Gujarat is situated in the west coast of India. The state is bounded
by the Arabian sea on the west, Pakistan and Rajasthan in the north and
north-east respectively, Madhya Pradesh in the south-east and Maharashtra in the
south. The state covers an area of 196,024 sq km.
The primary language is Gujarati. The majority of people are Hindus, with
significant percentage following Buddhism, Islam, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and
Christianity. There is a large Muslim minority, and Gujarat recently suffered
through major religious conflict, in particular the 2002 Gujarat violence. The
state government is a stronghold of the Sangh Parivar.
The name 'Gujarat' is said to have been derived from the Prakrit Gujjar Ratta or
Gujjar Rashtra - the land of Gujjars - a tribe that entered India with the Huns
in ancient time and wandering through Punjab and Rajasthan, settled in western
India.
Gujarat had a great civilization even before the arrival of the Aryans. It had
trade links with ancient civilizations of Sumer, Babylon, Assyria and Egypt. The
Port of Lothal which has been excavated recently has been identified as an
important centre of the 4500 years old Aryan civilization.
Gujarat is renowned for its temples and monuments associated with momentous
historical periods. The architectural and artistic virtuosity of the people of
Gujarat is reflected in the many buildings both ancient and modern. As much a
part of the state are its wildlife sanctuaries, its hill resorts, its natural
grandeur and religious and pilgrim centres.
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 Ashoka. In 1818 the English 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. Most of the
remainder of Bombay state became Maharashtra state, with a small portion going
to Karnataka state.
The folklore and folk culture of Gujarat are traced to the mythology of Lord
Krishna. Dance forms and festivals in honour Krishna exist, Garba and Bhavai
being two examples. Among the most durable and effective of the state's cultural
institutions are the trade and craft guilds known as mahajans which often solves
disputes, acted as channels of philanthropy, and encouraged the arts. Gujarat. s
handicrafts are famous the world over.
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