Surat is the second largest city in Gujarat, quite
famous from tourism point of view. It is located on the bank of River
Tapti and was a major port in the 17th and 18th century. According to
the popular belief, the city was founded by Gopi, a Nagar Brahmin, who
rose to be the Prime Minister in the Sultanate of Gujarat, under Mahmud
I and Muzaffar II. Apart from this, Surat also has the distinction of
being the first European settlement in India. It was also host to the
Dutch and the Portuguese. In the starting of the 17th century, the East
India Company established its warehousing facility.
They destroyed the supremacy of the Portuguese over the port. Sir
Thomas Roe went to the court of Emperor Jahangir to show his credentials
as the ambassador of England. After this, the city was made the seat of
presidency, under the East India Company. During the ancient era, Surat
was used as the main port for the Muslim pilgrims to travel to Mecca for
Haj. Today, the city is one of the prosperous cities in India. It has a
flourishing Diamond industry and a major chunk of the world's diamonds
are cut and polished here.
A lot of export is also done from the city. Large revenue is generated
from the export done to US. Apart from this, Surat is also popular for
sarees. It won't be an exaggeration to say that 1 out of every 5 sarees
is manufactured here. During the festive and marriage season, people
throng the city to buy sarees for the occasion. You get a wide variety
at comparatively less rates. Surat is renowned for its fine silk and
exquisite brocades like the Tanchoi, Gajri and Kinkhab styles, woven
with gold and silver threads.
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