Besides being a cultural and economical hub of Gujarat, Ahmedabad has a long legacy to its name. Aashawal, Karnavati, Ahammadava, Ahimmabad, Ahmedpur, Akmipur, Amdavat, Amdavaz, Amdavar, Amdaver, Amdabath and finally, AHMEDABAD. Indeed a long journey right?
Once upon a time, Ahmedshah was heading towards Bharuch from Patan with his army. He decided to rest at the banks of the Sabarmati River. And he noticed some hares were chasing dogs. Impressed by the courage of hares, Ahmedshah decided to locate his new capital there.
He named the city ‘Ahmedabad’ (“The city of Ahmed”). The foundation of the city was laid on the second day of Dhu al-Qi’dah 813 A.H. (February, 26th, 1411 A.D.).
The historians described this incident in the more convincing form of saying in Hindi,
‘Jab kutte pe sassa aaya, tab Badshah ne shaher basaya,
which means
‘Seeing the hare chasing the dog, the Emperor built the City’.
The city of Ahmedabad came to be known after Badshah (Ahmedshah) who wished and worked for the peace and prosperity (Aabad) of the city (Ahmedabad).