Portal:Gujarat/Intro

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Gujarat is a state and ethno-linguistic region located in western India. It borders the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to the north and east and the state of Maharashtra to the south. The Arabian Sea and the international border with Pakistan lie on its western frontier. Gandhinagar is the administrative capital, while Ahmedabad is the largest city of Gujarat. The state is home to as many as 50 million people, or roughly 5 percent of the national population. However, there are also large Gujarati communities in different parts of India and nations across the world.

Tracing its history to ancient times, Gujarat was home to the Indus era cities of Dholavira and Lothal, which is believed to be the oldest-known port in the world. The Hindu holy city of Dwaraka is located in western Gujarat. The region was perhaps the strongest base of the Indian independence movement and home to Indian leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel. The modern state was created on May 1, 1960 out of the Bombay State. It composes of the regions of Saurashtra, Kathiawad, Khambhat and Kutch, which boast their own unique linguistic and cultural traditions. Gujarat is one of the most industrialised and developed states of India, playing a major role in the political, economic and cultural life of the nation. (more)