Historical timeline of Ahmedabad

This page provides a Historical timeline of Ahmedabad, the sixth largest city in India.

"For an overview of Ahmedabad, see Ahmedabad."

Up to 15th century

* 1074 - Karnadeva won Aashavalli and established Karnavati.
* 1094 to 1143 - Shantuvihar and Udayvihar are constructed.
* 1284 - The group of Mandap Durg's Zanzan visited Karnavati.
* 1297 - Alla Uddin Khalji won Gujarat.
* 1299 - Alla Uddin Khalji's Army destroyed Doms and Temples of Aashavalli.
* 1411 - On the banks of Sabarmati River, Sultan Ahmed Shah laid the foundation of Ahmedabad, Manek Bhuraj "(now known as Manek Chowk)", Ganeshbari, Bhadra Fort, Muhurt Pole and Jumma Masjid.
* 1413 - Construction of Bhadra fort completed.
* 1423 - Construction of Jumma Masjid completed.
* 1441 - Death of Sheikh Ahmed Khatu and construction of the historical Sarkhej Roja begun.
* 1451 - Houj-E-Kutub or Kankaria Lake constructed.
* 1453 - Dariakhan Tomb & Dome constructed.
* 1454 - Construction of Shaking Minarets near Gomtipur.
* 1485 - Step-well (Vav) of Dada Hari constructed.
* 1486 - Construction of city walls by Mehmud Begda.
* 1498 - Step-well (Vav) Adalaj with exquisite stone carving.

16th century

* 1514 - Arrival of Spanish traveler Barbosa and construction of Rani Sipri Masjid.
* 1535 - Humayun captured Ahmedabad and ruled for nine months. Bahadurshah recaptured.
* 1555 - Arrival of Arabian historian Udadbir.
* 1572 - Sidi Saiyyed Mosque with the world famous carved stone tree constructed.
* 1572 - Akbar captured the city, end of the sultanate.
* 1586 - Meeting of Sant Dadu and Akbar, Akbar recaptured the city from Muzaffarshah.

17th century

* 1614 - Arrival of the first representative of the British East India Company.
* 1618 - Arrival of Jehangir,letters written to the British King James.
* 1621 - Shah Jahan constructed Shahibag Palace "(presently Commissioner's Bungalow)" and the Shahi Gardern.
* 1630 - Famine known as `Satyashiyo Dukal'
* 1636 - Bhadra palace constructed by Suba Azamkhan.
* 1638 - Arrival of Mendelslo, first communal riot. Shah Jahan's temple of Chintamani Parshvanath at Saraspur, was demolished by Muslim rioters.
* 1644 - Aurangzeb becomes the suba of Ahmedabad. He broke Chintamani Jain temple and riots broke down in the city.
* 1658 - Aurangzeb ascended the throne at Delhi.
* 1664 - Revenue concessions to Europeans, Arrival of Tavernier.
* 1672 - Arrival of English Ambassador Sir Thomas Roe.
* 1681 - Imposition of jizyah tax on non-Muslims. Riots due to famine in the city.
* 1683 - City flooded up to Teen Darwaja due to flood.

18th century

* 1708 - Invasion by Balaji Vishwanath, Ahmedabad looted, truce set at a price of Rs. 1,20,000.
* 1715 - Hindu-Muslim riot.
* 1725 - Invasion by Marathas,persuaded to go back by hushmoney.
* 1731 - Arrival of Bajirao Peshwa.
* 1732 - City sufferes from famine. Many people died due to plague.
* 1733 - Library of Rasulabad looted.
* 1738 - Treaty between Suba of Ahmedabad Aminkhan and Damaji Gaikwad, city came under joint jurisdiction. Construction of Gaikwad Haveli.
* 1744 - Death of Gujarati Poet Shamal Bhatt.
* 1753 - Ahmedabad came under Maratha rule.
* 1757 - Division of Ahmedabad between Gaikwad and Peshwa.
* 1758 - Maratha currency introduced.
* 1780 - General Godard took over the city and handed it over to Fatehsinh Gaikwad.

1800 to 1850

* 1804 - Arrival of Swami Sahajanand (Later known as Lord Swaminarayan), who was believed to be an incarnation of god.
* 1808 - Arrival of Gaikwad, A law for inheritance of property was enforced which can still be seen on Three Gates on a stone.
* 1818 - Mr. Dunlop, British Collector of Kaira took over the city and thus came the end of Maratha rule, Union Jack hoisted on Bhadra.
* 1819 - Earthquake; Speculation in opium.
* 1820 - First import of foreign cloth.
* 1821 - Earthquake for 30 seconds.
* 1824 - First survey of the city.
* 1827 - Establishment of first Gujarati School.
* 1832 - Repairs to city walls by citizens' committee, first seeds of local self Government.
* 1834 - Beginning of city committee for municipal work.
* 1846 - Starting of First English School.
* 1847 - Construction of First Water Tank by city committee and municipal work started.
* 1848 - Construction of Hatheesing Temple.
* 1850 - Construction of the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad.

