Historic City of Ahmadabad
Loading map…
Overview
The old walled city of Ahmedabad became a cultural World Heritage Site in 2017.
The walled city was founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in 1411 on the east bank of the Sabarmati.
It is known for its pols, close-knit neighbourhoods with carved wooden houses.
It became India's first World Heritage City in 2017.
The city's architecture mixes Hindu, Jain and Islamic styles, seen in the Sidi Saiyyed mosque's stone lattice and the Jama Masjid.
Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram lies across the river from the old city.
Pols often have their own gate, bird feeder (chabutro) and community well.
The city was the capital of the Gujarat Sultanate.
Geography and key facts
- Gujarat
- WHS 2017
- Founded 1411
- Pols
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on heritage cities.
Note for UPSC
Cultural World Heritage Site, inscribed 2017 · Gujarat.
UPSC asks about the state, the dynasty or period, and whether a site is cultural or natural.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Historic City of Ahmadabad yet.
Key facts
- Type
- World Heritage Site
- State / UT
- Gujarat
- Heritage type
- Cultural
- Inscribed (UNESCO)
- 2017
- Coordinates
- 23.022°N, 72.580°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Indian Architecture and Temple Styles (map lesson)
- Performing Arts, Paintings and Heritage (map lesson)
- Hindu Temple Architecture: Nagara, Dravida and Vesara (map lesson)
- Indo-Islamic, Mughal and Colonial Architecture (map lesson)
- Mughal Culture: Architecture, Painting, Literature and Music (map lesson)
More world heritage sites nearby
Other places in Gujarat
All world heritage sites · Revision list · Most asked in PYQs