Surat - History

The existence of Surat city dates back to the years of Mahabharat i.e. about year 3,000 B.C. It is said that Lord Krishna stopped with his cows on his transition from Mathura to Dwarka city and the images of the cow's footprints are still visible to the devotees at a place popularly called "Gai Pagli" (Foot steps of cows).

Persian and Arab writers do not speak of Surat till after 12^th century. As Abbe Reynal says, "at the beginning of 13^th century, Surat was nothing more than a mean hamlet". Learned Brahmins called city of Surat as Suryapur (say around 15^th/16^th century) when Surat was already a city of great trade. Modern Surat is supposed to be built on the site of old Hindu town of Suryapur. Sir Monies Williams suggests that the old name of the town was "Suraj" (Sanskrit Surya) - city of sun. A Muhammadan ruler wishing to change its Hindu into one more significant Muslim domination, converted "Suraj" into "Surat" (a chapter in Kuran).

As prosperity of Rander declined in 16^th century, on account of raids by Portuguese, Surat began to assume importance. The port of Surat enjoyed great prosperity in 16^th, 17^th and 18^th centuries. With rise of Bombay, it ceased to be a port of importance.

In 1559-60 AD Changiz Khan came upto Surat and Portuguese sent him back. In 1572 AD Surat fell into the hands of Mirza, then in the rebellion against the emperor Akbar. In January 1573, Akbar marched on to Surat and after a vigorous seige of about six weeks, the fort surrendered. At the time of this conquest, Surat district comprised of 993 towns or villages and yeilded annual tax revenue of Rs.0,4 million.

The city gradually declined throughout the 18^th century. The British  and Dutch both claimed control, but in 1800 its administration passed to the British. By the mid-19^th century Surat was a stagnant city of 80,000 inhabitants. It prospered again with the opening of India's railways. The ancient art of manufacturing fine muslin was revived, and Surat's cottons, silks, brocades, and objects of gold and silver have become famous. The city houses other industries and has several educational institutions. It is served by highways and the Western Railway.