Tuesday, 06 October 2009 06:11

Dutch Gardens -Surat

About:

Surat is a bustling port city sited in the state of Gujarat. A forerunner of India's industrial enterprises, Surat is shrouded in history and myriads of reference of its former efflorescence can be found in the chronicles of the Mahabarata, the annals of the foreign travelers and the British and Dutch colonial powers. A beautiful relic of Surat's glorious past are the magnificent and sprawling Dutch Gardens.

 

The Dutch garden in Surat is essentially cemeteries of the officers who landed and settled in Gujarat on their business ventures. Dutch garden is one of the most significant gardens in Surat. Gardens in Surat have been expanding from time to time, under succeeding gardeners to its present state. The striking features of the English and Dutch cemeteries are their huge and imposing tombs. They tell the story of power and glory. Tombs of Christopher Oxenden and George Oxenden, two English traders who took charge of the English Factory in Surat, are the biggest ones in the English cemetery. The tomb of Baron Adrian Van Reede, who was director of the Dutch Company in India, stands out arrestingly in the Dutch cemetery

Surat, a busy port city is the administrative headquarter of its namesake district. The city is full of life and has all the hustle and bustle that is characteristic of an industrial city. The second largest city of Gujarat, Surat is credited to be the ninth largest city of the Indian subcontinent with a population touching the sizable 4.9 million mark. Standing in a quiet corner away from the chaotic rush and the raucous traffic the Dutch Garden stands unperturbed by all the pollution and cacophony and offers a welcome refuge with generous stretches of

Surat Dutch Garden has been set up to pay homage to the Dutch officers who were drawn to Surat on business purposes. There are English, Dutch and Armenian cemeteries around the Kataragama Gate. There is an enormous mausoleum of Baron Adrian Van Reede, who died here in 1691. Godert de Ginkell, 1st Earl of Athlone or Godart van Ginkel was a Dutch general in the service of England.



He came of a dignified family, and bore the title of Baron van Reede, being the eldest son of Godart Adrian van Reede, Baron Ginkel. In his youth, he entered the Dutch army and served the country for a long period of time. He is a man of great reverence. While taking a stroll you might feel like offering your prayers to those whose soul are resting in peace in the cemetery ground. The ancient original port from where the ships sailed to other parts of the world is another main attraction near the Dutch gardens. The old English factory and the Anglican Church located close to Surat Dutch Garden are other interesting sites that are worth a visit.

Location info:

Address:Dutch Gardens,Surat,Gujarat,India
District: Surat
Nearest City: Surat
Best time to visit: October to May

Climate/Weather:

The average maximum and minimum temperatures are 40 °C (104 °F) and 18 °C (64 °F) respectively

History:

In 1612, the British established their trading factory in Surat soon to be followed by the Dutch and French. Due to political and climatic problems and growing significance of Mumbai, Surat lost its prominence. In 1852, Surat became the first municipality of Gujarat and gradually it became a major business city famous for its textile industry. The Dutch influence in the city is very prominent. Many Dutch as well as Englishman came over to Surat to start trading business in textile industry. These people opened a burial ground in honor of the Dutch businessman. The Dutch garden in Surat has been set up to cremate business men who came here for trading purpose.

Interesting things to do:

Interesting things to Visit:

Old Fort:
The city of Surat is located on the bank of river Tapi in the West Indian state of Gujarat. Surat was a grand port city during the Mughal period. Since the ancient times, the early port of Surat has been well-known for its elite quality fine silks and beautiful brocades and its trade in various spices. Surat has been one of the most progressive of India's cities in the 17th and 18th centuries. Presently, Surat is a chief industrial city with many textile mills. Besides, Surat is also an imperative diamond-cutting centre in India. Surat features many attractive tourist destinations. Monuments in Surat are a popular destination with tourists visiting the famous Old Fort which stands tall in the city.Surat Old Fort was built by Muhammad Tughlak in the 14th century to serve as the defense fortification against the Bhils. Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq was the original of the Tughlaqs to rule Delhi. Subsequent to Muhammad Sahab-ud-din Ghori, the next mention of Surat is in 1347 A.D., in connection with the rebellion of Gujarat during the time Surat was under Muhammad Tughlak (1325 to 1351). In 1373 A.D., the emperor Firoz Tughlak(1351 to 1388) is said to have built a fort at Surat to guard the town against Bhils attack who wanted to conquer the land.

