Dutch Gardens -Surat |
About Dutch Gardens: |
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 of Dutch Gardens: |
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: Dastur Meherji-Rana Library: |
Mobile range info: |
How to reach Dutch Gardens? |
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 nearest Dutch Gardens: |
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: Sanjan: Udvada: Dutch Garden: Dandi: |
Nearest Petrol Pump: |
reliance petrol pump:Surat,Gujarat,India
Vimalnath Lubricants:9, Chandrak Soc.Shopping Centre,Rander Rd,Surat,Gujarat,India,ph:09426775982 |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation nearby Dutch Gardens: |
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 |
Navsari will be merged with its twin city of Surat under the Surat Metropolitan Region.The Surat Metropolitan area will be extended till Navsari. The state government wants to decongest and curb the haphazard development around the fastest growing city of Surat. For this, the ministry had sent a proposal to the CEPT University to prepare a project report titled regional planning strategy for Surat.The University, after a year long study and analysis, recently submitted a detailed report on the regionalisation of the city. Urban Development Minister Nitin Patel refused to comment, but K M Panchal, Chief Town Planning Officer in the Urban Development Ministry confirmed that he has received the report....more |
Udvada Nearest Surat |
A visit to Tourism of Gujarat an attendant visit to the city of Surat located in Gujarat India offers travel related information that Surat situated in Gujarat India is replete with an attendant paraphernalia of history and commercial feats. All this makes Surat, situated in Gujarat, India a place worth more than a single visit. Tourism of Gujarat, takes the tourist on a journey across the travel destinations of Surat, located in Gujarat, India, such as the castle of Surat, built in the year 1546 A.D, along with many Hindu, Jain and Parsi temples and mosques which were built as the history marched along the landscape of Surat, located in Gujarat, India....more |
Sardar Vallabhai Patel Museum |
he Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial is a museum and exhibition centre dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, an Indian independence activist and political leader, at the Moti Shahi Mahal, located in Shahibaug, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The Moti Shahi Mahal is surrounded by the Sardar Open Garden, where peacocks roam free and monkeys reside in the trees. The Sardar Open Air Theatre shows documentary films in the garden on occasion. Before the palace stands a statue of Patel. Four pillars mark the four wings, one floor and central hall of the palace.A major attraction of the Sardar Patel national memorial museum in Ahmedabad consists of the national flag that was designed by the Indian National Congress in 1930 -1931......more |
Ukai Dam |
Gujarat has around 21 large dams, among 541 Indian Dams. Ukai Dam near Surat is one of the major projects including Sardar Sarovar Dam. Only 5 projects of Gujarat are considered to be the prime sources of water across the state, namely the Dharoi, Dantiwada, Kadana, Ukai and Sardar Sarovar. These 5 Dams of Gujaratare also of national importance.The storage capacity of Ukai dam is almost 46% of the total capacity of all the other existing dams in Gujarat if put together. Thus it can be concluded that the rest of the dams have as little as 0.1% average storage capacity. Ukai Dam is thought to be the mega project in Gujarat. During last 40 years, the actual irrigation potential is attained through all the major and medium water resources projects.....more
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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 |