Though India has completed 73 years of independence, a bit of England continues to live and breathe in the state of Gujarat. Yes, we are talking about Ahmedabad, our very own Manchester! The English city is widely acclaimed for its industrial heritage and cotton mills – something that is reflected wonderfully in Ahmedabad’s textile history. Both cities boast attractive riverside locations (River Mersey for Manchester and River Sabarmati for Ahmedabad) and have the perfect temperature for cotton spinning. Read on to know more about Ahmedabad and why it is rightfully called the Manchester of India.
As mentioned before, just like England’s Manchester, Ahmedabad is situated on the banks of a river, Sabarmati. The region is known for its generous cotton production, which makes it easy for textile mills to procure raw materials. The nearby villages meet the requirement for skilled and unskilled labourers efficiently. Plus, Ahmedabad is connected superbly with all major cities in India, which means that the finished goods can be distributed smoothly.
Vibrant, well-lit and aesthetic streets thronged with traditionally dressed people and their lively chatter is another reason why Ahmedabad is considered to be a close cousin of Manchester. The culture of the city is deeply rooted in traditions and festivals that are celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and love.
Ranchhodlal Chhotalal, a visionary businessman, set up the first textile mill in Shahpur, Ahmedabad. The year was 1861, when Ahmedabad Spinning and Weaving Company Limited came into being. And since then, there was no looking back. By the end of the 20th century, close to 33 mills started operating with full steam and Ahmedabad began earning repute as the country’s chief textile supplier. In a natural course of events, it came to be known as the Manchester of India, a term coined by the famous industrialists Kasturbhai Lalbhai and Ambalal Sarabhai. Since the textile export business started booming too, the title seemed more than apt.
Picture Credit : Google