 

Sardar Patel Museum:
Apart from its silks, textiles, spices and exquisite diamond cutting, the city of Surat is also famous for the various Tourist attractions in Surat. Though there are many gardens and monuments, the Museums in Surat are a big draw for many travelers. One such museum is the Sardar Patel museum in Surat.It was in the year 1890 that this particular museum was established. It houses the various artifacts that stood testimony to the Mughal and the British period.
The Sardar Patel Museum in Surat is a multipurpose museum which is located in Sonifalia. It plays host to several pieces of antiques such as that made of wood, metal, ivory, stone, sandalwood, porcelain and terracotta. Several old oil paintings, miniatures, textiles, manuscripts and many such other items are also displayed in the exhibition organized by this museum. This is the only museum in Surat that has gained a lot importance owing to its rich collection of ancient historical items that are important part of the national heritage too. One will come across 10, 000 specimen of the various arts and crafts at this place. There is also an open air theater which can accommodate about 4000 people at a time.

Dastur Meherji-Rana Library:
Dastur Meherji-Rana Library is rich in literature of the earliest Parsi or Zoroastrian settlements in Navsari and has many pictures of the old town. It is located at the Tarota bazar. Another important library is the Sayaji Vaibhav Library. Ubhrat a sandy white beach 20 km away is a perfect picnic spot. The Vansda National park has a variety of flora and fauna to see.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station: Surat railway station is one of the major junctions on the Mumbai - Delhi - Ahmedabad broad gauge line. Several important mail and express trains connect Surat to important cities in Gujarat and other states of western India.
Nearest Airport:Vadodara airport at a distance of 140 kms
Road Transport:Good network of roads connect Surat to cities of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Buses are availbale from Vadodara (140 kms), Ahmedabad (267 kms), Gandhinagar (280 kms) and Mumbai (326 kms) to Surat.

Nearest Visiting places:

Saputara Hill Station:
Take a deep breath. Disappear. You have entered nature’s womb.In winter, at the spill of dawn, trek up to the Gandhi Shikhar as the river of light bathes the streams over undulating mountains and the drifting birds, into a magical dance of awakening.In rains, breathe in the rolling hills of Saputara, echoing green hues, lush with flowers, and watch the meditating rain drops sitting still on sloping leaves. Some of the thickest forest cover in the state envelops you.

In summer, walk carefree on the expanse of the Governor’s hill and see the sun dip into the Saputara lake as the sky begins to shimmer with stars.As your bus chugs uphill, crisscrossing over the Ambika river, you leave all the congestion of towns and cities far below you and enter the spirit world of tribal people. Nestled in the Sahyadri range, at an altitude of about 1000 m, this Dangi enclave derives its name from the Snake god revered by the tribals and translates as ‘the abode of serpents’, Saputara.In spite of being the only hill station of Gujarat, it is minimally commercialized, still unspoiled.

Navsari:
A port city in Gujarat, Surat boasts of being the second largest city in Gujarat. Located on the banks of the river Tapi, Surat is popular for its narrow streets and beautiful houses. The city is a major industrial hub of Gujarat and is well known for its textiles and diamond business. Apart from these, the many Tourist attractions in Surat are also worth a visit during your Tour to Surat. One such place to visit is Navsari close to Surat. Navsari is popular as the headquarters of the Parsis ever since they settled in Surat. It is one of the leading Monuments in Surat.Navsari is recognized as the birthplace of the great business tycoons such as Dadabhoy Naoroji, Jamshetji Tata and Sir Jamshetji Jeejeebhoy.
A large number of tourists from the different places of the country come to have a look at Navsari close to Surat. Several people from the Parsi origin also come here to see this site as this was the first dwelling place of the Parsis who migrated to Gujarat. The excellence of the Parsi architecture can be well understood from the various edifices of this place that are built in the authentic Parsi style. The Parsi Vad is one such structure that has become a heritage site and attracts a lot of tourists. Being one of the important tourist attractions in Surat, Navsari is also popular for its various types of Zoroastrian arts, crafts, food items and many other such items.

Sanjan:
Surat, located on the western part of India within the Gujarat state is often touted as the Silk City and the Diamond City. The burgeoning textile and diamond businesses attract many a corporate guests, but the city has also not failed to captivate the imagination of the leisure tourists as well. There are a number of monuments in Surat that play a key role in boosting the value of the place in terms of tourism. If you are planning to take a trip to Surat, then a visit to Surat's Sanjan is highly recommended.Sanjan was one of the primary Parsi settlements in India. A number of excavations carried out in Surat's Sanjan have thrown a new light on the momentous episode of the flight of the Zoroastrians from Iran, about 1,400 years ago. According to the popular belief Surat's Sanjan was founded by the Zoroastrians who took shelter here after they were compelled to flee Iran. The progeny of those Zoroastrians are, at present, known as the Parsis.

