Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, i/ˈɑːmɨdəbɑːd/ also known as i/ˈəəmdəvəd/ is the largest city and former capital of the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is an administrative center of Ahmedabad district, and is the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court is in Ahmedabad. The city was founded on 26 February 1411 by Sultan Ahmed Shah to serve as the capital of the Gujarat Sultanate, and was named after him. With a city population of more than 5.5 million and an extended population of 6.3 million it is the fifth largest city and seventh largest metropolitan area of India. Ahmedabad is located on the banks of the River Sabarmati, 32 km (20 mi) from the state capital Gandhinagar.

Though incorporated into the Bombay Presidency during British rule, Ahmedabad remained one of the most important cities in the Gujarat region. The city established itself as the home of a developing textile industry, which earned it the nickname the Manchester of the East. The city was at the forefront of the Indian independence movement in the first half of the 20th century and centre of many campaigns of civil disobedience to promote workers' rights, civil rights, and political independence.

In 2011, it was rated India's best mega city to live in by leading market research firm IMRB.

The city has large populations of Hindus, Muslims and Jains, and these cultures are preeminent in the city, with their religious festivals and cuisine dominating the city's culture. Cricket is a popular sport in Ahmedabad, and the Sardar Patel Stadium is situated within the city.