housed the regions of the Indus Valley
civilization and Harappan sites. Around 50 Harappan sites
are found in Gujarat. Lothal, Rangpur, Amri, Lakhabaval,
Rozdi etc. are some of these sites. This makes it an
important territory that reveals the history of India. The
Dravidian tribes were said to be the original inhabitants
of this region. Even before the Aryan occupation of
Gujarat it is said to have had trade contracts with Sumer,
the Persian Gulf in about 1000-750BC. Rock edicts in the
Girnar hills indicate that Ashoka extended his domain into
Gujarat.
It was during the Mauryan rule that this region witnessed
the influence of Buddhism. The Mauryans also promoted
trade and helped in spread of its culture. In about 150BC
the Bactarian Greeks under Meander is said to have
instilled their rule. Till 40AD they are said to have had
trade contracts with Rome. From about AD130-390 the
Scythians ruled it. After 300AD the Guptas established
their reign which lasted till 460AD. The Vallabhi
established their sway in between (500-700AD).
After the death of Harshvardhana, the Gujjars controlled
it till 746AD. The Solankis ruled over Gujarat till 1143.
Gujarat attained its greatest territorial extend under the
Solanki dynasty, from the 9th century. Muhammud of Ghazni
attacked Somnath in Gujarat leading to the downfall of the
Solankis. The conquest of Ala-ud-din Khilji king of Delhi
in 1288 also influenced the conditions in Gujarat. The
Sultans of Delhi had their sway over Gujarat from
1298-1392AD. Ahmad Shah I, the first independent Muslim
ruler of Gujarat founded Ahmadabad in 1411. Then the
Mughals ruled for about 2 centuries till the Marathas
terminated their rule in the mid 18th century.
It was during the18th century that Gujarat was divided
among number of chiefs. From 1803-1827 the British set up
their administration. The British East India companies
first head quarters in India was at Surat. It was later
moved to Bombay. Finally in May1,1960, the state of
Gujarat was formed from the north and west portions of
Bombay state, the remainder being renamed the state of
Maharashtra. |
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The People
of Gujarat |
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The
Gujaratis, the people of Gujarat, are found all over the
state. These people trace their lineage from the people
originally known as Gurjars. They are believed to have
come to India with the Huns and while passing through
Punjab, settled in Gujarat. Gujaratis were highly
influenced by the cultural waves from the mainland and
accepted the monarchies that ruled over them. Various
Hindu traditions like Shavism and Vaishnavism which sprang
upon the mainland were imbibed by Gujarat which in turn
developed its own galaxy of saints and devotees and its
own art and culture. The successive waves of immigration
were absorbed in the society that was fast evolving and
today the word Gujarati does not seem to suggest any
definite association with a particular stock, a tribe of
immigrants or a specific group of people.
Cloth printing is a complicated and specialised job. It is
done with engraved wooden blocks and with screens. Certain
craftsman are doing superbly the work of printing
different varieties which are locally called Chundadi,
Patola Plain Gala, Lehria, Bandhani, Pomcha, Nagaria and
so on. House hold utility and decorative materials such as
table-cloths, bed -covers, curtains, tapestries, handbags
and carpets are also prepared by this type of printing
processes.
Temple curtains popularly known as Mat-no-Chandarvo is
another type of printing work. The Vahari-Harijan families
of Ahmedabad were engaged in this type of printing. It is
prepared in the old madder process and depicts goddess
Durga seated on the throne or on the back of a tiger and
surrounded by her devotees.
Cloth printing is a complicated and specialised job. It is
done with engraved wooden blocks and with screens. Certain
craftsman are doing superbly the work of printing
different varieties which are locally called Chundadi,
Patola Plain Gala, Lehria, Bandhani, Pomcha, Nagaria and
so on. House hold utility and decorative materials such as
table-cloths, bed -covers, curtains, tapestries, handbags
and carpets are also prepared by this type of printing
processes.
Temple curtains popularly known as Mat-no-Chandarvo is
another type of printing work. The Vahari-Harijan families
of Ahmedabad were engaged in this type of printing. It is
prepared in the old madder process and depicts goddess
Durga seated on the throne or on the back of a tiger and
surrounded by her devotees.
The Patola of Patan is a unique fabric of Gujarat. This
special variety of women's wear is strikingly attractive
with its colourful geometrical patterns. This lovely
silken fabric, which resembles a printed sari is not an
apparel printed by blocks. Its tie and weave method
resulting in identical patterns on both sides of the
fabric, involving complicated calculations, is entirely
based on the geometry of the design. The process consists
of dyeing the warp and the weft threads in conformity with
the proposed design on the fabric. Hand-woven and silk
yarn is used for weaving. The process is both costly and
time consuming and the market is limited with the result
that the families doing this work are fast dwindling. |
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FAIRS |
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The fairs in
Gujarat are generally associated with some religious
festival. Most of the fairs in Gujarat are held on
riversides (River Narmada in Baroda and Broach districts)
or near confluences of rivers, sacred ponds and reservoirs
or on hillsides, sea shores or in pilgrim centres, either
in Chaitra ( March/ April) or Kartika months on full moon
days.
Fairs on the full moon days in the month of Chaitra
are held at Chandod and at Karnali in Baroda district and
at Shuklatirth in Broach district in month of Kartika.
The fair held on the full moon day of the Kartika at the
confluence of seven rivers near the village Vautha, in the
Ahmedabad district is the most colourful one when people
from far and near collect and have a holy dip in the
confluence.
The fair at Shamlaji in the Sabarkantha district is
a great occasion of mirth where Adivasis in thousands
gather.
The Tarnatar fair in the village of Tarnetar in
Surendranagar district celebrated in the honour of Lord
Shiva on the 4th, 5th and 6th days of the bright half of
the month of Bhadrapada ( August/ September) is also a
similar joyous occasion. Muslims have also their fairs,
held at their sacred places.
Madhavrai Fair at Madhavpur near Porbandar is held
to celebrate the marriage by elopement of Lord Krishna and
Rukmini, on the 9th day of the bright half of the month of
Chaitra ( March/ April ).
Ambaji Fair dedicated to Amba, Mother goddess is
held in Banaskantha district. A big annual fair during
Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated at
Dwaraka and Dakor with great enthusiasm.
The Urs at Shah Alam Roza in Ahmedabad and at Miran Datar
in the Mehsana district are most important fairs for them.
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