Udvada:
Standing on the bank of the river Tapi, the city of Surat has several tourist attractions. Amongst the Tourist attractions in Surat, Udvada, near Surat deserves a mention. It is regarded highly in the list of Monuments in Surat. There is a holy place for the Parsis here and they hold this place in great reverence.The history of Udvada, near Surat dates back to the time when the Parsis brought the holy flame here from Persia.Udvada, near Surat is celebrated for being a very sacred place among the Parsis and is a small sleepy village which is located in the southern coast of Gujarat. It is as important to the Parsis as is Haridwar for the Hindus, Mecca for the Muslims and Vatican City for the Christians. A large number of Parsis flock here every year, both from within the country and from abroad. It was here that the victorious fire or Atash Behram was brought from Persia by the Parsis in the 18th century. This fire is placed in a temple which is strictly meant for the Parsis. As a result, the non-Parsis are not allowed to enter here. This place can be visited from outside. Peace and bliss pervades here that simply enthralls the visitors who come from far and wide.

Dutch Garden:
The Dutch garden in Surat is essentially cemeteries of the officers who landed and settled in Gujarat on their business ventures. Dutch garden is one of the most significant gardens in Surat. Gardens in Surat have been expanding from time to time, under succeeding gardeners to its present state. The striking features of the English and Dutch cemeteries are their huge and imposing tombs. They tell the story of power and glory. Tombs of Christopher Oxenden and George Oxenden, two English traders who took charge of the English Factory in Surat, are the biggest ones in the English cemetery. The tomb of Baron Adrian Van Reede, who was director of the Dutch Company in India, stands out arrestingly in the Dutch cemetery.In 1612, the British established their trading factory in Surat soon to be followed by the Dutch and French. Due to political and climatic problems and growing significance of Mumbai, Surat lost its prominence. In 1852, Surat became the first municipality of Gujarat and gradually it became a major business city famous for its textile industry. The Dutch influence in the city is very prominent. Many Dutch as well as Englishman came over to Surat to start trading business in textile industry. These people opened a burial ground in honor of the Dutch businessman. The Dutch garden in Surat has been set up to cremate business men who came here for trading purpose.

Dandi:
Dandi is situated on the coastline near the Surat city of Gujarat. The place is associated with the famous Dandi March organized by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Owing to the fact that the place was the venue for an important campaign in the National Freedom Struggle of India, it has become a major excursion from Surat. It is a small hamlet known as a salt center. In the year 1930, Mahatma Gandhi organized the Dandi March to revolt against the salt laws imposed by the British Government.He organized the campaign based on the principles of non violence and boycott. Under the Civil Disobedience Movement, Gandhiji and his 78 Satyagrahis decided to march from the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to the Dandi village. All of them covered a distance of 240 miles on foot. On reaching the salt center in the remote hamlet, they manufactured their own salt in defiance of the tax levied by the government. This was a historic moment in the freedom fighting period.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

reliance petrol pump:Surat,Gujarat,India

Vimalnath Lubricants:9, Chandrak Soc.Shopping Centre,Rander Rd,Surat,Gujarat,India,ph:09426775982

Mahavir Petrol Pump:Rander Road, SuratGujarat,India,ph:0261 2787208

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Tex Palazzo Hotel:Ring Rd,Sanjay Nagar,Surat,Gujarat,India,ph:0261 6616021

Budget Inn Bellevue:Near railway station,sumul dairy road,surat,Gujarat,ph:0261 2532121

Hotel Lords ParK:Delhi Gate,Ring Road,Surat,Gujarat,India,ph:022 66181940

Things to carry:

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:100
Nearest Hospital:
Gabani Ashvin Devjibhai Gabani Kidney Hospital:1st Floor Near Aurved College,railway Station,Surat,Gujarat,India,ph:0261 2531174
Healing Hand Hospital:Prasham Building,City Light Road,Surat,ph:0261 2223227
Society/Community Phone Number:
Link:www.mapsofindia.com

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Old Fort Surat
Surat is famous for its monuments and the centuries old old fort that stands tall in the city.It was built by Muhammad bin Tughlak in the 14th century to guard the city from Bhils attack. Known as Muhammad Kunhi by birth, he was the most cruel and cold blooded sultan among the Mughal Emperors; but was very concerned about his men and brilliantly made this fort. The fort was invaded twice by the Maratha Emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji. This exquisite architectural marvel with strong walls and iron bars is a place of worth a visit. The fort is now being used as the Municipal office of the city.....more
Navsari Nearest Surat
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Udvada Nearest Surat
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Sardar Vallabhai Patel Museum
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Ukai Dam
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Tapi river
Tapti is a river of western India and the history of this river starts with its origin in the Betul district. It rises in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh and flows between two spurs of the Satpura Hills, across the plateau of Khandesh, and thence through the plain of Surat to the sea. It has a total length of around 724 km. and drains an area of 30,000 sq. m. For the last 32 m. of its course, it is a tidal flow, but is only navigable by vessels of small tonnage; and the port of Swally at its mouth. The history of this river is closely associated with the Anglo Portuguese history. The upper reaches of the river are now deserted, owing to silting at the outflow of the river. The waters of the Tapti are usually not used for irrigation.Tapi river is one of the major rivers in India. The total length of the Tapi river is approximately around 724 km. It flows in the central part of India.....more