Manek Chowk
![]() Street food stalls at night | |
Addresses | within walled city, near Bhadra Fort |
---|---|
Location | Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India |
Coordinates | 23°1′25″N72°35′19″E / 23.02361°N 72.58861°E |
Manek Chowk is a prominent city square located in Old Ahmedabad, India. Surrounded by historical structures, it serves as a vegetable market in the morning, a bullion market in the noon, and transforms into a vibrant street food market at night. [1]
The square derives its name from Baba Maneknath, who played a crucial role in aiding Ahmed Shah I in the construction of Bhadra Fort in 1411. [1] [2] [3] [4]
This bustling square functions as a vegetable market in the morning, transforms into a jewelry market in the afternoon (the second-largest in India), boasting an annual turnover of around 3 million rupees. However, it is most renowned for its food stalls that emerge around 9:30 in the evening, offering a variety of local street snacks. Manek Chowk is particularly celebrated for its Kulfi. [5] [6]
Manek Chowk is one of the few food streets allowed to stay open until late at night. Offering Bhajipau, dosa, typical local sandwiches, and various local cuisines, it is a hub for culinary enthusiasts even during the late hours.
The memorial temple, where the saint Maneknath took samadhi, is situated in Manek Chowk.
This is the burial place for male members of the royal family, including Ahmed Shah I, the founder of Ahmedabad. Women are restricted from entering, and men must cover their heads before entering. Several minister’s tombs are laid out across the road. It lies to the west of Manek Chowk. [1]
On the street leading to the Rani no Hajiro (Queen’s tomb), where the female members of the royal family were buried, is now a market for women's clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Traditional Garba clothes are also sold here. Many types of mouth fresheners, Mukhwas, stalls are nearby. Rani no Hajiro lies to the east of Manek Chowk. [1]
Established in 1894, the Ahmedabad Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in India after the Bombay Stock Exchange. It operated in this location until 1996, housed in a 93-year-old heritage building showcasing British architecture. [7] [8] [9] [10]
It was the first pol (housing cluster) of Ahmedabad. Jains settled here around the 1450s. There are two temples inside the pol, Sheetalnath Jain temple and Dholeshwar Mahadev temple. [1] [10]
Ahmedabad ( AH-mə-də-ba d; is the most populous city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is the administrative headquarters of the Ahmedabad district and the seat of the Gujarat High Court. Ahmedabad's population of 5,570,585 makes it the fifth-most populous city in India, and the encompassing urban agglomeration population estimated at 6,357,693 is the seventh-most populous in India. Ahmedabad's 2024 population is now estimated at 8,854,444. Ahmedabad is located near the banks of the Sabarmati River, 25 km from the capital of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, also known as its twin city.
This page provides a historical timeline of Ahmedabad, the sixth largest city in India.
The Historic City of Ahmadabad or Old Ahmedabad, the walled city of Ahmedabad in India, was founded by Ahmad Shah I of the Gujarat Sultanate in 1411. It remained the capital of the state of Gujarat for six centuries and later became the important political and commercial centre of Gujarat. Today, despite having become crowded and dilapidated, it still serves as the symbolic heart of metropolitan Ahmedabad. It was inscribed as the World Heritage City by UNESCO in July 2017.
Ahmedabad district or Amdavad district, is a district comprises the city of Amdavad, in the central part of the state of Gujarat in western India. It is the seventh most populous district in India.
