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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. |
