Gujarat

Capital: Gandhinagar
Governor: Dr. Kamal Beniwal
Chief Minister: Narendra Modi
Legislature: Unicameral
Lok Sabha seats: 26
Judicature: Ahmedabad High Court
No. of districts: 26
Language: Gujarati
Main Crops: Rice, wheat, maize, groundnut,
cotton, tobacco
Rivers: Narmada, Tapti, Mahi, Sabarmati, Banas
Airports: Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bhavnagar,
Jamnagar, Rajkot, Bhuj
State Overview
PHYSICAL FEATURES
A vast salt marsh that stretches for about 18,000 sq km in Gujarat.

The expansive Kathiawar Peninsula lies to the south of Kutch, between the Gulf of Kutch and the Gulf of Khambhat. This is another arid region and the coastal region gives way to a low area of wooded hilly region in the central part. The rivers of the state are mostly seasonal streams. The northeastern part of the state is primarily a region of plains and low hills. The highest point in the state is in the Girnar Hills (1,117 metres).

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

It is belived that Lord Krishna left Mathura to settle on the west coast of Saurashtra which later came to be known as Dwarka, the gateway. It was during the rule of Chalukya (Solankis) that Gujarat, witnessed progress and prosperity. In spite of the plunderings of Mahmud Ghazani, the Chalukyan kings were able to maintain general prosperity and well - being of the State. After this glorious respite, Gujarat faced troubled times under the Muslims, Marathas and the British rule. Before Independence, the present territories of Gujarat used to be in two parts the British and the Princely States.

POLITICAL DEVLOPMENTS

Re-organisation of the States- the Union of the States of Saurshtra, Union Teritory of Katchha and former British Gujarat became a part of the biggest billingual State of Bombay.

 1 May 1960- The present State of Gujarat came in to being.