A pol in India is a housing cluster which comprises many families of a particular group, linked by caste, profession, or religion. Pols are typical of urban centres in Gujarat especially of Old Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad is the largest city in the state of Gujarat. It is located in western India on the banks of the River Sabarmati. The city served as political as well as economical capital of the region since its establishment. The earliest settlement can be recorded around the 12th century under Chaulukya dynasty rule. The present city was founded on 26 February 1411 and announced as the capital on 4 March 1411 by Ahmed Shah I of Gujarat Sultanate as a new capital. Under the rule of sultanate (1411–1511) the city prospered followed by decline (1511–1572) when the capital was transferred to Champaner. For next 135 years (1572–1707), the city renewed greatness under the early rulers of Mughal Empire. The city suffered due to political instability (1707–1817) under late Mughal rulers followed by joint rule between Maratha and Mughal. The city further suffered following joint Maratha rule. The city again progressed when politically stabilized when British East India Company established the rule in the city (1818–1857). The city further renewed growth when it gain political freedom by establishment of municipality and opening of railway under British crown rule (1857–1947). Following arrival of Mahatma Gandhi in 1915, the city became centre stage of Indian independence movement. Many activists like Sardar Patel served the municipality of the city before taking part in the movement. After independence, the city was a part of Bombay state. When Gujarat was carved out in 1960, it again became the capital of the state until establishment of Gandhinagar in 1965. Ahmedabad is also the cultural and economical centre of Gujarat and the seventh largest city of India.
The Ahmedabad Stock Exchange (ASE) is the second oldest exchange of India located in the city of Ahmedabad in the Western part of the country and is fully owned by Government of India. It is recognised by Securities Contract (Regulations) Act, 1956 as permanent stock exchange. Its logo consists of the Swastika, which is one of the most auspicious symbols of Hinduism depicting wealth and prosperity.
Ahmad Shah I, born Ahmad Khan, was a ruler of the Muzaffarid dynasty, who reigned over the Gujarat Sultanate from 1411 until his death in 1442. He was the grandson of Sultan Muzaffar Shah, founder of the dynasty.
Jama Masjid, also known as Jumah Mosque or Jami' Masjid, is a mosque in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It was built in 1424 during the reign of Ahmad Shah I. The inscription on the central mihrab commemorates the inauguration of the mosque on the 1st Safar A.H. 827 or January 4, 1424 A.D. by Sultan Ahmad Shah I. The mosque lies in the old walled city, and it is situated outside Bhadra Fort area. The old walled city is divided into separate quarters or pols, and the Jami' Masjid is found on the Gandhi Road. Along the south side of the road, the mosque is a short distance beyond the Teen Darwaza or Tripolia Gate.
Sabarmati Marathon was an annual marathon foot-race held in Ahmedabad. It was held in January-February months from 2010 to 2015. It attracted a large number of local as well as some foreign participants.
Bhadra Fort is situated in the walled city area of Ahmedabad, India. It was built by Ahmad Shah I in 1411. With its well carved royal palaces, mosques, gates and open spaces, it was renovated in 2014 by the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a cultural centre for the city.
Ahmad Shah's Tomb, locally known as Badshah no Hajiro or Raja no Hajiro, is a medieval mosque and the group of tombs in Ahmedabad, India. Ahmad Shah's tomb is situated close to Jama Mosque and Manek Chowk.
Rani no Hajiro, also known as Mughalai Bibi's Tomb or Tombs of Ahmed Shah's Queens, is a tomb complex near Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad, India.
Baba Maneknath was 15th century legendary Hindu saint who lived on the banks of Sabarmati river near present city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
Manek Burj, also spelled Manek Buraj is the foundation bastion of Bhadra Fort in the old city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. The Burj is associated with legendary saint Maneknath.
Teen Darwaza is a historical gateway on the east of Bhadra Fort, Ahmedabad, India. Completed in 1415, it is associated with historical as well as legendary events. The gates are featured in the logo of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
The Darwaja or Gates of Ahmedabad were built during different times starting from 1411 as the entrances to the walled city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
Bhat is a village in Daskroi Taluka in Ahmedabad district of Gujarat State, India. Bhat is located near the bank of the Sabarmati River, 24 km towards west from District headquarters Ahmedabad, 5 km from Daskroi and 49 km from State capital Gandhinagar.
Ikyawann is an Indian television series that was broadcast on StarPlus and made available to stream on Hotstar. It premiered on 13 November 2017. The show starred Namish Taneja and Prachi Tehlan. The show is set in Ahmedabad, and produced by Suzana Ghai. It was replaced by A Game Show named Sabse Smart Kaun? from 4 June 2018.