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 uled 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 Solan ki 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 Ahmedabad 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 May 1,1960, the state of Gujarat was formed from the north and west portions of Bombay state, the remainder being renamed the state of Maharashtra.
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Ahmedabad
 The city was built in open and spacious plane to the East of Sabarmati. It compromised of smaller known Fort as Bhadra Fort. The city fort wall was enclosed containing 12 Gates. The city of Ahmedabad went on expanding in every direction by the addition of new areas on both the sides of the river. And with the well laid out beautiful buildings, lakes and mosques.
In 1753 combined armies of Raghunath Rao and Damaji Gaekwad took the fort, which resulted into end of Mughal Rule in Ahmedabad. In 64 years during the rule of Gaekwad and Peshwa, city became worse. In 1818 British took over the administration of Ahmedbad. During this period Ahmedabad developed, Municipality Commitee was founded, Railway link was established.
In 1915 Mahatma Gandhi came from South Africa and established Ashram on the banks of Sabarmati.
How To Reach -
By Air: Ahmedabad is well linked with major cities.
By Rail: Ahmedabad is directly connected to major towns.
By Road: Baroda (Vadodara)- 113 kms, Mt.Abu- 228 kms, Udaipur- 252 kms, Jaipur- 657 kms, Bombay- 545 kms, Delhi-1076 kms, Gandhinagar- 25 kms, Modhera-110 kms, Nal Sarovar- 71 kms, Lothal- 80 kms.
Places To See:
Ahmed Shah's Mosque, Balvatika, Teen Darwaza and Bhadra Fort, Daria Khan's Ghummat, Siddi Sayyad's Mosque, Gita Mandir, Swami Narayan Temple, Hathisinh Mandir, Jhulta Minar, Jumma Masjid , Kankaria Lake, Rani Sipri's Mosque and Tomb, Rani Roopmati Mosque, Rauza of Shah Alam, Sabarmati Ashram, Siddhi Sayyad Mosque, Dada Hari Vava.
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Rajkot
 Rajkot was once the capital of the princely state of Saurashtra. It was also the headquarters of the British Government. Rajkot is famous for its jewellery market. Mahatma Gandhi did his schooling from Alfred High School now known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi High School.
How To Reach -
By Air: Rajkot is well connected with Bombay and Kandla.
By Rail: Well connected with major towns.
By Road: Bombay 798- kms, Ahmedabad- 218 kms, Junagadh- 98 kms, Jamnagar- 86 kms, Dwarka- 238 kms, Porbandar- 178 kms, Bhavnagar- 165 kms, Sasangir- 155 kms.
Places To See:
Aji Dam , Mahatma Gandhi's Home (Kaba Gandhino Delo), Lal Pari Lake & Renderda, Sardar Smriti Bhavan, Watson Museums & Jubliee Gardens.
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Jamnagar
 Historically called Nawanagar, or the new city, Jamnagar was one of the most important princely states of Saurashtra.
The city today is called Jamnagar or the city of Jams, after the heriditary title held by the rulers of Nawanagar from the time of Jam Rawal, who founded the city in 1540. Today, the 200 km long Jamnagar coast, is known for it’s industries with Essar, Reliance, Tata and numerous other industrial giants in the region.
Jamnagar itself is a center for the brass industry, Bandhini fabrics and Zari sarees. Visitors to Jamnagar cannot long remain oblivious to it’s princely past.
The magnificent Pratap vilas palace, in a renaissance style with imposing domes, the 16th century Darbargadh palace with a festival of stone sculpture, the impressive Willingdon crescent, the Lakhota island palace in 19th century Jamsarovar lake with a museum inside, statutory of famous cricketing prince Ranjit Sinhji, numerous walled parks and gardens. Also worth seeing are the Maqbara, the colourful sculpture of Sonapuri and Jain temples in the city center. The Lakhota lake in the city, Khijadiya bird sanctuary 30 minutes from the city.
Kileshwar hill and Sasoi, Ranjit Sagar and Khambaliya dams in about 1 hour radius of the city, are pretty picnic and birdwatching spots.
How To Reach -
By Air: Jamnagar is well connected with Bombay and Bhuj.
By Rail: Jamnagar is well connected all major towns.
By Road: Palitana- 246 kms, Rajkot- 86 kms, Ahmedabad- 304 kms, Somnath- 257 kms, Dwarka-148 kms.
Places To See:
Solarium, Lakhota Fort and Kotha Bastion, Rozi and Bedi Ports.
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Porbander
 porbander is in the west of Junagadh, situated along the coast is Porbandar -the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Porbander is Saurashtra's end - a picturesque sea port on the Arabian Sea. It is situated 395 Kms from Ahmedabad. It is also known as "White City" because of its white stone construction. Its ancient maritime activities - trade with Arabia, Africa and Persia have given way to a thriving industry of cement and chemical units.
How To Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport is Rajkot.
By Rail: Porbandar is well connected to major towns.
By Road: Ahmedabad- 394 kms, Bhavnagar- 300 kms, Junagadh-107 kms, Rajkot-178 kms, Somnath- 118 kms.
Places To See:
Arya Kanya Gurukul, Bharat Mandir, Kirti Mandir, Sudama Mandir, and Planetarium.
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Junagarh
 Junagarh is situated in the western state of Gujarat at the foothills of the Girnar Hills. The city extends from latitude 21°31¢ in the North to longitude 70°36¢ in the East. It is an ideal departure point for visiting the Gir forests
How To Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport Keshod- 37 km & Rajkot- 99 km.
By Rail: Well connected to Ahmedabad.
By Road: Junagadh to Bombay- 802 kms, Rajkot- 99 kms, Ahmedabad- 315 kms, Keshod- 37 kms, Sasangir- 58 kms, Somnath- 92 kms, Porbandar- 107 kms, Palitana- 213 kms, Jamnagar-184 kms.
Places To See:
Ashoka's Edicts, Uparkot Fort, Shrine of Narsi Mehta, Willingdon Dam, Mahabat Maqbara, Damodar Kund, Girnar Hills & Temple, Darbar Hall Museum, Sakkarbag Museum, Sakkarbag Zoo.
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Surat
 Surat, the capital of South Gujarat, was one of western India's major ports and trading towns in the 17th and 18th centuries and the first European settlement in India. Situated on the banks of Tapti river, Surat is renowned for its silk weaves like the Tanchoi and Gajee sarees and Kinkhab brocades sometimes woven with gold and silver threads. It is famous for its jewellery market and diamond cutting as well as ivory and wood inlay work.
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