1851 to 1900

* 1857 - Ahmedabad Municipality came into existence on 19th January.
* 1861 - First Textile Mill started by late Mr. Ranchhodlal Chhotalal, the pioneer of Mill Industry.
* 1863 - Construction of Railway Station.
* 1864 - Railway between Ahmedabad and Bombay. Construction of Prem Darwaja.
* 1868 - Heavy Floods.
* 1870 - Opening of Ellisbridge.
* 1872 - Construction of first city road - Gandhi Road.
* 1873 - Ahmedabad Municipality recognized by statute and named as City Municipality.
* 1875 - Railway bridge and Ellisbridge were damaged by heavy floods.
* 1881 - B.J. Medical College started near Gheekanta.
* 1888 - Calico Mills was started by Sheth Karamchand Premchand.
* 1890 - The Czar of Russia came to Ahmedabad.
* 1897 - Opening ceremony of Gujarat College by Lord Sandhurst. Telephone service was started.
* 1898 - Death of Sheth Ranchhodlal Chhotalal.

1901 to 1950

* 1910 - Municipality Suspended First Time.
* 1913 - Electricity Company started.
* 1915 - Arrival of Mahatma Gandhi.
* 1916 - Establishment of Satyagrah(Sabarmati) Ashram.
* 1921 - Gujarat Vidyapeeth, founded by Mahatma Gandhi, Sessions of the Indian National Congress.
* 1922 - Arrest of Mahatma Gandhi, sentenced to six years jail for treason.
* 1924 - Elected Ahmedabad Municipality resumed its working, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel becomes President of the Municipality.
* 1926 - Ahmedabad Municipality becomes Barrough Municipality.
* 1927 - Heavy floods. 71 inch Rainfall.
* 1929 - Opening of Sir. Lallubhai Ashram Shah College.
* 1930 - Mahatma Gandhiji's historic 'Dandi March' and Salt Satyagraha.
* 1931 - Vadilal Sarabhai General Hospital Started.
* 1938 - Opening of M.J. Library.
* 1939 - Opening of Sardar Bridge. Income Tax imposed.
* 1940 - Opening of Gandhi Bridge and Infections Disease Hospital.
* 1941 - Communal riot.
* 1942 - Quit India movement. Ahmedabad Municipality superseded. Historic Textile strike.
* 1946 - Second Communal riot. Death of Vasantrav and Rajabali in riots. Municipality reinstated.
* 1947 - Bus Transport Service under Municipal control, Independence day celebrated. Tricolor Flag on Bhadra fort after 130 years.
* 1948 - Immersion of Mahatmaji's ashes in Sabarmati, Preparations for Electric Grid Scheme and expansion of Power House, Famine conditions in Ahmedabad District.
* 1949 - Ahmedabad Station of All India Radio started, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce established.

1951 to 2000

* 1951 - L. D. Engineering College started, North Gujarat Electric Grid Scheme Commissioned.
* 1952 - First general elections under the new Constitution giving adult franchise, First elections to Corporation.
* 1954 - Atira Laboratory building opened by Pundit Nehru.
* 1957 - Second General Elections and second Corporation election. Corporation area extended, New buildings of All India Radio, Divisional Officer's status raised to Divisional Commissioner with wide powers, Centenary of Himabhai Institute, New Lal Darwaja Garden laid.
* 1960 - Constitution of separate Gujarat State on 1st May and Ahmedabad becomes capital of new state.
* 1961 - Opening of Indian Institute of Management, National Institute of Design.
* 1962 - Opening of Nehru Bridge
* 1963 - Opening of Nagari Eye Hospital by Prime Minister Shri Pundit Nehru.
* 1966 - Opening of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre.
* 1973 - Opening of Shubhash Bridge, Heavy floods.
* 1974 - Nav Nirman Andolan by students.
* 1975 - Declaration of Emergency in the Country
* 1986 - 92 km² of new area merged with Municipal Corporation on Eastern Periphery.
* 1993 - Municipal Corporation Superseded for the implementation of 74th Amendment and Administrator appointed.
* 1994 - Several administrative reforms and strict actions initiated by the Corporation to improve its financial position. In-house Computerization Started.
* 1997 - Municipal Corporation got itself credit rated from CRISIL and got A+ rating which subsequently increase to AA (so) rating
* 1998 - Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation becomes first corporation in the country to offer public bonds for Public Subscription of Rs.1000 million.
* 1999 - Widening of Sardar Bridge, Renovation of Tagore Hall, Renovation of Town Hall.
* 2000 - Widening of Gandhi Bridge, Widening of Ellis Bridge, Publication of Citizen's Charter for the first time, Inauguration of the ambitious Raska Water Project.

2001 to 2050

* 2001 - Earthquake on Republic Day (near Bhuj) creates major damage across the western part of city, leaving over 750 dead and 4000 injured, many of them residents of tall buildings.
* 2002 - Gujarat Riots:Hindu mobs massacre close to 500 Muslims in the city after burning down of a train bogie with 59 Hindu Karsewaks by Muslims at Godhra
* 2004 - The Sabarmati River Front Project initiated.