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Amdavad has been a cultural pivot of Gujarat since the beginning of the 15th century AD. Religion is the backbone of this city; for almost all the religions of the world have made their home here through the ages. One can find impressive structures of almost all the religions here. It is also a city of historical importance since the time of the Microlithic Age. It is the best city for studying Muslim architecture andunderstanding the fusion of Hindu-Muslim cultures.Amdavad is a complex and integrated city which has the potential to attract scholars of various disciplines to study it and pursue their own interests in different areas. Literary works and evidence, archaeological materials and other artifacts, monuments and structures, archival materials and religious institutions, educational environment and experimental institutions speak volumes about this city's profile. Hence Amdavad is a settlement of unique nature by itself.

Swadeshi movement
This city offered her first oblation during the Swadeshi movement. In 1876 the Swadeshi Udyoga Vardhak Mandal was established. The objective was to keep the priceline of goods stable and promote local production. Ambalal Sakarlal Desai, Premabhai Himabhai, Ranchodlal Chhotalal and Hargovind Kantawala were the leaders of this movement. The ideology was militant in nature but the process was peaceful and full of patriotism.

In 1903 Amdavad took a second constructive step in the same direction by establishing Swadeshi Vastu Samrakshaka Mandir. The idea was to protect developing industry. This activity gave a new turn to the freedom struggle.

Gujarat Sabha
The foundation of this unique organisation in 1884 in Amdavad was a milestone in the freedom struggle in Gujarat and had a far-reaching impact on the national movement. Because of the establishment of the Gujarat Sabha a powerful and energetic atmospherecharged Gujarat. At a later stage it became a pivotal point of the political activities in Gujarat and across our nation.

The Gujarat Sabha was a precursor institution of the Akhil Hind Rashtriya Mahasabha, which was established in 1885. The objectives of the Gujarat Sabha were the same as that of the national organisation - to bring to the notice of the British government the problems of the people and the injustice they were facing by submitting complaints and sending representations. Both Gandhiji and Sardar Patel were presidents of this premier organisation.

Two ashrams
After the successful experiment of non-violentsatyagrah in South Africa against the British government, Gandhiji returned to India andestablished Kochrab Ashram in 1915. After two years he shifted to Sabarmati Ashram. But it was known as Satyagraha Ashram in the beginning and later onHarijan Ashram. From 1915 to 1933 these two ashrams were throbbing with national political activities. The contribution of these two were building a non-violent society, constructive character of satyagraha, Dandi Yatra and khadi and village industries. All these activities remain pivotal points then and now, in our country and abroad.

Historic year
Gandhiji declared the historic Dandi Yatra on February 27 and 79 inmates of the ashram accompanied him on this lawbreaking mission on foot on March 12. On April 6, 1930 Gandhiji broke the law on the seashore of Dandi and the whole nation was electrified and surcharged with patriotism and broke the salt law across the nation. Moreover, instead of choosing the direct route from Ahmedabad to Dandi, he chose to pass through areas under the British regime. The reason was to avoid embarrassing the rulers of the princely states who might have had to arrest him. He chose the longer zigzag way and this shows how largehearted and
farsighted he was.

— The author is a Ahmedabad-based historian